Daily Egyptian
Samantha Edmondson
It is over six feet tall and a sharp maroon red. It posts detailed directions, and it stumped most students and faculty passing by the Communications Building Tuesday afternoon.
Two large directional signs in different spots around the Communications Building swayed in the wind as Simyra Campbell, a senior in radio-television from Chicago, approached one questioning its nature.
"It was bright, but I think it can be blown away easily," Campbell said. "At least it is something; it is better than nothing."
But the colorful new signs are not real - they are simply plywood "mock-ups."
Established to produce University community feedback, the signs represent a finalized design of more than 80 to 100 standardized directional signs slated to be distributed around campus in six months.
As part of a "Way-Finding program," the Physical Plant is heading up the design, construction and installation of the metal directional signs that will be finalized within the next couple of weeks.
Phil Gatton, director of plant and services operations, said the project originated within the Physical Plant to standardize all of the directional signs on campus.
"Right now, we see a little chaos," Gatton said. "We recognize the type of signs that there are, but with this building signage, it will be easier to navigate."
Mark Cosgrove, engineering services office staff member leading the project, said about 90 percent of the overall plan is funded through the state's Capital Development Board under compliance with American Disability Act. Therefore, many of the campus signs will include a design like the "mock-up" sign in front of the Communications Building, indicating handicapped accessible entrances.
He said with an approximate $400,000 to $500,000 project in progress, the coordinators want the directional signs to benefit everyone.
"It would enhance the ADA on campus by using these directional signs," Cosgrove said. "We attract people to campus, and we have to get them to where they want to go."
Cosgrove said the project is a multi-phase concept that will guide the University community from the moment they step on campus to specific rooms in different buildings.
He said there will be overall direction signs, such as the second "mock-up" sign near the Communications Building that points to different areas on campus. Near these signs, there will be a small kiosk that will hold maps indicating where the person is and an ADA-friendly map of campus.
This map will direct them to different signs like the "mock-up" sign in front of the Communications Building. After locating both handicapped accessible and other entrances, smaller directories will show different areas within the building.
The project prepared 10 to 12 different designs of the directional signs in the last month for Chancellor Walter Wendler's approval.
Mark Cosgrove, a member of the office staff leading the project, said the "mock-ups" symbolize cardboard replicas of the final designs picked, but the signs are not set in stone.
"The original designs were pretty divergent, more natural materials such as stone and rock were suggested," he said. "But, when we get the money, we want them to be as low maintenance as possible, so we chose a material with more longevity and a design that will stand out and be distinctive and uniform throughout campus."
Despite the misunderstanding of the "mock-up" signs for permanent ones, Campbell said she thinks new more informative signs are needed on campus.
"With buildings like Rhen, they don't have directions telling you where you are," Campbell said. "They will help a lot of freshmen around campus."
Reporter Samantha Edmondson can be reached at sedmondson@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
