A group of students and faculty from the School of Art have decided to hold a performance art protest to encourage the State Legislature to provide funding for a new Studio Arts building.
Loren Schwerd, an associate professor within the School of Art, explains that, to her knowledge, there have been discussions about renovating the Studio Arts building since 1984. She expresses her frustration with the process because plans continue to be drawn up and then cancelled.
Schwerd explains that when there is an emergency such as asbestos insulation that needed to be removed or the ceiling caving in, the administration will respond promptly.
 Their current Studio Arts building has roof leaks, broken widows, crumbling stairs, no ventilation for chemicals or dust and limited security, among other issues.
Savanna LaBauve, a sophomore art student, explains that her computer was stolen from the building and expresses her concern about the building’s condition. This concern has only grown since a 300 pound block of concrete fell into the building’s kiln room over Thanksgiving break. This prevented students from completing their final projects.
Labauve continues by stating it is scary to have late classes or stay late to work on a project because anyone has access to the building since two doors are left open every day except on game days. Last summer there was a homeless person living in the building. Other common occupants are rats, squirrels and possums.
Abigayle Brewer, a freshman studying graphic design, states that she likes the feel of the building because it has character, but feels that it is also kind of dangerous.
She explains that there are frequent robberies. She said that last year in her 3-D art class someone stole all the light bulbs in the room and another time, vandalized her entire classes’ projects.
The art students who have worked in the building seem to have similar feelings about the state it is in. While investigating the various problems, one person asked, “Are you waiting for the building to fall down? That will be another 15 minutes.” Another pointed to a crack running across the ceiling and said, “And that was ‘repaired.’” 
There have been unconfirmed rumors that the building will be renovated in 2016, but Schwerd states that it can only be held together by Duct Tape for so long.
When asked more about the protest, Schwerd stated that she will participate and that it will happen later this semester, but declined to give any other information.