Fine Arts Students Complain about Building Conditions

By Isabelle Guthrie | Published April 3, 2023

As aspiring artists walk towards Vaughn-Eames, there is a feeling of excitement but if they only knew that they were in for a rude awakening. 

Vaughn-Eames has been the gateway for all artists to show their talents in many ways, as it is home to students majoring in Fine Arts, Theatre Arts, and Dance. However, the lack of renovations to the historical building has left students frustrated.

Vaughn-Eames, built in 1969, holds an important history of previous artists who made an impact at Kean. The building itself, however, doesn’t properly show the impact that these artists have made. 

A 2022 article written by Isaiah Joseph, The Tower’s current arts and entertainment editor, stated that the conditions of the building makes it hard for the students to focus on their work.

These renovations were fought hard by students through a 2020 protest. They expressed their concerns because of the damages that were in the building. From moldy ceilings to water leaks, according to Joseph’s article.  

Linda Davis, a graduate fine arts major, had stated that the protest also consisted of Kean University’s previous president wanting to shut down the art department and fire the professors within the department. 

“Our protest was for the better treatment of the art department and to save our art history professor’s jobs. As well as pointing out the damages in our building,” said Davis.  

Eric Miele, graduate fine arts major, stated what students needed for their department and what they had received instead. 

“We needed central heating, proper working windows, hot water, working bathrooms, new easels and many other things. They fixed some of these issues and gave us a new floor that we did not need. Some of these issues still remain today,” Miele said. 

Davis also expressed her frustrations on the conditions of the building. Davis said the students only received half of their easels and weren’t sure if the sinks were fixed. 

“The renovations that happened were to the floors and new paint on the walls. I’m not sure if the photography room’s sink or the painting room’s sink was fixed but it was definitely needed. We also got new easels but only received half of them,” Davis said.

Told of the complaints, a Kean spokesperson said the university has been improving the building.

“Kean University has made significant investment in renovations at Vaughn-Eames Hall in the last several years, including hallway upgrades, plumbing work, painting and landscaping,” said Margarett McCorry. “Additional work on the building’s elevators and a roof replacement are planned for this summer.”

A graduate senior and fine arts major who wanted to remain anonymous because they were not comfortable with their name being shown in the article, had expressed their concerns about their department and how it was unfair that they are still working in these conditions.

“From what I’ve seen and heard, they re-did the floors, repainted the doors, and said they ordered new easels. As far as other renovations go, I don’t see much of a difference,” the student said.

Though the changes were appreciated, the student voiced that there was not much of a difference and it was not enough. There is still much work to be done and students are still upset and want a better working environment.

“As nice as it looked, we had actually asked for more changes and updates. But for the time being it was better than nothing. However, I hope that the art department starts getting real renovations in the future,” the student said.

The student who wished to remain anonymous stressed that they feel neglected due to the little renovations made and also the fact that they had to wait a really long time for these minor changes. 

“In some ways yes I feel neglected, but I want to see more. I want to see that Kean is willing to help improve our department equally with how they improve their STEM and Sports Department. The Visual Arts are just as important,” the student explained. 

Students are not happy with what is going on in the art department. It is unfair and this has come to a point where they are even feeling neglected. 

Every student in this university has an opportunity to express themselves and continue on their paths to where they want to be. They should be given a fair chance and treated with respect while they are on their journeys. 

Davis had also expressed her frustrations of feeling neglected and voiced that her peers feel the same way.
“If they cared we wouldn’t have had to protest to simply get two sinks fixed. I think it’s very telling of how much the university cares,” Davis said. “I’m graduating this semester and I’m not sure anything is going to change once I’m gone. I can only hope. I loved my time here but I really hope incoming students can have a better experience than I did.”

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