Tree Repainted
Painted Tree: Fall 2020 (left) and Fall 2021 (right)
When walking through the Sturges Quad, there are a couple things that catch a person’s eye—one being the Seuss Spruce, the other being the majestic black walnut tree with colorful paint. The Painted Tree stands out more than the other, but many things have changed over the last year regarding the Painted Tree.
The first recorded instance of painting the Tree was from Gary Caudle who painted it in honor of the swim team in 1968. Later, it was adopted by Greek organizations earning the name the “Greek Tree.”
Different fraternities and sororities painted the tree as a way of publicizing their groups and events. During rush weeks in this time period, the tree could have been painted up to six times a night just to ensure that one’s organization would be displayed in the morning.
There were no regulations on what could or should be painted on the Tree until 2021. Originally, the university had no input on what went on the tree, but after an incident where a Black Lives Matter mural was painted over, the school was forced to step in.
A semester after the incident in the Fall 2020, the Office of the President sent out a notice via email stating that “the College has decided to place a temporary moratorium on painting the tree in Sturges Quad” (April 2, 2021). The tree was then painted a neutral grey color and roped off, limiting student access.
150 Anniversary Tree Signing
The neutralization of the tree lasted until the 150th anniversary of Geneseo. On September 13, 2021, the tree was painted white with a blue 150 marking the trunk. Students were invited to sign the tree during the celebration.
The repainting of the tree raised a lot of questions in the student community. Why was the tree painted? How are people allowed to paint the tree? How long will the tree be painted this way?
A committee was formed to regulate the Tree’s decoration, and many new guidelines were put in place.
The first, and probably the most notable change when it came to the Tree’s painting was the institution of required reservations. Student organizations are allowed to make one reservation per semester. Reservations last one week at least, and could possibly continue until the next organization's reservation.
As to what can be painted on the Tree, the rules are few and far between. Once the committee approves the reservation, you can paint anything on the tree. Geneseo states that, “Students have a right to freedom of expression. SUNY Geneseo recognizes and supports students’ rights to self-expression.”
The school recognizes the freedom of expression, but it later goes on to remind students that words can cause great impacts, and that any hate speech or symbols will be removed immediately.
As this new policy was adopted in August, it marks a new leaf in the Tree’s story. Although this is going to be a big change for the campus community, we look forward to a positive growth.
