The current pace of the installation of sprinklers in all of the dorms on campus is to be commended.

By fall 2003, 46 percent of dorms will have sprinklers, up from 8 percent in 2000.

We are glad Penn State has been expedient in installing so many sprinklers in such a short amount of time. These sprinklers are long overdue.

It was three short years ago that a fire destroyed a room in Jordan Hall, and there have been smaller fires in dorms throughout Penn State's history. If there were to be more fires, perhaps these sprinklers would save lives and control the blaze before fire fighters arrive.

However, it seems as if the current pace of installation might be slowed down.

While nearly 40 percent of dorms have had sprinklers installed in about three years, the entire project will not be complete until 2010, said Tom Gibson, associate vice president for auxiliary and business services.

It is hard to see the logic in it taking seven years to install sprinklers in 54 percent of dorms when it only took about three years to install sprinklers in 38 percent of dorms.

Why must it take that much longer for the rest of the sprinklers to be installed? We fail to see the logic in the sprinklers' completion not happening until 2010.

It's important that Penn State keep the pace it has had over the past three years and try to complete the installation before 2010. In light of the recent fire in the Rhode Island nightclub that killed nearly 100 people, fire safety is something the university must keep in mind.

Penn State should remember that even though arson might not be a common occurrence, fires can also be the result of heating, lights or wires.

The safety of students should be of utmost concern to administrators, and we hope they continue to push ahead with the fast and timely installation of sprinklers in all dorms.