OPINION: Eroding Tradition: The impact of modernization on campus history
Photo via Claire Moore
Assistant Opinion Editor Alyssa Gray, a Sophomore studying political science, argues that while Ohio has focused on the upkeep of its campus, the historic roots have been left in the dust.
As first-year students were moving into their South Green residences in August, they were met with the unsettling sight of mounds of dirt and large construction equipment. This disruption is due to the ongoing construction of a new 591-bed residence hall that will go behind Pickering, Brown, Mackinnon and Crawford Halls. The new building will be named after Ohio U’s 20th president, Roderick McDavis. The university has put over $110 million dollars into this new project. This money goes into shiny new buildings that are shown off to incoming students or potential donors. However, the students who call Athens home during the year live in residential buildings that haven’t seen renovations in decades.
Some live in buildings that are rarely updated, and while they have charm, they lack the updates seen in other buildings. Some students are forced to live in rooms that, at one point, only housed two students, but now, due to expanding class sizes, hold three students. Some students enjoy amenities such as having a sink inside their room, central air conditioning or study spaces inside their rooms. Instead of working on buildings that already exist on campus and are beloved by students, no matter the condition, Ohio U has started a concerning pattern of demolishing and rebuilding on campus.
Contradictions in Sustainability Goals
This shift to creating new buildings and destroying old ones contrasts sharply with Ohio U's 2021 sustainability goals, which aimed to make the campus more sustainable in the coming years. However, the new construction and demolition planned for the future don’t seem to fit these goals.
Listed in their 2021 initiatives, the goal was to maintain current buildings and reduce construction in an effort to limit impacts on the environment. This goal has not been met in the slightest, as the university continues to construct more buildings. In October of 2022, the university decided to tear down Scott Quadrangle which was a residential building located at the top of Morton Hill on University Terrace. The building was 85 years old and housed a lot of history within its walls. So much history, that when the university announced the demolition of the building, members of the community and the Athens Historic Preservation Commission, demanded the demolition be postponed until another use for the building could be found. Unfortunately, the near-century-old building was completely demolished in 2022. The university tried to ease community tensions by claiming that the space where the building once stood would be used for academic engagement purposes. However, the former location of Scott Quad is now a parking lot for faculty.
The justification for demolishing large residential buildings, like Scott Quad, has been that the rooms are no longer necessary for the student population. In recent years, record-breaking freshman enrollment has caused a housing crisis, leaving there to be too many students and not enough beds. The university also addressed the lack of housing by renting space in a local apartment complex, Riverpark, for students. The rising number of enrolled students has also caused a large divide in the quality of housing across the student population.
Many other buildings on campus are set for demolition. Other buildings are labeled as having "deferred maintenance," meaning that, while essential repairs are needed, the university has determined they are not a priority to address immediately. Often, buildings with a high deferred maintenance cost have been demolished instead of taken care of. The university plans to demolish five buildings currently used by students by 2030. These buildings aren’t nearly as old as others on campus, they were built a little over 50 years ago. They may join the fate of three additional buildings that used to sit on South Green, which were also only around 50 years old at the time of demolition. Some of the most historic buildings now owned by the university may meet a similar demise.
The Ridges, which was once a mental hospital from 1874-1993, has been at the forefront of “deferred maintenance.” Though the history is rich throughout the 700-acre property, not much work has been done to maintain the buildings. The Ridges is one of the many buildings that may be on the chopping block as the university decides to get rid of buildings that it doesn’t see as worthwhile to continue to manage.
Preserving Tradition Amidst Modernization
Ohio U alumni often return to campus, drawn by the memories of their years there. As they stroll through familiar paths, they are greeted by a campus that has largely retained its original charm. Unlike many other college campuses across the country, most of the buildings have remained unchanged, preserving a sense of connection that continues to draw alumni back to the bricks. However, of the alumni I have met, the biggest disappointment is old buildings being torn down. Rightfully so, all buildings on campus mean something special to someone. Whether it was their first residence hall or a favorite place to hang out, many places on Ohio U’s campus hold history within its walls. It is a shame that so much history is lost as the university decides that old buildings are not worth salvaging and new ones take their place.
The bricks aren’t the only thing that makes our campus beautiful. The green spaces around campus allow students to spend time outside while studying and connect with nature. A large amount of green space is being destroyed to make way for the new building. The massive building will take away one of the quietest and most peaceful areas on campus for students to enjoy. The university prides itself on having the campus as a classroom. However, with the destruction of vast amounts of green space on campus, there will be fewer green spaces for students to utilize within walking distance. Without the natural beauty that once surrounded the campus, walks that were once accompanied by the sounds of nature are now marred by the noise of construction, causing the university to lose its enduring charm.
As Ohio U continues to expand and modernize its campus, the tension between preserving the university's rich history and meeting the demands of a growing student population becomes increasingly apparent. The construction of new buildings and the demolition of cherished older structures highlight the university's shifting priorities, often at the expense of sustainability goals and the preservation of its unique character. While progress and development are inevitable, the loss of green spaces and historic buildings threatens to erode the very charm that makes Ohio U a special place for students and alumni alike. As the university moves forward, it faces the challenge of balancing modernization with the preservation of its heritage, ensuring that future generations can experience the same sense of connection to the past that alumni have been able to enjoy until now.
Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.