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. (Full story)

Bravo to the Western Activities Council. In light of recent criticism about the delay of the announcement, WAC responds by unveiling a major affair that students should be impressed with. Yung Joc and Rick Ross will be coming to St. Joseph, all due to the efforts of WAC. They have enticed two big names of the hip-hop music world to cross our corner of nowhere and put on a double feature. This is a feat that Missouri Western State University should look upon WAC and say job well done.
Rick Ross weighs in at 300 lbs and stands at 6’2’’, which might be why the New York Times described him as a “hip-hop heavyweight.” Just last week he topped billboard charts with his new single “Trilla” and appeared on such hit shows as “Jimmy Kimmel Live”.

(Full story)

(editor’s note: WAC has now annouced the entertainers Wedensday. This peice was done before the announcement)

Western’s Activities Council, or WAC as they might be better known to the student body of Missouri Western State University has yet to officially announce who will be playing for the University’s spring concert. This can be looked at from many different angles. Certainly it is now spring and students in the past knew by this time who was going to be entertaining them for the spring concert. They may even have attended spring concerts that took place by this time late in the year.  The fact that there is only six weeks left in the semester and there has yet to even be an announcement could encourage one to wonder just exactly what is going on?

What’s the hold up? (Full story)

We, at the Griffon Newspaper editorial staff, have many things in common aside from our thirst for pur­suit of the news. One thing we have in common is the fact that we are all college students. Another thing is that not a single one of us is a self made millionaire…yet. Being that this is true, this means we all under­stand the benefit of  being on the receiving end of financial aid to help us get through the semester.  (Full story)

Something strange has been occurring over this winter here at Missouri Western State University. A day happens when the windswept snow blankets the streets and communication from point A to point B becomes a civic nightmare. Bravo to the administration for calling it a “snow day” last Wednesday. Twice in the last three months the university has been called to make the decision to cancel classes due to extreme weather conditions. That is on top of a record of not cancelling under any normal circumstances. Students used to make jokes that Missouri Western wouldn’t cancel school in a hurricane. Students can now be safe in knowing that the powers that be have far more wisdom than that.
It should be considered that Missouri Western, like many universities these days, is largely composed of non-traditional students who have children that might be staying at home because of St. Joseph Public Schools canceling  their classes. Missouri Western should also consider many of the local students who live outside of city roads in surrounding rural communities, who simply do not have access to drivable roads. Last Wednesday these things were all considered and a good call was made in the decision to cancel classes. (Full story)

 Now is really not the time to press the panic button. Ignore the fact that the world around you at Missouri Western State University is changing form everyday. Deans come and go. Heads of offices and projects fade into the dying of the light. The sunsets on one face of this university wears and a lot of people began to worry about the coming night and the difference a new dawn brings.  All sense says there really is no cause for worry. Things change and usually for the better. Worrying is an enormous waste of energy.  Every one told Leif Erikson that he would sail off the edge of the earth one day in his push to explore the boundaries of the seas. It was because they didn’t (Full story)

We made a mistake.

Our editorial “Have some respect” printed Oct. 30 pointed out a series of events that have occurred recently that are, frankly, embarrassing to the university student body — our mistake was wording the editorial in such a way that it appeared we were blaming all problems on the entire campus minority population.

That was wrong of us.

Ironically, the words of that editorial have also been embarrassing to the university. (Full story)