The phrase “carved in stone” usually carries a somewhat permanent connotation. Apply the term to SMU’s new Jerry R. Junkins Building, however, and the only thing separating carved stone from dust is a jackhammer.

The building, which houses most of the university’s electrical engineering apparatus, opened on Aug. 21. Workers are now back on the site replacing the cast stone signage over the building’s east and west entrances. The signs bore the name of the building’s namesake in carved gray stone.

SMU project manager Raynard Kearbey said the university requested that masonry contractor Gay and Sons replace the signage because of irregular spacing between the letters of Junkins’ name.

“No one knew [during the construction period] there was a problem with the letters because the building was surrounded by scaffolding,” Kearbey said. “When it was removed, we noticed the problem with the spacing.”

Tim Michael of Advanced Cast Stone said the pieces were cast incorrectly because sketches the company worked from were not to scale.

The university will not be financially responsible for the mistake, said project manager Deiadra Burns of Manhattan Construction. Her company served as the general contractor for the building,

“[The supplier,] Advanced Cast Stone, and the subcontractor are responsible because it is considered corrective work,” Burns said.

All three parties agreed that the work will be done to the university’s satisfaction. All involved believed that even though the change is cosmetic, it is important.

“The building will still be here long after we are gone so we felt it needed to be right,” Kearbey said.