The Griffon News

As you pass through the western doors into Blum Union, these days you might be stunned by the quiet stillness and the vast open spaces that now compro­mise the student union.

It is eerie. A hall that was once alive with motion and sound has now become barren, and students wonder if they shouldn’t rename Blum Union, the Great Western Desert. The recent relocation of the furniture in Blum Union has caused students across the campus to ask serious questions about the intent of the university.

People might wonder if there is some sinister intent behind those in power deploying such strange means of Feng-shui, or if the students are being pun­hed for some undisclosed offense committed to the student union itself. There are many questions that should be asked.

At the surface of the problem, the answer is quite simple and relatively insignificant. They cleared out the furniture in Blum because it was worn-out and needed to be replaced. The campus will soon be equipped with high- top tables and bar stool type chairs, much like the entrance of Eder Hall. There is no reason in that explanation for any students to be alarmed, if that is indeed the truth.

But then the next question that must be asked is; why was the furniture moved before the new furniture has arrived? The previous chairs and couches were not dangerous to students, sure-there was no need to smuggle it all out the area like a thief in the night. So that makes the timing of the move something that the average student might consider suspicious. Why now?

The next question that should then be examined; What is else is going on campus around this same time frame? An easy answer many students have begun to assume is that in the latter part of the Spring semester, Missouri Western State University is visited by many potential customers: prospective students. In essence, the university is in the spotlight.

This is where the pickle is for most of students involved or affected by the sudden starkness of their former hang-out.

They feel like the university is saying that students using the right to peaceful assembly doesn’t look good for the university’s bottom line. The students feel like the university is saying that it is ashamed of its students.

All of these things are questions the students are asking and points of concern that should be dealt with.

Surely there is no shame felt by the university for vast and varied student body, we couldn’t be attending a mere money making machine of a school that sees it current students as nothing more than a nuisance, could we?

It was probably some level of bureau­cratic procedure that led to the gap of time that led to the absence of furniture, it still leaves many questions.

 If the furniture was worn-out, why move it to the food court where it still being used?

Why was property bought with student money moved without ever consulting the students who bore the financial burden of buying those chairs?

But it should not be ignored that this one simple thing created a rustle that has moved across the campus. The student body has begun to twitch and the question on everyone’s mind is: where is my couch?