|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Rice Thresher
Phone:
|
by AALOK MEHTA FOR THE THRESHER
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Wiess last October was held in front of the tree, emphasizing the importance of the tree to the architecture of the residential college. Students noticed the tree missing Feb. 16, Wiess Master John Hutchinson said. Neither he nor Wiess President Robert Lundin received any advance notice of the decision to bulldoze the tree. Don McKibben, Brown & Root senior project manager for the new Wiess, said that both the landscape architect and the design architect had given recommendations to remove the tree, and that it had further come up in discussions over the last two or three months. Even though McKibben said they made "every effort to save it," survival of the tree through construction seemed unlikely because of the age of the tree, the proximity of construction and plans to elevate the Wiess courtyard 18 inches for flood control. This recommendation was supported by Steven Anderson, an arborist contracted by Rice, who suggested a quick removal of the tree. If the tree died after construction was complete, the new building would limit the size of the replacement. "When pushed down, it didn't take much force. The tree had already started to deteriorate," McKibben said. The removal was performed only after official approval by the administration. "If the tree is unhealthy, they need to replace it," Lundin said. "The architecture is going to be based around it." He had heard that the tree might have needed replacement, but was still surprised when the construction workers tore it down. Wiess junior Richard Valdez expressed concern about the administration's relationship with the students. "[The administration] did say one thing and do another. It's just a tree, but also possibly the sign of a larger trend." Valdez said he knew the tree had been bulldozed but was not aware of the concerns about its health. Wiess sophomore Steve Meier questioned the administration's choice to focus on the tree during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Wiess college. "It's odd that they would make a big deal about leaving it and then bulldoze it," Meier said. A replacement for the tree will be planted at a much later date in the construction, when it has a greater chance for survival. - back -
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of: The Rice Thresher, Rice University MS-524, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@listserv.rice.edu |
