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Media Memo: New Student Center, Historic Council Oak Tree

TO: News/Assignment Editors and Directors

FROM: Mike Rindo

DATE: Sept. 16, 2009

SUBJECT: New Student Center Historic Council Oak Tree

UW-Eau Claire's new student center on lower campus will require that the oak tree that now stands near the location of the original Historic Council Oak Tree be moved or removed.

In 1990, a replacement Council Oak tree was planted near where the origiinal Council Oak, pictured above, stood on the UW-Eau Claire campus until 1987. A new student center project now will require that the replacement tree be moved or removed. (UW-Eau Claire Special Collections photo)

Members of the Davies Center Redevelopment Steering Committee decided early in the planning process to work closely with UW-Eau Claire faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members and members of the Native American community to identify options that would respect the heritage of the original Historic Council Oak Tree.

Members of the steering committee have made multiple efforts to solicit ideas and input from people on and off campus.

Since November 2008, the Historic Council Oak Tree has been regularly discussed during open meetings about the building project. In addition, members of the university community and public have been afforded multiple opportunities to present ideas and concerns about all aspects of the project.

The university is currently compiling information from businesses that specialize in moving large trees to determine if the current oak tree can be transplanted to a new location on campus and what it might cost to do so.

Faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders had previously been invited to a meeting the week of Sept. 21 to discuss possible solutions.

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