To the current University students who were born in the late 1980s and early 1990s, 1970 seems like a bygone era. They never got to experience all that came with that year. I mean, we’re talking an average price of gas at 36 cents per gallon@@http://www.1970sflashback.com/1970/Economy.asp@@, the Kent State shooting,@@http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-05-03-kent-state_N.htm@@ the reign of Nixon and the beginning of the Beatles’ rebirth.
Oh yeah, and the EMU getting its most recent renovation.
The centerpiece of our University has been standing untouched for 41 years, staying stagnant as the world around it continues to grow and evolve. There was a renovation attempt back in 2002 — a firm was hired and plans were laid out, only to flop and fail. Without the support of administrative leaders and the student body, all the work was for nothing.
This time around, we have the chance to make a difference. I was around for the vote last year, as I’m sure many of you were. According to the article published in Monday’s Emerald, 82 percent of staff and faculty and 79 percent of students were in favor of a renovated EMU and Student Recreation Center. So, let’s do it.
The University needs to find a way to get its hands on $162 million to renovate the EMU and the rec center, $120 million of which will go toward a spruced-up student union. We’ve received a considerable amount of help from private donations, so the fees are going to be bearable to each student involved: $60 per student per term for the next year, then $100 per student per term for the next 30 years. Yes, it sounds like a lot of money for a long time with no payoff. Hell, by the time they are done paying off the renovations, we’ll be over the hill. Let that sink in.
But guess what — the renovations will be worth it as our kids return to this great University for a college tour, and maybe even to move in on their first day of freshman year.
I can only assume that original 2002 vote did not go through because the student body at the time didn’t see the long-term benefits to renovating the EMU. I assume they saw it as just another traumatizing group of numbers on their student account for something they won’t even get to use.
We can’t see it like that. As a progressive student body, it’s obvious that the EMU needs some serious help. And the way I see it, we might as well treat it like a pesky Band-Aid and get it all over with as quickly as possible.
I, for one, would love to see my future children attend the University one day. When the time comes to choose where to go, I would much rather they have access to a high-end student union to go along with the rest of the buildings on campus than watch them trudge through the same building I did. Would you want your kids living in the Bean or Hamilton residence halls? I considered putting the EMU on the same level as those two halls. That should say enough.
We have a chance to make this happen. Although there was already a vote, another is on the way to confirm the choice. And rightly so, as we are going to be the ones starting the payments on construction.
Look toward the future and see the bright new resource that this University can offer. Don’t think for a second that I’m OK with this spending simply because my parents pay my school bill; they don’t. I’m here on my own accord, and I’m willing to pitch in to help this University thrive.
Students will have the opportunity to vote from Nov. 14-17 on DuckWeb. I look forward to seeing the choice that the student body makes, as it is not one that should be taken lightly.