Magnet Central: Weekly Magnet & Campus Fodder

Issue: Overwhelming Construction On Campus Threatening Quality of Life

Date: 9/27/06

Just like every other year since I joined Magnet four years ago, there is ongoing construction somewhere on campus, evidence of how are campus is constantly evolving and expanding to fit more students. The construction on the new Allied Health Building had already cut off access to around half of the grassy knoll, and new construction on the other side of campus has continued the demolition of green space here at UCVTS.

The huge field usually used by Fitness classes for games of Football and Ultimate Frisbee during the Fall had been turned into a dustbowl by the orders of the town of Scotch Plains prior to all of our arrivals on campus in early September. The field was scheduled to be completed, but then the town decided they had a need for irrigation and lighting on the field, so they dug the field up for a second time.

Not only is the dirt bad enough, but now mulch has been placed down on top of the entire field, making the air smell heavily of what most fertilizer is made of, which is not nice to say the least. Now the only open fields on campus are between the UMDNJ, AIT, and Magnet Schools, and on the right side of the grassy knoll, which has been shut down with the exception of the walkway through the middle. There is no longer a spot for large games of Ultimate Frisbee on campus, nor is there a field for Fitness classes to use. While the second construction is not under the control of our administration, it certainly has affected the quality of life on campus. Not only is it affecting the fitness of students currently on campus, but it is helping to negate the efforts of promoting long-term Fitness for life.

One of these days, all construction will be complete. By then I shall probably be finished with my Bachelor's degree.

Kevin