Campus needs a faceliftEditor’s note: The 250 word limit was waived because of space issues.
I’m responding to the Jan. 2007 article concerning the new plan for Hillsborough Street. While I agree Hillsborough Street needs a facelift, so does the N.C. State campus.
As an alumnus’79, I recently took my nephew on a tour of both N.C. State and UNC – Chapel Hill. I was embarrassed and shocked at the esthetic differences between the campuses. Chapel Hill’s campus was more visually appealing with gorgeous landscaping, rolling areas of green grass to relax in and attractive architecture for the majority of the buildings both residential and academic. NCSU’s campus was a mass of green only landscaping very little if any color. If there were blooming shrubs, they looked ratty and sparse for lack of TLC. The grass was non-existent to just plain red dirt – not appealing.
The architecture especially on Centennial Campus was just ugly. The warehouse-like buildings resemble 1950s airplane hangers, no stately architecture to draw the eye or lead you to reflect on the past or future. All the buildings had that temporary not contemporary feel. The landscaping on Centennial Campus doesn’t exist. Lets face it, the place is just unattractive and not inviting for anyone to stick around and explore the campus.
No wonder my nephew chose Chapel Hill over NCSU as his first pick for college. Where is the innovation of the horticulture, landscape and architectural schools? Where are all those gorgeous native plants and innovation from the Raulston Arboretum visible on main and Centennial Campuses? The look of both the campus and Hillsborough Street are the first impressions people have of our area. I live just off Hillsborough Street. Both the city and the University need to reflect on the impression we want to make on visitors and the residents. NCSU needs a new plan too, just like Hillsborough Street.
Joy HaasClass of 1979Economics and Business
Thank you, N.C. State
On behalf of the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics & Public Service and the staff and volunteers of Stop Hunger Now, we would like to thank everyone who in some way supported Service N.C. State on Saturday -collectively, over 1,500 volunteers helped package 301,752 meals that will be shipped to those impacted by the recent earthquake in Peru, with the balance being shipped to Haiti for school lunch feeding programs. An additional $5,000 was raised to help support Stop Hunger Now’s work. Your efforts further prove that when people work together towards a common goal, anything is possible. And as members of the Wolfpack community, we once again demonstrated that we care about others and will take the lead to help make a difference for those in need.
While we have reason to celebrate, with the reality of 30,000 people starving to death each day, there is still much more to be done. With one of the leading organizations fighting hunger right here in our backyard, we are poised to take more of a leadership role with the war against hunger. I challenge each of us to think of ways we can continue to partner with Stop Hunger Now to do our part to put an end to hunger.
What a great way to kick off the new school year! I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us … Go PACK!
Mike GiancolaDirectorCenter for Student Leadership, Ethics & Public Service
