The Rocket

Issue date: 9/22/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Nate Daymut Dylan Drudul (LEFT), a junior geography, geology and environment major, and Keith King, an employee of Rocky's Grille, jam together Wednesday at the campus campground.

After university officials confirmed rumors of the Slippery Rock campground becoming a parking lot, students organized a weeklong protest in the form of a campout on the site.

Located behind Rock Apartments and the Ski Lodge, the campsite is the only place on campus where students can camp and enjoy the outdoors.

On Sept. 17, students started a silent protest against the parking lot expansion plans, complete with a bonfire and activities for students to have fun.

Abbie Spears, a senior parks, science and environmental education major, who helped organize the weeklong campout, said students showed up the first night and more have been showing up since then to show their support.

"We are just here to have a peaceful protest and enjoy the campground," Spears said. "We hope it will get the attention of the administration and prove that this green-space serves an educational purpose."

Spears created a Facebook group called "Leave It Green" to raise awareness. The group currently has over 770 SRU student members who support the campground and disapprove of the idea of paving it for more parking.

"The campground is very valuable to the university. It serves both academic and nonacademic purposes," said Scott Slusser, a senior parks and recreation and environmental education major. "I am president of the Outing Club and we use the area for many activities, including the ropes course and have campfires after meetings.

Alex Cline, a senior computer science major, designed a Web site, leaveitgreen.org, about the campground and the current protest. The site has gained more than 3,200 hits. Information regarding negative environmental impacts and alternative sites for the parking lot is addressed on the site.

Students hope that their efforts will catch the attention of university officials; however, according to the officials, plans are still in effect.

"Currently, designs for the new parking lot are being developed, but decisions will not become final until these designs are finished," said Herb Carlson, assistant vice president for Facilities Services.

President Robert Smith has expressed concern for student safety walking to and from parking lots, and said he sees the increase in spaces as an improvement.

"The number of students who have classes that involve the campground is small and minimal," Smith said. "Most of those classes aren't even offered once a year."

Smith said the biggest problem is 1,000 students walking daily through the new housing project.

"It's not true that we're going to pave over the entire campground," he said. "The ropes course is vital to some programs and was never part of the discussion to change."

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