Six University art students met with administrators Friday to discuss possible short-term fixes to problems in the Studio Arts Building.
The 90-year-old building has been slated for renovation for years, and blueprints have already been drawn for the project. Still, the University’s capital outlay requests for the $15 million needed to renovate have been consistently vetoed by the state legislature.
That is likely to be the case again this legislative session, so the University is exploring ways to address immediate concerns.
Director of External Affairs Jason Droddy said in an email that the meeting with students was productive. He said Facility Services executive director Tony Lombardo agreed to conduct a walk-through of the Studio Arts Building with students.
“LSU is currently looking into short-term options related to the roof and HVAC system,” Droddy said.
The meeting came after art students and faculty held a silent protest on Thursday to draw attention to the building’s poor conditions. Also on Thursday, fine arts master’s student Melissa Precise posted a letter to LSU President F. King Alexander on her Tumblr account, in which she explained her decision to transfer to another university after this semester.
“While it may seem an extreme measure … my leaving is an action proportionate to its cause: an unsafe, unhealthy, and unproductive working environment,” the letter says.
Although she is leaving, Precise still wants to see art programs thrive at the University.
“All of us want to boast proudly, years from now, that we studied art at LSU,” the letter says. “We want to come back to visit a campus that is thriving and a Studio Art Building that is standing strong.”
Precise, who attended the meeting with administrators, told The Daily Reveille she believes the first steps toward addressing issues are finally being taken. Short-term repairs including improved climate control will alleviate other problems, like mold that has been identified throughout the building, she said.
“All of us want to boast proudly, years from now, that we studied art at LSU.”

Gallery • 3 Photos

Richard Redmann

An LSU art student marches with a half-face respirator in protest of the dilapidated state and hazardous conditions in the Ceramic Studio on April 3, 2014 behind Memorial Tower.