Expanding down south

The University has recently revealed preliminary plans for a new down-campus neuroscience building. The most frequently cited location possibility is south of the Carl Icahn Laboratory, near the current location of Lot 20. As a Board, we believe that there are two issues to keep in mind when the University talks about campus expansion to the south: first, the removal of campus green spaces and venues for recreational use, as addressed by the USG Poe Field Resolution passed in 2004 and second, the commitment to enhancing a sense of community in the University by means of a continuous geographical layout that does not make certain buildings too isolated or far to reach from the rest of campus.

With regard to the first issue, we welcome the fact that University officials such as Vice President and Secretary Bob Durkee '69 have reaffirmed the University's commitment not to touch the area that makes up Poe and Pardee fields. We firmly support the idea that the University should establish the line of buildings consisting of the Carl Icahn Laboratory and the Scully and Bloomberg dormitories as the southern edge of Princeton's main campus. The University should preserve spaces for student recreation by not building upon Poe Field, Lourie-Love Field, Gulick Field, the Lenz Tennis Center and the 1952 Stadium. On the other hand, building over the parking lots located on the south side of campus could also be a tenable option, provided that the University is able to find a reasonable substitute.

That said, provided that the University does not build on one of the recreational spaces like Poe Field or on the parking lots, the only other possible areas for southern expansion on the east of Washington Road are very far from the center of academic and residential life on campus.

If southerly expansion must happen, we encourage the University to at least consider options that would keep the academic layout of the campus contiguous and reaffirm its commitment to maintaining Frist as the epicenter of student life. In particular, Princeton should consider building along the spaces on Ivy Lane and near Jadwin (in vicinity of the armory and the proposed new chemistry building) before they consider building south of the already existing green spaces east of Washington Road.

But one thing should be kept in mind: while it is important, the desire for a contiguous campus should not be an excuse to tamper with the recreational space like Poe field.