We might as well admit it. Greencastle isn't the most riveting city in America for a college student.
Unlike many college towns, Greencastle isn't filled with a vast array of dining, shopping and entertainment options for students. Late-night fun in Greencastle is generally limited to the local Wal-Mart and Taco Bell. The student bar on campus is located in the university's hotel and conference center. Club hopping consists of moving from one fraternity house to another (on the plus side, there's no cover charge for the fraternities).
Yet some people see a lot of potential in this place. This week, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman's Office announced Greencastle to be one of two "Stellar Communities," along with North Vernon, Ind. The two towns will have the privilege of splitting $31 million dollars to revitalize their respective communities. Many of the city's plans involve connecting Downtown Greencastle with the DePauw community (see story on pages 4-5).
We should remember that not all of the money Greencastle receives will fund projects intended for DePauw students. University leaders do not have the final say in determining where this money will go. Indeed, much of the money will deservedly focus on Greencastle's long-time residents. At this point, we don't even know exactly how much money we will receive as a community. It is therefore not our place to either praise or criticize details of the plans.
However, we are glad that the plans, if enacted, will help incorporate the university into the community and vice versa. The downtown area is the heart of our community, and it would be nice to see DePauw students take more thorough advantage of that area. In the future, these plans could lead to more college-friendly businesses opening up on campus, thus allowing DePauw to become more attractive to prospective students.
It's no secret that tension has long existed between the DePauw and Greencastle communities. However, we believe that, if these plans come to fruition, a lot of ground can be made in building positive relationships between the two groups. No matter how much money we receive, Greencastle, the place we spend four years, will surely become a better place to live. After all, a strong Greencastle can only create a more successful DePauw.
Write to the editorial board at: edboard@thedepauw.com.
— Macy Ayers did not participate in this editorial because she wrote the story on page 4-5.