Opportunity for students to leave behind legacy

By: Mandi West

Students at Utah State University have the chance to design the courtyard and entryway at the Chase Fine Arts Center that many people see whether they are on their way to a painting class or a play at the Morgan Theatre.

The Landscape Architecture and Environmental Department is having a contest to select one student or a group of students who are currently enrolled at USU to design the whole area instead of paying a professional landscaping company to take care of it. Participants have until 5 p.m. on Dec. 9 to submit a plan. Winners will be announced Jan. 13 and plans will then be implemented into the construction. The courtyard has been closed to the public for the rest of the academic year with no projected date of when it will reopen.

The construction may cause some inconvenience to the students, faculty and visitors to the Chase Fine Arts Center. David Evans, one of the contest coordinators, said that it is a necessary change that will benefit all in the end.

“The Fine Arts courtyard represents a home for some, a neighbor for many, and the doorstep to the arts for much of Logan and Northern Utah,” Evans said. “It should meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s change. It also must meet the needs of all our stakeholders and it just wasn’t doing that.”

Along with the opportunity to design the area, students will also be able to win a cash prize. Four award winners will split a $3,500 prize. Designs will be judged based on creativity, sustainability, feasibility and response to project goals and objectives as described in the competition rules.

Scott Allred, a senior majoring in landscape, decided to enter after hearing about it from his professor. He saw it as a great opportunity to see his own designs implemented at the university.

“I am really familiar with the courtyard, and like every place I go, I analyzed what I like about it and what I thought could be better,” Allred said. “I hope to contribute by designing a courtyard that accommodates everybody's needs, and is a place where people will enjoy going.”

Contest rules and applications can be found in room 230 at the Fine Arts-Visual building and questions can be sent to Evan’s email at david.evans@usu.edu.