Reiman Gardens improvements will now be added to an Ames application for Vision Iowa funds. Reiman Gardens is asking for a mere $13.8 million. I was upset about the idea of charging for admission, but when I realized this bit of information, I had had enough.I soon will be an Iowa State alumna and my family has given back to the university generously. I even considered giving a charitable donation to the garden in my grandfather’s memory. Not any more. Why would alumni support the garden? I do not want to be charged to visit a place in honor of my family. How disgusting.Directors for the garden justify admission saying other schools have done so. Who cares? This is Iowa State University and the garden was a key feature. It is an attraction for all of Ames. It is like charging admission to visit Arlington Cemetery or the Vietnam Memorial. The people making suggestions for admission ought to consider what Reiman Gardens means to Ames and our university and not just profit.I realize it is a wonderful park and garden. My family has enjoyed its beauty in the past often. Who runs this garden? How much money does it need? I am sure the upkeep is expensive, but isn’t that what the ISU Foundation, with their large endowments, is for? The garden used to be for enjoyment, research and education now it is a cash cow. I think having a volunteered donation box in the garden is acceptable, but to charge admission is disgusting. Use the $13.8 million from Vision Iowa for construction costs of this box. That ought to be enough.

Wendy McDermott

Senior

Liberal studies