The Brown & White

Many student groups and organizations on campus have come together to call for a unified student center at Lehigh. This demand, which stated that the student center should be Lehigh's No. 1 priority, has been called "poorly thought out" and "unfeasible" by others on campus.

Whether or not a student center should be the administration's No. 1 priority is up for debate. It seems students are always calling for some sort of major change at Lehigh, whether it be for the renovation of the gym, revision of the housing lottery, additional spaces for student parking, better facilities for graduate and commuter students or increasing the amount of classes offered each semester. And, on top of the large list of student requests, Lehigh is already undertaking quite a few responsibilities, such as the new environmental initiative building. However, if done correctly, building a unified student center could solve many of the other problems that plague our campus.

If Lehigh wants to build a student center that will stand the test of time (unlike Ulrich Student Center, the University Center and Lamberton Hall), they need to be willing to invest a large amount of money. It seems the most efficient space for a student center is the UC, because it is already a hub for younger students. In order to house an efficient student center, however, the UC would need to be extended and renovated. If the administration thinks that buying plush chairs and a 50-inch plasma television is going to cut it, they're wrong.

Lehigh needs to build a space that will have constant student presence. If students aren't there, no one will go. So, creating a space that houses major club offices while allowing students to do their banking, grocery shopping, eating, socializing and studying will guarantee it will never be empty. Not only will this give campus clubs meeting space, but also a place where they can exchange ideas. Many club presidents complain about the inefficiency of our events calendar. What better way to know (and advertise) what is going on than placing a electronic events calendar in the hub of student activity? Club members would be better able to plan around other big events and even collaborate to co-sponsor events.

It is also important for Lehigh to target upperclassmen, commuters and graduate students for the student center. Graduate and commuter students have no where they can go in between classes to hang out. Upperclassmen who live in Greek housing or off campus often do not have a university meal plan, and have no need to hike up (or down) the hill to get to the UC. In fact, juniors and seniors are often so disconnected from the rest of the campus, the place they go to see the largest variety of other students are places such as J.P. MacGrady's, Element and Starters Riverport. If we have to go to a bar to see and interact with the greatest number of Lehigh students, what does that say about our campus culture?

Also, upperclassmen are the ones who are allowed to have cars on campus. Often, students will drive to class because they have a break between classes and feel like they have no where to go. So, they drive to class, drive home, and drive back down later in the day. If students knew they had a place where they could eat, shop, hang out, study, watch television or socialize with student groups on campus, they would be more inclined to stay on campus in between classes and walk.

Lehigh, if you're going to put a student center on your "To Do" list, please make sure you do it right. Outsource this job to someone who has successfully planned student centers, who can take students' ideas and efficiently use the space. If you put the extra time and money into the project now, you'll end up saving in the long term.