Oolooteka To Be Emptied

Now this sounds like fun on all sorts of levels: "The Sam Houston Memorial Museum, in conjunction with several SAM136 classes, will dredge the historical 'Duck Pond' next month in an effort to clean 70 years of pollution and perhaps even uncover secrets of the past," notes today's Houstonian.

The article notes this activity could result in some surprising finds at the bottom, which students will have to reach by hand. Yum!

Mafrige Field House

Sam Houston State University’s athletic offices at Bowers Stadium will be designated as the Ron Mafrige Field House in a special ceremony to be held Friday, September 22, at 4 p.m.

Last fall, Mafrige gave $250,000 to make possible construction of the new 11,000 square foot football strength and conditioning facility adjacent to the Mafrige Field House. Along with other gifts to the athletic program, Mafrige has donated to the College of Business, the Theatre and Dance departments, Sam Houston Museum, as well as other scholarships.

Office To Open Its 'House'

Today@Sam notes the Office of Research and Special Programs will open the doors of its new location to faculty, staff and students on Tuesday, September 19. The offices are located in the recently renovated Adams House, formerly a student residence.

Musings from Sam Houston's Stomping Grounds

Fans of Sam Houston State University and its rich and colorful history can now listen to Paul Culp, special collections librarian at the Newton Gresham Library, tell stories of the history and people of the university and the Huntsville community. Looks for updates twice a month [site feed].

Item: Ward 1 residents sound off

As part of the Huntsville Horizon Plan, city residents and university students met Thursday, September 7, 2006 to discuss about the future of the city and the people that live and work there. SHSU Student Body President Christopher Whitaker was in attendance, according to a portion of this Item article:

Ward 1 residents sound off
Huntsville comp plan garners interest from community
by Kelly Prew with Ben Bell
The Huntsville Item
Thursday, September 8, 2006

In an issue spurred from how Sam Houston State University will grow in future years and how it will become “seamless in the community,” several citizens spoke about the need for sidewalks, better driveway access to businesses on major roadways and city services.

Transportation issues were discussed, from both the perspective of local residents and Sam Houston State University students in attendance. Then folks began discussions on what provisions would be made for pedestrians.

Christopher Whitaker, SHSU student body president, spoke for the students.

“There are serious pedestrian issues at Sam Houston Avenue and intersections with Avenue J and Avenue I,” he said. “My worst fear is a student being killed crossing these busy intersections.”

Residents concurred with Whitaker, naming a number of problem pedestrian areas citywide.

SHSU student life chair Justin Berry mentioned how a shuttle service could better improve quality of life for students.

“I agree with the shuttle service idea,” he said. “It would help a lot of local residents too. Sometimes our cars break down and money is tight, and a shuttle service could help out.”

Berry also brought up the issue of traffic lights and student access to the downtown area.

“There is a courthouse traffic light that never changes (University and 11th Street), and eventually backs up. Timing on lights is a little bit off.”

Karl Davidson brought up the possibility of a grant already in existence that would implement an attractive pedestrian system between SHSU and the downtown square, via University Avenue.

If the shuttle system were an option, talk swirled around who would pay the bill. SHSU senior Evan Dierlam suggested the city look to grant funding for a shuttle service.

Berry suggested possible satellite parking and shuttling.

The issue of affordable housing also grabbed residents and students, who agreed Huntsville has a variety of people who need different levels of housing.

“As the student population grows and the state continues to reduce funds, it is more difficult to build dormitories, and students quickly fill these spaces and professors and students alike are commuting because of this,” Whitaker said. “This hurts Huntsville revenue and growth.”