It's a frosty winter day; the wind is howling through the walls of the Castle and nipping at your ears, and the only thing your mind can seem to settle on is how much you wish you could just be at the beach. Well, good news: There is a chance that Brandeis will be bringing the beach to you-in the form of sand volleyball courts inside the Shapiro Science Complex, that is.After the near-completion of the first phase of the Science Complex Renewal Project, which includes the demolition of the Friedland Science Building and the Kalman Science Building, the Office of Capital Projects is looking for an interim use of the previously science-dedicated land.

Phase two of the Renewal Project has been indefinitely postponed due to budgetary constraints. In the meantime, the committee is polling students to learn what use would be preferred by the student body: a four-season garden, a volleyball court or a combination of the two.

While it is admirable that the committee is bringing students into the process by surveying us, the options offered truly make little sense for both the meteorological and social climate of Brandeis.

As much as I enjoy playing volleyball, there is an excellent reason that I shouldn't be able to find very many outdoor sand volleyball courts at Brandeis-it is cold and snowy for six of the nine months we are at school. A sand volleyball court requires consistent maintenance in order to remain in a working and aesthetically pleasing condition.

To many students, the science complex as it is now is little more than a mysterious labyrinth in the center of the doughnut that is our campus.

While I personally appreciate and frequent the Science Complex, a majority of Brandeis students cannot say the same. The Science Complex is not the most "hopping" location on Brandeis' campus (a tribute both to its maze-like reputation in both subject matter discussed there and its layout). Installing volleyball courts and a garden likely will not change the reputation of the Science Complex, and they will ultimately go unused.

In other words, a garden and volleyball court will likely not be enough to coerce people to venture into the forbidden forest of science.

Of course, a garden is always a pleasant thing and goes a long way in improving the warmth of campus.

However, Brandeis could be more creative with their ideas for a garden and consider planting peach or apple trees.

Not only would these trees bear fruit (which would definitely draw bored, hungry students in the fall), but it would provide a quirky touch to a school always looking to stand out. Fruit trees could be used to make natural fruit jam (which could even be sold for a profit) or be served in the Sherman and Usdan dining halls in an effort to consume (extremely) local foods.

Brandeis could always use more places to socialize, but this is probably not the form of socialization Brandeis students are looking for.

What Brandeis could really use in this location is a hangout, such as a bar or diner where both students working in labs and students involved in the humanities can go to take a break from their work. At present, the only such location on campus is Ollie's Eatery, which is better known for its chicken fingers and waffle fries than its fun, relaxed and social atmosphere.

If a significant amount of money is to be invested into this project at all, then options to create a more permanent and sought-after campus social venue should be considered in place of the current garden/volleyball court idea.

While we are on the topic of the social and potential "beach-like" vibe of Brandeis, all Brandeis needs to fulfill our winter-triggered beach fantasy is a pool. I hear there have been some issues with that.