Spring Break
Campus loses green space from construction projects
Grass will grow after projects are completed
Karri Duerwachter
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: News
With the snow melting and summer just around the corner, students have begun to gather outside buildings on pavement. However, the lack of green space on campus seems to be a growing concern for students.
Senior Chris Connar said one of his reasons for choosing to attend UW-Whitewater is because of the woodsy feel of the campus' surroundings. He thinks students are unintentionally contributing to the depletion of green space.
"Students are lazy and don't bother walking on the sidewalks," Connar said. "Eventually facilities get sick of the grass being ruined and decides to lay down the concrete. So we are really the reason there's less grassy areas."
Jeff Janz, executive director of Residence Life said the campus' Landscape Planning Committee does its best to set up the most valuable sidewalk paths to students.
"[The committee] tries to avoid laying cement in rectangular patterns that may look better," Janz said. "The excess cement used to make wider sidewalks is for the benefit of students in wheelchairs and for snow plows."
Janz also said after all the construction is done with the College of Business and Economics building and the new suite-style residence hall, and White Hall is torn down, the area will be a vast, natural green space for students to gather in the heart of campus.
"The Residence Hall Building Mastery Planning Committee is committed to keeping the area between Carlson and the new residence hall green while relocating displaced parking spots on the north side of campus in new lots," Janz said. "This will be beneficial for retention rates and make the more environmentally friendly."
Senior Chris Connar said one of his reasons for choosing to attend UW-Whitewater is because of the woodsy feel of the campus' surroundings. He thinks students are unintentionally contributing to the depletion of green space.
"Students are lazy and don't bother walking on the sidewalks," Connar said. "Eventually facilities get sick of the grass being ruined and decides to lay down the concrete. So we are really the reason there's less grassy areas."
Jeff Janz, executive director of Residence Life said the campus' Landscape Planning Committee does its best to set up the most valuable sidewalk paths to students.
"[The committee] tries to avoid laying cement in rectangular patterns that may look better," Janz said. "The excess cement used to make wider sidewalks is for the benefit of students in wheelchairs and for snow plows."
Janz also said after all the construction is done with the College of Business and Economics building and the new suite-style residence hall, and White Hall is torn down, the area will be a vast, natural green space for students to gather in the heart of campus.
"The Residence Hall Building Mastery Planning Committee is committed to keeping the area between Carlson and the new residence hall green while relocating displaced parking spots on the north side of campus in new lots," Janz said. "This will be beneficial for retention rates and make the more environmentally friendly."
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