Even a broken clock is correct twice a day, and such is the case with the University of Memphis' new landmark clock tower outside the University Center.
Senior education major Sola Moore said the clock could be helpful if it displayed the correct time from all four sides.
"It is rarely correct," Moore said. "I don't use it, but it could be useful if it had the correct time."
University Center director Jay Anderson said the time is supposed to be correct on all four sides.
"The situation is being worked on," Anderson said. "Lately it has been keeping time correctly. I have been checking it, especially the side that I come in on each morning. The company that supplied the components has a year's warranty on the parts. They are checking all the components to ensure that they work."
Anderson said the clock's chimes are being worked on to control the loudness level.
"The chimes currently ring on each hour," Anderson said. "Even though the output is low, the chimes are still very loud and some neighbors have been complaining about the noise. We have been thinking about changing it to every half-hour, but right now it is every hour."
However,construction on the tower itself is complete, according to Dr. Bill Porter assistant vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students.
"The clock tower itself is complete," Porter said. "The only thing left is the bridge which goes into the new bookstore and continues out to the parking garage. The walkway will permit people to walk from the parking garage straight through the second floor of the bookstore on into the UC."
The construction of the new bookstore has begun and will include services such as a post office, copy center, bank and a convenience store, according to the Office of Campus Planning.
The main floor of the facility will contain the current bookstore, the University Store, which is located in the lower level of the University Center now.
Graduate business major Corey Jamison said the clock tower is very picturesque, but serves little use to students.
"I just don't see the point," Jamison said. "Yeah, it shows the time, but when I'm rushing to get to class, I don't look up toward the UC to check the time. The chimes are cool. I think the money should had been used in other areas."
Anderson said the tower also has the ability to play music such as The U of M's fight or alma mater songs.
"Different chimes can be played though the tower," Anderson said. "A cassette player can be connected and music or announcements can be broadcast through the tower."
Anderson said some of the added features of the clock tower includes a multi-colored lighted display and the ability to use the tower as an intercom.
"The tower has different color options," Anderson said. "It can display red, green, blue and other colors that can be changed for special events and holidays, such as red for Valentine's Day."
Anderson said the controls for the tower's intercom system are located in the public safety office of the parking garage.
"It was placed in the public safety office because it can also be used for emergency situations such as weather conditions or other civil defense warnings," Anderson said. "The system can record and play anything one wants. It is very versatile and useful."
Anderson said students may find more uses for the tower in the future than they thought of now.
"After the walkway is complete, students may want to have events on the catwalk instead of inside of The UC on nice days," Anderson said. "Bake sales and other events. This will offer students a place to rest and enjoy the view."
