New changes to main campus: A student’s perspective

By: Noelle Larino

Photos: Wikimedia Commons

During the December Student Government Association meeting, a new project for Marymount’s main campus was introduced.

One of the main projects included the push for more athletic space on Marymount’s main campus. This specific project proposed that Marymount’s bookstore be replaced with athletic functions, including locker rooms and space for athletic teams. In return, the bookstore would be relocated to the space occupied by Lola’s, making the new location serve as half a food venue and campus store.

Also, with this renovation, the Caruthers computer lab will be removed to accomodate for the bookstore and Lola’s. The services of the bookstore will change, as it will shift from a bookstore to more of a campus store which sells school related merchandise. Books will still be available for students to purchase, however, this process will be more virtually based to make room for school merchandise.

The change comes with a desire to expand Marymount’s athletic programs.

With these proposed changes come varying opinions from Marymount students. One senior and senator of the Marymount Student Government Association, Hansel D’souza, expressed opposition to the new project.

“I acknowledge that Athletics is a vital component for the University and understand that this change is needed to better support our student-athletes,” D’souza said. “However, the decision to remove the bookstore from its existing location in the Lee Center and take out the Caruthers computer lab as well as part of Lola’s cafe is really disappointing and is part of a larger problem – lack of functional student space on our campus.”

With these plans comes the issue of the lack of student space on campus. Although Marymount has lounge facilities meant for students’ convenience, some students express concerns about  this new project which limits student engagement.

“With this decision it does not seem to me that the University is supplementing the loss of student space but merely increasing Athletics space,” D’souza expressed. “Moreover, the vacant bookstore space would function so well as a student lounge! It is very obvious that we lack functional student spaces on this campus that enhance community and provide an avenue for collaboration among student organizations. As a student leader, I am disappointed at the lack of immediate attention being given to student spaces that can and will be used by all students.”

Overall, from a student’s perspective, the changes coming to Marymount, specifically in the  Lee Center, may not be of best interest to the student community. Although Athletics is a significant aspect to the University, student engagement is also an important component to the Marymount community.

Increasing athletic space in the Lee Center may enhance the athletic department, however, it does not resolve the underlying issue of the lack of student engagement space for students.

For more information about the future of the Lee Center and the changes coming to Marymount, visit Marymount’s SGA Facebook page or attend the next monthly meeting.