December 6, 2001


Louise Romanow (parent) chair
Scott Byington (US sciences)
Eloise Robinson (parent)
Jim Welch (maintenance)
David McAllister (athletics)
Neill Clark (US humanities)
Sally Butler (parent)
Andrew Chiaraviglio (MS sciences)
Susan Little (parent advisor)

The Grounds Committee is newly formed as a result of work and recommendations made by the Open Space Committee. The Open Space Committee was formed along with several other committees to address objectives of the Long-Range Plan. The Open Space Committee has developed a Master Campus Use Plan, Campus Design Guidelines, preliminary designs for the SEA Courtyard, Site Furniture plan, and has made recommendations for how to proceed with improvements to the campus.

The Open Space Committee recommended formation of two new bodies or committees. One is a Review Board that will review all proposed improvements to the campus by any school community member or entity. The other committee is a standing Grounds Committee.

The Grounds Committee will be a working committee whose purpose is to identify needs, develop and execute plans, and monitor improvements for the campus grounds. The Grounds Committee will oversee projects for the school grounds that other members of the school community sponsor, propose, and execute. The committee will establish yearly goals and report to the Review Board.

The Grounds Committee will initially develop the following:
Site Furnishings Plan (already underway)
SEA Courtyard plans (already underway) – Dennis Pitts
Plans and ideas for short term and long term campus grounds improvements (some underway)
5-year landscape plan

The Grounds Committee will also:
Oversee implementation of projects
Review and make recommendations for grounds maintenance
Act as a liaison for school community members seeking to initiate projects
Follow a budget allocated for approved expenditures

The Grounds Committee will probably meet collectively on a monthly schedule, with individuals and groups working in different areas or ongoing projects (e.g., above mentioned areas) meeting on their own schedule. We will also use email for communications to cut down on meetings.

Aspects which compose the 5-year plan:

Structured Areas -- This includes seating, plantings, and beds around buildings and sports fields, the quad, the courtyard between the SEA and the gym, and the entrance to the US. (A plan for outdoor furnishings has been largely completed, and the first installment of teak furniture will probably go out on campus the week after TG break.) Eloise, Sally, Neill, David

Buffers -- These peripheral areas are the largest part of what's left of campus after academic and athletics areas are subtracted. Louise, Andrew, Jim

Preserved areas -- This is a small back part of campus where we plan to improve the conditions and support only indigenous plants. Scott, Louise

Maintenance – Schedule regular measures to maintain the campus. Jim, Louise
Academic and Athletics Needs and Wants -- Here's the wish list. Ideally, what would this campus include? Some things may not be feasible, but let's think big to start.

A small group within the committee will develop ideas and plant lists for their area. They will present to the entire committee, and the committee will send their recommendations to the Facilities and Grounds Review Board.

We have a budget for plantings for this year of $5000, and when we finally get some rain we can begin executing some of our short-term plans.