Every day for the past few weeks when entering Fenwick
Place, I have observed the construction inside the space closest to Currito and the Dining Hall. I was excited to hear what treasure Xavier planned to put inside this central location, but instead I was shocked and disappointed when
I was informed of the truth. Xavier is making a huge mistake. Instead of making our Xavier student experience
more exciting and varied, we will see an office building inserted into Fenwick Place. The Center for Mission and
Identity (CFMI) is moving into the last and most valuable retail location on campus. Although this office serves a very
important role, we should be aware that it has purposefully chosen to leave the word “student” out of its mission statement, instead targeting Xavier staff, faculty, administration and other universities. My objective in this article is not to point out any flaws in CFMI’s Mission Statement; I personally think they are very effective and
unique. However, I am pointing out the fact that placing their office inside the newest student focused
building is detrimental to Xavier’s image and students.
It truly would be in Xavier’s best interest to allow a new company to value/profit on this major intersection
on campus by capitalizing on student desires; we have all
seen how successful Currito has been, while simultaneously adding to our student experience. Ideas
that immediately come to mind are a convenience store, arcade/lounge, dry cleaner, another restaurant, barber,
retail store, etc… In my opinion, influential leaders at
Xavier are either unaware of this major problem or are simply choosing to ignore it. At this point, I am hoping
that I have at least eliminated the former possibility, and I am asking now why no one is standing up to do something to stop it. Personally, it does not matter if it is student government, our faculty or some other influential leader on campus; someone needs to take the responsibility to
do what is right on this issue. To my fellow students, I also urge you to speak out and make your voice heard; after all, it is our space that is being taken away.