Measure E construction started earlier this year, well behind the original schedule, due to lack of money and poor planning. However, the problems and inconveniences, are far greater than anticipated.

Instructors relocated into the lovingly dubbed Mod Quad shortly after Sept. 11. The sheer closeness to the terrible event makes the inconveniences more bearable.

Most instructors understand the necessity of the temporal displacement and try to make the best out of the situation. One instructor said it’s “a little bit like summer camp.”

Instructors are assigned to their “hut,” set up camp, personalize their space and then bond with whomever happens to be sitting next to them.

The Mod Quad offices do have a certain charm. They’re neat, new little spaces like blank sheets of paper. It’s the clean, sterile environment seen in hospitals, minus the penetrating smells. Those are the good things.

However, the personalization of working space, the bonding and the closeness won’t make up for the apparent lack of privacy and interruption of communication.

The Mod Quad situation makes it harder for students to reach an instructor. While all instructors have a voicemail service, they don’t have personal phones in their offices.

Students have to rely on voicemail, cell phones or e-mail to contact their instructors. Each Mod Quad was recently equipped with at least one phone, which allows for easier instructor contact.

It doesn’t solve the privacy problem, though. Cubicles are so close together that students who discuss a personal issue can’t avoid the unintentional eavesdropping from the rest of the cubicle population.

Space is rare in the Mod Quad. Perhaps some space should be allocated for private conversations. One instructor suggested putting up benches outside the Mod Quads to at least have “visual privacy.”

That would to be a nice idea, if it weren’t for the noisy interruptions of bulldozers and jackhammers.

The science department is the current epicenter of noise. The construction outside the S3 building interferes with classes to the point that a despaired Physics 10 instructor called out “why me?” in response to heavy droning sounds from outside.

Removing the bulldozers would slow down the renovation process and add to the already existing impatience. Handing out earplugs or headphone gear at the beginning of classes would block out noise but also vital lecture information.

Even if the machines moved out of the S3 area, the vehicle problem remains unsolved. Over the past few months, Measure E construction has decreased the available amount of parking spaces.

Before bringing in the Mod Quad and removing 300 parking spaces, planners could have added more spots by cutting out some of the natural barriers composed of bushes and trees that surround the parking lots.

Reconfiguring the alignment of the parking spaces and adding parking spots before construction started would have reduced the parking crunches we experience now.

Parking spaces should have been angled so cars are not parallel with each other, creating more open spaces. When the parking problem became eminent, several solutions were proposed.

Coordinating a carpool database for students via the De Anza Web site was one.

Encouraging students to use busses, bicycles and walking, perhaps by arranging discount bus passes and other incentives was another. Introducing students to the ALTRANS program that offers suggestions on both environmentally safe and alternative transportation methods might have decreased parking problems.

The issues Measure E causes are manifold. The solutions could be manifold, too.

Perhaps, as the renovation proceeds, more attention could be paid to troubleshoot impending inconveniences.

Above all, information and encouragement for the campus population will keep people going until instructors move back to their regular offices, students park in their usual spots, and ear plugs are used only in the library.