By William Woodson
The softball field on the William Peace University campus will change, but it will still support students, faculty and staff as a safe, reliable place for additional on-campus parking, according to WPU President Lynn Morton.
But some students and families are opposed to this change, and are expressing their concerns. One WPU parent is asking people to sign a petition that now includes 1,402 signatures.
Along with the student body criticism, the softball team is taking a stand, stating that the change is sudden and dangerous.
“Moving off campus would cause us to have to hurry out of class, and hurry on the roads to practice,” said junior pitcher Kimberly Bordeaux. “We don’t have to worry about bad roads and traffic now, and we get more practice time because we don’t have to spend 20-30 minutes on the road.”
Members of the softball team also expressed frustrations at how the business to get rid of the on-campus sports staple was conducted.
“The president never talked to us,” said Bordeaux. “I still don’t even know what she looks like and it seems like she doesn’t care about us at all.”
“We weren’t taken into consideration,” said sophomore outfielder Caroline Burdsal. “People actually come to watch our games and it creates a community on campus, and that is getting taken away.”
Siding with the softball players on the petition, Bobbie from Nakina states that her daughter is an alum of the softball program at WPU.
“The field holds many memories and accomplishments for my family!” said Bobbie. “The ladies that have played on this field represented your school proudly and well! Removing this field will remove a large part of the school’s history! Please research other options!”
Beverly of Statesville posted that her granddaughter selected WPU because of its softball program.
“Think of how many students are/were recipients of your wonderful education and culture because you offer women’s softball,” said Beverly. “Please save this field and continue to offer a convenient playing field. Thank you.”
Morton said urban campuses, such as WPU, often have off-site locations for sports. Examples are Queens University in Charlotte, Villanova University and Marymount University in Arlington, Va.
The changes come as part of an overall master plan for the university that was developed as part of a Strategic Plan in 2017. While Morton was not here then, she said student input was gathered at that time through student meetings, and some current seniors remembered hearing about the plan when they were sophomores, along with the need for more parking.
While the original master plan for the campus depicted a parking deck, Morton said current plans include a surface lot only, not a deck.
“The original Campus Master Plan showed a parking deck connected to new buildings,” said Morton. “We do not have a need for a deck at this time, but we do need ‘overflow’ parking to alleviate the crowded lots at peak use times during weekdays and for special events. The parking lot will have approximately 106 parking spaces.”
Morton emphasized that the parking lot is not being developed to rent, but spaces could be rented when there is availability.
“I want to be clear that we are not building the parking area to rent it out,” said Morton. “We are building it because students, faculty and staff are finding parking on campus frustrating at peak times and because we are planning for future growth.”
On the weekends and evenings when there are no campus events, she said it makes sense to rent the parking lot for additional revenue for the university when events are happening close to the campus.
“During winter break we rented part of our main lot for a wedding reception that was taking place at another venue down the street,” said Morton. “We often share parking with Holy Trinity in a reciprocal way, and we use their sanctuary, so we consider them an existing partner”
Morton also said WPU has also partnered with the Downtown Raleigh Alliance for Jazz in the Square and Holiday Lights. If other events are occurring close to campus, it would also be feasible and reasonable to allow community residents to park on WPU lots and pay for the spaces.
“We continue to look for opportunities for renting our campus facilities for additional revenue,” Morton said, “and are developing more corporate partnerships that might lead to more on-campus rentals and events. The main point is that we put student safety and noise control at the forefront at all times, and we would never rent a facility or a parking lot to a commercial business that we do not have a relationship with and whose patrons might cause a disruption to campus life.”
Photo by Isaiah Grady
While the website with the petition expresses concerns that moving the softball activities to somewhere off campus will affect recruitment, Morton does not think it will. Morton says students choose a college program based on many different factors associated with their chosen sport, along with academic opportunities, rather than whether a field is located right on campus.
The final design for the parking lot is being finished currently, and construction will begin this summer and is scheduled for completion before the fall semester begins.
Softball Coach Lauren Conway is also looking at options for where the softball team will begin practicing and playing.
“As an alum of the Pacers softball team, she knows what will be necessary for a good collegiate athletic experience,” Morton said. “We are currently in conversations with local agencies and hope to announce the location in the near future.”
Morton said she understands that there are concerns with the changes, but she believes the decisions being made now will positively impact the campus in the long-term.
“We make every decision carefully with our mission and the effect on our students at the center of everything we do,” Morton said. “Part of making decisions is weighing all of the variables, including considering what will impact the greatest number of people.”
She said the softball field was developed 26 years ago when the current university was a women’s college. In 2012, the campus was made co-ed and the university began recruiting men and women. Now, there are 17 sports teams.
Photo by William Woodson
“It simply isn’t feasible to continue a tradition that was envisioned 26 years ago in a different time with a different population, however much we might want to,” Morton said. “We make decisions for the present and the future, while being attentive to the past. We have changed, times have changed, our needs are changing, and we must rise to meet the times we are in.”
Morton said she is aware of the concerns that have been expressed regarding the changes, and she wants to make sure that everyone understands that all opinions are recognized and respected.
“I’ve heard many different opinions on the subject of parking and the softball field, and I know that for many of the current players and alumni who have played on the field this decision is upsetting,” Morton said. “The Leadership Team and I care deeply about each and every one of our students and for our alumni, and we did not intend to hurt them. We are charged with making difficult decisions that balance many different needs. I apologize that this decision came as a surprise to some and that we did not do a better job of preparing the campus for it. That doesn’t make it the wrong decision, but it’s important to honestly acknowledge that.”
Will Stadler contributed to this report