Options for Norris Hall down to two
Friday, November 16, 2007; 12:00 AM
The task force reviewing proposals for the best use of the 4,500 square foot wing in Norris Hall have narrowed their options down to two final proposals.

The first proposal is the Institute for Transformative Learning with two centers within, one being named the Center for Violence Prevention and Peace Studies and the other being named the Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships.

The second proposal will be called Re-Creating a Student-Centered Community, which was submitted by the department of engineering science and mechanics, part of the College of Engineering.

The task force is basing its decision on a number of different components, including which option will best correspond to the university's mission.

"Both do fit the mission," said Mark Owczarski, university spokesman. "One involves teaching and learning and the other involves learning and service. Both do directly relate to the mission; the question is which one would relate the best."

The task force, which is chaired by University Provost Mark McNamee, has been reviewing proposals since September.

"The charge of that task force is extremely difficult," said Owczarski. "Obviously the future of Norris Hall has a very emotional element to it."

The task force's goal is to submit the final proposal to President Charles Steger by Dec. 7, but Ozwarski said that if the task force feels that further deliberation is necessary, the date will be pushed back.

"It's something you can't rush," Ozwarski said. "So many human elements are in this that they want to make sure they get the feedback and consider all the various options. It's a decision not to be taken lightly."

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Posted by: Greg at 11/28/07 A multi-million dollar STATE OF THE ART whineatorium in deed. And....If you didn't notice....Norris Hall is a nuclear bomb shelter. Irony? Flag Abuse
Posted by: Adam at 11/27/07 Mike-I'll admit that I get a little heated when I see people senselessly bashing the social sciences. This is not liberal vs. conservative thing. You're just wrong. America is extremely liberal, and I'm not talking tree-hugging hippies. The idea of a peace institute is also extremely liberal... neo-liberal to be exact. Anyone who says otherwise needs to do some serious study on political systems. The ill-informed are often the ones who see the world in black and white--in this case, liberal vs. conservative. This is a total shame. Anyway, this isn't the place to preach about this... Flag Abuse
Posted by: Pete R at 11/27/07 I agree another memorial isn't needed...those rooms /floor / building will always carry an emotional legacy. I am not sure if a "Center for Violence Prevention and Peace Studies" is the right answer either...like anyone can become an expert on that subject (Palestine). Our current Secretary of State was Professor of Political Science..HA!. Anyways, a "Center for Student Engagement (how about employment) and Community Partnerships"...sure Flag Abuse
Posted by: John W at 11/27/07 I'm a 2007 alum and very close to one of the victims. I like both of these ideas. I'm glad they've selected two uses that will produce some sort of results, rather than simply making those rooms into another memorial. Actually, I think both the uses they've mentioned will serve to memorialize the victims while also benefiting the University. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Mike at 11/27/07 Adam, instead of chiding the entire field of hard-science or Engineering as being inferior to the "real thinking" of other liberal pursuits, please keep your comments rooted in the merit (or lack thereof) of the individual proposed programs, and not their parent groups. The article clearly states that both proposals satisfy the requirements of the mission statement, there is simply a question as to which would better serve the university and community as a whole. No need to be an alarmist. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Adam at 11/27/07 ...and another thing: whenever someone starts throwing around labels such as "un-American" one should run as fast as he or she can in the opposite direction. Try cracking a history book and find out what other not-so-great movements used terms like that... you'll find a disgusting legacy. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Adam at 11/27/07 Some of the comments on here make me fear a future where engineers are pushed toward leadership positions... there is a much-needed place for the humanities and social sciences. If anyone fails to recognize that, you should try sticking your head outside of a lab every now and then and actually cracking a book that isn't filled with numbers and calculations - probably best to start with the Constitution. You think Jefferson didn't read his great works of litrature, politics, and philosophy? right... now go design something and leave the real thinking to the big boys. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Jason T at 11/19/07 Dave, I understand your argument, but yes, it is. The creation of the USA was anti-British, much as a hostile overthrow of the US government established by the very Declaration you mention would be anti-American. I didn't say such actions are never justified, just that they are inherently anti-American. Just becaues our country was created by revolution doesn't mean that revolution is the American way. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Dave at 11/19/07 "It is anti-American to go outside the political system to, for instance, violently overthrow the administration because of your disagreement." Heard of the Declaration of Independence? or the Revolutionary War? Violently overthrowing a ruling government you disagree with is arguably the foundation of this nation. Of course both of these ideas would have been strongly denounced and/or opposed by the "Center for Peace Studies" Flag Abuse
Posted by: Jason T at 11/19/07 We don't want to detract from the other academic programs already in place, but as long as the new center doesn't deprive existing programs of needed resources (including people, money, buildings, technology), I don't think it's necessarily a bad pilot program. However, there should be concrete measures established to determine if the program is successful. I'd hate to see it turn into a waste of time that nobody is willing to discontinue just because it has ties to April 16. Also, to address the anti-American comments below, there is a difference between those who hate our country and those who love it so much that they want to change it for the better. However, we often lump people in the latter category as anti-American. I'm ashamed of how often politicians (particularly my fellow Republicans) use this argument. It is not anti-American to question the current policies of the government and attempt to enact change through the political system. It is anti-American to go outside the political system to, for instance, violently overthrow the administration because of your disagreement. Let's be sure we don't use "anti-American" to mean "anyone who doesn't think the way the Bush administration does." Flag Abuse
Posted by: Eric at 11/19/07 Fred, I am not saying that the "Center for Peace Studies" would suddenly become some world class meeting place for the leaders of the world. You're right, if that was the aim, it would be much more appropriate to put such a center in NY or DC. What I am saying is that the Peace center could serve as a place encouraging an exchange of ideas among students, faculty and even visitors. Considering how small technology has made our world, the ideas coming out of the center could very possibly have impacts reaching beyond Southwestern Virginia. I want to reiterate that I am not taking a stance on this. I just think that each proposal is valid in it's own way and that people should keep an open mind in evaluating them. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Fred at 11/18/07 Eric -- It is comical to think that Blacksburg's "Center for Peace Studies" would be effective in communicating to the world. If you want to go and play international diplomat or crusader, you go to a school in New York or Washington DC, where the world is at work. Not Blacksburg, Virginia, which isn't anywhere close to anything but mountains and doesn't have a decent airport. Machines are what give Virginia Tech its record of accomplishment. It is a FINE engineering school. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Eric at 11/18/07 I find it comical that so many people assume that the Center for Peace Studies would be a place where a bunch of whining academics would gather to complain about the world without taking any action. Who's to say it wouldn't be a place where great things could be done for this campus and the world? I am not going to take a definitive stance on this issue because I don't know enough about the proposals and exactly what each one would entail. However, I do think that Virginia Tech could benefit from the creation of a place like "the Center for Violence Prevention and Peace Studies" as it would diversify the ways in which Tech seeks to "Invent the Future." I think that too many times people interpret the motto as pertaining to actual inventions. How about inventing new ideas rather than just machines? Flag Abuse
Posted by: j. at 11/18/07 Just wondering when the study of peace and the prevention of violence became "anti-American." If this is the prevailing attitude, then perhaps this type of Center is what is needed afterall -- if for no other reason than to provide options for those of us who are proud to live in this country and want to make a positive impact on our place in a global society. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Kevin at 11/17/07 Um, guys, it's just stuff. It's just a building. Why should we do anything with it? Wasn't Norris serving its purpose last March? The last thing we need to do is attach meaning to a BUILDING--composed of brick, steel, and some fire exits. It's a BUILDING. The people are what matter, not brick and mortar. It should just be re-opened as it was before. We don't need to attach meaning to steel. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Fred at 11/16/07 Peace studies and non-aggression studies would be an irony in Norris Hall. It certainly didn't work on April 16th, as the students, helpless -- could only cower under their desks and wait to be shot. Attempts at constructive dialog and thus negotiation with a stone cold killer would have not worked. He could have only been stopped with controlled violence ending in his own death. I have the sad feeling that if by chance the Peace Studies group wins this bid that the "Room of 32 scholars" plan they envision will be a place for misguided grad students to toke up, tune out and complain about how hard _their_ lives were in Arlington. Let's give the building back to engineering. Unlike the navel gazers and anti-Americans of "peace studies", engineers keep their mouths shut when it comes to opinion and focus on producing concrete results through their research. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Engineering rules VT at 11/16/07 Last time I checked, engineering ruled Virginia Tech. Due to the fact that they contribute more to this school than any other academic department, 'more than their fair share' is a totally inappropriate judgment. For all of you who want to remember - there is a site on the drillfield for that(note: the most visible part of the VT campus). No one is trying to forget, but everyone needs to be able to move on. You know what is going to happen if Norris is converted for one of these purposes? People are never going to set foot in it. Engineering all the way. No wonder that poster's screenname is 'bm'. Flag Abuse
Posted by: pm at 11/16/07 I find it interesting that people are stating things regarding 'giving Norris back to Engineering'. In fact many of the offices allocated to engineering have been evacuated by the Dean, not taken from them. The space was then given to other engineering departments. The Dean was gracious enough to displace other non-engineering groups in non-engineering buildings. In my view it's only fair that the space be used for something other then engineering who has a history of taking more than their fair share. I don't know that I agree with the actual options, but please don't think that the College of Engineering as a whole has ever been taken advantage of with regards to space and resources. Flag Abuse
Posted by: bm at 11/16/07 Do we really need more engineering research at this school? To "invent the future" not only means to technologically advance, but find ways to make the world a better place. Peace studies is a way to do that - and Tech is sorely lacking in this regard. Besides which, Center for Nonviolence is a poetic way to move on from April 16. Turning it into more engineering would be like pretending nothing ever happened. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Mike M at 11/16/07 Just to add another alum's opinion - PLEASE do not turn Norris into some touchy-feely "Peace Studies" waste of space. Why do we feel this is necessary? Why do we continue to give one deranged lunatic such power over us? We need to prove to the Chos of the world that we are stronger than they, that they cannot defeat us, and that they will not deter us from our chosen path. Stand up, people! We have a center for peace studies, it's called the Political Science department. Flag Abuse
Posted by: pratt at 11/16/07 please dear lord keep norris a part of the engineering department. that first option is ABSOLUTELY USELESS!!! yeah it may sound appropriate, but it's totally not practical. as for anti-american rhetoric...TG--i'm with you all the way. no place for that here at Tech in AMERICA...please people. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Concerned Student at 11/16/07 Were the students even asked about the future of Norris? I assume they were but from hearing people and speaking with students, I barely see their views in the option from the Engineering department but not at all in the "Peace Studies" option. Don't you dare take another academic building and turn it into a department for uselessness, give it back to the engineering department. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Eat it TG at 11/16/07 Anti-American rhetoric is not only ok, it is the responsibility of the people of the country. Spouting off pro-American sentiment is for politicians and military personnell, and they do it enough for all of us. Norris should be reconverted to a new engineering building. Preferrably with state of the art labs, but a few classrooms would be ok, too. There already isn't enough space on campus to waste Norris on this garbage. Flag Abuse
Posted by: TG at 11/16/07 What's wrong w/ a little "anti-American" rhetoric? Umm, there is no place for it on the Virginia Tech campus. And if you want to spout anti-American crap please transfer and preferably somewhere outside of America. Flag Abuse
Posted by: drew at 11/16/07 What's wrong with a little "anti-American rhetoric" on this conservative campus? Is there a problem with diversifying the opinions and ideologies that can be found on an academic campus? Is the US really so perfectly benevolent that its actions need never be questioned at all? Mind you, I agree that an engineering building should stay an engineering building. Let's put the Center for Peace Studies somewhere else. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Seth Price at 11/16/07 I need to find more uses for the word "whineatorium" as it could be the best word I've ever heard. Flag Abuse
Posted by: CM at 11/16/07 I believe that Norris Hall should be the state-of-the-art engineering building and cornerstone to the department of engineering that it's always been. The "Center for Violence Prevention and Peace Studies" is not a good plan for this space. How can we 'invent the future' when space that could be used for state of the art technology is monopolized with 'peace studies'? It sounds like it would be a magnet for people with unhealthy and radical visions. As for a museum/memorial to the 16th, I believe we are already inundated with reminders of that day. They are taking great care of the gifts, but there has to be a time to move forward and continue making Tech a technologically advanced campus. Maybe there could be a small display somewhere in the building, but that by no means should take over any functional space. We need the ability to move past this event, and continue to ‘invent the future.’ That will say more about us than any Center for Peace Studies could. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Scott Ahearn ('07) at 11/16/07 "Center for Violence Prevention and Peace Studies" has to be the biggest eyeroll I've had all week. The phrase "Peace Studies" pretty much guarantees that it will be completely useless and nothing more than a multi-million-dollar whineatorium. We need to show how strong we are by making Norris Hall into a state-of-the-art Engineering research building, with the second floor serving as a museum/memorial displaying everything that was sent to us around the world. Let it be a beacon showing who we are and what happened, not a monument to the manufactured anguish of subsequent classes of students. Flag Abuse
Posted by: VT2007Grad at 11/16/07 What happened to Norris Hall being turned into a museum/memorial of some sort? All of the gifts that have been sent to VT from all around the world can be displayed there. If there is room left, put use to the building for academic means. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Fred at 11/16/07 The proposal for the "Center for Violence Prevention and Peace Studies" would serve as a magnet for inviting professors with anti-American rhetoric foaming from their lips. Ward Connerly and his ilk need not be attracted to Virginia Tech, turn the Norris Hall area back over to the Engineering Department, which will put things back in place to productive design and technical innovation, as opposed to formation of incendiary rhetoric. Flag Abuse






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