Dear President Harris, Mr. Donovan, and Union College Board of Trustees, 

We, the undersigned students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Union College, urgently call upon the administration and Board of Trustees to halt the planned removal of nine mature oak trees along North Lane, scheduled for Monday, May 12.

These trees are not being removed to facilitate the construction of the new ESCI building but to make for more convenient installation of temporary fencing and a detour walkway during construction. While we understand the necessity of safety measures during construction, we believe that the removal of these majestic oaks is an unnecessary and irreversible loss.

Why This Matters:

• Environmental Impact: Mature trees sequester carbon, improve air quality, and provide essential habitat and shade. Removing these oaks diminishes/contradicts Union College's commitment to sustainability and increases our carbon footprint.
• Campus Aesthetics: These trees have been a part of Union's landscape for decades, contributing to the beauty & serenity of our campus. Their loss would be felt by all who cherish/appreciate/care about the natural environment. Additionally removing them will reveal the eyesore of smokestacks on the facilities building.  
• Environmental Justice: Research has shown that historically redlined neighborhoods in Schenectady have significantly fewer and smaller trees compared to “higher-rated” areas. This disparity contributes to poorer air quality and increased health risks. By preserving these trees, Union can help mitigate these inequities and support the well-being of our neighbors/wider community.

Our Request:

We respectfully urge the administration to immediately halt the cutting of these trees and reroute the pathway (potentially as suggested in the diagram below) to preserve the integrity of our campus’ natural beauty.

Call to Action:

If you value the natural beauty and environmental health of Union College and the surrounding Schenectady community, please add your name to this petition. Together, we can protect these beautiful oaks and ensure that Union remains a place where nature and innovation coexist harmoniously.

Pink line - Alternative pathway that leaves trees intact