Students propose campus ampitheater
Emily Breiner
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: News
Instead of resorting to steps on Central Hall or patches of grass on the new Quad,
Professors could lead students to an outdoor classroom in the future. This August, students proposed building an amphitheater on campus. The project is in preliminary stages.
The proposal came during a leadership training conference for Resident Advisors and student house directors this fall where students were asked to create a project that would cultivate community on campus.
After researching similar amphitheaters at colleges, retreat centers and businesses, one group of students presented the idea to the administration.
Senior Dan Burfiend said he helped come up with the idea. Burfiend said cost and funding for the amphitheater are still in question. He said, however, part of the proposal is that students cover one third of the cost, though the means of doing so are still undetermined.
"The amphitheater would seat 50 to 75 students," Burfiend said. "It would match the Greco-Roman architecture of the campus and might be made of the cultured concrete at the base of Kendall and Lane Halls."
German described the amphitheatre as a semicircle of tiered seating cut into the slope of a hillside. Burfiend said the amphitheater could be used for plays and a comfortable study area in addition to a lecture space.
Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé said two proposed locations for the structure are behind Delp Hall or between Kendall and Moss halls.
"We're looking for a ready-made location," Péwé said.
Director of Physical Plant Todd Clow, who is directing the project, said the structure would need to be near classroom buildings where there is little traffic.
Clow said he plans to take the proposal to architects as soon as Burfiend solidifies faculty interest in the amphitheater.
Professors could lead students to an outdoor classroom in the future. This August, students proposed building an amphitheater on campus. The project is in preliminary stages.
The proposal came during a leadership training conference for Resident Advisors and student house directors this fall where students were asked to create a project that would cultivate community on campus.
After researching similar amphitheaters at colleges, retreat centers and businesses, one group of students presented the idea to the administration.
Senior Dan Burfiend said he helped come up with the idea. Burfiend said cost and funding for the amphitheater are still in question. He said, however, part of the proposal is that students cover one third of the cost, though the means of doing so are still undetermined.
"The amphitheater would seat 50 to 75 students," Burfiend said. "It would match the Greco-Roman architecture of the campus and might be made of the cultured concrete at the base of Kendall and Lane Halls."
German described the amphitheatre as a semicircle of tiered seating cut into the slope of a hillside. Burfiend said the amphitheater could be used for plays and a comfortable study area in addition to a lecture space.
Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé said two proposed locations for the structure are behind Delp Hall or between Kendall and Moss halls.
"We're looking for a ready-made location," Péwé said.
Director of Physical Plant Todd Clow, who is directing the project, said the structure would need to be near classroom buildings where there is little traffic.
Clow said he plans to take the proposal to architects as soon as Burfiend solidifies faculty interest in the amphitheater.
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