Armory Set for
Demolition in 2005

New Science Building to take its Place in 2008

by Dick Cashwell
Class of 1959

As many of you may know, the University's long range plan calls for the demolition of Venable Hall and the current Armory in order to build a bigger and better chemistry building. No one should doubt the need for a new chemistry facility. It is real. The problem is that the details of space allocation for the NROTC program are not final yet.

Earlier this year when I asked the Chancellor at a recent volunteers gathering what plans had been made for the ROTC programs, he paused and looked a the Dean of Arts and Sciences, who looked at the Provost, who looked at the planner and they all gave the alligator salute. To the Chancellor's credit, he recovered and said, "There will be a place for the ROTC programs." Well, I worked for the University long enough to know that if it ain't in the plan, it will not get done or worse, it will have an ad hoc life of being moved to the least desirable space that no one else wants.

Since this meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a plan to demolish the current NROTC Building in 2005. We understand the three ROTC programs will be temporarily moved to a new addition of Phillips Hall and remain there until permanently housed in the new Science building in 2008. However, architectural plans to meet the space allocation and special needs of the ROTC programs have not been finalized yet.

We must remember that there is an element at all universities that would like to see all ROTC programs go away. I do not have the space here to list why this would not be good for the ROTC, the military or the University, but most of you know what I am talking about. Suffice to say we must be active and vigilant to insure that the University's ROTC programs have a permanent place of adequate size to continue to function as we must.

I encourage all of us to begin a campaign to ask the Chancellor, the Provost, the Vice Chancellor for Business (the planners work for her) and others to favorably consider the space requirements as presented by the ROTC staff members. We recommend you send your opinions to the University officials listed below. If needed, there is a sample letter on our web site to get you started in forming your own opinions.

We will keep you advised as the plans continue to unfold. Semper Fi.

Sample Letter

Note: Modify this letter in any way you wish, but get the point across that the University owes the Navy adequate space and that the ROTC programs benefit both students and the University as well as putting better thinking individuals into the military.

The Alumni Association Board of Directors does not advocate the demolition or salvaging of the Armory itself; we are mostly concerned with the continued permanent existence of the NROTC program at Carolina. If you happen to disagree with the planned demolition of the Armory, you should feel free to express your opinion on that topic as well.

(Date)

Dear ________,

I write to you about my concern about the future location and adequate space for the NROTC program. I understand the Board of Trustees approved plan to demolish the current NROTC building in 2005 in order to make way for a new Science building that will replace Venable Hall. As I understand the plan, the three ROTC's will be temporarily moved to a new addition of Phillips Hall and remain there until permanently housed in the new Science building in 2008. I ask the University to consider the needs of the ROTC programs on a par with those of the sciences when space is allocated in the new building.

I graduated from Carolina in (enter year here) as a NROTC student and think my experience as part of the ROTC program was rewarding to me and allowed me to contribute to the total University community. I know there are elements in any university that do not see the need for any college to have an ROTC program, and I am aware that most university faculties would place more importance on chemistry than ROTC. I would argue that both have a place in a university community, and would like to ask the University’s planning authority to favorably consider the space requirements and special needs of the ROTC programs as presented by ROTC staff members as architectural plans are finalized in the coming months.

I would point out that since the Navy contributed so heavily to the University during WWII, to include the construction of the current Naval Armory, Navy Hall (which served as Headquarters and is now the office of Undergraduate Admissions), Navy Hospital (now the Student Health Service), and Kessing Pool, where Navy anchors are still present on the tile decks. It is only just for the University to repay the Navy by providing for their needs in the current capital planning.

I am confident that the university will do the right thing and not shortchange the ROTC programs as plans are made.

Sincerely,

________________
(your address)
(your phone and/or e-mail)