Pam Sevy, the university landscape architect, discusses her job and the campus landscape with The Vanderbilt Hustler.

The Vanderbilt Hustler: What is the job of a landscape architect?
Pam Sevy: What we do is design everything in the exterior parts
of campus. This includes sidewalks, benches and plantings. Pretty much
(anything) that is not inside a building on campus falls under
landscape architecture.

VH: What are your plans for The Commons building project?
PS: A lot of new shade trees at the edges of the central lawn —
oaks, maples and some others, about 20 varieties in total. (They are)
mostly designed for quiet interest, and we've finished most planting
except for around the last two buildings.

VH: How do you decide what to plant during the year?
PS: The main goal is variety since the campus is an arboretum.
There is a focus on native species, but there are also some exotic
species too. It's important that the trees have a fall, winter and
spring interest since most students aren't on campus during the summer.
Also, toughness is a factor.

VH: Approximately how many species of trees and plants are on campus?
PS: There are 7,600 trees of 270 different species on the 350-acre campus.

VH: How many people work in the Department of Campus Planning?
PS: About 22 people, including four or five other landscape architects.