OUR VIEW: Gone fishin'

In Summer 2006, the Duck Pond was a wreck. Pond sediment was draining into a nearby creek and the levels of chemicals in the pond were questionable.

Now, less than two years later, the pond is home to about 220 catfish.

Students will chart the growth of 50 catfish to determine the habitat's ability to sustain life.

Efforts of the university to clean the pond have gone well, and this experiment should accurately judge if the efforts were successful.

We hope, for the catfishes' sake, they were.

The more important element to look at is why students are doing this and how it will benefit them.

In landlocked Indiana, it is likely difficult for the fishery resource management class to find relevant class projects.

However, this experiment will serve both the students and the university.

Students will benefit from an immersive learning environment and have the opportunity to use the skills from the classroom in the real world.

Students who aren't involved in the project can also benefit from the friendly fishy presence in the Duck Pond.

We're thinking it might go like this: Throw some bread crumbs into the pond. Start out with only a few, then gradually heave a giant clump of bread.

Now, sit back and watch the smackdown as the fish and ducks duke it out for the bread.

Don't get in the way, however, because you might end up with a stray beak in the eye. Ducks can be vicious.

Although we're pretty sure we won't be allowed to actually fish, it would still be enjoyable to watch the fish and ducks interact.

Who knows, if the water isn't that safe, maybe we'll end up with our own resident, three-eyed fish like the Simpsons.

AT ISSUE: Students will observe fish placed in the Duck Pond to determine if the pond is wildlife friendly