When Portland State University students return to campus next fall, they may find their grass has turned to plastic. Currently the space, the only large green area on campus, is used by students for Frisbee, cloud bathing, dog walking and other pastimes. To PSU student Kinga Bernath, the university is putting the comfort of a few athletes ahead of those of the entire student body.
Students feel left out.
PSU's football team currently practices at Civic Stadium, where home games are played. Plans for a new practice field have been in the works for some time. The move is prompted in part by concerns that Civic Stadium would replace its artificial turf with natural grass that won't hold up during wet winter months. When lumber magnate Peter Stott and other donors kicked in enough money to go the full 100 yards, the university expanded its plastic vision. PSU spokesman Brian White says the space will be open to intramural and public use when not claimed by athletics teams, although the terms of Stott's gift dictate that jocks have priority.