A foul odor has stained the air of the Portland campus.
The smell is most obvious near the Powers House, where it sits under the noses of student senators and members of student organizations.
“It smells horrible. It smells like living on a farm,” said former Senator Michelle Argo.
What is responsible for the stench?
The culprits are four large brown piles of compost that have been creeping closer to the Woodbury Campus Center from the area just behind the Powers House.
The piles have varied contents.
There are patches of grass growing from within them and twigs sticking out everywhere. Leaves and wood chips add to the unsightly masses.
Many students wonder what they are and what they are used for, while at least one student is more concerned with their location.
“They shouldn’t be there,” said John Taylor.
University officials say there has been some confusion about the exact contents of the piles.
Contrary to popular belief, there is not an ounce of manure in them. The smell is from the decomposing material within the piles.
Lime is used to help keep the smell under control, according to Larrey Homan, landscape supervisor for the Department of Facilities Management. He applies the chemical to the piles after there has been a lot of rain.
Some students say they’ve had problems with the piles.
“It has been an issue in the past because it smelled,” said Student Senate Chair Marcy Muller.
The compost is used in the gardens and around the shrubs on campus. According to Homan, it is a very cost-efficient way to fertilize.
“Leaf compost can range from $25.00 to $35.00 a yard, why throw it away?” he asked.
The piles are fortified with 17 minerals and contain very rich soil. Everything in them is organic.
Everyone who adds to the piles has to check in with Homan first.
Homan, an employee at the University for 25 years, started the compost heaps over 10 years ago. He remembers what the Portland campus looked like before the Powers House, the parking lot and the piles even existed.
Last year there was concern that the piles interfered with parking.
The piles were taking over the sidewalk. Rain would make the walkway muddy and the leaves slippery, according to Muller.
The Student Senate was concerned and sent a letter to Facilities Management. Shortly after, the piles were pushed back away from the sidewalks.
But now the compost is creeping dangerously close to the sidewalks once again.
Contributing Writer Missy Remillard can be contacted at: [email protected]