Midd Briefs ZOO; Library

Author: Megan O'Keefe

ZOO: Still on Probation



The Community Council voted to keep Zeta Theta Phi (ZOO) social house on provisional status on Oct. 6 after members of ZOO went before the Council to ask that the house's probation be lifted. ZOO was placed on probation last spring largely as a result of damage to Palmer House and poor relations with facilities management staff.

Dean of Student Affairs Ann Hanson told The Middlebury Campus, "The Community Council informed Mike Velez, president of the ZOO, that they would be removed from probation once the Community Council had information that the ZOO had completed all aspects of the stipulation that was voted for them last spring. Specifically they need to schedule a meeting with the facilities team and talk about issues of respect for the property. When that is completed and Mike Velez notifies us, then they will be removed from probation."

Provisional status bars the house from registering parties and from holding rush and pledge. While ZOO hoped to hold an abbreviated rush and pledge as usual this semester, the decision precluded the possibility of a fall pledge class.



Historic Front Triangle Recieves Makeover as Part of the Library Construction



Landscaping work began this week on Middlebury College's historic front quadrangle which, according to a Facilities Planning newsletter, "is being transformed in concert with the construction of the new library."

The landscape project was designed by Andropogon Associates Ltd. who, according to the newsletter , "have been retained to assist in the development of a sustainable landscape design for the front quad that integrates the functional needs and aesthetics of this expanded green space."

Contractors are now in the process of reconfiguring the natural landscape between the new library and Old Stone Row.

In an email to the Middlebury College Community, Phil Benoit explained, "This will involve removal or relocation of a number of trees in the area in order to accommodate the reconfigured path system and to open vistas from the new library through to the rest of the campus south of Route 125.

The removal of the Old Science building, a parking lot and four historic homes have added over an acre of land to the quad and have allowed for the redesign of the space that links the College with the town of Middlebury.

While some trees are now being transplanted to new locations, 35-40 new trees - all of species native to Vermont - will eventually be planted in the area around the quadrangle.

Notably, a few of the trees that must be removed or transplanted are class trees, while one is a memorial tree. The plan dictates that "these will either be replaced with another tree or trees or handles with utmost care during the moving process. The College and Andropogon Associates are working closely with an arborist to ensure the well-being of transplanted, existing, and newly planted trees on the front quad."

Eventually granite stonework will be installed in close proximity to the new library, creating a series of steps for casual seating. The space will be further enhanced by an outdoor reading garden.

"The Garden of the Seasons," which was designed by artist Michael Singer, will feature Vermont granite and copper coated aluminum. Singer, a local Vermonter, was selected to design the garden by the Committee on Art in Public Places in competition held last spring. Native plantings and water are incorporated into the design in a manner that will highlight the changing seasons.

The redesign of the space will also include a redesign of footpaths in the area.

"Paths have been designed to accommodate new patterns of pedestrian traffic as well as to capitalize on views of the reconfigured and expanded quad. They have also been carefully located to preserve as many trees as possible," the newsletter explains.

The plan also calls for safer access to the Office of Admissions in Emma Willard House and to the new Department of Public Safety in Harnest House, which will be by provided by the construction of a more prominent crosswalk.