When a facilities employee pressure-washed the path between the Parker Building and the Don Taft University Center on Nov. 8, he not only washed away paint, he also washed away students’ hard work.
Jazmin Zea, graduate assistant for Clubs and Organization Devel-opment in the Office of Student Activities, said that the Office of Facilities Management was notified of a block painting event that took place the day before, three months in advance. She said a person was assigned to pressure-clean the blocks between Nov. 1 and Nov. 5. But the person did not finish on time, and returned the day after students painted the blocks, damaging more 30 of them.
Tanvi Patel, junior business administration major and member of Phi Sigma Sigma said, “I was worried about our block but then I saw that it wasn’t ruined so I was happy. It took a lot of time and paint. We were there for seven hours. I felt bad for everyone else, because I know how long and how hard it must have taken, but I was relieved it was not ours.”
Zea also lamented the damage to the blocks.
“Everything was great,” she said. “We had about 76 registered organizations painting blocks and there was a great turnout. It was a really good event, except for that one person.”
Lina Fernandez, vice president of the chemistry club, said that although she was shocked and upset that so many blocks were ruined, she did not blame Facilities Management.
“After all, it was not as if the sidewalk had been sectioned off and signs declaring wet paint were not put up,” she said.
However, Zea said the lack of communication within Facilities Management was at fault.
“There needs to be more communication between the individual and the department because he didn’t call or anything. He came back to finish the job but it was too late,” Zea said.
Maria Lemme, Facilities Man-agement spokesperson, was not available for comment. However, Zea said Facilities Management will reimburse her office $2,000 for the paint and damage.
The event will be rescheduled for the middle of January. She also said the judging of the blocks and the award ceremony will take place after the repainting in January. First place will receive $150, second place will receive $100, and third place will receive $50. All winning organizations will receive a trophy.
