Damage to plaque in Union result of cleaning habits

After reading the article in Friday's newspaper about the green substance left on the plaque in the Student Union, I feel I should write in. The offending substance is more than likely oxidation caused by the bronze plaques exposure to the air. Now, this hasn't happened before because when any bronze sculpture or plaque is cast, it is coated in a special sealant to keep oxidation from taking place. However, the sealant can be stripped away by certain cleaners and one too many cleaning and polishings. So it looks as if the Arnold Air Society is partially to blame for the tarnishing; however since they have only cleaned the plaque once they are not entirely to blame. Epsilon Tau Sigma, which it seems has cleaned the plaque multiple times over the years, is more responsible because it has inadvertently removed most of the sealant. So, it looks to me that while Epsilon Tau Sigma should pay the majority of the cost to get the plaque cleaned and resealed, the AAS should also contribute a small amount.

By Sean Schauer (letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 11, 1997