Interesting about the Alchemist, I check it on-line everyday and never noticed the article. 

The gate at Jacobs information came from several different sources that work at or attend Brenau. Perhaps some clarification should be issued on that point. 

Did the current students feel that they had a voice in the matter? I know as a student I was petrified to speak out to administrators, especially the president. None of the current students I am in regular contact with knew this was happening, I am however still checking with a few. I have not received a Brenau Nuggets email in a while, was there something in that for the alumnae? 

I believe in our meeting we discussed many buildings that were in need of repair, why are there new projects on the slate instead of repairing what we already have? I understand that a very generous alum donated the gazebo, but could she have been prevailed upon to donate that money towards rebuilding the deteriorating Greek houses in their current locations? And the money for the Bamboo Forest, while that would be an excellent “bring back” shouldn’t we be dedicating money for new and not completely necessary things to updating the education or science buildings?  I’m not alone in feeling that new/beautification additions should only be happening if our current buildings are up to date. 

The faculty, staff, Trustees, and administration are of course vital to Brenau’s community and success. They all certainly hold a place of utmost importance. But as far as who Brenau “belongs” to in philosophical sense, we the graduates carry her name in a piece of paper and in turn a piece of her. Those who came before my class and those who will come after, all of us past present and futire. Brenau belongs to us as much as we belong to her. 

I know you don’t want to get in a discussion on this, but I did feel that some clarification was needed on my part. As far as the student is a customer is concerned, students choose to attend and pay for their experience there. On a very VERY basic level, Brenau is a brand and we all bought her. I beleive Chistina White said it at the Brunch as well “We need to get prospetive students to buy Brenau.” Naturally, that isn’t the only relationship between students and a college, so I do see your point. 

Now that I have relieved my soul a little bit, I may just sleep tonight. I will send out the knowledge I have gained form you today to all the worried and upset alumnae out there. Perhaps with the information you have provided they will also feel their souls soothed. 

Many thanks for always responding back to me. Even if we don’t like each others answers, I know we both have Brenau’s best interest at heart. 

— On Wed, 11/12/08, Schrader, Ed <eschrader@brenau.edu> wrote:

From: Schrader, Ed <eschrader@brenau.edu>
Subject: RE: Recent Events
To: annae0055@yahoo.com
Cc: “Edge, Melissa (Gardner)” <mmgardner@brenau.edu>, “Thompson, Deborah” <dthompson@brenau.edu>, “Dempsey, Wayne” <wdempsey@brenau.edu>, “Wall, Jody” <jwall@brenau.edu>, “Briell, Scott” <sbriell@brenau.edu>
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 4:21 PM

Thanks…see replies below in text

 

Ed Schrader

From: Anna-Elizabeth McCloud [mailto:annae0055@yahoo.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:46 PM
To: Schrader, Ed
Cc: Edge, Melissa (Gardner); Thompson, Deborah; Dempsey, Wayne; Wall, Jody
Subject: RE: Recent Events

 

It seems that everything that is being moved, changed or done away with has a rotten foundation or core of some kind.  I just have a couple more questions regarding this move: Why if the gazebo was going to be placed where The World was did the architect feel the need to examine the front gates and the Crow’s Nest?  It is part of our on-going examination of all structures to determine when maintenance or other actions are needed. They were just observing the “environment” of the front campus and its structures. Why are the gate by Jacobs coming down as well?  They are not…don’t know where you heard that…that certainly is not part of the project! Why if it was known that these structures have to be taken down in late August didn’t you inform the students and alumnae, as these two structures are central identifiers for the Women’s College and her students past and present? The current students were notified in a variety of ways before the Press Release. Dr. Dempsey presented the entire project in an interview for the Alchemist. I described the project at an SGA roundtable/town hall about a month ago. I described the entire project to the SGA president several weeks ago and she has been informed all along the way with instructions to share with the senate. Finally, the senior honor society has been thoroughly briefed. Of course, the actual press release sent out via Email was made public when the project actually started. The next edition of the Window will have a complete piece. Why weren’t the opinions of past and present WC students taken into account? This is not like relocating your office. Regardless of where these icons were built originally, they have been in their present locations in our living memory. Your class’ memory is not the only one. I have had many older alums reminisce about the other , “better” locations of the Crow’s Nest—the now buried sunken garden—the little Lake Brenau—the Bamboo Garden/forest, etc. We are trying to address all the spectrum of traditions and fond memories of all alumnae constituencies and at the same time develop new such traditions for the current and future students. As of right now, we are developing plans to preserve and reinvigorate the “Bamboo Forest” that has been here for 100 years yet many recent students do not even know of its beauty and very existence. I’m sure all the new structures in their new locations will make a pretty picture, but they aren’t what we remember and therefore will lose the feeling on a connection to Brenau. Being open, up front and honest about the problems of the gate and the Crow’s Nest in August when it was first discovered would have circumvented a lot of the wrath that is being exchanged among students and alumnae now. In that vein, it feels very underhanded that it this was decided without our input taken into account. They are rotting, let’s just move them. Just like the Greek houses, they are rotting so let’s just move them.  Change the entire physical makeup of Brenau so no one recognizes her anymore.  You give me a plan to repair at an affordable level the rotting houses and I’m all ears! Otherwise, at some point, house collapse and real problems occur. We have started this conversation yerars in advance of when actual building or changes might occur…Change the logo, another Brenau identifier, but don’t take the students’ or alumnae’s ideas or feedback into account.  The Board approved it, but what about the students and alumnae who will have to live with it?   Though I’m sure it’s not your intention, it appears as if you do not value us as graduates, and in effect customers…a student is not a customer. The student/professor/institution relationship has much deeper meaning and mutual obligations. It is an entirely different relationship. But, I won’t enter that philosophical discussion on the internet.  The Women’s College belongs to us, her offspring.  What about the dedicated and self-sacrificing faculty, trustees and current and future students? We should have been, at the very least, informed. If you want us to cease being “liabilities,” you should (delete: start treating) treat us as assets.  With my edits, I don’t disagree with this at all. I believe we do truly believe alumnae are the assets but most importantly the self-perpetuating legacy of Brenau. Anna-Elizabeth McCloud (Nix) 10055  Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity  Mu Chapter, Brenau University WC ‘02  Member Development Advisor and Ritual Advisor  Gamma Phi, Georgia Institute of Technology  Speak and the world will hear, act and the world will see. Do these things with light and goodness and you will truly make a difference. — On Wed, 11/12/08, Schrader, Ed <eschrader@brenau.edu> wrote: From: Schrader, Ed <eschrader@brenau.edu> Subject: RE: Recent Events To: annae0055@yahoo.com Cc: “Edge, Melissa (Gardner)” <mmgardner@brenau.edu>, “Thompson, Deborah” <dthompson@brenau.edu>, “Dempsey, Wayne” <wdempsey@brenau.edu>, “Wall, Jody” <jwall@brenau.edu> Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 12:29 PM Dear Anna-Elizabeth,   Thank you for your continuing interest in Brenau and preservation of her traditions and heritage.   As often happens as projects develop, the experts in charge may discover other impending issues not known previously. At some point in late August to mid September, the architect and contractor in reviewing the area and structures around the site of the new gazebo discovered 2 unfortunate situations: the Crows’ nest was rotting from underneath, did not have a sufficient concrete foundation to support the weight of students assembling in the nest (especially with the rot and infestation) and was also infested with wood eating insects and, hence, the architect designated it as unsafe; second, the left side brick column had settled differentially and had become unstable putting stress on the sign and likely to fall inward in a wind storm if it did not fall due to gravity.   The rebuilding of the Crow’s nest and front gates were required. Responding to the desire to more accurately host a professionally constructed and designed Crow’s nest, near its original site and design, the repositioning was planned. Given the need to rebuild both the Crow’s Nest and gate, the opportunity was realized to get back to a more original design and placement for a safe and professionally designed Crow’s Nest. Since the gates are new relative to the original campus and Crow’s Nest, the designers placed them in a position to highlight the Crow’s Nest and the other elements of tradition on the front campus. The plans to enhance the ambiance and beauty of the front campus were presented to the Facilities Committee and subsequently to the entire Board at the recent Board of Trustees meeting.   The repositioning of the columns and arch sign announcing entrance to Brenau Women’s College is about 50 feet along Boulevard Street and framed the Crow’s Nest, Fountain, and entire front of Pearce Auditorium. Around the Crow’s Nest and leading to it through the arch will be a brick walk with the names or Greek letters of current and prior student organizations etched into the bricks. The Brenau ideal granite block will be positioned adjacent to both the arch and the Crow’s Nest where it will be readily read by all who enter.   I hope you have the chance to visit the finished project in early 2009. Have a happy and joyous holiday season!   Best, Ed Schrader         From: Anna-Elizabeth McCloud [mailto:annae0055@yahoo.com]  Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 10:27 AM To: Schrader, Ed Subject: Recent Events   Dr. Schrader,  I imagine that you have been looking for an email from me since the events of yesterday.  Let me cover old business first. The group that attended the Brunch in July were promised several things from you and your staff and have yet to receive any kind of communication regarding those items.  We were promised a break down of the admissions practices, information that is sent to potential students, information on campus visits of potential students/informal interviews would be implemented into the admissions process, information on the alumna mentor program that was discussed, 2000-2008 campus crime summary, more information (i.e. the other options on the table and where AKA and DST fit in) on the Greek Housing issue, and your updated 2025 plans.  None of these things have made their way to any of us as indicated.  I have read the press release and seen the pictures regarding to the changes taking place around Centennial Circle.  You, I’m sure, already know my opinion on these things.  I wanted to express my disappointment in your lack of communication and openness with the Brenau Community.  You would have known that the planned gazebo would “necessitate” the need to move the Crow’s Nest and the Women’s College sign in July when you discussed it at the Brunch. And even if you didn’t know it in July, you would have known about the move before the day it happened.  At the Brunch, there was no mention that this gazebo would be that large or that out of place. You and Debbie both discussed it as a Victorian/Greek revival gazebo that would blend seamlessly with the buildings. There was no mention of moving the Crow’s Nest or the sign.  Perhaps the reason for the complete omission of facts was that you knew what our reaction would be and you probably foresaw a difficult road ahead for your plans if the Brenau Community knew about it ahead of time.  I really can’t think of any other reason for not informing the community of this change prior to it happening.  Regardless, this change is not being viewed as a positive, unfortunate necessity, or “getting back to our roots” because the chosen relocation place happens to be closer to the 1904 spot/formation.    The Brenau Community wants to administration to be upfront, open, and honest long before any changes are made. Blindsiding people who love Brenau is not the way to form solid relationships.  Brenau belongs to all of us, not just those who are in power. Communication and open discussion go a long way.   After our meeting in July, I produced an outline of the topics covered. Out of a pledge of good faith to you, I tried to be as detailed and yet positive as possible with the information disclosed. I’m sure you have seen it as it was uploaded to both our FaceBook group and the BrenauTheWayItShouldBe.com page and emailed to Debbie Thompson.   At the time, it was the general opinion of the group that you can’t fight city hall so you might as well swallow the bitter pill with some sugar. Up until now, most of the changes you have implemented have not been tangible or have been just rumors of change.  This is the first major step you have taken in altering the physical Brenau we all know and love.  As of yesterday, I believe that that original opinion has changed.   I hope that in the future we can all work together in order to preserve Brenau so that her unique small campus family-like feel, traditions, and opportunity to explore the academic realms are available to future generations of women as they were to mine and others before me. Regards, Anna-Elizabeth