Botanical makeover under way

The UTM campus will be getting a landscaping makeover this semester. Among the changes, there will be a new study garden in the middle of University Village Phase II and a farewell to the ginkgo trees near Clement Hall.

The area by UV II currently looks like a big muddy circle, but the plan is to develop the area with trees, plants around the buildings, a sitting area, and two pavilions for students to get together and hang out or study. These plants and the plants at

Student Recreation will benefit from the irrigation system being installed.

Many students have expressed disapproval toward the project.

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It used to be a big, open expanse where we could lay out, throw a football, play Frisbee, or have giant snowball fights," said psychology student J.W. Moeller, who lives in UV II.

Students will have to go to the field in front of Browning to enjoy these activities, which can be a problem because that area holds water for a while after rain.

Despite the displacement of their recreation they will have to make, many students are eager to see the final product.

"I look forward to the completion of the landscaping. The construction now is a bit of a bother, but the final product should be worth it. I hope the changes to the lawn will make it a place that students can go to relax and get out of their Residence Halls for a bit to get some fresh air," said biology student Katrina Moeller, who lives in UV II.

Another notable landscaping change this semester is that the notoriously smelly gingko trees by Clement have been removed to accommodate the new lighting project on campus. An added bonus to their removal is that this alleviates the mess made by the gingko tree's berries.

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UTM works hard every year to plant new trees in the quad.  Along with the tree planting in the quad, we intend to plant several new trees in front of Clement to replace these ginkgo trees," Director of Physical Plant Operations Tim Nipp said.

These projects are scheduled to be finished sometime this spring.