Still no plan for removing Tiger Spot
Donor funds have so far paid for $87,000 in repairs.
Published Nov. 28, 2006
Despite calls for Tiger Spot's removal from student leaders and Chancellor Brady Deaton, there has been no explanation for why the damaged Italian tile mosaic in the center of Lowry Mall remains.
"I am very upset that no action has been taken," Missouri Students Association President John Andersen said.
Andersen said he is unsure about what still needs to be discussed before a plan to move Tiger Spot could be implemented. Andersen and MSA have been the leading student organization intent on the removal of Tiger Spot.
Andersen contacted Deaton in a July 7 letter asking that Tiger Spot be removed. Later that month, Deaton called for a definitive plan by August 2006 to move the mosaic.
"I'm kind of confused why the chancellor and the students have made it clear that the spot should be removed but nothing has been done," MSA Senate Speaker Davie Holt said.
Deaton did not return a call seeking comment.
MU spokesman Christian Basi said there is "no timeline" for the of the plan. He said there have been delays in the moving process because it is a piece of art.
MU graduate Paul Jackson began the project in 1999 as a gift to the school.
Since its initial 2001 unveiling, Tiger Spot has required various repairs and was covered by a large red tent for several months as local volunteers worked to repair it. After the removal of the tent in 2005, local artist Tom Edwards continued repairs that fall and again this September — even after the announcement of a planned removal.
Since Tiger Spot was unveiled, $87,000 from donor funds have been spent on repairs, including removing and replacing panels of tiles, said MU spokeswoman Mary Jo Banken.
The university also spent $11,096 from its general operating fund to install a trench drain on Lowry Mall. Banken said the system repaired existing drainage problems on Lowry Mall that contributed to Tiger Spot's damage. She said the drain would have been installed regardless of whether Tiger Spot was there.
MSA passed a resolution earlier this month requesting an immediate removal of Tiger Spot.
Andersen said the resolution was basically to reiterate the fact that the organization wants Tiger Spot moved.
The resolution also states that any research, installment or repair fees from Tiger Spot replacement projects should not use any student fees.
MSA Operations Chairman Jonathan Mays said the request to not use student fees is simply to keep things the way they have been. He said past repairs were not funded with student fees.
Mays said Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs told him Tiger Spot would be removed after resolving concerns about moving the mosaic.
An assistant for Scroggs said she was unavailable for comment.
"There could be a logical reason why no action has been taken yet," Holt said. "But I'm not sure what the reason is."
The Residence Hall Association recently passed a resolution that supported the removal of Tiger Spot as well.