The Timezones of DS: What’s with the Clocks?

By Zorian Edwards, Staff Writer


Your class feels like it’s gone on forever, you turn to the clock to see if the professor has gone over time, but the clock hasn’t changed since the beginning of the semester. Doesn’t this sound familiar? This is the case of many clocks in the Duns Scotus (DS) building.

Although there is a clock that works effectively in DS252, other clocks in rooms such as DS346, DS218, and DS256 do not work.

“I’ve noticed one clock, in 356 being stuck on 7 p.m. constantly when I have that class at 1 p.m.,” freshman animation major Emily Sciolino said. “It just makes checking times tedious because I don’t want to be on my phone. I think that’s rude when professors are lecturing.”

The record of broken vs. working clocks in DS as of Nov. 1.

Clock inaccuracies can also lead to confusion in the science labs in DS when students need to know the length of time left to complete an experiment, and cell phones commonly aren’t allowed on lab benches for safety.

“The gen chem lab clock has been broken since the beginning of the semester,” junior biology major Bridget Thornton said. “Students need to know the time in the lab to avoid mistakes.” 

The true question is, why is this problem yet to be resolved? The problem was never reported to facility services, who would have the ability to fix the broken clocks.

“Students can just look at their phones and find the time,” freshman pre-vet major Peach Linscott said. “Since phones are used most of the time it is more likely to look at their phones rather than at the clock.”

A group of students decided to report this issue and were asked which clocks and if they could send a photo of the model. Due to the multitude of clocks a group of students went around the DS building and recorded the amount of clocks.

“I wanted to help my friends,” Linscott said. “Being punctual and on time to classes is important and having accurate clocks is the best way to prevent misunderstandings.” 

“If someone put in a work order we would replace the battery and correct the time,” Director of Facilities and Capital Projects, Lori Zimpfer-Caccamise said. “It is impossible for us to know when a clock is not working unless a work order is placed…As we are going through daylight savings time this weekend we will try to get around and address the clocks.”

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