The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, April 21, 1972, Image 1
VOL. LXII -NO. 80 University of South Carolinal Columbia, S. C. 29208 Frid
TSTA TE
1' 4
Mike Boliver, left, and Gii
Humanities lawn protesting pr
Street.
Widenin
By KARIN BURCIISTEAD
Staff Writer
The proposed widening of
Pickens Street is just one element
of a University plan for the ex
pansion of a six-block area
bounded by Pickens, Pendleton,
Gregg and Green streets, ac
cording to Harold Brunton, vice
president for Business Affairs.
A meeting has been scheduled
for 3 p.m. Monday at Capstone "to
answer student concerns about the
proposal," Brunton said. This
meeting precedes a 3 p.m. public
hearing Wednesday at Capstone
which will be conducted by the S.C.
Highway Department and federal
personnel.
Plans for the expansion of the
U. S. C'.- S
NI
4'N
- Tom Price
nny Tucker place sign on
oposed widening of Pickens
g Picken
Student
on prop
"east campus" include a proposal
for major renovations of a two
block section of Pickens Street
through the USC campus; closing
of certain sections of streets within
the six-block area over a period of
years; and development of mall
areas, academic buildings and
housing and parking facilities.
Brunton said the University has
been working on the plans for the
past 10 years. ie said the ex
pansion plans "represent the
perfect ecological balance."
"The flow of traffic will increase
N
C A MPUS -1972"
Coed d<
academ
By BETTY WOODRUFF
Staff Writer
Students wishing to live in a
proposed coed dormitory geared to
provide an academic atmosphere
for serious students should sign up
Tuesday in Russell House lobby.
Planned for Preston dormitory,
the proposal, known as "Project
Preston," has passed through all
channels of administration at the
University and is awaiting a final
decision by the Board of Trustees.
Since the Board will not meet
until May 13, after all students
have left, students who would live
in this arrangement must leave
their name so that they can be
informed of the Board's decision.
The philosophy of the dorm has
been drawn up by a group of about
15 students "interested in im
proving the academic atmosphere
of the University," Greg Jackson,
project chairman, said.
Activities already planned in
clude special interest groups such
as language majors living together
for an in-depth culture situation;
special study groups, including
b Just one
s may attend disc
osed major renovw
on Pickens Street but it will be
safer and smoother, and ecology
will gain in the more open areas
that are provided for in the plans."
Brunton said.
One of the immediate proposals
of the development plans, which
are to be implemented gradually
through 1985, is the improvement
of a two-block section of Pickens
Street between Pendleton and
Green.
The University has proposed to
widen and depress the street and
also construct a pedestrian
Before
and
After
These charts represent
USC today and USC as it
will look in 1985 when plans
for the construction of new
buildings, the closing of
street portions and the
landscaping of ''east
campus'' are expected to be
completed. The blackened
areas represent sections
already owned by the
University.
:)rm to
0
Ic atmc
students from the same classe.
meeting together for furthei
discussion; and tutorial services
"Preston dorm was choser
because its natural architecturE
lends itself to coed living better
than any other dorm," Jacksor
said.
"Essentially, it will still be two
dorms, divided by right and left
wings, under one roof. The coec
factor is secondary, but we feel
that to have the interaction we
want and the diversity, males anc
females should be in close
proximity," Jackson said.
"All precautions will be taken tc
make sure visitation rules and
such will be followed between the
two wings. This is primarily an
academic attempt, and the coed
factor is something rising out of
the attempt to have the most
participation possible," he said.
Several vacant rooms in Preston
would become study or commons
rooms for discussions, and the
downstairs lobby would be
enlarged to accommodate
speakers or lecturing professors.
Jackson said, "Plans also call
00
expanszo
usslon
itions
overpass at the point where
Pickens intersects College Street.
"Pickens Street will be heavily
screened with walls and trees, so
the noise will not be objectional but
an overall improvement," Brunton
said.
Under the proposal the
University will relinquish the land
for the right of way in exchange for
a tentative agreement with the city
to give up Henderson, Barnwell
and College streets and Gibbs
Court, Brunton said.
"In effect, there will be more
U.S.C4riA
e
.b. .~ a
e 7r]7
3rovide
>sphere
for some classes to be set up in the
building. "
He said he is aware that several
residents now in Preston had
protested the use of that particular
dorm, but that the structure of
Preston was the most suitable on
campus for this type project.
To insure adequate security,
Jackson said the committee had
proposed all doors but the front one
be equipped with fire locks.
Students who wish to live in the
facility must make special ap
plications including purposes for
participating in the program and
the contributions that can be made
to the project.
"Project Preston" is open first
to groups, then individuals if there
are not enough groups. Faculty
endorsements are desired and
applicants must schedule a per
sonal interview.
"Selection will be based on the
student's indication of academic
intents," Jackson said.
"People interested must sign up
Tuesday so that if the Board ap
(Continued on Page 8)
r plan
traffic on Pickens Street in ex
change for the elimination of
traffic on Henderson. Barnwell,
College and Gibbs Court," he
added.
Brunton said he does not believe
a monorail would be feasible for
the University because of the
expense involved. "Essentially
what we will have is a closed-loop
situation in which the traffic is off
the city streets."
According to traffic surveys,
Pickens is one of the few north
south arteries through central
Columbia and there exists an
"acute" traffic conflict between
moter vehicles and pedestrian
(Continued on Page 8),
S T C AMPUS "1985"j
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