SEBO Construction Updates?

[BGSU33]

I have never understood the one tree things- we have lots of trees- more squirrels- but still!!

Oh, the one tree at BG story, it never goes away, does it? After being a tour guide at BG and then working eight years at an ACC institution that allowed me to visit nearly 100 major college campuses across the country, I will say this much, the quantity of trees for the size and location of our campus is low. As a tour guide, I was surprised how many times I heard negative-type of comments about the overall look of our campus concerning the architecture of our buildings, the lack of tress and shaded spaces, no hills, etc.. Reading through the BGSU Campus Master Plan, the parts about improving the appearance of our campus is highlighted numerous times and I think that message has hit home and we are going to do something about it.

Many of the issues stemming from the one-tree at BG come from the flat, open feel of our campus. Yes, we have many trees on campus, but when you compare the number of trees we have for a non-city/college town school compared to other schools our size or style, we don't have nearly as many. In comparison, walk across Ohio U. or Miami-Ohio’s campus and you see the difference immediately. Much of that has to do with the terrain of the areas as well. OU and Miami are hillier and Athens and Oxford are more wooded area. But I never noticed our limited number of trees more than after my days at BG. Seeing all those other schools (non-city), it does become more apparent.

I agree we have more than “one tree” as we’ve heard so many time, but I also feel we could and should have many more. The quad in front of University Hall is often referred to the most beautiful part of the BGSU campus, and the main reason is because of the number of large tress and the older buildings that “look like” what most college buildings look like. When you get past the library and head East on our campus, it loses that feel and is much more of an open area with what many would consider less attractive buildings.

But the one thing that may make BG known the most as a “one tree” campus is because of the one big tree standing in the intramural field. For many people that come to BG for the first time, you pass through that area and you see the one tree/very open feel and it becomes their first impression of the place. We have a few nice wooded areas, but many including myself feel we could use a lot more.

[UK Peregrine]

Much of that has to do with the terrain of the areas as well. OU and Miami are hillier and Athens and Oxford are more wooded area. But I never noticed our limited number of trees more than after my days at BG. Seeing all those other schools (non-city), it does become more apparent.

Alright, a little historical perspective and perhaps even a little biology lesson is in order here. For thousands and thousands and years much of northwest Ohio lay covered by the Black Swamp. Parts of the Black Swamp were watery meadows. Other parts of it were forests, composed of oak, sycamore and hickory trees. Still other parts of it were thick, impenetrable brush and wild growth. Now guess which area of the swamp BG was built in and I think you'll have your answer as to why BG has less trees than say Miami or Ohio. If I recall correctly, the swamp was completely drained by about 1900. So if there were not a vast number of trees planted back when the U was founded, it will obviously be dificult to have a great deal of old growth trees in an area that had very little to none to begin with. The fact, is BG has a good number of trees when considering the ecology of the area. And my guess is that with all of the young trees that were being planted on campus when I left, that 50 years from now this old and yet historically semi-accurate drivel about one tree will be moot.

[BGSU33]

Much of that has to do with the terrain of the areas as well. OU and Miami are hillier and Athens and Oxford are more wooded area. But I never noticed our limited number of trees more than after my days at BG. Seeing all those other schools (non-city), it does become more apparent.

Alright, a little historical perspective and perhaps even a little biology lesson is in order here. For thousands and thousands and years much of northwest Ohio lay covered by the Black Swamp. Parts of the Black Swamp were watery meadows. Other parts of it were forests, composed of oak, sycamore and hickory trees. Still other parts of it were thick, impenetrable brush and wild growth. Now guess which area of the swamp BG was built in and I think you'll have your answer as to why BG has less trees than say Miami or Ohio. If I recall correctly, the swamp was complete drained by about 1900. So if there were not a vast number of trees planted back when the U was founded, it will obviously be dificult to have a great deal of old growth trees in an area that had very little to none to begin with. The fact, is BG has a good number of trees when considering the ecology of the area. And my guess is that with all of the young trees that were being planted on campus when I left, that 50 years from now this old and yet historically semi-accurate drivel about one tree will be moot.

I already know about the story above and agree with the facts presented, but if you dig even deeper into BGSU's history, you'll see that in 1913 there was an additional 83 acres (including part of what was then the City Park) of wooded land that was donated for the development of BGSU. Much of this was wooded area, like the areas cleared for farming, was wiped out for the construction of buildings and was not replenished. Hence, the reason for such open land. The point to all of this is, the land has been wooded, cleared and built upon in the past...but if we want to plant more trees, they can be planted. If the University of Akron can plant 300,000 trees, anyone can.

[UK Peregrine]

I already know about the story above and agree with the facts presented, but if you dig even deeper into BGSU's history, you'll see that in 1913 there was an additional 83 acres (including part of what was then the City Park) of wooded land that was donated for the development of BGSU. Much of this was wooded area, like the areas cleared for farming, was wiped out for the construction of buildings and was not replenished. Hence, the reason for such open land. The point to all of this is, the land has been wooded, cleared and built upon in the past...but if we want to plant more trees, they can be planted. If the University of Akron can plant 300,000 trees, anyone can.

I see, so it's not about having more trees per se. It's about keepin up with the Jones's. If Akron, Ohio, Miami have lots and lots of trees, then why doesn't BGSU? I know, I'm being a bit sardonic, but that's what I get out of this whole argument about needing more trees. Sure BGSU could plant 300,000 trees I guess, but what's the point. Should this over-compensation of trees be done just becasue its ascetically pleasing and becasue it will shut up a couple of idiots that make the occasional joke about the "one tree?" Is that the reason (rhetorical)? What about other pressing concerns of the "Master Plan"? I'm sure you agree those should be addressed first, especially if it's an issue of budgetary concern. In fact, what I've seen of the master plan, it seems to incorporate quite a bit of landscaping. So why make a bigger deal out of the "one tree" issue than needs to be made if BGSU has been and will be remeding the so callled "one tree" situation anyways.

[BGSU33]

I see, so it's not about having more trees per se. It's about keepin up with the Jones's. If Akron, Ohio, Miami have lots and lots of trees, then why doesn't BGSU? I know, I'm being a bit sardonic, but that's what I get out of this whole argument about needing more trees. Sure BGSU could plant 300,000 trees I guess, but what's the point. Should this over-compensation of trees be done just becasue its ascetically pleasing and becasue it will shut up a couple of idiots that make the occasional joke about the "one tree?" Is that the reason (rhetorical)? What about other pressing concerns of the "Master Plan"? I'm sure you agree those should be addressed first, especially if it's an issue of budgetary concern. In fact, what I've seen of the master plan, it seems to incorporate quite a bit of landscaping. So why make a bigger deal out of the "one tree" issue than needs to be made if BGSU has been and will be remeding the so callled "one tree" situation anyways.

I didn't see this topic as an argument from the start and don't see it as one now. I'm not trying to argue anything here. I’m simply reflecting on why many people (besides this Ohio U guy) say what they do about BG's "unattractive campus.” As a BG alum, I for one would also like to see a better landscaped campus myself. If wanting something better for my school is cause for an argument, then I’m all for one because I hate seeing us second-rate in anything. With that said, yes, I'd love to see many more trees on campus than what we have, but that's just my opinion. I'm only saying that many comparable schools across the country seem to have a more attractive campus visually than ours (again, just my opinion), but there is a reason why universities and colleges maintain their grounds, facilities and landscape such as the way they do. Is it keeping up with the Joneses? Well, hell ya it is! The better grounds, facilities and appearances a school has, the more appealing it looks to others and that does have an impact on a lot of people. It’s also partly why we build facilities such as the SEBO or a talk about a new basketball arena. If we think what other schools have doesn’t have an impact on us, then we are only kidding ourselves in the big picture.

[always a falcon]

We may not have creepy ivy and trees up the wazoo BUT the one thing we do have is a clean campus. This time of year- it is tough everywhere, but for the most part-even now- it is much cleaner than others.

We get to a lot of campuses and I am appalled by the trash and cig butts and general lack of maintenance to the campus itself. Our people do a good job of keeping what we do have in good shape.

I know this last year there was a concerted effort to plant trees and redo the beginning of campus off of I-75 after the Wooster street redo.

At least you can get here....don't get me started on OU and Miami!

[Bleeding Orange]

I see, so it's not about having more trees per se. It's about keepin up with the Jones's. If Akron, Ohio, Miami have lots and lots of trees, then why doesn't BGSU? I know, I'm being a bit sardonic, but that's what I get out of this whole argument about needing more trees. Sure BGSU could plant 300,000 trees I guess, but what's the point. Should this over-compensation of trees be done just becasue its ascetically pleasing and becasue it will shut up a couple of idiots that make the occasional joke about the "one tree?" Is that the reason (rhetorical)? What about other pressing concerns of the "Master Plan"? I'm sure you agree those should be addressed first, especially if it's an issue of budgetary concern. In fact, what I've seen of the master plan, it seems to incorporate quite a bit of landscaping. So why make a bigger deal out of the "one tree" issue than needs to be made if BGSU has been and will be remeding the so callled "one tree" situation anyways.

I didn't see this topic as an argument from the start and don't see it as one now. I'm not trying to argue anything here. I’m simply reflecting on why many people (besides this Ohio U guy) say what they do about BG's "unattractive campus.” As a BG alum, I for one would also like to see a better landscaped campus myself. If wanting something better for my school is cause for an argument, then I’m all for one because I hate seeing us second-rate in anything. With that said, yes, I'd love to see many more trees on campus than what we have, but that's just my opinion. I'm only saying that many comparable schools across the country seem to have a more attractive campus visually than ours (again, just my opinion), but there is a reason why universities and colleges maintain their grounds, facilities and landscape such as the way they do. Is it keeping up with the Joneses? Well, hell ya it is! The better grounds, facilities and appearances a school has, the more appealing it looks to others and that does have an impact on a lot of people. It’s also partly why we build facilities such as the SEBO or a talk about a new basketball arena. If we think what other schools have doesn’t have an impact on us, then we are only kidding ourselves in the big picture.

True, but I think what UK is trying to get at is that you are ignoring the fact that what BG's campus is makes it unique. Seriously - if all college campuses looked the same aesthetically, how interesting would that be? You should take into account that while some people are turned off by the aesthetic qualities of BGSU, there are many, many more who find them endearing. Just because some people on tours said that they didn't like the architecture/landscaping at BG doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with either of those factors. Most of those people were probably already on their way to Miami anyways.

[UK Peregrine]

True, but I think what UK is trying to get at is that you are ignoring the fact that what BG's campus is makes it unique. Seriously - if all college campuses looked the same aesthetically, how interesting would that be? You should take into account that while some people are turned off by the aesthetic qualities of BGSU, there are many, many more who find them endearing. Just because some people on tours said that they didn't like the architecture/landscaping at BG doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with either of those factors. Most of those people were probably already on their way to Miami anyways.

Right, BG is not your cut from a cookie cutter university. What makes it unique is that it was built on what once was swamp land. In fact, what I'd like to see instead of trees everywhere, is instead a way to incorporate more natural grasslands and indigenous plant life that was once in the area before the swamp was drained and everything became farm land. What BG does now and could admittedly do better is reflect the natural history in it landscaping.

We don't look at universities on the Great Plains or in the desert and say these schools obviously need more trees. No instead, I would hope people realize the natural history of the area and try to respect that history. Perhaps instead, the problem lies with the people who look at out University and don't know a damn thing about the region and judge BG's campus as being treeless.

Oh and for people who say we don't have any trees on campus, try taking a botany class once at BG. You'll notice real fast come exame time that there are to many damn trees on campus anyways.

[PGY Tiercel]

Bleeding: An offshoot of UK's comment. How many trees to you have on your campus? Do you have as many tummble weeds and cacti as other desert schools? Do gila monsters jump out at you while walking to class?

[OhioBobcat]

True, but I think what UK is trying to get at is that you are ignoring the fact that what BG's campus is makes it unique. Seriously - if all college campuses looked the same aesthetically, how interesting would that be? You should take into account that while some people are turned off by the aesthetic qualities of BGSU, there are many, many more who find them endearing. Just because some people on tours said that they didn't like the architecture/landscaping at BG doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with either of those factors. Most of those people were probably already on their way to Miami anyways.

Right, BG is not your cut from a cookie cutter university. What makes it unique is that it was built on what once was swamp land. In fact, what I'd like to see instead of trees everywhere, is instead a way to incorporate more natural grasslands and indigenous plant life that was once in the area before the swamp was drained and everything became farm land. What BG does now and could admittedly do better is reflect the natural history in it landscaping.

We don't look at universities on the Great Plains or in the desert and say these schools obviously need more trees. No instead, I would hope people realize the natural history of the area and try to respect that history. Perhaps instead, the problem lies with the people who look at out University and don't know a damn thing about the region and judge BG's campus as being treeless.

Oh and for people who say we don't have any trees on campus, try taking a botany class once at BG. You'll notice real fast come exame time that there are to many damn trees on campus anyways.

You know, I've been all wrong about this thing....BG is a really beautiful place filled with wonderful people.

Just me again.....Flipper

[Bleeding Orange]

True, but I think what UK is trying to get at is that you are ignoring the fact that what BG's campus is makes it unique. Seriously - if all college campuses looked the same aesthetically, how interesting would that be? You should take into account that while some people are turned off by the aesthetic qualities of BGSU, there are many, many more who find them endearing. Just because some people on tours said that they didn't like the architecture/landscaping at BG doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with either of those factors. Most of those people were probably already on their way to Miami anyways.

Right, BG is not your cut from a cookie cutter university. What makes it unique is that it was built on what once was swamp land. In fact, what I'd like to see instead of trees everywhere, is instead a way to incorporate more natural grasslands and indigenous plant life that was once in the area before the swamp was drained and everything became farm land. What BG does now and could admittedly do better is reflect the natural history in it landscaping.

We don't look at universities on the Great Plains or in the desert and say these schools obviously need more trees. No instead, I would hope people realize the natural history of the area and try to respect that history. Perhaps instead, the problem lies with the people who look at out University and don't know a damn thing about the region and judge BG's campus as being treeless.

Oh and for people who say we don't have any trees on campus, try taking a botany class once at BG. You'll notice real fast come exame time that there are to many damn trees on campus anyways.

You're an idiot for this statement alone - "You'll notice real fast come exame time that there are to many damn trees on campus anyways." Whatever you are smoking, I want some too because it must be some good stuff to make a stupid statement like that. And for the record, you're school isn't unique, it's UGLY, and that is a fact.

First of all, whatever he is smoking I'm sure you've already smoke twice today.

Second, here is a little lesson on "facts" vs. "opinions." Facts are proven, incontrovertible truths. Opinions are subjective, unsubstative observations. And when people like you give opinions, they are usually wrong.

I realize that there were more than three sentences strung together there, but hopefully I caught you at the right time between bong hits and you didn't get a headache from trying to put all of the words and colors in order.

Now run along and play with your tiny member kitty.

[OhioBobcat]

True, but I think what UK is trying to get at is that you are ignoring the fact that what BG's campus is makes it unique. Seriously - if all college campuses looked the same aesthetically, how interesting would that be? You should take into account that while some people are turned off by the aesthetic qualities of BGSU, there are many, many more who find them endearing. Just because some people on tours said that they didn't like the architecture/landscaping at BG doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with either of those factors. Most of those people were probably already on their way to Miami anyways.

Right, BG is not your cut from a cookie cutter university. What makes it unique is that it was built on what once was swamp land. In fact, what I'd like to see instead of trees everywhere, is instead a way to incorporate more natural grasslands and indigenous plant life that was once in the area before the swamp was drained and everything became farm land. What BG does now and could admittedly do better is reflect the natural history in it landscaping.

We don't look at universities on the Great Plains or in the desert and say these schools obviously need more trees. No instead, I would hope people realize the natural history of the area and try to respect that history. Perhaps instead, the problem lies with the people who look at out University and don't know a damn thing about the region and judge BG's campus as being treeless.

Oh and for people who say we don't have any trees on campus, try taking a botany class once at BG. You'll notice real fast come exame time that there are to many damn trees on campus anyways.

You're an idiot for this statement alone - "You'll notice real fast come exame time that there are to many damn trees on campus anyways." Whatever you are smoking, I want some too because it must be some good stuff to make a stupid statement like that. And for the record, you're school isn't unique, it's UGLY, and that is a fact.

First of all, whatever he is smoking I'm sure you've already smoke twice today.

Second, here is a little lesson on "facts" vs. "opinions." Facts are proven, incontrovertible truths. Opinions are subjective, unsubstative observations. And when people like you give opinions, they are usually wrong.

I realize that there were more than three sentences strung together there, but hopefully I caught you at the right time between bong hits and you didn't get a headache from trying to put all of the words and colors in order.

Now run along and play with your tiny member kitty.

What I said is a fact, not an opinion. I am a very slow learner

Hi guys....Flipper

[BGGrad01]

What I said is a fact, not an opinion. BG is UGLY. It's a fact, look it up. And if you can't find it, you're not looking hard enough. So to save yourself from passing out in the process of doing any kind of research, either take my word and a lot of other people's, or just walk across that ugly campus and see for yourself - if you don't get blown away that is.

You're right, boobcat!! I just went to www.fuglycollegecampus.com and it is dedicated entirely to the lack of beauty on our campus. The forums on that site are incredible. Thousands of users talking about how ugly Bowling Green's campus is!!!

[Peregrinner]

What I said is a fact, not an opinion. BG is UGLY. It's a fact, look it up. And if you can't find it, you're not looking hard enough. So to save yourself from passing out in the process of doing any kind of research, either take my word and a lot of other people's, or just walk across that ugly campus and see for yourself - if you don't get blown away that is.

See, this is why OU is seen as being a bunch of moronic drug users and drunks, they can't tell the difference between an idiotic, uninformed opinion and a fact.
I understand why you would want trees - when you're hungover and half-stoned, too much direct sunlight probably gives you a migraine, but don't sweat it. Everyone throughout the country has already accepted the fact that all OU is is a drunk tank for barely graduated morons, so you guys don't have to leave your dorms and pretend to be students.
If you want to talk about the appearance of a campus, how about the fact that OU is full of drunken wastes of life and is probably littered with empties of the cheapest beer on earth. That, and empty baggies of weed.
Seriously, get a life and a clue. OU has never been good for anything except getting drunk, and even that makes them ugly.
Aw hell, I give up, this is too many syllables and sentences for you to comprehend. I'll summarize:
Do us all a favor and turn off the computer, drunk

[FliccGirl]

What I said is a fact, not an opinion. BG is UGLY. It's a fact, look it up. And if you can't find it, you're not looking hard enough. So to save yourself from passing out in the process of doing any kind of research, either take my word and a lot of other people's, or just walk across that ugly campus and see for yourself - if you don't get blown away that is.

You're right, boobcat!! I just went to www.fuglycollegecampus.com and it is dedicated entirely to the lack of beauty on our campus. The forums on that site are incredible. Thousands of users talking about how ugly Bowling Green's campus is!!!