Pep’s palms sprout big bills
Shannon Kelly
Perspectives Editor
Does money grow on trees? Yes it does — on the palm trees in front of the Center for Communication and Business. That is how Pepperdine students will now answer this question if my hypothesis proves correct, and I am confident it will.
The frawns may be tied up now (standard brand-new expensive tree procedure), so people have not had a chance to see this evidenced. But, I’m going to go ahead and theorize that once those ropes are cut and the leaves spring to form, hundred dollar bills will spew from the center. And I don’t expect anything less from multi-thousand-dollar foliage.
This is going to have to happen in order to hush the whimpers of disturbed students who are in disbelief over the amount of money spent on recent revamps.
They don’t believe campus beautification is worth a potential hole in Pepperdine’s pocket and suggest better use of funds. I suggest Pepperdine continue building the stream to accentuate the palms. A waterfall also sounds fantastic.
The CCB landscaping is not the only expensive overhaul, as the Graphic reported in the Sept. 7 issue. Funds are being raised for more renovations that could include an athletics arena, a new parking structure, a recreation center, improved student housing and a soccer stadium (why not?). Even though all of these plans are aimed at benefiting students, some are not happy to hear about many of them, but they should be.
Raising funds and making improvements is commendable, not something to complain about.
If scholarships and other forms of financial aid were being ignored, I could understand an argument against splurging, but that is not the case.
Pepperdine’s ability to spend money on what some see as needless “extras” also represents an extremely admirable aspect of this school — the fact that because it is so well respected, donors want to give their money (and lots of it). Some of these supporters even request their money be spent on “unnecessary” palm trees and other embellishments (Smothers Theatre), and there is no problem with that either.
Thank you, Pepperdine, for this little lesson in the wonders of capitalistic endeavors. Dedicate yourself to work and unreservedly earn ridiculous amounts of money. Save some and spend some on yourself and on those who have supported you. Use your fortune to help yourself and those who have less (although it is your choice if you would rather ignore charity) and good things will come your way (palm trees and then some).
Not only could you make enough money to rival Trump, but, like in Pepperdine’s case, people will support your endeavors enough to provide assistance by donating their hard-earned money.
I don’t want to sound like the administrators also “wasted” money by paying me to write this (they couldn’t afford me anyways), but I see no reason why spending money to improve this campus should be viewed negatively.
Our academics are highly respected; our athletics represent the best non-football program in the country, and this school’s charitable undertakings are almost incomparable. This is success and success deserves rewards. Administrators recognize this and because students study hard, Elkins and Appleby Center remodeling is in store. Athletes perform so well that plans for a new athletics center and soccer stadium are being made. Through its actions, the Pepperdine community as a whole has earned a new parking structure and a recreation center and with support and continued fundraising, these upgrades are likely.
If you are still mad about how administrators choose to spend money, I suggest grabbing a paper bag and trekking up Seaver Drive to stand beneath the trees on the day the bills are freed (Fine. It is all made up, don’t bother walking up that hill).
But, at least stop whining and admit you kind of like the looks of this place and appreciate the improvements being made.
While the 20 trees swarming the CCB are a little excessive in terms of crowdedness, if one more is planted as a “we deserve it” statement, I’ll dig the hole.
Submitted 09-14-2006