We commend the University for taking the student’s argument into account, and we appreciate the change in policy. However, when justifying the use of the screens in the first place, Nick Benassi, an associate dean of the engineering school, mentioned that the screens are not only used to inform current students but also to give prospective students on tours easy access to information about activities at the engineering school.

We feel that prospective students ought to know about campus happenings, and insofar as this strategy is effective, we support it. However, the flat screens in the DUC, Whispers, business school and engineering buildings reveal a larger trend at the University with regard to student speech and advertisings: Oftentimes, student groups must unnecessarily go through the administration to advertise and promote their events. In addition, an official Student Union logo is required on any SU student group flier.

Of course, student groups are funded through the University-mandated Student Activities Fee in the first place, and the system of central coordination makes student groups effective and efficient. However, flat screens and SU logos make it appear—to prospective students as well as current ones—that all student activities are formally controlled and coordinated by the University, which detracts from the legitimate efforts of independent students. When we must submit a request through the administration to promote an event, we risk forgetting about our ability to organize on our own terms.

With the incipient movement of the South 40 to all modern dorms and the gradual replacement and renovation of older buildings, many students would argue that the University is beginning to lose a sense of authentic collegiate appeal. Our campus environment is polished and attractive, but the key component of a University experience is the student body. While the current system makes it appear as though every organ runs perfectly within the organization of SU groups and the University at large, we must keep in mind that there remain improvements to be made organically by students and the groups they form.

We attend a University where the environment is comfortable to a fault, where we think of ourselves as existing in a nearly perfectly coordinated bubble. The existence of flat screens and the requirement of SU logos are symbolic representations of this central coordination. However, we owe it to ourselves to continually question and alter this environment on our own terms. The student who put up the fliers in the first place is a shining example of someone who is able to do so, and we encourage others to question policy in the same vein.

(Matt Mitgang | Student Life)

Following a silent demonstration from an anonymous party, the Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science has pledged to cut down the amount of time it operates several flat-screen televisions in its buildings.

The engineering school primarily uses the flat-screens to display information or promotional slides from administrators and students or cable television programs. Three of them sit prominently across the main entrance to Lopata Hall.

Two weeks ago, several signs of protest—printed simply in black font on white paper—were posted anonymously on the screens inside Lopata. The signs noted the high price and operating cost of the flat screens and questioned the University’s decision to spend money on the screens, given the current economic climate.

“The signs did prompt us to look at how long the screens are on, and we are initiating a new policy that the screens will be on from 8 a.m to 6 p.m.,” said Nick Benassi, associate dean for the engineering school.

Benassi said this time is the highest traffic period in front of the screens. The screens will also be turned off on weekends and holidays.

Senior Dan Brewster, president of EnCouncil, supports the engineering school’s decision to reduce the screens’ hours of operation. But Brewster said he feels most students are not opposed to the screens.

“People don’t really have an issue with it, and I think that most people notice the screens and maybe appreciate having the information there, but they don’t have an actual issue with it,” Brewster said. “We hope that if they did, they’d come talk to us about it before just doing random things that aren’t going to get them anywhere.”

Junior Sam Fok said the screens “do a good job of informing people about what the school is all about.” But he also expressed some disagreement with the school’s decision to reduce the screens’ hours of operation.

“Since they’re there already, I think we might as well make full use of them,” Fok said. “I don’t know if they need all three screens in the entrance of Lopata, but having the media there that is readily adaptable is useful.”

Brewster said he feels that the screens display information more efficiently than bulletin boards, which EnCouncil had used to announce events in the past. Brewster said his fliers inevitably become buried by the slew of papers that also cover the bulletin boards.

“No one looks at bulletin boards. There’s a lot of paper that gets wasted on them, so the school wanted to go in this direction,” he said. “By having the screens up there, the engineering school is able to get its messages out.”

But some students said even the screens fail to grab their attention.

“I think it’s good that the screens save a lot of paper, but I don’t ever really look at them, and I don’t look at the paper either, for that matter,” sophomore Michael Laks said.

Greener than bulletin boards?

Both Brewster and Benassi emphasized the flat-screen televisions’ potential for making the University more sustainable, compared to the bulletin boards that had been used in the past.

“The school feels that it can cut down on the amount of paper it uses,” Brewster said. “By using those screens, it can improve communication to students, faculty, staff, everyone who walks through that lobby a couple times a day.”

“It’s a great way to get messages out when they want to,” he added.

Benassi echoed Brewster’s belief that using the screens will be a more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient practice for the school.

“[The screens are] saving paper and expenses related to producing the paper,” Benassi said. “A student can do one electronic Powerpoint slide and send it to us, so we can distribute it to many locations.”

Benassi also emphasized the importance of the screens for prospective students of the engineering school, who start their tour in the lobby of Lopata.

“We have the two different audiences—visiting prospective students and parents can catch a glimpse of the school while they’re waiting for their tours and for the internal students can learn about what’s going on.”