Duckgate Continues

Lynn University Misfires on Muscovy Ducks

A Lynn University decision to remove 27 invasive Muscovy ducks from campus has come under fire from students, who claim the school was irresponsible in its actions.

The university hired what was thought to be a reputable contractor to remove the invasive species from campus. When students bemoaned the loss of the beloved ducks, the school followed up with the contractor. The ducks were not released elsewhere as the school had originally thought. Instead, the contractor destroyed the ducks.

This incident shows a lack of judgment from a university that claims to be environmentally minded. Invasive species are a detriment to the environment, but the Muscovy ducks had effectively become a part of campus. They were seen everyday by students in Lynn’s many lakes. To take a piece of campus away like that, without any notice, is foolish. Just notify the students next time.

Instead, a student uproar has started on Facebook in response to a Lynn University page that makes a brief apology for the destruction of the ducks.

Lynn University’s President, Kevin Ross, criticized students for not coming to him with concerns on the matter and instead posting on Facebook. However, it was the school itself that started the Facebook debate. An official apology, that should have been the immediate answer, did not follow for a few days. It is incorrect to chastise students for using Facebook as a platform when the university had done the same thing.

But President Ross did make amends for the destruction of the ducks when he spoke at Founder’s Day, Lynn’s official anniversary. Ross announced that Lynn would become a native bird sanctuary. While the 27 Muscovy ducks obviously cannot be brought back, the announcement of the sanctuary shows Lynn truly is committed to sustaining the environment.