The photography department in the School of Visual Arts finally received some answers Tuesday regarding the status of a new building in a meeting with the Office of Physical Plant.

William Anderson, OPP assistant vice president, spoke to a group of more than 60 people in the Visual Arts Building and discussed why the building's construction, which was supposed to start a year ago, was cancelled.

Anderson said construction was called off for many reasons.

Funds simply ran out, he said, and the addition would have caused more congestion next to the Patterson Building, the proposed site of the addition.

Students and faculty met at the beginning of last month to discuss the termination and many said they were unhappy they heard the news through the grapevine.

Anderson admitted Tuesday that communication with the photography department about the plans was poor.

"I can't explain that other than to say it was a large mistake . . . I apologize for the way it was done," he said.

Students continued to voice their displeasure, describing outdated equipment, poor ventilation and crowded working areas.

"Our whole lab is in shambles," said Denton Smith (senior-graphic design and photography).

Michael Moffa (senior-graphic design and photography) said if he wants to work in a color darkroom, he has to reserve it a week ahead of time.

He added that finals week is very hectic. "You have to get there two hours ahead of time just to get an enlarger . . . it's a joke."

The drainage of the sinks in the lab is so poor that if certain chemicals are poured down the drain together, it could create dangerous combinations such as cyanide, said Keith Shapiro, assistant professor of art.

"I was told 'You don't need to have it fixed any better because you're going to be moving'," Shapiro said.

Richard Durst, dean of the College of Arts and Architecture, also attended the meeting.

"I think that we can get trapped into looking into the past . . . We're not going to build this building. Let's move on," he said. "I can't give you more space. I don't have more space. I don't have a closet for you right now."

Anderson said long-term plans include moving the School of Visual Arts to Borland Laboratory, which he expects to take three to five years. Several departments will be moving to different buildings in the next few years, a shift that Anderson called "space dominos."

He added in the meantime, he would work to improve ventilation in the laboratory. Anderson also agreed to tour the photo labs while students are working to better assess the conditions.

Charles Garoian, director of the School of Visual Arts, also attended to discuss upcoming departmental changes. He hopes to implement a portfolio requirement to enter the photography major by spring 2002.

He also said the minor option in photography will be closed partly because minors fill up spaces in classes majors need to graduate.

"Our principal responsibility is to the majors," Garoian said.

Some students disagreed with the plans. They said many students do not receive sufficient background in photography in high school and if they have to wait until they've taken college introductory classes to prepare a portfolio, they might not be able to graduate in four years.

"It may have to work out that way," Garoian said.

The elimination of the minor and the implementation of a portfolio will make the major more competitive, Garoian said, and is also necessary because the department cannot sufficiently accommodate the more than 800 people in the major.

"We cannot become Penn State University Photo," Durst said.