2008 Woodie Awards
Who Sits in the Lobbies Anyway?
Gabriel Evans
Issue date: 12/27/04 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Throughout my stay at Yeshiva University many steps have been taken in order to improve student life. Changes were made in academics as well as in campus aesthetics. Some modifications have been true improvements, while others have gotten under my skin. One new development, however, has been on my mind lately.
Towards the beginning of this semester, there were signs put up on campus informing students of the renovation of the Belfer and Furst Hall lobbies, as well as the ground floor of the library. While these lobbies were far from five-star hotel quality, I believe that they were more than adequate. The seventies-era couches made of plastic did not bother me; I, nor anyone that I know, spent any significant length of time sitting on them. I can only remember a couple of times that I actually needed to take a seat in Furst Hall. How many students are using these newly renovated lobbies? I would venture to say not too many. Most students choose to recline in their rooms or in the Rubin and Morgenstern lobbies. While I do not want to look a gift horse in the mouth, I have to question the logic of renovating lobbies that are rarely used.
Furthermore, while that issue has been on my mind for a while, it only came to the forefront of my attention when I saw a new addition to Furst Hall classrooms. Outside of each room there have been labels with room numbers added, presumably to aid students in finding their way. Didn't the original room numbers suffice, or do we need the fact that these rooms are indeed classrooms pointed out explicitly as well? Personally, I always thought we were in a summer camp.
These new classroom signs and renovated lobbies make me think of all of the money that could be put to better use where the students spend most of their time. I can imagine that many students would appreciate an air conditioner in their dorm room or a new mattress on their beds.
We can better improve student living conditions by getting the students involved directly. While I agree that those who donate money have a final say over what is purchased and how much is spent, there should be at the very least a minimal level of student involvement. Student leaders should be consulted, as well as those who do not hold office, and their suggestions for improvements should be seriously considered. This would be a refreshing change; I have not once heard of students being asked for their opinions on such subjects. Even the Student Life Committee, which supposedly has a say in such matters, has yet to produce any meaningful accomplishments.
I guess I am just asking for the university to turn an ear our way. Let us have some say in the way our university is operated and I guarantee you will find more content and thankful students.
Mr. Evans is a senior at Yeshiva College.
Towards the beginning of this semester, there were signs put up on campus informing students of the renovation of the Belfer and Furst Hall lobbies, as well as the ground floor of the library. While these lobbies were far from five-star hotel quality, I believe that they were more than adequate. The seventies-era couches made of plastic did not bother me; I, nor anyone that I know, spent any significant length of time sitting on them. I can only remember a couple of times that I actually needed to take a seat in Furst Hall. How many students are using these newly renovated lobbies? I would venture to say not too many. Most students choose to recline in their rooms or in the Rubin and Morgenstern lobbies. While I do not want to look a gift horse in the mouth, I have to question the logic of renovating lobbies that are rarely used.
Furthermore, while that issue has been on my mind for a while, it only came to the forefront of my attention when I saw a new addition to Furst Hall classrooms. Outside of each room there have been labels with room numbers added, presumably to aid students in finding their way. Didn't the original room numbers suffice, or do we need the fact that these rooms are indeed classrooms pointed out explicitly as well? Personally, I always thought we were in a summer camp.
These new classroom signs and renovated lobbies make me think of all of the money that could be put to better use where the students spend most of their time. I can imagine that many students would appreciate an air conditioner in their dorm room or a new mattress on their beds.
We can better improve student living conditions by getting the students involved directly. While I agree that those who donate money have a final say over what is purchased and how much is spent, there should be at the very least a minimal level of student involvement. Student leaders should be consulted, as well as those who do not hold office, and their suggestions for improvements should be seriously considered. This would be a refreshing change; I have not once heard of students being asked for their opinions on such subjects. Even the Student Life Committee, which supposedly has a say in such matters, has yet to produce any meaningful accomplishments.
I guess I am just asking for the university to turn an ear our way. Let us have some say in the way our university is operated and I guarantee you will find more content and thankful students.
Mr. Evans is a senior at Yeshiva College.