Crouse College, home of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, is arguably one of the most recognizable buildings on the Syracuse University campus. Anything that looks like a castle stands out among the concrete towers in this city.

But despite its exterior, the inside of Crouse is in disrepair, as reported in the Nov. 11 Daily Orange article ‘Out of Tune.’ Paint is peeling and ceilings are leaking. Music students don’t have enough room to practice. And when they do, sometimes it’s too cold or too hot to even hold practice. Both students and faculty have expressed their discontent with the building.

So the real question is: Why aren’t there any plans to renovate Crouse? There have been brand new buildings and renovated ones popping up all over campus: Life Sciences Complex, Newhouse 3, the Tolley building and the School of Management. Crouse, one of the oldest buildings on campus, should get the same treatment as the rest of the university.

After all, VPA students pay the same amount of tuition as everyone else. While they may not have the same ‘reputation’ as Maxwell or Newhouse, all SU students should have access to the same state-of-the-art facilities and technologies necessary to give them a high-quality education. And it appears that most of the university’s high-profile building projects are over – Crouse deserves attention, as well.

If the building keeps deteriorating and the teaching conditions continue to worsen, the future looks grim for the school. Recruiting could become an issue if prospective students come and see cramped classrooms and water dripping from ceilings. Students could potentially be ill prepared to enter their field of study because they haven’t had proper learning conditions. VPA needs to adapt to changing technologies and practices just like any other field.

The university should lead an evaluation of the state of Crouse. Then SU would know what needs to be addressed, and make plans for upgrades or renovations. The faculty and students deserve it.