Polar opposites
Three years from now, North Campus could look drastically different.
Why it matters
North Campus facilities must be brought into the 21st century
Last week, officials announced the oldest, most historical area of campus is tentatively scheduled for a facelift as early as fall 2009.
Plans for the makeover include a fitness facility, remolded residential restaurant and new snack store.
It’s about time.
North Campus residents do need a fitness facility closer to home and dining facility that can compete with other residential restaurants on campus.
While North Campus has maintained its historical identity through the years, it long has been in need of a change.
During the past few years, CMU’s campus has grown and evolved to include modern facilities and state-of-the art buildings.
First, it was the Student Activity Center. Then came the Charles V. Park Library, the Health Professions Building and the new Towers.
This year, it was the new East Area Residence Halls, the Broomfield Road project and the still-in-process Education Building and Satellite Energy Facility.
The contrast between the two ends of campus is striking.
Newer, modern facilities are what attract students.
For example, students are demanding more out of even a basic snack shop than just simply food and beverages.
Evidence of that is Tidbits, the snack shop servicing Beddow, Merrill, Sweeney and Thorpe halls. Tidbits doesn’t compare to the convenience store recently built this summer that serves the East Area Residence Halls.
These days, student are choosing to frequent the convenience store — which resembles a scaled down version of 7-Eleven — rather than the older South Quad snack shop.
The result?
Because of a lack of business, Tidbits will most likely close next semester.
However, university officials must be careful as plans progress for this project, because maintaining North Campus’ distinct identity is just as important as updating it.
Many students choose to live on the north side because of the area’s atmosphere.
University officials will have to find a way to preserve and change North Campus simultaneously.
This won’t be easy, but we already have a three-year head start.
