The construction of two buildings across from Heritage House has garnered mixed responses from students and faculty alike.
Several biology majors are concerned about the environmental effect the loss of trees will have.
“I’ve seen a lot of deer on campus,” sophomore biology major Emily Brown said. “They have to move to a new part of the woods.”
Biology professor David Hoferer and senior biology major Jenna Ricchiutti both said the wetlands near the building site are stream-fed, and the construction must ensure that those streams are not dried up.
The primary concern among the biology faculty, however, seems to be that the equal replacement of trees that Eastern is attempting is done correctly.
“While we can’t restore the ecology of the forest we lost, we can help the ecology in other places if we plant native trees in proper places,” Hoferer said.
Hoferer and another biology professor, David Unander, also said that the natural areas committee, which is supposed to give input when a natural area on campus is going to be affected, should have been consulted.
According to both, this did not happen. Plans were made to place trees in areas that would not work, according to Unander.
Other students also have mixed reactions about the construction.
“We had the most beautiful view outside our window,” sophomore Katybeth Muste said. “It was like something out of a Charles Dickens book. It’s all orange now.”
Sophomore Scott Schmidl agreed.
“Now you’ll be able to see that building from Eagle Road, from King of Prussia Road,” he said. “It opens our campus up too much.”
Other students support the construction because of the extra parking lot also being built.
Most students simply want a balance between growth and the environment.”I think it’s great the school is expanding, as long as we do it wisely,” junior Rob Ross said.
Will Cunningham 
Mikaela Brown 
Sophia Hunter