The construction going on in the middle of campus may seem a bit bothersome at times, but it is for a genuinely good cause. The construction team is in the process of building a new student union for campus, and the students at UW-La Crosse have a lot of opinions about the new building being a hub for students to socialize, study, and dine within the next few years.

When asked what kind of changes he thinks will be brought to campus by the new building, freshman Matt Knoll answered, “I think the biggest change the new student union will bring to campus is giving the students a new place to meet and socialize. I feel it will help unionize the student body as a whole by providing a central location for people to hang out at.” Knoll also explained that he has a generally positive outlook on the new student union, and is excited for an extra building created just for students.

However, not everyone is as enthusiastic about the new building as Mr. Knoll. Libby Gamache, a UW-L sophomore, says, “Yes, it will be nice to not have to trek all the way to Cartwright for a student center, and it will be good to have a building on this side of campus, but we lost that extra parking lot in the middle of campus.” Gamache says she would use the parking lot to park her car and cut through the middle of campus, and will miss the extra open space.

UW-L junior Kaylin Robbins says that, “At first I was annoyed by the construction, but it’ll be nice to have more study areas that aren’t in the library. Also, I won’t complain about additional places to eat!”

I agree with Ms. Robbins: At first, the construction felt unnecessary and excessive. We had to walk by and around all that noise pollution and unaesthetic cacophony every day to what seemed like no avail. But now that the building is finally taking shape, I can see that this new student union will be a fun, safe place for students to gather and express ideas, study and grab a bite to eat.

The Student Union will not be finished until 2018, so many of the students enrolled in UW-L right now will not be able to enjoy the new and exciting features the building will have to offer. However, for those students who will be able to experience the delight of the student union, they should be able to have access to a great new building on campus.  Baby you were my picket fence. I miss missing you now and then. Floating jeans, summer skin, I miss missing you a now and then. Sometimes before it gets better the darkness gets bigger the person that you’d take a bullet if is behind the trigger. We’re fading fast; I miss missing you now and then. C Cork’s off, its on. The party’s just begun. I promise this drink is my last one.