Keene State’s L.P. Young Student Center is many things – a place to grab a quick coffee, catch up with friends or stare into the void between classes – but according to students, it’s also a place that could use some improvements.
After chatting with several students about what they would change or add to the student center, it became clear: The people have big thoughts.
First-year Cameron Foster said, “I would add a free refills drink machine.” Foster explained his vision of a self-serve beverage fountain where students could fill up their own reusable cups.
“It would just be easier,” he added. “I really don’t think it would cost that much compared to the other stuff they spend money on.”
Foster, an environmental studies major, also pointed out the eco-friendly aspect of his idea: Less waste, more hydration.
Junior Abigail Quinlivan wasn’t concerned with soda as she had a flag to plant.
“There is no Irish flag in the flag room in the student center, and I think it’s an absolute disgrace,” Quinlivan said.
As a sociology and music major and self-proclaimed flag expert, she pointed out that while a United Kingdom flag hangs proudly, Ireland’s is notably absent.
“I did notice there is a U.K. flag, but Ireland is not part of the U.K. And Keene State is linked with Irish universities, so I think this is a welcome addition,” she said.
As an Irish student spending the year at Keene State, Quinlivan said a flag from home would be a small but meaningful reminder of where she comes from.
Graduate student Chloe March said she was focused on waste and waste reduction.
“The compost that we have right now is not actually composted,” March said. “There’s so much contamination that it just doesn’t do anything.”
Her solution? More education – and clearer instructions.
“I would have waste bins with pictures of actual items from Lloyd’s [Marketplace],” March explained. “Like, a picture of a rice bowl and where that goes. Make it easier to do the right thing than the wrong thing.”
She also suggested reusable to-go containers for Lloyd’s and more seating that isn’t directly tied to food. “Sometimes I just want to be on my computer without sitting at a sticky table surrounded by trash.”
March was not the only student with complaints about the seating. Senior Avery Holbrook and junior Faith Cutler pointed out another student center struggle: The lack of seating, especially for commuters.
“There’s only really one spot upstairs where you can go sit and eat or do work, and it’s so hot in there,” Holbrook said.
Cutler added that more seating would also help with the chaos that is the Lloyd’s and Starbucks traffic jam.
Keene State’s student center might be in need of a little rethinking, from compost bins and free soda to Irish pride and a few extra chairs. But one thing’s for sure – the students are full of ideas.
Aisling Kavanagh can be contacted at
akavanagh@kscequinox.com
