Give it to 'em
This is your chance to make your mark on CMU's campus.
There are so few times when students actually are listened to when it comes to new construction on campus. (Who wanted the vaguely piano-shaped building?)
Students' input is considered when building residence halls and space is designated for classrooms in the new education building. But for the most part, the main users of these buildings only get to complain.
That's why students should take a few minutes and let CMU know what to do with the Bovee University Center. It would be easy to call the university's survey a slick PR maneuver designed not to listen, but to make others think they're listening.
That may well be the case, but during the entire process of pursuing and obtaining the $5 million for renovations in the UC, one thing is clear: CMU doesn't know what its doing with it.
Just listen to some of the ideas that frequently pop up at Board of Trustee meetings. One idea is to put in a bowling alley, kicking out most or all of the offices and bringing in more student space or restaurants.
Even the smallest suggestion has been taken seriously. During a meeting nearly a year and a half ago, a CMU trustee asked CM Life staffers if they had any ideas for renovating the UC.
One of the staffers had a dead phone battery and suggested a battery charging station for phones. That idea, worth consideration or not, has been repeated at board meetings.
This editorial board is convinced that students have better ideas. This is one time when it seems university officials really want to hear and act on your suggestions. The UC was designed to be a student center.
Whether students want centrally located offices to deal with their problems or just somewhere to hang out and relax, CMU is right to ask their opinion.
Give it to 'em.
