Dunn Meadow is set to reopen by the end of this semester, over 100 days since its closure began on Aug. 2.
New turf installation and a re-servicing of the irrigation system after the 100-day pro-Palestinian encampment this past spring brought about the closure, although communication regarding the opening of the meadow has been unclear until recently.
“Dunn Meadow will reopen by the end of the semester,” IU Executive Director of Media Relations Mark Bode said in an email Monday.
When asked for reasons or any other restoration work still delaying the reopening, IU referred back to an old statement from Vice President of Capital Planning and Facilities, Tom Morrison, which was sent out to the IU community on Aug 2.
The fall semester ends Dec. 20, with many students leaving at various points during finals week starting Dec. 16.
In an Indiana Public Media article from Oct. 4, officials did not give a timeline for the opening of the meadow with a spokesperson citing the precaution of allowing the turf to grow. Turf takes around six weeks to fully establish itself, and foot traffic should be minimized before six weeks.
Bode said in a previous IDS article that initial estimates for the work were $100,000, with potential to increase throughout the project. The Indiana Daily Student obtained contracts for the sod and fence through a public records request in October. The contract for the turf, installation, delivery and other charges totaled $86,600.
A contract for a four-month rental of the fencing surrounding the meadow and other costs was $20,040.38 and listed an approximate “ending” of Dec. 1. The fence is scheduled to be picked up Jan. 2, according to the contract.
The request did not return any contracts relating to the reservicing of the irrigation system.
Dunn Meadow has been a historic free speech zone at IU since 1969 after anti-Vietnam War protesters negotiated with the then Dean of Students Robert Shaffer. An ad hoc committee changed the policy the night before April’s pro-Palestinian encampment began, making structures prohibited. IU’s Expressive Activity Policy approved July 29 and enacted Aug. 1 prohibits camping and any non-approved structures in the meadow.
CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to better reflect the university's policy regarding structures on campus.
