The campus of SUNY New Paltz is no stranger to nature. Located in the Shawangunk Mountain region and next to the Wallkill River, New Paltz is swarming with squirrels, deer, fish, bears and geese. In fact, SUNY New Paltz has its own pond that runs straight through the heart of campus housing. The Gunk, as the students call it, is home to over six species of ducks and geese.
Students and faculty appreciate the beauty of the pond and consider the geese that nest there a special part of the campus atmosphere. Other students can’t stand their noisiness, their aggressive nature, and the poop they leave behind. While student opinions remain split, administrative officials, like Brian Pine, director of facilities operations and maintenance, investigate the health threats that the geese pose and weigh options for their removal from campus.
Click here to listen to “Geese Get the Boot”
Reported and produced by Kim Plummer and Emily Atkin
As broadcast on WAMC’s Midday Magazine on Nov. 27, 2009