Guillory Hall Overlook/Cypess Lake

[Turbine]

Yeah, I've seen pics of this. Better to keep the lake full, and have the concerts/plays/etc. in the new green space, lol.

And I will say this to my dying day: why can't someone see that the ALIGATORS are the perfect mascot(s) for us????? Instead we have a chili pepper????? I mean we already have the perfect habitat for them, etc. Sometimes it seems that the most obvious answers are the ones that are most difficult to get people to understand.

The Alligator has been featured more times in UL literature than any other animal.

[HelmutVII]

Yep, I had some of the same thoughts:

1. Seems to me that once the building is gone, it would be a pretty simple to build access ramps/steps on the approaches from Hebrard and the student u. Then they could build more ramps/steps (with trees and benches, etc.) leading down to the new green space.

2. Then they could rehab the whole thing: give it some kind of cover, change the all the metal parts (the railings, grill over the lake, etc.), re-surface it (with red bricks?), and maybe even expanded more over the lake. There are lots of possibilities….I am sure that Steve and his team could come up with some great schemes.

3. And I really like the thought of being able to use it as a stage....for music, pep-rallies, announcements, etc. That is a great idea, and you should definitely share it with Steve.

This just seems like a cheaper and better solution rather than demolishing it and then rebuilding a new structure….plus we would be preserving a very nice piece of our history.

And I can't stand that darn chain-link fence: it is cheap and ugly looking. There should be the same retaining wall around its entire circumference...better for the appearance and for keeping the gators contained.

If you do get involved it would definitely be a win-win for us, as they/we would get your expertise, plus we would then be able to get the scoop as things occur, ;-)

I spoke to Steve this morning and he told me basically what he told you. They are going to have a brainstorming session after they remove the buildings and the bulk of Guillory Hall. They would then see the best way to incorporate the overlook into the master plan. He did say that they wanted to unitize the perimeter of the lake to eliminate the hog wire and chain link. He also said they had discussed the possibility of using the overlook as a stage. So it looks like it will stay and be modified. For that I am happy. I did make him an offer he couldn't refuse and he said he would keep that in mind.

We also discussed the metal cladding on the Student union. That was a big bone of contention and it was decided that the metal was the best of the alternatives that were available. His concern (as is mine) was if it could be repaired if dented or damaged. (stucco was out because they have difficulty keeping it clean from mold and mildew on other buildings on campus, I agree)

I did mention that the front of the Library looks like a jungle. You can't see the building for the trees. He said he noticed that too when he was on campus yesterday.

[LaCajunsFan]

OMG! I know....the library is so waaaaay over planted....it looks terrible. The same thing with the alumni house: another beautiful and unique building....and you can't even see it for all the trees directly in front of it (and not the oaks, lol). And mostly the 'trees' are nothing more than crepe myrtles....which are not more than weeds, in my book, and I hate them. lol. I sure hope they do some SERIOUS pruning/removing at both places.

And I was very much hoping that the we could keep the overlook: I think we all agree that there are a LOT of different things they could do with it, at probably the same or less cost.

Thanks again for offering your assistance in getting this done...you are a stand-up kind of guy. And I REALLY hope that they enlist you for the brainstorming part as well.

p.s. And I think they could clean up the view towards the French house, when you are on St Mary. Another example of overplanting which covers up a fantastic building.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Not sure if you are being facetious or not, but that is exactly right: our name is the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns. Our logo is the FDL. And our mascots s/b the gators.....Louis & Anna and their kids, who live right in the middle of our campus, in their own, authentic, beautiful and UNIQUE lake.
Are there other schools with the same mascot? Yes, but very few if you compare that to all the tiggers, puppies, ,cowboys, etc., etc. there are out there. Plus, do any of the other 'gators' have live ones, living in a swamp right on their campus?

You won me over. Period, end of conversation.

We need to start a group, UL Alumni For A Gator as Mascot.

[LaCajunsFan]

no way: I am going to start a group on FB, but it will be called "Kill the Pepper." I'll provide the link once it is started.
I mean, if they can tear down the berlin wall, surely we can get this accomplished, right?

[Boomer]

Well you have finally won me over. The gator is the prefect mascot for a school surrounded by the greatest wetlands in the USA. Forget that Florida has a gator, UNO uses a gator. Our unique nick name's use of Louisiana Ragin'Cajuns, the Fleur De Lis, and a gator seems to be a seamless weave of fine Louisiana silk fabric. Tie it to the Swamp and you have finally found the icons needed to end this ever ongoing search for what represents a Ragin'Cajun.

----I would like to see every time we use Swamp we always use "The Original SWAMP"-----And C EX I think I have been bitten by the Gator idea!!!

[LaCajunsFan]

Well, I don't know how many RP'S are also on Facebook, but if so, here is the new group to get a new mascot:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/920443964663831/

[HoustonCajun]

Here are the florida mascots. I could see ours having "Louis" & "Anna" on them....seems that would be a whole lot better than a fricking chili pepper!

Here is our mascot. Different from Florida's. And, we can still have a Louie and Anna with the red gator.

Louisiana Ragin Cajuns in "The Swamp" with a Gator mascot. Only two schools in the country with a gator mascot, Louisiana and Florida.

And, it maintains the connection to the Swamp on campus and the Swamp at Cajun Field (time to rename it LOUISIANA Stadium).

Like the University of Texas that names its campus the "40 Acres", maybe we should call our campus, athletic and academic, "The Swamp".

[LaCajunsFan]

Here is our mascot. Different from Florida's. And, we can still have a Louie and Anna with the red gator.

Louisiana Ragin Cajuns in "The Swamp" with a Gator mascot. Only two schools in the country with a gator mascot, Louisiana and Florida.

And, it maintains the connection to the Swamp on campus and the Swamp at Cajun Field (time to rename it LOUISIANA Stadium).

Like the University of Texas that names its campus the "40 Acres", maybe we should call our campus, athletic and academic, "The Swamp".

Man, that looks GREAT! Right now I only see a thumbnail....which we could see it full size. I'd also like to add it to the FB page, if you don't mind.

[ZoomZoom]

The overlook is used more than many realize. I have grandchildren from out of state. One of the things they like to do is visit the lake to feed the fish and see the gators. More often than not when we go, we meet tourists and other grandparents doing the same.