Letters to the Editor, Campus News
Loss of green space is community concern
As a retired professor, I consider myself an interested member of the Emory
community. I feel I have the right and the duty to criticize my own institution.
During the recent years I have been concerned at the headlong way development
(usually for good things) has proceeded without regard to esthetics or care
for our natural environment.
The most glaring example yet seems to me the destruction of the ramp and
the ravine between the Candler Library and the Woodruff Library in order
to place a larger building between the two--a so-called "Virtual Library"--what
a phrase!
This seems a sort of climax illustrating the thoughtlessness of this development
aimed at making Emory University a "great university." It is as
if there has been a conspiracy to wipe out all of our green spaces, which
have lent an atmosphere of leisure and beauty to the campus. (I know that
doing this huddling together of buildings is economical in regard to keeping
the utilities close together, but could not another motive or premise have
entered into this planning?)
A great part of the beauty and appeal of Emory has been just this fortunate
setting of the academic life in the midst of a landscape of natural beauty.
We had been fortunate that in the original construction of the Woodruff
Library and the ramp leading to it that this juxtaposition of learning and
landscape should have occurred. The approach to the library was dignified.
And this approach was enhanced by the proximity of the ravine and its plants,
trees, small stream and little animals.
I found it ironic that the Emory Report carries in the issue of Oct. 28,
1996, two contrasting stories: on the front page the story of the destruction
of the ramp and the ravine without a hint that not all the campus viewed
this happening with joy, and on the inside page, a story about the University
Senate worrying about and caring about the "visual enhancement"
of Emory Village outside our gates.
As a lover of Emory and its campus, I could not allow myself silence.
Elizabeth Stevenson
Emeritus Professor, American Studies
Director of libraries responds
Many of us in the libraries and throughout the campus share Elizabeth Stevenson's
concerns about retaining lovely green and open spaces on the Emory campus.
That is why we have gone to such a great effort to plan the addition to
Woodruff Library and maintain the major portion of the ravine, replanting
it with trees and plants native to this area of the Piedmont Forest. Once
we have completed construction of the new Center for Library and Information
Resources, we expect to have a park-like atmosphere providing wonderful
opportunities for the Emory community to enjoy the greenery, beautiful landscaping
and the stream that will flow below the structure. We would be pleased to
share the drawings and plans with any members of the community. I know that
Emory's Committee on the Environment was pleased many months ago when we
discussed the plans with its members and responded to their suggestions.
The present Woodruff Library is situated in a way that has made an addition
extremely difficult. It was only after much discussion and careful thought
given to every possible alternative that we moved in this direction. Moving
into the ravine offered the best opportunity for integrating library services,
ultimately linking all three buildings--Woodruff, the new Center and Candler
--and functioning as one entity.
Our goal is to provide the Emory community with something special--both
within and outside the new building.
Joan Gotwals
Vice Provost and Director of Libraries
Troeger is Whiteside distinguished preacher
Preacher, author and composer Thomas H. Troeger, Ralph E. and Norma E. Peck
Professor of Preaching and Communications at Iliff School of Theology in
Denver, will be the 1996 Whiteside Distinguished Preacher for a service
of worship at the Candler School of Theology at 11 a.m Thursday, Nov. 14,
in Cannon Chapel.
Troeger was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in 1970 and served as local
pastor until 1977. He taught homiletics for 14 years at Colgate Rochester
Divinity School before joining the Iliff faculty in 1991. For the past three
years he has hosted the "Seasons of Worship" TV broadcast for
The United Methodist Church, and he has given conferences and lectures in
worship and preaching throughout North America and Australia.
Troeger is author of more than a dozen books in the fields of preaching
and worship and is a frequent contributor to religious journals. He also
is a flutist and poet whose work appears in the hymnals of most major denominations.
Much of his teaching and scholarship has focused on the function of the
imagination in the life of faith. Troeger's recent books include The Parable
of Ten Preachers, Borrowed Light: Hymn Texts, Prayers, and Poems and Ten
Strategies for Preaching in a MultiMedia Culture.
Colored paper recycling drive is on
Emory Recycles is sponsoring a colored paper drive through Nov. 30. During
the drive, Emory Recycles will accept a mix of colored and white paper in
Emory Recycles white paper receptacles. Magazines, newspapers, sticky address
labels from flyers and envelopes and colored carbon sheets will not be accepted.
For more information, contact Recycling Coordinator Elaine Gossett at 727-1796.
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