Many people are terrified of the potential effects of global warming; I would guess a typical Bonaventure student is not going to complain. A shorter, milder winter means more time in both semesters for students to enjoy the great outdoors and all that entails.
Any student who has been through at least one academic year probably has some fond memories of some exquisite April Saturdays spent enjoying beautiful weather. It isn’t uncommon to see well over half of campus participating in outdoor activities, such as rollerblading or sunbathing.
The school could offer more to students to enable outdoor activities. For example, we technically have outdoor basketball courts, but they are practically inaccessible year-round, because they are located in high-traffic parking lots. Somewhere on campus there could be a court or two that aren’t constantly parked in.
The school also features a broad range of empty space, seemingly left vacant for a positive aesthetic experience. Most of the east side of campus near the townhouses is completely empty. But what is more beautiful than verdant green fields on a spring day? Verdant green fields on a spring day being utilized by dozens of happy students.
The reality is that students do use Bonaventure’s copious space, but the school does nothing to add to their experience.
So many little things could go a long way to making the outdoor experience at Bonaventure even better. Outdoor picnic tables outside of the Hickey would easily be in high-demand for every lunch and dinner.
Outdoor grills exist on the Allegheny River Valley Trail, but most students are completely unaware of their existence. If some were moved outside of the Townhouses, there is no doubt in my mind that upperclassmen would be out grilling every day from April 1st until graduation.
While students do have access to the back athletic fields, they are seldom used for various reasons. Oftentimes, athletic teams are using them to practice, and many students are uncomfortable using those facilities, even if they are allowed to. A simple solution to this would be to try and turn some of the front fields into minor athletic facilities. Students aren’t dying for a professional-grade experience, but a dirt diamond for baseball or some soccer goals would be a huge improvement.
Students would be quick to embrace additions to the vast emptiness of the east side of campus. Park benches and picnic tables would be immensely popular. And the space could be developed into so much more.
Imagine planting a community garden on campus. The space is there, and there are plenty of students and faculty who would love to learn and teach about environmental sustainability in a hands-on way.
As much as people picture Bonaventure as a winter wonderland, it is just as much a vibrant and warm paradise. When students are cooped up all winter, we want to spend as much time as possible outdoors, and the school should start to do something to help that out.
Corey Krajewski is Opinions Editor of the Bona Venture. His email is krajewcj15@bonaventure.edu
