Time Goes By

The International Clocks have Been Forgotten

By Natalie Reque

Going through the halls of BSU, a visitor will be able to take in many beautiful sites. Whether it is from the many pieces of art work, sculptors and paintings, to the many plants and flowers that make the campus more lively, Bemidji State University has variety. To add to this variety, found in the halls throughout the campus are clocks of international time.

These clocks were first brought to Bemidji State University under the President Quistgaard’s supervision. He wanted to bring about more variety to the school and open up the feeling of being a part of something bigger. “Dr. Quistgaard was very interested in international studies, relationships, and students, and thought that keeping the campus community aware of what time it was in other parts of the world would remind us of our global village,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Nancy Erickson.

However, now some of these clocks have been neglected and are just sitting on the walls without a proper battery in them. Originally, the upkeep of these international clocks was assigned to a group of foreign exchange students about five years ago when the clocks first arrived. Unfortunately, these students have now graduated or moved away, and the clocks lay untouched.

 “Dr. Jon Quistgaard asked if I would undertake the project to order clocks,” said Nancy Erickson. “I was actually under the impression that our general maintenance staff was in charge of keeping the clocks on the correct time. Perhaps this is a project that could again be undertaken by the International Students group, or a segment of that body. There would then be no issues of how the clocks would be changed.”

When asked in an interview whether maintenance now takes care of them, Physical Plant manager Jeff Sande said that they have never taken care of them and that no one above him has said anything. “We haven’t been assigned to them, but if the school wants to assign them to us we would be more than willing to fix them.”

Even though these clocks add personality to the school, they have been forgotten. “Growing up in the cities, you tend to see this kind of thing more often, the different times. But it’s really neat to be able to come up to a small town that you would think would have it and see them,” said Freshman Tyler Grove. “I just think it’s sad because the school seems to have forgotten them, and acting like they aren’t important because they are international times. I highly doubt they school would just let our regular clocks die out like that.”

Saanya Chopra Dua is an international student who was born in India and had lived in the United Kingdom. Being a student who is studying international studies, she enjoys the simple leisure of knowing international time. “I don’t know who is responsible for the clocks, but I do think it’s cool to have these clocks around campus because it just keeps everyone well informed. As for being an international student it’s a feeling of being close to home.”

In the end, there are many possibilities of who can take over the responsibilities of these clocks. Nancy Erickson could assign it to the maintenance that is willing to take over them; they just need permission. Or the international department could take it upon themselves to restore the clocks. Saanya Chopra Dua is also part of the international student committee, and will bring the issue up at their next meeting. “I’m the festival of nation’s coordinator for this term. Last year I was technical director for the committee. I think with the international students being more aware of the situation, I believe that they will feel more of a responsibility to step and just take the task into their own hands.”

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Former President Quistgaard had originally ordered the international clocks. He retired in the spring of 2010. Photo curtesy of Bemidji State Web site.

Nancy Erickson had the clocks installed, but is not sure who should be responsible for them.

To the left, Saanya Chopra Dua is enjoying the nice weather with her friends.