Taking a shortcut to class can create headaches for groundskeepers at UNM.
"When one or two people do it it's OK," said Dave Trujillo, supervisor of grounds and landscaping at Physical Plant. "But when 100 to 500 students cut across each day, it compacts the turf and the soil."
One area of concern is a path carved into the hill on the east side of Dane Smith Hall. Another is a trail leading from the Duck Pond to Zimmerman Library.
Trujillo said they sod the dead turf by Zimmerman every year.
"Just the one section costs about $3,000," he said. "That includes equipment, labor and materials."
Trujillo said regrowth does not take very long and the grass always comes back. He attributes the regrowth to the barricades that are put up to prevent people from walking there.
"When the barricades come down, though, it doesn't take very long for the paths to come back," Trujillo said. "All we want is consideration, for people to use the sidewalks and not the turf or flowerbeds."
Juniors Hallie McCormick and Cara Garner said they take the dirt path near Dane Smith Hall.
"I've actually taken both a couple times," Garner said.
Another problem the groundskeepers face is the growing trash problem on campus.
Trujillo said his team of 50 workers spend between two and three hours each morning picking up trash left behind.
"Students don't realize the amount of trash we have to remove daily," he said.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Most people are good about cleaning up after themselves, but others leave trash on the ground, he said.
Areas around the SUB, Popejoy Hall, Smith Plaza and the Duck Pond are hot spots for litter.
Trujillo said he and his small staff of workers cover the nearly 688 acres that make up UNM's main and north campuses.
"It's your campus," he said. "Help us keep it clean."
McCormick said she sees trash everywhere around campus.
"It depends on where you are," she said. "Around the dorms it's filthy. It's absolutely disgusting."
Trujillo said the amount of trash is overwhelming.
Greg Meyers, master gardener at UNM, said the money spent in picking up litter can be put to better use, like for building repair.
"If we have to spend time doing this, we spend extra money," he said.
McCormick agreed .
"There are trash cans everywhere," she said. "I think that people just don't take responsibility for themselves. They don't want to walk two steps to the trash can."
