2008 Woodie Awards
Get Ready for the Village, People
Lara Morrow
Issue date: 9/29/06 Section: News
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The first student-led forum about plans for the new Academic Village was held last Tuesday, Sept. 26. Although only a small fraction of the student body showed up, a wide array of questions and concerns regarding the project were brought up and discussed.
Senate President Russ Montgomery said, "Turnout was not as good as we'd hoped, but you've got to start somewhere. Even though we had a low number of people, there was a lot of good input, and I think that students who have been interested in the Village definitely felt welcome to express their opinions."
Senate Vice President Will Green said, "We've talked about taking input from these forums and forming focus groups to put together. I don't think it matters that there was such a low number of people at the forum, because people who have input are going to find a way to get it out there, whether or not they come."
The topic of how the construction of the Village will affect the environment was one of great importance to many students who attended the forum, especially since the future of the Nature Trails is questionable.
"I understand that they planted these trees as an economical venture, but I'm pretty sure that most Hendrix students really enjoy the Nature Trails. Keeping at least a small portion of it would probably be profitable for the Hendrix Community and Academic Village," said sophomore Jessica Reynolds. "I also think they should set up spots for community gardens in the Village. They could draw together families who live there and be used for the biology department as well. Plus, I think the Hendrix kids would really soak it up."
However, others argued that the environment should not be students' main concern.
Senior Phil Wightman said, "We can't let our goal be environmental issues. This is a business complex, and it's going to happen. We should be more concerned with the business side of the matter and how it's going to affect the student community.
"Revenue is what really concerns me. Being practical about things is really important, and sometimes I think that Hendrix students can be a little idealistic."
Senate President Russ Montgomery said, "Turnout was not as good as we'd hoped, but you've got to start somewhere. Even though we had a low number of people, there was a lot of good input, and I think that students who have been interested in the Village definitely felt welcome to express their opinions."
Senate Vice President Will Green said, "We've talked about taking input from these forums and forming focus groups to put together. I don't think it matters that there was such a low number of people at the forum, because people who have input are going to find a way to get it out there, whether or not they come."
The topic of how the construction of the Village will affect the environment was one of great importance to many students who attended the forum, especially since the future of the Nature Trails is questionable.
"I understand that they planted these trees as an economical venture, but I'm pretty sure that most Hendrix students really enjoy the Nature Trails. Keeping at least a small portion of it would probably be profitable for the Hendrix Community and Academic Village," said sophomore Jessica Reynolds. "I also think they should set up spots for community gardens in the Village. They could draw together families who live there and be used for the biology department as well. Plus, I think the Hendrix kids would really soak it up."
However, others argued that the environment should not be students' main concern.
Senior Phil Wightman said, "We can't let our goal be environmental issues. This is a business complex, and it's going to happen. We should be more concerned with the business side of the matter and how it's going to affect the student community.
"Revenue is what really concerns me. Being practical about things is really important, and sometimes I think that Hendrix students can be a little idealistic."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Katrin Nesper
posted 10/14/06 @ 3:52 AM CST
To the Hendrix Community,
reading this article gives me the creeps. I am shocked, because I cannot believe what you are trying to do to Hendrix.
--> How can the issue on the nature trails be dismissed so easily by just saying that economy is more important than nature? Don't you think that the trails (even if restircted to a small area already) is one of the last natural recoruses that Hendrix has and thus needs to be protced and looked after?
--> What type of school do you want Hendrix to become? It is an idealistic school, and that is what makes it so special! Other mainstream schools are perfectly representative of THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE anyway. (Continued…)
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