The swing that hung from a tree in Carleton University’s quad, just outside of MacOdrum Library, has been removed by the university.
According to university spokesperson Steven Reid, “The swing was broken and was removed [because it] was unsafe.”
The swing was removed on Tuesday, July 11. With no current plans to replace the swing, the quad has lost a popular student attraction ahead of the fall semester.
The university gave no public announcement about their decision to remove the swing. Several students expressed disappointment and frustration with the decision.
“I just don’t understand why they took it away. It’s one of the nicest things we have on campus,” said Megan Johnson, a second-year international studies student.
“No one dislikes the swing. It’s just one of those things where it’s nice to see people hang out, and it’s always been such a positive part of our campus,” she said.
Johnson added she “tried to be outside a lot, especially during exams.”
“To find green spaces and even just places to sit outside is super hard to find on campus,” she explained. “To take the swing away, it’s just removing even more of the recreational outdoor space that we already don’t have much of on campus.”
With the removal of the quad’s swing, Carleton lost a popular activity that drew people to campus and encouraged outdoor activity.
Carleton does not offer much green space for students to enjoy, Johnson said.
However, the university’s Outdoor Space Master Plan will look to “prioritize outdoor improvements to the campus,” including further development of green space, an online update said.
Students said they looked forward to using the swing and seeing their peers enjoy it as well.
“To say I feel upset would be an understatement,” said Cameron Ross, a third-year computer science student.
“I spent pretty much all my time inside, unless I was going to the swing,” he added. “It made being on campus more pleasant.”
“In the fall, I’d be on the swing all afternoon, and even in the winter, I’d trudge through snow to make it there,” he added.
Ross recalled how entertaining he found the swing.
“The quad really is small for the amount of people we have coming to campus,” he said. Ross believes the swing encouraged people to spend more time outside and to enjoy Carleton’s campus.
Both students said the university should invest in replacing the swing, as it was a valuable part of campus life.
“Especially because it’s right near the library. It’s just one of those nice things people can go to and I can’t imagine it would be that expensive to replace either,” Johnson added.
“I think the university should absolutely invest in replacing the swing,” she said. “It’s always been nice to look at people playing on it and know that we’re all just getting by.”
Featured image by Elissa Mendes.
