 by Andrea Houk
When I walk into the Memorial Union, I feel a very relaxed and casual atmosphere. To me, the MU is a place where all students are welcome to eat, hang out, do homework, and take naps. I know I have used it to do all of these things. Special events are put on at the MU, bands perform, lectures are given, and students can find ways to get involved. I cannot even imagine how many people pass through the MU everyday, but I know that most students have used one part of it for one thing or another.
Me however, I will be honest. My freshman year I was not very involved in campus organizations and I hardly even spent time in the Memorial Union at all. This year however, I came to campus two weeks before classes started and filled out my application for the Memorial Union food service positions. A few weeks into the term I was hired at “Bites” Convenience Store. This job has helped me to interact with a huge number of other students and faculty at Oregon State as well as helped familiarize me with the Memorial Union. I am amazed at how many students and faculty come into Bites every day. I honestly never knew it was so busy at the MU. I now know my way around the MU fairly well I must admit. I feel like I am more involved already. I feel the spirit of the MU when I am working as well as when I am just passing through.
To me, the Memorial Union is a place for everyone to come and do, anything from studying to eating, to napping in between classes. I think that they are feelings of acceptance and friendliness at the MU. The Memorial Union not only offers students a great atmosphere, but has all the essentials we need as college students: food, shelter, friends, and staff to help us out. I have experienced the spirit of the MU in those who work there when I am buying my books, when I am eating, and when I am just relaxing and taking a break from homework. The faculty especially is so friendly. When I am buying my books at the bookstore and am depressed because I am dropping hundreds of dollars on texts that I probably don’t even want to read, the cashiers are so friendly and make me feel good about my purchases. I always get the feeling of acceptance when I am in the MU as well. Everyone is welcome and there are other students trying to get people involved in organizations and activities that are going on. The MU has something for every student no matter where they are from or what their major is. There are hundreds of places on campus that students can gather for numerous activities, but it is the spirit of the Memorial Union that draws us together there. |
