Katelyn Wilburn, Campus Carrier opinions editor

Moon is a historical piece of Berry. Constructed by students in 1934, the heads, hearts and hands of Berry students united to create what was formerly Berry’s general store and is now our beloved art department. 

Now, Moon is in serious despair. Since the building is so old, the renovations needed have raised the question being asked today: does Moon need to be torn down? 

Frankly, tearing down Moon is a bad idea. There is entirely too much history behind the building, and tearing the space down would go against the preservation ideals that Berry should have on its list of responsibilities. 

The history of this building is such a foundational part of why our college is the way it is. Moon was built during Martha Berry’s lifetime, and it was part of her architectural plan for the college, adding to Berry’s historic nature. Students came together, using physical labor and determination to build a general store, a place where students and professors could find all of the supplies they needed while at Berry. Moon also housed a campus grill and a print shop, making it the historical Viking Court. Not only did they create a wonderful building, but they exemplified the determination that Berry preaches to all students working their way through college. 

Imagine leaving such an impactful footprint on a campus. Not only did these students leave the school with a diploma and skills to move forward with in life, but they also left behind a legacy for students who come after them. Moon is such an easy and impactful example of the hard work and courage it takes to go to Berry. 

Not only does the historic value of Moon matter, but so does its physical value. Berry often prides itself on the old, beautiful architecture of all of the buildings. The aesthetic of Berry cannot be any clearer. Historic buildings like Moon are irreplaceable works of architecture. One way we see this is that Moon is a mirror image of its neighboring building, Laughlin. They reflect the design sensibilities of the time in which they were built, adding depth and character to the campus skyline. Preserving this character means that we will also preserve a visually rich environment that enhances the experience students, visitors and alumni expect when at Berry. 

Beauty and historical preservation aren’t the only reasons why Berry should not tear down Moon. In an era of widespread environmental awareness, the demolition of Moon should be our last resort when it comes to solutions. From wasted resources to burdening landfills, the list of environmental impacts stretches longer than the 27,000 acres Berry sits on. For starters, air pollution comes up when initially demolishing a building; dangerous pollutants will fill the air, and these contaminants can worsen the respiratory conditions of individuals who inhale it. Demolition also contaminates water while consuming a lot of energy. All of these heavily impact the environment surrounding Berry, and with the nature-heavy presence at our campus, it wouldn’t be the best idea to make this change. And that’s not to mention the resources constructing a new building would use. 

Nonetheless, Moon is in desperate need of help. The building is aging out of neglect, and our art students deserve a facility that meets all of their needs. So, there are two options that do not involve tearing down Moon: Either simply renovate Moon, or build a new space for the art department, leaving Moon as a historical site for the community. 

If Berry renovates Moon, they can keep the historic exterior alive while using space that has already been created by previous students. This would mean tearing down parts of the building in order to meet new regulations, along with putting in much effort to maintain the historical significance. But the end results would mean that we kept a true to Berry’s roots, preserving places that we already manufactured. This decision is one that Berry has excecuted with Oak Hill, Barnwell Chapel and the Bell Recital Hall at Ford. 

Leaving Moon as a historical site is another amazing way to keep Berry’s initial mission alive. By simply building another facility for art students to reside in, Berry can leave Moon standing without undergoing the stress of constant use, allowing the community to visit and recall its historical significance for our private college. Yes, this includes consuming more building materials, but it won’t destroy what many Berry students built, leaving a legacy that will not be forgotten. 

Moon is a historic building that deserves to remain standing. The contribution that students made to Berry in 1934 should not be demolished. We encourage thoughtfulness when Berry approaches upgrading the art department’s facilities, as erasing influential history is a poor direction in which to move our college.