AU is in a bind. Already the university is 500 beds behind demand for campus housing. Count the number of students who would choose to live on campus, albeit in nicer, apartment-style dorms, and that number rises to over 1,000 beds.
With this decade’s campus plan expiring in August 2011, the administration is in the process of thinking through exactly what needs to be done to satisfy students, faculty and staff, with as little annoyance as possible to our residential neighbors.
Goal/fervent desire #1: Build accommodations for 1,000 extra beds, an underground parking lot, a “signature” (think new SIS) building, campus offices and an alumni center all in Nebraska Avenue Parking lot.
“Folks are used to looking at a parking lot,” said Jorge Abud, assistant vice president of Facilities and Admin Services. “What’s a more accommodating view?” he asked.
Apparently, the parking lot.
“I’m stunned,” an angry resident said. “I’m bordering on angry. I did not expect this.”
The housing is objectionable, some said. Parking is already horrible, others chimed in.
Does taking 900 spaces off line really make sense? neighbors asked.
“You’re coming into our neighborhood!” an angry resident told Abud.
A balding gentleman with a little mustache cupped his ears, straining to hear AU’s answer.
“This is our neighborhood too, we’ve been here a long time,” Abud said.
The campus plan, which is in no way in its final stages, is a process of give and take. Abud presented AU’s “wish list,” and now neighbors will wish as much of it away as possible. AU must come to an agreement with the local Advisory Neighborhood Commission before the plan is approved. Without the approval, there is little the university can do to expand.
“It kind of feels like we’re in your way,” a distinguished looking neighbor commented.
A woman with short white hair and a red shawl whispered to her neighbor, “[the university] is creeping.”
Through it all, Abud smiled and kindly answered neighbors’ questions.
“We view it different,” he responded to one comment, smiling politely the whole time.
The Constitution of the United States of America was debated, written and ratified within two years. This just may take a bit longer.
In slightly more amusing news ... AU’s School of Communication made an appearance on the hit blog “Cake Wrecks.” The blog, which showcases “professional cakes [gone] horribly wrong,” featured an entry from SOC where a cake thanking alumni mentors went off-track. The cake read “’Thank you Alumni Mentors.’” Note the single quotes inside the double quotes. Cake Wrecks found it amusing that SOC “thanked” those “mentors,” as opposed to, you know, thanking them un-ironically.
What have they done for me lately?
Tuesday, Colleges Against Cancer kicked off their semester with a “birthday celebration.” Participants who visited four tables with information about Relay for Life and then registered on site were given free Georgetown cupcakes. The event pulled in close to 200 students, according to Megan N. Yarbrough, president of AU’s chapter of Colleges Against Cancer.
Next Sunday Relay will be hosting a Relay edition of “Extreme Home Makeover.” Swing by the Letts Sky Lounge at 7:30 p.m. for some free pizza.
To RSVP, visit http://bit.ly/bNNi2D.
If you want to make it into the quick take next week, e-mail me with your clubs past or future activities at news@theeagleonline.com.
—CHARLIE SZOLD
