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Editorial: Look for space in Eastern before building new center
Editorial Board
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: Opinions
Every minority group deserves a resource center.
Regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation, all students should be equally represented and should be given a place to congregate where students may share experiences and establish bonds between one another.
EIU Pride - Eastern's group for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender issues - knows this and is pushing for a resource center for its members.
According to Pride member Mark Olendzki, the group has considered either renting out an available room at a given location on campus, or the group would push for an externally funded building that would host a proposed resource center for the group.
Intended as a means for LGBT students to adjust, the resource center would provide counseling for students who may find it hard to make a transition into a college atmosphere.
While a resource center is a great idea, Pride should consider renting space above constructing a new building at Eastern's expense, chiefly because of economic reasons currently affecting the university.
Today's economic climate does not serve as a proper atmosphere in which to spend thousands of dollars on a brand new facility.
Additionally, Eastern has previously committed to a $40 million Renewable Energy Center, something the university has been in dire need of for years.
However, using whatever space is available would be a more convenient and cost-efficient method on both students and Eastern.
Regardless, one wonders if a brand new facility is really necessary.
Students should support the need for a resource center, as it provides a positive atmosphere for a group of students to relate with one another and receive counseling from each other and faculty advisers, if they so desire.
Providing a positive atmosphere for LGBT students is a necessity, something they deserve not just as Eastern students, but as people.
But instead of committing to a project that would set the university back thousands of dollars, renting space should be made a priority method of providing an essential safe zone for LGBT students.
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.
Regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation, all students should be equally represented and should be given a place to congregate where students may share experiences and establish bonds between one another.
EIU Pride - Eastern's group for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender issues - knows this and is pushing for a resource center for its members.
According to Pride member Mark Olendzki, the group has considered either renting out an available room at a given location on campus, or the group would push for an externally funded building that would host a proposed resource center for the group.
Intended as a means for LGBT students to adjust, the resource center would provide counseling for students who may find it hard to make a transition into a college atmosphere.
While a resource center is a great idea, Pride should consider renting space above constructing a new building at Eastern's expense, chiefly because of economic reasons currently affecting the university.
Today's economic climate does not serve as a proper atmosphere in which to spend thousands of dollars on a brand new facility.
Additionally, Eastern has previously committed to a $40 million Renewable Energy Center, something the university has been in dire need of for years.
However, using whatever space is available would be a more convenient and cost-efficient method on both students and Eastern.
Regardless, one wonders if a brand new facility is really necessary.
Students should support the need for a resource center, as it provides a positive atmosphere for a group of students to relate with one another and receive counseling from each other and faculty advisers, if they so desire.
Providing a positive atmosphere for LGBT students is a necessity, something they deserve not just as Eastern students, but as people.
But instead of committing to a project that would set the university back thousands of dollars, renting space should be made a priority method of providing an essential safe zone for LGBT students.
The editorial is the majority opinion of The DEN editorial board. Reach the opinions editor at: DENopinions@gmail.com.
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