The beating heart of UCU by Caitlin Roeltgen

Despite upcoming finals, many students at UCU were willing to take the time out of their day to speak with me about the importance of DH to them. Many reiterated the points Bence makes in “Let’s Talk Dining Hall,” but this is an overview of some of the other topics and questions that came up. 

Many students were unsure whether there were any logical alternatives. (This included UCU’s budget, but, to clarify, the sale would help cut UU costs and does not directly impact UCU’s finances)

“The decision on selling DH obviously seems very nonsensical [because] it's one of the biggest things for the community. But really, what can they do?” Anon, 1st year.

DH also houses various activities. The clock tower could become home for some, but what about everything else? 

“Moving the bar anywhere off campus would make it so much less of a safe space.” Anton, 2nd year

“How are we gonna have introweek without a meeting space large enough for 200 people?” Yuna, 3rd year.

And, of course, DH has meaning; it’s a space of community and connection. What happens if it’s gone? 

“The dining hall, for me, is the place where I teach my dance classes. It’s the place where… I meet with friends to study… It’s the place where I would go to an event in the bar.” Anton, 2nd year

“I’m really upset by it… because I’m a transfer student from UCR, and UCR just experienced major changes and … also had to reduce the amount of buildings they had… and so it kind of lost that sense of community… I know a lot of students told me that that really affected the energy and the student community in general. And it would be such a shame to see that happen here as well.” Josefina, 2nd year

“Throughout the semester, it’s been a huge social hub… there’s community there, there’s laughter centered there, and you can definitely feel that there is so much of value placed within these meeting spaces.” Vanessa, exchange.

“I can imagine that in 3 years, a generation of students will come that has never known it. And then, by the time they graduate, that will be the end. There will be nobody who ever knew what it [UCU] was with dining hall.” Yuna, 3rd year.

Other points that were made included value of campus social life for introverted students, high cost and campus fees for attending UCU, office spaces, and the benefits of having a non-academic focused building within an academically rigorous community. And everyone agreed on one main point: DH is important for our community, and community is important to UCU.