We are a university heavily integrated into a metropolitan area and Sargent Center is invaluable to the students here. "It was simply unsustainable because of the cost of maintaining 700 acres of land in New Hampshire.” It's unclear to me what exactly is meant by such a statement, especially considering that all 700 acres are "maintained" by a total of 15 permanent staff. How much could that possibly cost? What irks me the most is that BU spent an inordinate amount of money on a "Beautification" project all last year that I originally supported. Looking back on it now however, that money could have been far better utilized in saving a pristine area of forest where trees already exist rather than sticking a few dumb rosebushes next to the T-track that do no one any good besides look pretty. I went to Sargent camp and had the opportunity to spend a weekend learning about northeastern woodlands and I left with memories I can honestly say I will never forget (I saw a beaver in halfmoon pond while i was in a canoe at sunrise - it was amazing). Yes, things may have to be cut, but years from now, when the economy is better, BU will come to realize what a loss closing Sargent Center will be to the BU community and so many others.