Construction equipment and barriers are beginning to disappear on Ohio State University’s north campus, as the newly constructed Tom W. Davis Tower is completed.

The 75-foot-tall, brick clock tower was possible thanks to a $1.4 million gift from Davis, a Columbus businessman. Planners wanted a focal point for the North Residential District near Lane Avenue and High Street, where new dorms were completed last year. The tower will be an anchor for the area and an “iconic” landmark, university officials have said.

Now that it’s standing tall in the middle of the north campus sky, student opinions on the structure are flying fast.

Some weren’t sure why it was necessary.

“I don’t really think people are going to look up at the clock; we have it on our phones,” said Julie Cohen, a sophomore health sciences major from Carroll.

Others have questioned why the money wasn't used for something else.

“I feel like a lot of people have a really deep hatred for it,” said Pat Frecker, a sophomore accounting major from Upper Arlington. Students have questioned it, he said, “because they think the money should have been used for scholarships” or other programs.

OSU students want:

- Less construction

- Open sidewalks

- More bars

- More scholarships

- More professors



OSU: Here's a clock tower

— Spooky Ghoul (@bhollz7) October 26, 2017

Others lightheartedly speculated on how the tower’s 20-foot-by-40-foot vertical video display might be used. One Reddit user on the Ohio State University Subreddit page shared an image of the tower with a provocative allegation on the screen: “afro-ducks (sic) death was an inside job,” referring to the January 2016 death of the Mirror Lake duck known for the tuft of white feathers on the top of his head.

Another user posted an image of the tower with a clear message for that team up north.

“THE SPOT WAS GOOD,” it read, harkening back to last year’s rivalry football game between Ohio State and Michigan, when a controversial first-down call led to the Buckeyes’ game-winning touchdown.

Some actual images were shown on the tower’s screen this week, students said, including a photo of the clock tower itself.

is there really a picture of the clock tower..... on the clock tower

— ashley (@ashleanna_) October 25, 2017

The university has said the tower’s screen won’t be used for outside advertisements, but some students seemed skeptical. One posted an edited image of the tower with an ad seeking those affected by mesothelioma.

Clock Tower

Expectation vs Reality pic.twitter.com/C5ptMwzUOe

— Jimmy Franklin (@JimmLF) October 25, 2017

There were calls for action, too.

One Ohio State Reddit user suggested a petition to allow students to play Tetris on the tower’s giant screen. Another requested willing volunteers to tilt the tower slightly, a la the Tower of Pisa.

“The foundation is fresh; this is possible,” the Reddit user posted. “We need volunteers.”

Another Reddit user sought to move ESPN’s College GameDay program, which will broadcast from Columbus Saturday ahead Ohio State’s game against Penn State, to the clock tower. A student on Twitter asked if football games will be shown on the tower's screen.

On a real note, do you think they'll play the game on the clock tower screens on Saturday??

— kayyyyy (@KaylaHopkins8) October 26, 2017

The tower’s design incorporates four oval carved-stone tablets that were removed from the William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library during a 2009 renovation. Beneath the tablets are quotes from well-known figures about public service.

A formal dedication of the tower is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

It remains to be seen whether the tower will be the “iconic” structure officials had hoped, but it’s certainly generating buzz this month, which one Reddit user has declared “Clocktober.”

jsmola@dispatch.com

@jennsmola