2008 Woodie Awards
Student center can do more to meet student needs
Issue date: 8/30/07 Section: Opinion
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A recent survey of students at universities across the nation tapped into how budding scholars view their respective on-campus student centers. After Educational Benchmarking Inc. sent the survey out in April of this year, about 670 students from Pittsburg State University made clear their level of satisfaction with the Overman Student Center.
According to a PSU press release, students were asked to comment on such topics as "the quality and cost of food, the cleanliness of the facility, and the ability of the center to enhance students' college experiences."
After all was said and done, PSU's student center scored an "Excellent" in categories like helpfulness of staff and entertainment offerings, though the center's "ability to enhance student life" only managed an average score of "Good."
Many students said they would be far happier with the center if it offered more fast-food options. But we would like students and staff to take it a step further and envision, instead of another fried-edibles factory, something along the lines of a small grocery or convenience store.
It's actually something quite common at larger state universities where transportation can be limited, leaving students without many opportunities to visit their local grocer. With the number of students who live on campus and have no access to automobiles, we feel the grocery store option might be helpful here, as well. Instead of waiting for a P.A.C.T. bus to Wal-Mart or braving sleet and snow to trundle on to Ron's IGA, a snug campus food mart could meet the needs of students who want to stock up in preparation for Gibson Dining Hall's off-hours.
Yes, things like cleanliness and friendliness are important when keeping a ship like the Overman Student Center up and running. But maintaining the status quo or "fixing up" what's already available seems a little thick-headed. Can't we make the student center a little more functional, more utilitarian?
If our student center is to remain an asset to PSU students, it must keep up with students' most basic needs. When push comes to shove, PSU students need not sate their hunger with a fast-food vendor open a mere six hours a day. We can do better than that.
This is just another opportunity for PSU to stay one step ahead of the game.
According to a PSU press release, students were asked to comment on such topics as "the quality and cost of food, the cleanliness of the facility, and the ability of the center to enhance students' college experiences."
After all was said and done, PSU's student center scored an "Excellent" in categories like helpfulness of staff and entertainment offerings, though the center's "ability to enhance student life" only managed an average score of "Good."
Many students said they would be far happier with the center if it offered more fast-food options. But we would like students and staff to take it a step further and envision, instead of another fried-edibles factory, something along the lines of a small grocery or convenience store.
It's actually something quite common at larger state universities where transportation can be limited, leaving students without many opportunities to visit their local grocer. With the number of students who live on campus and have no access to automobiles, we feel the grocery store option might be helpful here, as well. Instead of waiting for a P.A.C.T. bus to Wal-Mart or braving sleet and snow to trundle on to Ron's IGA, a snug campus food mart could meet the needs of students who want to stock up in preparation for Gibson Dining Hall's off-hours.
Yes, things like cleanliness and friendliness are important when keeping a ship like the Overman Student Center up and running. But maintaining the status quo or "fixing up" what's already available seems a little thick-headed. Can't we make the student center a little more functional, more utilitarian?
If our student center is to remain an asset to PSU students, it must keep up with students' most basic needs. When push comes to shove, PSU students need not sate their hunger with a fast-food vendor open a mere six hours a day. We can do better than that.
This is just another opportunity for PSU to stay one step ahead of the game.
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