[Anthropgrad] Fellows Oval demise

[Heather Leasor]

Dear colleagues,

 

Recently, it has been brought to my attention that the ANU is
considering condemning part or all of Fellows Oval and turning it into a
temporary carpark.  I hoped that this was just a rumour, but it is in
fact being seriously considered, as you can read for yourself in the
minutes of the Campus Planning and Development Committee found here:

 

http://facilities.anu.edu.au/index.php?pid=112

 

It seems that this proposal has drawn some protest from around campus,
and the VC is hesitant about following through with the proposal.  The
following email address has been set up to collect comments on this
matter:

 

parking.feedback at anu.edu.au

 

Unfortunately, this address hasn't been widely publicised, and word has
it that very few responses have been lodged.  This email address will
only operate for the next two days. If you are against this proposal, I
would suggest that this is a good time to speak up so that it is nipped
in the bud.  Personally, I think it would be a tragedy for the ANU to
lose Fellows Oval, so I urge you all to take a couple of minutes to
write a brief email.  I've pasted the email I wrote below; please feel
free to simply copy this if you haven't got the time to write your own
response.

 

Cheers,

         Oliver.

 

 

Dear parking feedback recipient,

 

I have recently learned that the ANU is considering condemning Fellows
Oval to become a carpark.  This is a disgraceful proposal which should
not be implemented under any conditions.  I would ask you to consider
the following points:

 

Fellows Oval is an important focal point for the ANU, both aesthetically
and socially.  Along with the green corridors of Sullivan's creek and
University Avenue, it is a key green space which has an immense
psychological benefit for the university community.  Its central
location makes this point all the more important.  It is frequently used
for a number of non-sporting social activities such as BBQ's, as a
meeting place and as a spot to eat lunch or study.

 

Fellows Oval also functions as an important venue for sporting events,
both competitive and social.  In my own department, we have used Fellows
Oval for weekly social soccer matches for several years, as well as for
intra and inter-departmental sporting events.  This has helped us to
build departmental cohesion among staff and students, raising morale and
generally helping us to function more effectively as a teaching and
research institution.  Many other departments and schools have used
Fellows Oval to achieve these same goals through competitions such as
the Purple Shin.

 

The ANU should not implement the conversion of Fellows Oval into a
carpark.

 

Yours,