Davies ousts Vietnam trees
Kent State memorial to be chopped, replanted for union construction
Thomas Fountain
Issue date: 10/8/09 Section: Campus News
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Executive Director of Communications Mike Rindo said the trees would be removed for construction of the new student center. After construction, however, the area would be converted back into green space.
Of the four trees originally planted, one was replanted in 2003 and two more are believed to be dead from disease, making it impossible to transfer the trees to a new location, he said. Rindo hopes to replace the trees with a more permanent memorial.
"We thought 'How do we commemorate the Kent State memorial in a consistent way that doesn't involve trees?'" he said. Currently, there is a small plaque explaining the memorial and its purpose, which will be saved.
Director of Alumni Relations John Bachmeier is currently in discussion with alumni, faculty, and current students to find alternatives to the memorial, Rindo said. No decisions have been made yet regarding possible new memorial options.
"I think we're trying to get their input on the best way to do this," Rindo said, though he mentioned due to lack of awareness by current students, the main influences would be from alumni and faculty who are close to the issue.
The memorial was rededicated in 2003 to include students serving in the Iraq War, according to a press release. Senate minutes from 2001 mentioned the possible removal of the tree due to new construction, according to the Student Senate Web site, and Rindo confirmed that the memorial has always been known as a possible issue.
Student Senator Jessi Van Natta, a sophomore, said that although she would rather not see the trees be taken down, she believes the right decision is being made.
"I think the project is worth it," she said, "With any projects there are negatives with removing green space, but just look at the benefits the Davies Center will provide."
Van Natta said that the memorial is still important and that the original spirit of it should not be forgotten.
"Hopefully it (a new memorial) has some relationship and respects the original memorial."
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alum
posted 10/08/09 @ 9:33 AM CST
Right next to the Kent State trees was a memorial to Robert Bolton, an Eau Claire city police officer (who I think was also an alum). What's happening to that?
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