The Clause

It’s where people can go for events, to play basketball, use computers, study and play ping-pong. It’s the student union. But do we need a new or updated one?

It took me a couple of minutes to think of which building housed our student union. When someone said Cougar Dome, I was like “oh yeah.” So when the topic kept coming up in the ASB election speeches about whether it should be updated I automatically thought “yes.”

The student union is the place people can hang out, relax and study but it is not something that is as appealing as it could be.

The current facility is sufficient for many needs, but with APU’s growth and the numerous amounts of events that are constantly going on, a better facility that meets the varying and changing needs of students is something to be desired.

Right now there may be space for basketball and a lecture or screening, but there are times when those events try to happen simultaneously and cause calamity.

If there were a new student union, this problem would not exist because there would be designated times and areas for each.So, what would a new student union on campus need?

We have a good facility. It would be turning what we have into something that meets the needs of the many different students and communities, making it a great facility.

There are many things I believe would be fun, like a bowling alley, but some things are just not practical. Yet, there are a few things that could be added to the facility that would greatly benefit student life, enhancing the college experience.

I think a practical and beneficial student union would include a place for commuters to feel more at home here and more computer space for serious studying.

When I walk into the library on a weekday and see people filling the foyer, study rooms and even studying on the floor I can’t help but wish for another place to open the books. More study space would be great with comfy chairs and tables, allowing for a relaxed and mentally stimulating environment.

There is a basketball court already in our student union, but more athletic facilities would allow for more club and intramural teams to be formed and have enough space to play as well.

According to the Director of Communiversity Charles Strawn, a coffee shop and place for open mic nights would be something that would be good for APU.

In looking at different layouts of colleges, Strawn’s Alma Mater, Anderson University in Central Indiana, has a student union that would put many to shame. At a school with 2,100 undergraduate students, the Kardatzke Wellness Center opened in 2002 and has the capability of something that belongs at a large state university or–dare I say it–APU.

The center has four basketball courts and a track and fitness center. This of course is a center that caters to their athletic department. However, according to Strawn, the university is looking to build another student union and in Indiana there is enough land the university has that option.

Biola University’s student union contains the International Student Services, their mail facilities, the International Missionary Union and the Center for Spiritual Life. It’s a centralized area people can go to for resources and activities, and is something that is missing on our own campus.

However, I know that a new student union is not possible without funding and space which is not easy to come by in this current economy and city.

According to President Jon Wallace the new student union is in the 20-year future plan our university has for expansion.

And as far away as that seems, Wallace does see it as something important for both current and future generations of APU students.

According to Wallace it is something that would be a great gathering place for students. It also would bring identity and community to the campus.

I think a new student union is not high on the priority list of new things to be added to APU, but I do think one should be added when funding and space are available.

Strawn has heard people say that weekends at APU are not as busy as APU during the week. A new student union would change this, and the dynamics of APU weekends would be different.

“It could create something that will make them want to stay,” Strawn said.

The conversation seems to be gathering more and more supporters from both the student population as well as the faculty and staff ranks.

“I am encouraged because there is a momentum building around the conversation about updating the student union,” Wallace said.
The goal for now is to not let that conversation end but continue it and make it known.