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Squirrels aren't just furry balls of evil! By Martha Chandler Campus Life Staff ATLANTA November 13, 1998
 According to a recent Campus Life article, the squirrels on campus are listed as of the top ten things students like about Georgia Tech. The Tech campus has a squirrel population that entertains and bothers students on occasion.
Many students here at Georgia Tech think that the squirrels make the campus seem like it isn't in the middle of a big city. Others feel that the squirrels are an intruders, only on-campus to annoy students and faculty.
The Georgia Tech Police Department has confirmed that no squirrel incidents have occurred in recent years. Some students, on the other hand, do not agree with the police.
Chris Reece, a frustrated driver, says he has been inconvenienced several times by the furry pedestrians. "They're always leaping out in front of your car, trying to send you off the road."
"The squirrels are very entertaining to watch," said Colleen Nee. The squirrels always seem to be playing games. "They are playing 'chicken' with cars on the roads," said one unidentified Tech student. He feels that they must be winning at their game, because there have not been many losers lying on the ground.
Chris Polillo thinks, "The squirrels have a game of throwing acorns at all of the people that walk under the trees."
One unfortunate casualty was spotted near the Navy ROTC building. According to Bryan Cable, "The poor little guy was playing ball in the street with his friends, and someone ran him over him. It was a gruesome sight, seeing him laying in the gutter. There's a lesson in there for Tech students."
Michele Wald, who also witnessed the incident, sees it as a "tragedy for the squirrel community." Will Smith disagrees, "We're finally winning the war against those nasty little animals."
Other students see the lighter side of the infamous rodent.
"The squirrels are very entertaining to watch," said Colleen Nee.
Another student said, "The squirrels come up and talk to you, they are so nice."
Although the squirrels might bother students in general, they don't cause too much harm. According to Dia Davis at the Wellness Center, there have not been any reported bites from squirrels in the past five years.
Even though the squirrels that live in the Tech area have not bitten anyone recently, they are still considered wild animals and therefore could potentially bite any overly friendly student. Squirrels rarely carry rabies, but their bites could still be dangerous.
If a bite occurs, it is necessary to see a doctor to prevent infection. The best way to avoid a squirrel bite is not to touch or go near the squirrels.
Adam Ragsdale sees that it is difficult to avoid these critters and points out, "the squirrels are very friendly and they come up really close to you."
The squirrels are very friendly but sometimes they do come too close to the students here at Tech, and it is necessary to avoid contact with them.
While the squirrels can be annoying at times, it is recommended that students learn how to live peacefully with the creatures.
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Copyright © 1998 by Gregory S. Scherrer, Editor and by the Student Publications Board
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