Tarp covers Tiger Spot
Published Aug. 28, 2007
The Tiger Spot still stubbornly adorns Lowry Mall but was covered during the summer with a school-spirited tarp.
MU administration and student government officials said they do not know why it hasn't been removed.
Since the mosaic tiger, made from Italian glass tile, was revealed in October 2001, the school has spent almost $100,000 in repairs and accommodations.
The temporary solution is a tarp. After constructing a chain rail around it to steer pedestrians away from walking on the Tiger Spot, the MU administration decided the broken tile and chipped brick was too unsightly.
"The tarp is an effort to improve the appearance of that area, protect the spot while still allowing people to see what is underneath the tarp," Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs stated in an e-mail.
The tarp, which is 30 feet in diameter, bears the university's emblem.
Volunteers have also offered their time and services in attempts to repair the mosaic.
But despite a call from the chancellor's office to remove Tiger Spot, it is still lying near the north entrance of Ellis Library.
"I am not aware of a plan to remove Tiger Spot," Scroggs stated in the e-mail. "I do not know what is delaying the process."
Scroggs could not be reached by telephone.
Missouri Students Association President Rachel Anderson was also not aware of an active removal plan.
"I do not know exactly what is holding them up from removing the Tiger Spot," Anderson said.
In July 2006, former MSA President John Andersen submitted a proposal to remove the mosaic.
"Personally, I would have liked to have seen it gone a year ago," Andersen said. "I went to Spain to study abroad and was surprised to see it when I came back."
After receiving Andersen's request for removal, Chancellor Brady Deaton called for a definitive plan to get rid of the Tiger Spot by August 2006.
But the mosaic remains.
After numerous failed attempts to restore the mosaic to its original form, MSA helped to pass a resolution in November 2006 to prevent any repair funds being drawn from student fees.
"I do not think there is a reasonable justification as to why it is still here," Andersen said. "It is a failure in the minds of students."
Andersen said the best way to facilitate the removal of Tiger Spot is for students to keep talking about it.
"There needs to be constant communication between the students and administration," Andersen said.
"I believe the power lies with the students, and even though they've been heard, we need to be heard again," he said. "That is the best way for students to be connected to what goes on at the university. We cannot stop talking."