CORRECTION: This article originally indicated Rubin started all three projects. In reality, Rubin only began the native lawn project, and the other projects are lead by other people but all organizing together.
Sep. 18 — 15 students met in the Kern on September 8th to discuss and plan an initiative to finish and expand the Greenwich playground, plant alternative lawns on campus, and construct an outdoor ampitheatre.
According to Ike Rubin, F22, who started the lawn project, they hope to hold fundraisers, leverage Learning Collaboratives, and build connections between students, faculty, staff, and alumni to complete the projects, creating not just lasting infrastructure for the college, but also bonds between new students and upperclassmen.
The large monoculture lawns Hampshire has near its entrances, Rubin says, “represent a tremendous waste of space and resources that provide no benefits to the environment.” Rubin says that replacing those lawns with native plants would prevent disruptive plant species proliferating, and support the local ecosystem.
The playground project would seek to finish and expand the currently existing playground in front of Greenwich, turning it into a more functional and fun space for students.
The ampitheatre project is headed up by Haven Vincent-Warner, F23. The plan is to build a green ampitheatre based on a design created by Mass Audubon, a nature conservation non-profit in Massachusetts. Rubin says the ampitheatre would be a student-controlled and stewarded space for performances and concerts, without doors that could be locked to keep students out.
Contrary to a rapidly spread rumor, Rubin emphasizes that “Chelsea Manning is NOT directly involved in these projects.” Manning was the 2023 Commencement speaker, and Manning and Rubin had a brief conversation about the idea, but no actual commitments were made and Manning and Rubin have not been in contact since.
The working group meets every Sunday in the Kern starting at 3PM, and students are encouraged to attend. The group hopes to break ground on these projects next semester.
