UNIVERSITY EXPANSION / ROTC USE

CONCERNS

• Authement claims that the land is too far from campus yet since the farm has shut down, many Renewable Resources classes (agriculture, horticulture, animal science and environmental and sustainable resources) must now travel to the UL Experimental Farm in Cade, LA, (about 15 miles outside of Lafayette.) to conduct classes. Education should be prioritized in this decision.
• Students were vocal that one of the reasons they chose this university was because of its size. A smaller, more close-knit campus encourages a more intimate learning experience. Many chose ULL over LSU for that specific reason, and ULL's development should take the students' opinions into consideration when discussing growth and development issues of such magnitude.
• ROTC students use the property more than anyone else, training there every Thursday and often on weekends. If the farm property is not available to them, Alexandria is the nearest training site and some members expressed concern that future ROTC students may choose to attend LSU instead of having to travel so far, which may adversely affect the unit's future. A decrease in the number of students involved with ULL's ROTC may jeopardize their future existence on campus, which would also take away the Military Science minor currently offered.
• The CajunBot is also tested on the property.
• Community members and students wanted a clear plan of exactly how the Girard Park property was going to be used.

ACTION PLAN

• To promote the website and to include a link to a student discussion on the issue of the land swap (http://www.raginpagin.com/hotpage/showthread.php3?t=8738).
• To obtain access to the property for individuals (students were denied access to the property this week and were asked to leave by the University Police or face charges).
• To develop a concrete plan to counter the proposed development plan.
• To determine the benefits to the student body of keeping the property undeveloped and present these concerns to the SGA.
• To assess the effects of the Horse Farm's development on the University's ROTC unit.

If you would like to get involved or have questions, please contact Rachel Worthy at rworthy@gmail.com or (337) 230-0305.