Andersen calls for removal of Tiger Spot
MU alumnus Paul Jackson started the project in 1999.
Published July 12, 2006
If Missouri Students Association President John Andersen gets his way, Tiger Spot could be removed as early as fall semester.
Andersen sent Chancellor Brady Deaton a letter July 7 asking that Tiger Spot be removed from the area outside Ellis Library on Lowry Mall.
The Italian tile mosaic has required repeated repairs because of vandalism and weather damage since its unveiling in October 2001.
"I can appreciate anything we can do to make campus more beautiful but Tiger Spot has been a mess since day one," Andersen said in an interview Monday. "It's time to get rid of it."
MU graduate Paul Jackson began the project in 1999. Since its 2001 unveiling, Tiger Spot has required various repairs and was covered by a large red tent for several years.
Local artist Tom Edwards — who worked with Jackson on the original construction of the project — is working on the most recent repairs.
Since Tiger Spot was unveiled, $87,000 from donor funds has 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.
"Our campus is so beautiful and Tiger Spot is a black eye on it," Andersen said. "In between Memorial Union and Jesse Hall, two campus landmarks, we have a dilapidated mosaic. It's unacceptable to leave it there in its current condition."
In a response letter dated the same day as Andersen's, Deaton said that he is aware of the situation and will "take under consideration (his) helpful comments and suggestions."
Banken said the chancellor has met with others on campus to discuss what to do about Tiger Spot. She said the discussions have included the possibilities of moving Tiger Spot to another location.
"The chancellor continues to be concerned about the project," Banken said. "Discussions are occurring concerning what we plan to do about the project, whether that be eventually repairing it to the point that it doesn't have to keep being re-repaired, or moving it somewhere else."
Banken said Deaton is hoping to have a definitive plan in place by the beginning of fall semester.
Andersen said he thinks the university should acknowledge that though the artwork was a good idea, it didn't work out.
"It's regrettable because we have a truly gifted artist who wanted to give back to his alma mater," he said. "But we can't have it anymore in its current state."