[Cider Jim]

I think you'd have a difficult time finding a 30-40 year old school with nicer buildings.

Agreed, though Regent over at VA Beach looks pretty nice, too.

[From the class of 09]

Personally, instead of the monogram, I would have prefered putting a garden/park up there, or maybe some trees, or maybe an observatory or academic building.

The monogram and snowflex are just eyesores in my opinion. I like the fact that we are "growing the brand", but honestly that's all it feels like, just two big tramp stamps that say LU instead of the beautiful trees that changed color in the fall and helped announce spring. They proclaimed God's beauty to me, not a big self-promotion. LU really has little taste for architecture or well maintained green open areas with trees and flowers. I envy most other college campuses based on that one reason alone.

The monogram and snowflex are very differnt IMO... I can get behind the snowflex idea the monogram I could take it or leave it.

[LUminary]

Where does the trail leading to the monogram start? Near the snowflex?

[LUconn]

yeah, park at snoflex and walk towards the monogram. It's not so much of a trail as it is a road. A road that you are not allowed to drive on.

[Sly Fox]

Snowflex actually shortens the walk from what it used to be. It is also a nice bike path if you are so inclined. Just keep in mind the grade is steep as you circle around the monogram itself.

[ATrain]

I wouldn't count on an astronomy program anytime soon. There's not a great deal of earning potential from those types of programs these days.

Meh, that could change with the right person in the White House.

[jimflamesfan]

I've been to the snowflex, but not the monogram.

Would it be possible to rollerblade on this road/trail thing near the monogram? Is it blacktop? About how steep is it?

I like rollerblading at Peaksview park when I'm in Lynchburg...

[Sly Fox]

No chance on the rollerblading.

[El Scorcho]

As for the observatory, there is still plenty of mountaintop left...LU just doesn't have an astronomy program...yet.

No. Not going to happen. It's problematic in a couple of ways.

First and foremost, light pollution. You can't have a real observatory that close to all of the lights out here. The city lights would make it useless. Have you seen SnowFlex at night? Right. Too much light. Way too much. There's a reason Lynchburg College built their observatory way out past Bedford.

Second, astronomy is a tough academic field for LU to get involved with. Astronomy is now primarily a part of physics and modern physics and LU aren't really on good terms. Amateur astronomy, sure, but not modern academic astronomy. It would be kind of limited in a way that wouldn't really make sense to fund it. I'm not saying this to start a debate (please please no. I can't handle two at once.), but just to point out that it's a problem.

[ATrain]

As for the observatory, there is still plenty of mountaintop left...LU just doesn't have an astronomy program...yet.

No. Not going to happen. It's problematic in a couple of ways.

First and foremost, light pollution. You can't have a real observatory that close to all of the lights out here. The city lights would make it useless. Have you seen SnowFlex at night? Right. Too much light. Way too much. There's a reason Lynchburg College built their observatory way out past Bedford.

Second, astronomy is a tough academic field for LU to get involved with. Astronomy is now primarily a part of physics and modern physics and LU aren't really on good terms. Amateur astronomy, sure, but not modern academic astronomy. It would be kind of limited in a way that wouldn't really make sense to fund it. I'm not saying this to start a debate (please please no. I can't handle two at once.), but just to point out that it's a problem.

Ok, I get it. And no, I'm not going to start a debate involving modern physics, creationsim, etc...biology was more my area of science that I was good at. However, speaking of debates, think this weekend you want to head back to the ABC privatization debate IF I take the time to dig up all the articles and such?

[El Scorcho]

However, speaking of debates, think this weekend you want to head back to the ABC privatization debate IF I take the time to dig up all the articles and such?

Meh. I appreciate it, but I honestly think I've got enough debate going on here right now. I'm too busy to give it the proper attention and I'll admit I'm not fully up to speed on the facts. I was shooting from the hip based on what was linked in the thread.

I appreciate it, though. I do love a good debate.

[ATrain]

However, speaking of debates, think this weekend you want to head back to the ABC privatization debate IF I take the time to dig up all the articles and such?

Meh. I appreciate it, but I honestly think I've got enough debate going on here right now. I'm too busy to give it the proper attention and I'll admit I'm not fully up to speed on the facts. I was shooting from the hip based on what was linked in the thread.

I appreciate it, though. I do love a good debate.

No problem. Truthfully I'm glad, I didn't feel like going back to the news websites and digging through hundreds of articles. It is an issue I've followed rather closely.

[LUminary]

Finally made the hike to the monogram. Beautiful day, nice easy walk with the exception of the last leg which was a heart-pounder. Great view, of course. Surprised by the amount of traffic on the road, and the large size and number of rocks that form the monogram.