Shepherd University Looks Ahead to the Future
By: Shayna Halper
Updated: January 9, 2013
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - Two things stand out as you drive through Shepherdstown, and that's the downtown area and the University.
The school is holding a series of public meetings for students, faculty and residents to gather input on the school's 10 year master plan.
"We want to see particularly, with people from the community, how we can better interact with them, and like in all the Universities and Colleges the main topic is going to be parking," says John Sherwood, Board of Governors Chair.
"The P Word, parking is always a big thing here," says Rebecca Phipps, a resident.
Residents say campus parking is becoming a huge issue for them, because students are parking all along the downtown area and it's really starting to effect local businesses.
"We have vibrant businesses here, but we need a place for the customers to park. Shepherdstown is as important to Shepherds University and Shepherds University is to Shepherdstown businesses," says Ken Lowe, a local business owner.
A student told WHAG the residents are making the school's 10 year plan about them, when it should really be focused on what the students need.
"There just focusing on parking, but I also feel like they should focus more on the student center and just updating the classrooms and all that," says Tony Sampson, a junior at Shepherd University.
Architects developing the plan say hearing from the residents is just as important as hearing from the students.
"We want to make sure whatever ideas we put forward are very respectful of what Shepherdstown already has," says Jennifer Stone.
And what's to come in the next ten years, is only in the beginning stages. A public meeting will also be held Thursday at the school's auditorium from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The school is holding a series of public meetings for students, faculty and residents to gather input on the school's 10 year master plan.
"We want to see particularly, with people from the community, how we can better interact with them, and like in all the Universities and Colleges the main topic is going to be parking," says John Sherwood, Board of Governors Chair.
"The P Word, parking is always a big thing here," says Rebecca Phipps, a resident.
Residents say campus parking is becoming a huge issue for them, because students are parking all along the downtown area and it's really starting to effect local businesses.
"We have vibrant businesses here, but we need a place for the customers to park. Shepherdstown is as important to Shepherds University and Shepherds University is to Shepherdstown businesses," says Ken Lowe, a local business owner.
A student told WHAG the residents are making the school's 10 year plan about them, when it should really be focused on what the students need.
"There just focusing on parking, but I also feel like they should focus more on the student center and just updating the classrooms and all that," says Tony Sampson, a junior at Shepherd University.
Architects developing the plan say hearing from the residents is just as important as hearing from the students.
"We want to make sure whatever ideas we put forward are very respectful of what Shepherdstown already has," says Jennifer Stone.
And what's to come in the next ten years, is only in the beginning stages. A public meeting will also be held Thursday at the school's auditorium from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
