Too bad the new flower beds and plaza area are only about 10 steps down the
hill from the huge, unsightly crater that the Physical Plant dug in the hill
beside Guerry Center.  Not only is it ugly, but it looks unhealthy, since
the scummy water with cigarette butts in it surrounds what appear to be
water pipes for the building.  (Or are they sewer pipes?  Or both, leaking
into each other?)  This hole has been there since December with no change in
its appearance except more trash being thrown into it, so I'm not optimistic
that it will go away any time soon.

I think this will create a very negative impression of the University during
freshman/parent orientation and will counteract any positive impression made
by the new landscaping.  Everyone who goes to the bookstore will have to see
it.  Is there any way this could be filled in and seeded with grass before
then?  If not, could we at least have an explanation to offer all those who
ask about it?  (And they will ask.  I have already had at least ten students
visiting in January and February who asked what it was, but at that time I
could say, with some credibility, that it had just been dug and perhaps the
winter weather had prevented further work on it.)  Does anybody else care
about this, or am I just being overly sensitive aesthetically?

Melissa Burchfield