Mark DiOrio

After a year of metal grates, orange cones and the not-so-gentle morning ballads of construction equipment, Colgate University has finally unveiled Peter’s Glen: a lengthy concrete walkway stretching from the base to the summit of campus. Built with what can only be described as “a questionable surplus of concrete” (possibly rerouted from the Dana Arts Center) and the collective sacrifice of the sleep of the surrounding undergraduate students, the Glen aims to make campus commutes marginally easier. That is, of course, assuming you consider a 60-degree incline “easier,” and enjoy the thrill of shin splints!

“I’m so glad the Glen is finally open,” sophomore Lael Spalter said while visibly gasping for breath. “Now, instead of hiking uphill, I get to walk uphill while elbowing through a crowd who all had the same idea,” they noted.

Construction, which spanned the better part of an academic year (and several lunar cycles), quickly became known for its auditory dominance. Students fondly remember the “Curtis Cat,” a hulking piece of machinery whose shrieks could be heard at the earliest hours. Not to be confused with the “Gate House Cat,” an actual feline beloved by the community.

“I used to wake to chirping birds,” former West Hall resident Iris Nofziger said. “Then, it was jackhammers. And I’m fairly sure I remember seeing a worker welding something. Welding?”

However, not everyone is smitten with the aesthetics of this project. Lined with massive boulders and sparse landscaping, the Glen has been described as both minimalist and brutalist. As fall approaches, with leaves falling and grass retreating, some predict the Glen may take on a more somber tone come winter. When there is no greenery to soften the edges, it may resemble a Lion King-esque elephant graveyard: all rock. No life. Maybe the occasional Frank Dining Hall Starbucks coffee napkin tumbling through?

“While I’ve loved the sheer silence that can only be found midway through the glen, I can’t get rid of this feeling that I might soon hear the cries of a pack of vultures,” Nofziger added.

Even still, there are some upsides. It must be acknowledged that the Glen offers an unmatched view of Lower Campus and the greater Hamilton area. Notably, around golden hour — Colgate sunset-Instagram-story posters won’t know what hit them! 

“In my opinion, the beauty of the Glen and the view it gives us is worth everything,” Esme Hudson, a sophomore and former Gate House resident, said while drinking the unreleased Frank Starbucks Frappuccino. However, when asked if she had ever heard the Curtis Cat in construction, she replied, “Albeit, no, but I haven’t seen the Gatehouse Cat in a while either…” 

The Glen has also quickly become a prime people-watching location. Need to judge someone’s walk speed? The Glen. Want to silently stalk the guy from your 200-level Econ class? The Glen. Want to fake a phone call to avoid talking to your first-year roommate? The Glen.

And let’s be honest, as daunting as the Glen may be, it’s still a massive improvement over the infamous Persson Hall stairs, which have haunted political science majors for generations. Persson stairs are the everyday reminder of why people tend to stick to their level on the hill. If nothing else, the Glen spreads out the pain, letting those flights of stairs creep up on you gradually rather than striking all at once. Progress? 

However, no development is without suggestions and amendments. I propose installing a ski lift, or at least an emergency oxygen station halfway up. Others have pitched a Glen-side trail mix station, arguing that if we’re going to walk the Appalachian Trail every morning, we deserve a handful of granola and chocolate chips to fuel our endeavors. There’s even a circulating petition on campus social media platform Yik Yak to add “Glen hours” to the Colgate shuttle schedule, which has reportedly farmed upwards of 400 “yakarma,” or upward votes. 

While the Glen has already stirred up these strong opinions and sore quads, it’s nevertheless brought a pristine vibrancy that our campus can always benefit from. Whether you see it as a waste of concrete or a much-needed upgrade, it offers something beyond mere functionality: a new shared path, quite literally, through the heart of campus. In time, it may become as beloved as the Coop on Sundays or the Quad.

With the Glen now open and fully operational, we are left with two options: either embrace Peter’s Glen for all its glory (incline, predicted wind tunnel effect, high chance of tripping) and accept it as our new shared destiny, or, and get this, we build a rival walkway. One that runs directly between the admin building and the nearest Chipotle? Just a thought. No pressure. 

While the Glen undoubtedly adds to the visual appeal of our campus, I curiously have yet to see a single campus tour group walk up it.