Campus expansion continues as President Tim Foster decided to lift spirits and build a beach in the middle of the campus.
“It’s my last few months here. If I can’t go on spring break, I may as well bring spring break here,” Foster said. “I mean, what are they going to do? Fire me?”
Normally spring break is held in the middle of the semester during March. With spring break pushed back until May, most students see the new addition to Colorado Mesa University (CMU) as a good thing.
“I was so sad when they said spring break was canceled,” CMU student Joe James Johnson said. “I’m just like, really burnt-out dude.”
Building a beach on campus was costly. Between digging, pouring fine grain sand from Hawaii and importing saltwater, CMU spent upwards of $50 million. Still, most see the beach as a positive.
“When my students stress me out, I just come out here and roll up my pants and walk through the water. Eventually, I feel relaxed and happy to be here,” CMU professor of Biology Dr. Jack Griffin said.
When asked why now, Foster only had this to comment: “Because [I love this university and everyone here very much. I have spent so much of my career here and have seen many people come and go and they have become like family to me. Most importantly the well-being of my staff and my students is more important than anything to me. For that reason, I believe now is the best time for] it.”
