TOLEDO, Ohio —
Financial issues at the University of Toledo have caused the school to cut programs and jobs, but also to put maintenance and beautification efforts on the back burner.
Richard Longenecker, a volunteer member of the Greek Village Policy Committee said there is $21 million in deferred maintenance for the McComas Village area on campus.
The McComas Village has homed 14 fraternities and sororities over the past 34 years. But in that time, ivy has become overgrown, trees need to be cut down and there are some storm runoff blockages.
Longenecker said the new interim president, Matthew Schroeder, has started to make a lot of changes, one of which was to take the McComas Village and put it under the direction of auxiliary service, ran by treasurer Mike Dennis.
"Mike began to work with the Greek Village Policy Committee on immediate changes we could make during the summer, both inside the buildings and outside to clean the village up before our students arrive here at the end of August," Longenecker said.
The Greek Village Policy Committee has committed to working on beautifying the grounds by spreading mulch, pulling ivy and painting rails.
Alumni are working with the groundskeepers and faculty members from the environmental science department to know what plants to take out and what to put in their place.
"There is money coming in for some of the interior work and some of the grounds and materials," Longenecker said. "They're paying for materials and that's where we need the volunteer labor. It's a sign of the university's alumni community giving back to the university. The university is on the rise."
The Greek Village Policy Committee is asking volunteers to come out on Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4 p.m. to help with the beautification efforts.
Longenecker said Todd Crail, a professor with the environmental sciences department, is part of the project and has been working to find native plants that can be put in to help take in stormwater runoff. Crail has also started to cut down trees to start clearing the area.
Longenecker said it's exciting to see so many different people come together to help improve campus.
"This is a chance for the alumni and the community to come show our support," Longenecker said. "Show them the alumni and the community cares about the University of Toledo, because we do."
Click here to sign up to volunteer.