It's time to clear up confusion. Construction on the hillside stretching from the Hinckley Building to south campus is not decimation, but restoration, according to BYU officials.

Distress over the destruction of the hillside arose because the shrubs and trees planted there serve as a habitat and food source for local animals, such as deer and quail.

Associate professor of economics Mark Showalter was concerned the hill was being stripped to reduce the population of deer on campus. Showalter said he did not have official information, but he said such a major transformation should be a public process.

"There was no attempt to get any input from students or faculty," Showalter said. "Seems like something that ought to be discussed."

Information and media-relations manager Todd Hollingshead said the project is actually a revegetation process. Because of the recent completion of the Hinckley building, the addition to the Tanner building and the renovations in the Richards building, Hollingshead said it was a convenient time to improve the hill. Overgrown and diseased plants also contributed to the hill's need for a facelift.

Director of grounds Roy Peterman said the hill has needed repair for some time. Recent construction on campus affected the hillside and presented the opportunity to take the whole project at once. Peterman said this method makes the most effective use of tithing dollars.

"It's going to be the most spectacular looking hill in the state of Utah," Peterman said. "Not to mention it will look great in the summer."

The construction does not have a set date for completion, but Peterman said he hopes to be finished "before the snow flies."

Peterman said the deer population is not a factor in this project. In fact, the deer will benefit from it.

"The deer will certainly be back once the plants grow back," Hollingshead said. "It may look bare for a time, but it will all come back looking nice and clean."

Copyright Brigham Young University 28 Oct 2008