The Pointer UW-Stevens Point Student Newspaper
At the Environmental and Sustainable Issues Committee meeting on March 10, it was mentioned that under the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s 2007 master plan, the current campus garden could be relocated so the existing block could be turned into a parking structure.
The master plan is updated every 10 to 15 years and serves as a tool to communicate the long term plans for development at UWSP.
Karl Rasmussen, director of Facilities Planning, said, “As a complement to the master plan, every two years the campus produces a document called the campus development plan which uses the master plan as a guide. The campus development plan identifies physical development projects on a rolling six to eight year horizon corresponding with the needs of project requests through the State of Wisconsin Capital biennial budget process. There is no parking structure currently planned for the area northwest of the Franklin-Isadore intersection.”
Rasmussen said that the plan was created by a steering committee representing many of the constituencies on campus. The plan was then adopted by Student Government, the Faculty Senate, the Chancellor’s office, the City of Stevens Point and the UW Board of Regents.
“Those involved in the effort recognized that a campus garden is a desirable feature to maintain and did show it in an alternative location,” Rasmussen said.
Bill Rowe, director of Parking Services, said if the university were to build a parking structure on the campus garden it would mean acquiring the properties currently occupied by the UW Credit Union as well as a residential unit.
This news comes as a relief to the students who benefit from the campus garden, but especially for the group Students for Sustainability, who have been improving the garden since 2006, and for whom the garden has become essential for educating and promoting sustainability on campus.
Hanna Zakrzewski, junior biology major and campus garden coordinator, said the garden benefits students in many ways, including connecting students to their food, providing volunteer opportunities and providing produce to local food distribution centers.
The campus garden grows food for the Hope Center, the Lincoln Center, and gives the rest back to the students.
Rowe said a big decision like the conversion of the campus garden to a parking structure would not be made lightly.
Rowe said, “I think students would certainly have a voice in that.”
The Master Plan can be found at http://www.uwsp.edu/facplan/Pages/Campus-Master-Plan.aspx.
Olivia De Valk
Reporter
odeva199@uwsp.edu
