By Amber Smith
Staff Writer
On the east side of the library, tucked away in the corners of the CSUB campus sits the quiet, stagnant and murky waters of the Koi pond.
The koi pond is part of the CSUB Alumni Park, which includes not only the pond itself, but the landscaping, streams and bridges that make up the whole area surrounding the pond. According to a Cal State Today newsletter, construction began on the project in 2004 and was the work of the alumni board who planned the project.
The pond is a bit of an eyesore now compared to how it looked when it was originated. Tons of fallen leaves sit in the brown, muddy and mossy streams. Overgrown dead shrubbery protrudes from the waters. Filters sit idly by waiting to be fixed and old remnants of what used to be flowing fountains stand deserted.
You also have to get pretty close to the koi pond itself to actually see the fish, due to the fact that the haze in the water makes them difficult to see.
Despite its unattractive appearance, some students still visit and enjoy the pond. Matt Campbell, a junior at CSUB said, "It's kind of gross, but I like the whole idea." He went on to say sarcastically, "I thought they were going for the whole natural vibe."
"I'd hate to slip and fall in the pond. I might have to go get a tetanus shot after that. I like to come and watch the fish though," Campbell said.
Unfortunately for Campbell, and other fans of the koi pond, due to recent budget cuts at CSUB and the California state government, the koi pond is not a very high priority in terms of allocation of school funds.
Tom Velasquez, facilities manager at CSUB, said that part of the reason the waters look so cloudy is because of broken filters, motors and vacuums, and CSUB doesn't have the money right now to fix them. He said that not only are the Koi pond's filters are broken, but also the filters in the pond near the dorms on the west side of campus.
"I like to see a beautiful campus, but we have to spend money on different things," said Velasquez.
He said that one filter alone costs around two-to-three thousand dollars to fix.
"Due to budget cuts, the campus is working to limit spending and curtail expenditures," said Mike Neal, the Vice President of Business Administration in regards to the budget and koi pond.
He said that the campus and the state are experiencing a very difficult economic time.
"From what I've heard, the state of California could be out of cash in February," said Neal. That would mean much less money would be given to the CSUB, and all other CSUs.
Due to the lack of money, he said that the campus must spend its money on only the most necessary things. Among other things, those necessary items include Cal grants and payroll.
"In the case that the state could not pay Cal Grants to students, CSUB would step in and pay the most critical Cal Grants needed," Neal said.
"We need to pay for the things that keep the university going before anything aesthetic," said Neal.
Campbell said that he would support the money going to critical areas of the university before going to the upkeep of the koi pond.
Campbell also offered a noble solution to the maintenance of the koi pond. "Maybe there could be a day where students could volunteer to help keep the Koi pond looking nice. I would definitely help," Campbell said.
Francis Scott Kress, a parent of Bakersfield children and CSUB supporter, echoed Campbell's sentiment. "It's all about solutions. Maybe biology classes could use the Koi pond as part of their class," he said.
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