▲ SeoulTech's Athletic Field and Main Gate

 

On September 24, a post was shared on SeoulTech community app (Everytime) about planned construction projects, including work on the athletic field and main gate road system, as well as the construction of the Regional Cooperation Culture and Sports Support Center. This sparked controversy among students, who expressed their dissatisfaction with the announcement through comments such as, "Why should SeoulTech build a gym for local residents?" and "Why demolish the main gate, which is the symbol of SeoulTech?" However, according to some students, the construction of the gym was necessary. A student of the Department of Sports Sciences said, "Some classes are held outside during class time, and there are inconveniences like class schedules, commuting time, and transportation fares. If a new gym is built and these issues are resolved, it will be a good thing for students."

To address the inaccuracies in the reported facts and information, Wookjoon Sung, the Provost of University Planning and Coordination, sat down to talk to The SeoulTech. Here are the highlights of the interview.

 

Condition of SeoulTech's Facilities

The Provost of University Planning and Coordination explained that SeoulTech's aging facilities have to be renovated or rebuilt.

The current gym has been in existence for 32 years. Compared to other universities' facilities, there are deficiencies, such as the lack of a swimming pool. Due to its old and insufficient facilities, students in the Department of Sports Sciences have to go off SeoulTech to take classes.

 

Regarding SeoulTech's main gate, he pointed out that the current situation, where students have to cross two crosswalks to access Hyanghak-ro, SeoulTech's main road, poses a risk of accidents, and SeoulTech's main gate is more than 30 years old and needs to be renovated. "As of now, demolishing the main gate is only one of the options, and we will carefully listen and consider the students' opinions before making a decision," he emphasized that the project is still in the design phase and nothing is set in stone.

 

In response to concerns that one of SeoulTech's signature structures would be lost if the main gate is demolished, he said, "As of now, we consider the symbol of SeoulTech to be Dasan Hall, which is on SeoulTech's logo. If the main gate is demolished, we plan to make the Dasan Hall immediately visible when entering SeoulTech."

 

Sports Center Access Restrictions

Regarding concerns about excessive access by local residents, he said, "The sports center will guarantee exclusive use for students during class time, which is natural for SeoulTech facility." The sports center will be opened to non-students only in the evenings and on weekends. A fee will be charged, as is currently the case for the soccer field and tennis courts.

In addition, regarding the opening of the project, he explained, "This project was supported by the Nowon-gu Office and Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education with funding of approximately 47.8 billion won. The project was selected because of the positive evaluations of SeoulTech's efforts to coexist with the Nowongu residents." He said that the positive effects of the projects are expected to bring mutual benefits to both SeoulTech and the region.

 

Student Feedback

Regarding student feedback, the Provost of University Planning and Coordination said, "We are still in the design phase, and nothing is set in stone, and we want to emphasize that gathering student feedback is our top priority, from what facilities will be built to what they will be named so that we can fully consult with SeoulTech community and students to ensure that their input is fully taken into account." In addition, in the case of the R&D building that students have requested, "Currently, several projects are underway on SeoulTech, such as the construction of a new library, an Advanced Research Building, and a Smart Technology Building. Hi-Tech Hall is also undergoing reconstruction. If the design of the R&D building is completed and the budget secured, we will proceed with the project," he said, noting that SeoulTech has not abandoned the concept of a new R&D building.

 

Discussions on construction projects are still in the early stages and will be subject to a process to fully collect and reflect students'concerns and opinions. SeoulTech is committed to maintaining transparent and thoughtful decision-making through direct communication with students and will seek a beneficial path for students, SeoulTech, and the local community to develop together.

 

Reporter,

Myungjae Lee swk08085@seoultech.ac.kr

 

*TBD: The Regional Cooperation Culture and Sports Support Center, the Advanced Research Building, and the Smart Technology Building are still under construction; consequently, their official English names have yet to be decided.

Reporter 이명재

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• e-mail : swk08085@seoultech.ac.kr