Long-overdue renovations

While I am certainly pleased that necessary renovations are being made at my alma mater (and former employer), I am left wondering if there are any improvements planned for Grauel Building. I've been told that this is the building in which the highest percentage of all Southeast Missouri State University students attend a class during their time in college due to the composition and literature requirements for degree programs.

Despite its prominence in students' academic careers, Grauel seems to be routinely ignored when it comes time to renovate or update facilities. As a result, department chairwoman Dr. Scates and her outstanding staff are often required to teach under circumstances far less desirable than those found in other buildings and other departments.

I applaud the members of the English Department (and others housed in Grauel), and I challenge the board of regents and other officials involved in planning renovations to take a closer look at Grauel and to make some long-overdue renovations.

PATTI MIINCH, St. Charles, Mo.