Campus briefs

Students in over-enrolled class petition for increased capacity

A group of nine students whose enrollment in Communication 304 was contested by the UW administration gathered in the dean for undergraduate education's office at 4:30 p.m. yesterday to lodge a complaint and petition for expanded capacity in the class. Due to a clerical error, the class, normally limited to an enrollment of 100, included about 130 students today. Many who received add codes for the class were told that their enrollment had been canceled.

"The communications department is looking for a larger room and a reader to help the TAs deal with the extra students," said Ken Etzkorn, the office's director of curriculum planning and special programs. "I think they want to give these students a chance to take the class."

Mary Higdon, a senior transfer student attempting to become a communication major, worries about graduating on time if she can't take the course.

"This was a University error -- I think everyone understands that this wasn't the normal system," Higdon said. "We're hoping that the University will help us. They need to find some way to accommodate us."

The over-enrolled students in the class are currently negotiating with the UW's Department of Student Services to move the class to a larger room and make other provisions for the additional students.

-- Andrew Sengul

Center for Urban Horticulture breaks ground on new building

Merrill Hall, which burned down after an arson attack by eco-terrorists in May 2001, will be torn down today as constructions workers begin to rebuild it anew. The construction, which is expected to take 11 months, is estimated to cost $7.2 million. About $1 million of that sum is money privately donated; the arson attack generated interest in financial help, according to Tom Hinckley, director of the Center for Urban Horticulture.

The new Merrill Hall will feature 20,000 square feet of space, including new space for the Miller Library.

Hinckley emphasized that the building will remain accessible to the public despite the arson attack; in fact, the new design incorporates a desire to make the space more open to the UW community. The building, while not constructed bunker-style, will include the latest in fire-prevention technology and in security systems.

-- Kathleen Belew