Walking path under way thanks to support staff
By Heather Bowers
IV Leader Staff, Oct. 19, 2006
Think the IVCC campus is just a concrete building and
several parking lots? Well, think again.
With the work of the IVCC Support Staff, students and staff
might soon be able to enjoy several walking paths around the “wilds” of the
woods surrounding the college.
As their yearly community service project approached, the
Support Staff voted on creating a series of walking paths around campus over the
next several years. This year’s specific project consists of creating a
connecting path that will wind all around the main building along the woods.
Several faculty members already walk through the tunnels of
IVCC’s basement floor when they need an escape, and with the creation of the
path, they will be able to get outside and get some fresh air and exercise at
the same time. Vera Adams, a Support Staff member agreed, “work gets a little
intense sometimes.” However, the paths are not limited to just faculty.
The school is primarily about the students and Adams and the
Support Staff members hope to get them involved with the project. IVCC’s Phi
Theta Kappa organization has already participated in a few events and
fundraisers, including Taco Tuesdays, which was held this summer. Taco Tuesdays,
which was the sale of tacos in IVCC’s cafeteria resulted in raising over $1,600
for the Walking Path project.
Current fundraisers include the raffling off of parking
spaces in Lot 1. For one dollar, students can buy one ticket or 6 tickets for
five dollars. The lots will be reserved for the winner for one month’s time,
cutting back on the extra walking through the cold morning winds.
Another fundraiser planned is the Christmas craft show which
will be held on Nov. 16 in the main lobby. Faculty and staff will have booths
offering jewelry, candles, authentic Guatemalan crafts, organic lamb sausage,
and Christmas ornaments.
Along with the path around the college, the Support Staff
hopes to get approval for the creation and improvement of several other trails,
including the current path around the pond and the path that leads to the river
lookout. Adams noted that several wild animals including turkey and deer live in
the woods surrounding the campus.
She also noted the educational and social value of developing
these paths and using them as outdoor classrooms and recreational areas for
students. IVCC is not just a building and a bunch of parking lots and the
Support Staff is working to create a better environment for students and staff
to enjoy for years to come.