The Griffon News

Walking into Blum Union, students might think the food court and lounge areas are a little bare and lacking a real Missouri Western feel. The Student Government says that steps are being taken to change this.

Upcoming renovations to the food court will include a gaming center, a stage, new seating and school spirited decorations said Katy Schwartz, director of clubs and organizations for SGA.

Two pool tables, a foosball table and two dartboards intended for the food court dining area are overdue for delivery.

“Those are en route. They were supposed to be here during Griffon Edge,” Schwartz said. “They have left the factory and they are on the way to St. Joe. They should have been here a month ago. It’s just a shipping delay.”

Campus reaction to the pool tables appears to be positive.

“It would add something new and exciting,” student Avia Ramsey said. “New is always good.”

One student is critical of having pool tables in the food court.

“Oh, that’s good, party it up in here,” Brittany Rodriguez said. “That’s ridiculous. It is already too loud and obnoxious in here without pool tables.”

The student senate, that has been  financing the project, has been in talks with the Residence Council about bringing over a ping-pong table.

Jim Maides, director of Aramark, has noticed some of the changes.

“They actually have done a significant amount of remodeling in the food court to try to incorporate a student gaming area.” Aramark is the food service company for the Student Union.

Paul Shang, dean of student development agrees.

“That whole third of the food court has changed pretty dramatically,” Shang said. “We are hiring students who will staff that area and keep the place open, along with food services staff, until 1 a.m. during certain evenings of the week. It will be a late night facility on campus.”

Shang has been working directly with the SGA on the renovations.

“I think it’s great that student government is wanting to do things to support the quality of the student experience here on campus,” said Shang, “I’m very excited about it.”

Schwartz said that this is just the begining of renovations.

“The food court has more renovations that will be coming. SGA is going to add in some booths along the wall that faces out towards the parking lot,” Schwartz said.

“We are going to add in a hardwood floor where it is tile now. It’s like a faux hardwood, so it’s easier to take care of. We are also going to add some more paint and decorations and stuff like that.”

Students should be happy to know that they have a hand in funding these renovations.

“The student senate is funding it,” Schwartz said. “We are looking at how much we can fund this year. We are talking to campus printing about decorations, we want to make it very school spirited. We already have two jerseys hanging up, but we want to have posters and pictures and stuff that makes it very Missouri Western. We want to make it very unique to our campus.”

Also, a stage has been added. The stage was built with the intention that the Campus Activities Board, Residence Council and student government can have events there.

Schwartz listed possible events: speakers, concerts, karaoke nights.

“And there is a closet built [behind the stage] where people can store their disc jockey equipment. We can set it up to have a fully functioning sound system there.”

Phi Sigma Kappa member Tyler Davis said that the stage would be good for the fraternities on campus.

Ramsey also said that her gospel choir might be interested in performing.

“I’ve never seen anybody on it - it might be good for poetry readings.”

Josie Snelling, an admissions counselor, also mentioned that the stage would be a good place for poetry and music, or maybe a forum.

“Now that they have a space I am sure that people will make use of it, and get the student body more involved.” Snelling said

The Residence Council has always had bingo in the spring in the food court, Schwartz said, and now they have a stage that they can do it from.

“We are trying to increase the seating by putting in diner-style booths around the sides so that there is more seating,” Schwartz said.

She said that in the future a jukebox might be added as well, depending on finances.

“We had hoped to put a juke box in there so there is always music happening in the food court. It’s a cool place to hang out,” Schwartz said.