UW-Eau Claire University Center Council Oak Meeting
Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2009
Tamarack Room
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
1. Beth Hellwig introduced herself to the group and her role in the Steering Committee process. She
explained what the goal of today’s meeting is.
2. Marge Hebbring offered that today is the International Day of Peace.
3. Beth explained the process the steering committee has gone through in completing the plans for the
new student union. The selection of architect was made. The makeup of the building committee was
determined. The steering committee wanted the building committee to be representative of students,
faculty and staff. Dr. Hellwig explained who the members of the steering committee are. The focus
meetings held last fall were explained.
4. Open forums that took place last fall were also explained and how Bray/Burt Hill interacted with these
forums.
5. University and Student Senate were also involved throughout the process.
6. An initial EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) meeting was held.
7. The building consists of approximately 156K square feet.
8. Dr. Hellwig explained where the building needs to lie in comparison to the Phillips building.
9. The Council Oak tree was found to be impacted and the committee reached out to impacted
constituents during spring semester to develop options.
10. Marge Hebbring and Odawa White have been working on the Council Oak tree and gathering individuals
who might be interested.
11. Dr. Hellwig outlined the timeline for the building process.
12. The Chancellor offered his comments. He stated this is an inclusive process. The university is a steward
of place. We do have a relationship with the broader community. How do we fit in on our own
campus? He gave a brief history of the campus. There is a need to be respectful and recognize
traditions. Need an oasis of calm in the midst of chaos. The Chancellor offered that a dialogue has been
done over the whole summer and no decision has been made. DSF and UW-System are also involved.
13. Dr. Hellwig then invited individuals from the audience to the microphone.
14. Marge Hebbring – Has been working for 10 years to bring Native Americans to campus. Most people do
not understand the history of native students and their cultural. It is understood that planting the tree
was a commitment made to future students. Technology does change but need to remember the past.
15. Mike Hilger – faculty emeriti – History – American Indian Studies Committee past member. UW-EC has a
unique history with Indian Studies. Mike interviewed St. Germaine and the elders at Lac Courte Oreilles
reservation.
16. Anastastia Davis – student – Principles of diversity. This is a door of opportunity to accept diversity.
17. Past Director of American Indian Studies – Emeriti – Look at the symbolism of the Council Oak tree.
Related the Council Oak tree to a post office building in Dublin. A real and powerful symbol. The
Council Oak tree is in the post office category. Need to keep tree. Moving won’t do it. Tree or place –
it’s both. Separation of church and state.
18. Michael Umhoefer – Student Body President – Issue of Council Oak tree has been addressed by the
building committee. There has never been anything to designate which tree is the Council Oak tree.
Now that the media has brought out this issue more, students seem to have become more concerned.
Reminded group that not everyone is going to be happy with the solution. He feels the tree deserves
respect and prominence. Need to respect both the location and tree.
19. Hickory Tate – student. Didn’t know about the Council Oak tree initially. He was collecting signatures
for the tree and found many students didn’t know about the tree. He felt this could be an opportunity
to develop some type of orientation concerning the tree. Become a steward of the place – not just us
and building but this includes trees. Tree on hallowed ground and need to recognize there was an over
site and the building cannot go there. Site should be off limits.
20. Beth Hellwig – Need to bring awareness to new students in regards to knowledge of tree.
21. Jeff Lindow – alumni. Stated the trees are human beings. Cadaver dogs sometimes recognize human
scent on these trees. Is the tree on the National Register of historic trees? It should be. Possibility of
Indian burials under tree that should not be disturbed.
22. Mary Ellen Alea– Emeriti. One thing she loved about teaching was bringing different voices to
classroom. Very few students knew any Native American cultural. Once they learned some they
questioned why they hadn’t learned this before. History is right here on the campus not way back
when.
23. Deborah Barker – Faculty. She was led to believe the campus would maintain good relationships with
Native Americans. History is right in front of us. Reduction of Native American Indians in this country
over the years. Impact to future generations. Keep faith with this treaty and recognize where it is and
what it is. The committee has the power to make adjustments in new building. Wish the committee
would respect that space and tree. Resolution to University Senate concerning tree was read.
24. Robert Hart – President of Native American Student Association. Cultural is part of his life. Last week
was the first time he had heard of the Council Oak tree. There has been a lack of effort on the general
public, staff, faculty, students and the steering committee’s part. The University needs to make
students more aware of tree but also everyone could have paid more attention earlier in the process.
He has been to other campuses throughout the country and seen their student centers. Would like Eau
Claire to have the same. It is wrong to ask two weeks before finalizing the plan that everything to be
changed. Use this situation to inform. Win, win situation.
25. (Did not get name) – Preserve the tree in its place and don’t cut. Strong symbol of university. There was
a ceremony when the second tree was planted. Shows commitment to education. Two treaties were
signed concerning this tree. Community events were held around the tree in the past. The tree is on
hallowed ground.
26. Mike Crowley – Has been to several hallowed places out west. There is a feeling of sacredness about
the tree. Didn’t know anything about the history of tree, but when he came down last week he felt that
sacredness. Full respect to tribes and elders of Native America.
27. Wendy Makoons Geniusz – Chair of American Indian Studies. Sending around a petition regarding the
tree. Think about the headlines. The University has been cited for diversity shortfalls. This is a slap in
the face to Native Americans. Can’t move sacred tree or change a sacred spot. Insult to call building a
lodge. Signs are not usually put up for sacred sites.
28. Marcia Backstrom – alumni and employee. What is future history going to look like? Will we be proud?
29. David Shih – faculty. He gets disappointed and angry when diversity is recognized as a problem rather
than an asset. Conversation should be an opportunity of presenting how we are as Blugolds.
30. Beth Hellwig – The committee has tried to find a way to move the building closer to Phillips. Not a
possibility. The University has been collecting money for seven years from students for the student
union. The goal was to save the tree if possible. At first transplanting the tree was not thought to be a
possibility. Utilizing tree for uses in new building – was told that was an insult.
31. Changing direction on the building will have huge impact on the student body.
32. Questions were asked on expanding the building into Phillips area. Who is a contact at DSF concerning
the Phillips building?
33. Sheila Smith – Nursing. A group of faculty have worked to preserve the tree. They would like the
Chancellor to ask the planning committee for other solutions.
34. Student – Make lower campus off limits to motorized vehicles. It would attract lots of media attention.
Would also require less parking on campus.
35. Marge Hebbring – Flip the building around so the loading dock is on the east side versus west side.
36. Mike Hilger – agrees with Marge Hebbring. Flip building so tree becomes focal point. It is still a
discussion point.
37. Dr. Hellwig thanked everyone for the civility and for coming together.
38. Meeting adjourned.