Data Center Plans for Oakland University Stir Up Worries

Students at Oakland University have access to a plethora of environmentally based resources, such as the on-campus bio-preserve, hiking trails kept neat by a select team of students, and lush gardens maintained by staff and students. These resources are useful to students, as they provide a way to take a step away from what can be an overwhelming environment and into a calmer state of mind. For others, it means more than just entering a better state of mind; Environmental Science students, for example, use our on-campus bio preserve for field research and hands-on experience.

Putting stress on Oakland University’s campus and environment can put stress on students and professors alike. Maintaining and keeping OU’s campus clean is a priority; however, there has been a recent proposal that could threaten that. Oakland University has proposed that a data center be built on campus. There is a great debate on whether or not this is a viable option for OU, and what decisions are being made will have a great impact on Oakland’s campus. For example, if the proposed data center is built, the power and water consumption could negatively impact the ecosystems around campus, as has happened in past areas where data centers have been built.

A sign marks Parking Lot 35 on Oakland University’s campus, one of the main areas students say could be affected by the proposed data center project.

During the Data Center Meeting Update Presentation, held at the Oakland Center, March 26th, it was explained that Fairmount Properties would be the firm partnering with Oakland university and that the data center was in the feasibility phase—this means that the people making the decisions, both at Oakland University and at Fairmount Properties, are trying to decide whether or not a data center is a possibility to build on campus based on our access to resources—and is somewhat of a theoretical at the moment.

Throughout the months leading to June, there will be meetings between the board of trustees, and in June, it will be officially decided whether they will move forward with the project. If it is approved, starting in June, they will begin taking student, staff, and community input. This would begin the Due Diligence phase, where students and staff can come together to speak up and speak out about what stance they have on the subject.

This togetherness can also improve mental health; oftentimes, when someone or a group of someones feel strongly about a subject and talk out about it, it creates a strong sense of community. Recently, in the events of the proposal, there has been a lot of outreach and connection; something like this provides a good foundation for learning and seeing opposing opinions firsthand. When students are exposed to others' perspectives, it can expand their understanding and strengthen a diverse view of the world.

For example, the data center would support research, technology, and opportunities for things like

internships and careers in tech fields. This can help students academically and professionally. It can also help advance technology for research and development, create internships and job opportunities, and enhance students' skills in cybersecurity and AI. However, there is also a lot of concern about this being built on campus. Oakland University’s Student Congress (OUSC) is pushing back against the data center, also raising concerns about how it will affect the environment and students' well-being. Student leaders say the data center may not directly benefit students and could disrupt important spaces on campus. There are concerns about the noise pollution, environmental effects like impact on wildlife, and campus life.

This issue has clearly been affecting students' mental health. Many students are becoming stressed and frustrated; they want their voices heard about not wanting the data center. Protesters talk about how the data center could lead to higher utility costs and air pollution.

“For the community and Oakland University itself, it causes a lot of noise pollution, it is going to be noisy," Sociology Club President Dwaine Watkins said. "Also, with the data center being here, it will raise utilities (prices) not just around the campus, but also around people who live in the general area. It can also bring air pollution, which can be harmful to wildlife and the students who live on campus."

One of the main concerns is how this will affect students' tuition. The data center raises utility bills in the campus and surrounding area. The uncertainty can create financial stress, especially for students who are already struggling to pay for school.

Another concern is the location in which it is being built. Losing a parking space can be stressful; students may get to class late, which might make it harder to find a parking space that will be available. This can lead to stress and frustration for students and staff during school.

Another notable concerns is the living environment on campus when this is built. It will be built near student housing, and some students worry about noise, construction, and overall disruption to their

living space. Construction can make it harder to focus on schoolwork. If students don’t feel comfortable in their own space, it can lead to higher stress.

As discussions continue, this situation highlights a bigger issue on campus, which is that university

decisions can affect not only physical health, but also mental health.