The big move 12/30/2009
 
By Nikky Farmakes

If I could use two words to describe moving the Rothwell Student Center into the new Yellowjacket Union they would be, exciting and bittersweet.  After a few long eight hour days of moving boxes, furniture, and more boxes I’ve come to really get to know backwards and forwards the new YU. And believe me, after moving in all the Student Life and Leadership offices, Student Government, YAC, RHA, and the Stinger into their homes in the new R.O.C. (the Rothwell Opportunity Center) that equals out to be A LOT of boxes.   

What is exciting about this move you say? The building that all of us (exception being incoming freshman this semester and new transfers) have been walking past for at least this last semester is finally starting to take shape.  The new furniture (and some old) has now been moved in, and familiar places like “Jacket Book and Supply” (the Bookstore) and the “Union Information and Services Desk” (the Info Desk) are nearly all put together thanks to their amazing staffs.  The bookstore workers deserve three cheers (hip-hip HORRAY and repeat twice) for their massive and expedient effort to get the bookstore moved and stocked in the YU before they open sometime in the next two weeks.  Not to mention how all the furniture and all the little random this and that’s being placed here and there are really making the YU look like its ready to entertain people.  

Also exciting is the incredible new food service area.  The A’viands workers have been working so hard to get the new food areas, the “Union Café,” “The Brick Oven and Grille,” and “Jacket Java” ready for when students arrive.  The whole experience of eating on campus is going to change with this new space.  All three are in the same area eliminating that pestering decision of upstairs or downstairs, and the seating area is built more to feel like a restaurant rather then a cafeteria. An added bonus is the massive glass window that gives diners a magnificent view of Old Main ( well mostly, only a few dirt piles remain until the construction on the new Swenson Hall is finished.)   

The moving isn’t quite done yet.  There are still a few odds and ends that need to be brought over, and  even more things that need to be organized and either sent elsewhere on campus or be sold in a surplus sale (more to come on this next week.)  In short- I’ll be waking up bright and early with stiff muscles and joints to continue to help get one building cleared out and one filled in.   

But why is the experience also bittersweet? I’ve been on this campus for two and a half years.  RSC in that time became a place for me to enjoy entertaining events, work on homework, socialize, eat, work, and play.  I grew attached to that building and each box I move is like I’m losing a huge part of my college experience.  Each box is a silent reminder that soon, it will be almost as if RSC didn’t exist and its foundations covered in a parking lot and green space. However, that is only the bitter part because bits and pieces of RSC will always live on in the YU and a reminder to all those students and Alumni who made memories in that building and having those treasures will always be sweet.   

So, for your entertainment, pictures have been taken of this process so you can see for yourself just how amazing YU is coming together.  Hopefully they will get you excited, if not, I can try again next week!