There was an article in the Charlatan that highlighted low voter turnout and apathy towards decisions involving the student body.
I’d make the argument that it starts with our union and extends downwards — but not downwards into the basement of our school’s library. We’re not allowed in there anymore.
The university approves contracts for projects involving housing and the buildings here on campus. Much of this comes about due to communication between university administration and the maintenance division of the university. Where is the student voice in these proceedings?
We’re in the middle of final exams and students are packed into the library. With the increase in admission numbers that occurred this year, it’s been fairly difficult to find space to get work done (more so than in years past).
Something worse happened though: the university went ahead and approved renovations to the library to occur during exams. They have made it more difficult to access a great place to study. Even worse, the construction is restricting the space available. And nobody’s getting mad about this!
We haven’t heard anyone say anything about it. Students haven’t protested against it, and neither has our student union. For all the great work the Carleton University Students’ Association does fundraising for charities, ultimately they haven’t gone beyond quietly lobbying in closed-door meetings for this issue. This is the job they signed up to do, and they just haven’t done it.
I guess ultimately I’m frustrated because nobody else is. I’m writing this in between studying on the third floor. I’m going to be honest and say I wanted to end this piece with something witty, and I thought I had something, but I seriously lost it when I heard the construction crew outside the third floor windows hammering into the side of the building.
It’s going to be an especially long and loud exam season this spring. Enjoy it, Carleton.
— Matt Corluka
fourth-year international business
