Washington State University - Chinook Yearbook (Pullman, WA)

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For a varied array of creatures, both natives and strangers, college science means a different kind of life can be found ... When one thinks of the Palouse, vi¬ sions of the rolling and endless wheat fields often come to mind. This creation of use is not how the land was for much of its life. Few places can be found where vestiges of any of the native vegetation and wildlife can be found. One tiny pocket of the past can be found, howev¬ er, just north of Pullman on a tiny rise of land known as Smoot Hill. Smoot Hill was purchased by the uni¬ versity in 1968 under the urgings of Dr. Gaining experience is sometimes more difficult then students expect. It takes several students to hold a fiesty mountain goat in order to take blood samples without causing any injury to the animal. (Photo by Tracy A. Bull) on the Hill G. E. Hudson, then chair of the depart¬ ment of zoology. It is from this recent beginning that the history of Smoot Hill diverged from that of the rest of the Palouse. The 768 acres of the hill were set aside to allow the science depart¬ ments of this university an area on which to conduct long term studies. Its past has been much like the rest of the Palouse. Most of the land was cleared of its natu¬ ral cover and put to farming use. Unlike its neighbors in the 1920’s, the rock was quarried. The stones were shipped to Pullman to be used as ornamentation in the building of this state university. Most of the land has been left to return to its natural state. It is administered by Dr. Fred Gilbert, head of the wildlife biology program. It is his job to oversee all the uses of the area. Part of the land is still farmed and money generated from this activity funds most of the lands up¬ keep. “We have had trouble when rent¬ ing the land to the local farmers in the past,” Dr. Gilbert stated, “but next year the Animal Science department will take over the farming portion.” Animal Science will join many other departments in their use of the area. Most are quiet, unheard of studies but vital to the university’s research status. “It is absolutely necessary for any uni¬ versity to have an area like Smoot Hill,” said Dr. Jack Thompson, a professor of botony and zoology here. He has used the hill for seven years in his study of insect and plant coevolution (how the two have evolved together). One of the more visable studies con¬ ducted involves some unique visitors to the area. Ten acres have been fenced to house big game animals for study. Cur¬ rently a small herd of deer and ten mountain goats call Smoot Hill home. For ten years Dr. Charles Robbins has used this small area to conduct nutrition¬ al studies of these and other animals. “Most of the research is funded through research grants and not through the uni¬ versity,” Robbins stated. He added, “Having an area like this is invaluable not only for research purposes but to allow students some practical experience working with the animals.” Often the students help with the busy work of research and gain insight into their chosen fields. In the nutritional stu¬ dies students are often actively involved in the weighing and taking of blood sam¬ ples from the animals. Many graduate students use the undisturbed areas of Smoot Hill to conduct research. The hill boasts a great diversity in its plant and animal communities making it ideal for many studies. Many animals and plants once common to the entire area now can only be found in areas like Smoot Hill. For all of the academic importance of the area few have ever heard of its exist- ance. “We’re about at the level of recog¬ nition we want now,” said Gilbert. “There is only a certain level of use the area can take and still maintain the goals it was set aside for,” he added, “It’s an important asset especially since there are so few natural areas left.” Whether you have heard of it or not, the often silent contributions of areas such as Smoot Hill make to the university are invaluable. Who knows, some day you may be lost near Albion—just re¬ member, if you see a mountain goat or an elk you are probably not dreaming but just found one of WSU’s little known secrets. —Kathy Gilbert Far from home, a transplanted mountain goat from Olympic National Park finds life a little different here in the Palouse. (Photo by Tracy A. Bull) 28 Expressions

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Faculty advisors don ' t always have the time they would like to spend with their advisees. When this happens they turn to... Peer Advisors Rrrrring. Hello. Dr. Smith? Yes. This is Sue Smith , one of your advisees. 1 was wondering — with registration corning up — if I could get an appointment with you to discuss what classes 1 should take next semester ' . Why , sure. Let ' s see. I have an opening tomorrow from 11:32 to 11:36. Is that OK with you? Make sure you have your schedule figured out and Til sign it. Well y I was kind of hoping to have a little more time to discuss why 1 have to take some of these classes. Welly I would sure like to accommodate you but 1 just don ' t have the time. This happens to many students, espe¬ cially those in popular majors. Business, communications and engineering are especially bad. Faculty advisors have so many advisees that they can’t spend as