After various issues with the Master of Art Conservations program’s new lab space, students are reporting positive progress.
The Master of Art Conservation program is the only master’s program of its kind in Canada, teaching students how to preserve and maintain various pieces of art. Due to the ongoing renovations of Agnes Etherington Art Centre, the program had its labs moved out, posing various challenges.
Upon moving into their new lab space at Innovation Park on Princess and Concession St., students quickly identified several issues, including loud drilling, poor air quality, eczema flare-ups, and a lack of equipment. The Innovation Park building is owned by Modern Niagara, a Canadian company specializing in mechanical and electrical contracting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) service, commercial plumbing, and sheet metal fabrication.
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Andreea Nita, a second-year student in the program, spoke with The Journal about ongoing concerns at Innovation Park, while also highlighting recent improvements.
“It’s been a very tense situation; students, staff, faculty, everybody included in all of this has been working really hard to make everything work. Since we sent over the letters and The Journal came out, there definitely has been improvement in the program,” Nita said.
While emphasizing that less construction noise and air quality improvements have been among the efforts they’ve seen from the University, she cited security concerns as one of the problems they still face. She added that there was a recent outdoor fire at an encampment right outside Innovation Park—the second fire they’ve experienced since her time there.
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The department head of Art History and Art Conservation, Norman Vorano, Faculty of Arts and Science Dean Bob Lemieux, and the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) William Nelson visited Innovation Park on Nov. 6 in-person to speak with students on the efforts the University’s making to address the issues.
“I can’t discuss too much about this meeting, but there was a consensus made, and there’s improvement. By this time, the solvents are now finally here, the fume hoods are working, there’s more security, there’s just progress,” Nita said.
In a statement to The Journal, Vorano emphasized the efforts being made to address concerns about the ongoing construction. The University’s working with a construction team and additional movers to facilitate a full move-in and the work is about 90 per cent complete, he wrote.
Vorano addressed concerns surrounding the building’s air quality, explaining these concerns are being addressed through the proper channels, adding the HVAC intake filters have been tested and are clean.
“We take any health and safety concerns very seriously and are working closely with Queen’s Environmental Health & Safetywhich has conducted air quality tests to ensure there are no health, safety or exposure concerns to students and staff who are occupying the spaces. Initial inspection found no immediate hazards and further testing will be concluded shortly,” Vorano wrote.
Concerns about the academic quality of the program were also raised by students. Vorano explained the University’s taking action to mend student worries.
“In the short term, faculty have rearranged fall courses to focus on classroom teaching at the start of term, and they have extended labs into the exam period. We are also adapting course structures, expediting the readiness of the facility, and exploring alternative instructional methods to maintain our high educational standards,” Vorano wrote.
Moving forward, Vorano emphasized weekly meetings, regular updates on the department’s whiteboard, and dialogue with student representatives will be leveraged to ensure effective communication between both parties.
Tags
Communication, Construction, graduate students, Innovation park, Master of Art Conservation
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