Rhetoric associate professor Margaret Pigott brought her COM 301 class to the rally. D Shondra Wolfe, a student from Pigott s class, said, They say they are going to get money from the new golf course, but it s not like the students are going to see any of it. The class was assigned to write a letter to OU President Gary Russi asking whether he supported or opposed the golf course construction. I do not agree with the Board of Trustees decision, Pigott said. According to Pigott, the construction will rip away all of the natural grass including some sections which are rare prairie grass.
Prairie grass is preserved because it is extremely rare.
It ties us to the prairie atmosphere, she said. According to the picketers, the woods are not only an area of research, but for many, a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the natural environment. I love it for itself, Pigott said. It is an incredible, beautiful source of wildlife and plants for all of us. The OU administration responded to the rally by distributing an information sheet with a statement from David Downing, interim vice president of academic affairs and provost, and Lynne Schaefer, vice president of finance and administration.