Correction: This editorial has been edited. The original Voice incorrectly stated that UCA’s Board of Trustees voted to permanently protect the Jewel Moore Nature Reserve  in 2011.

UCA is in the planning stages for a Greek Village on College Avenue near Conway Regional Medical Center. The location solves the major problem many people had with the original plans to build the Greek Village.

Originally, the location for the Greek Village was on the opposite side of the campus on Dave Ward Drive between Donaghey Avenue and Farris Road. The construction would have cut a major portion out of the Jewel Moore Nature Reserve, which worried many who have worked hard to keep the nature preserve intact. UCA’s decision to move it to a less intrusive spot will benefit the campus in several ways.

During an interview with The Echo, Dean of Students Gary Roberts said the Greek Village will be built near College Avenue. While this area may be more hidden than the original spot was, it looks better for the university to avoid damaging parts of the nature reserve because of its important role at UCA as well as its distinguished history, which includes containing some of the last prairie land in Arkansas.

The reserve is an important teaching tool for many science classes as well as a nice break from the stresses of life for others. Removing it would cause backlash and various problems for the university, which would mainly be from the students and faculty.

The nature reserve helps teach students and helps the university gain grants due to its status as a protected nature reserve, bringing in always-needed money for UCA merely for leaving the nature reserve alone for the time being.

The Greek Village is a good idea for UCA. An entire area of the campus devoted to Greek life will help in advertising and recruitment.

With all the problems and controversies surrounding UCA Greek Life, the Greek Village will help keep everyone in a centralized place and will allow the university to keep a better eye on them.

Greek Life has encountered problems with hazing, fighting and alcohol violations in the recent past. With a new Greek Village, there will be an expectation to act like any student in university housing would.

It may not eliminate all problems associated with Greek Life, but allowing the university to keep an eye on fraternities and sororities will help with the reputation Greeks have gained in recent years.

The construction area for the Greek Village is mostly empty, except for a few trees and university houses. Most of the houses in the area are for fraternities, so the new village would be beneficial for them. The university and Conway Regional Medical Center have a mutual agreement to not cross College Avenue, so the Greek Village will adequately use the limited space.

The new Greek Village promises to be a positive addition to the university and, with new plans to build it in a place less intrusive to the nature reserve, UCA seems to have found the best place possible for the new construction.