The energy the University puts into the grounds on the campus is impressive. So impressive in fact, it has earned the campus the distinction of a national arboretum.

But what about the dormitories? The dichotomy between the grounds and the residence halls is astonishing. The dorms, many built in the 1960s, lack the quality an educational institution, such as this one, ought to have. With broken and antiquated furniture and paint chipping off the walls, it makes it difficult for students to comfortably embrace the college living experience.

No doubt the academic structure and function of the University should be spending priority number one. But what message does a priority on trees over beds send to the student body?

The involvement of the student body in the overall University has long been a problem for campus life, but it is improving. Both residential and commuter students are taking a greater stake in their community through academics and extracurricular activities. This is a crucial piece to the development process. One of the greatest feats the University has made in the past few years is the growth in the out-of-state student population. If these trends are to steadily continue, better living conditions need to be available.

The towers regularly have problems with elevators-often two breaking at a time, which force some students to walk as many as 14 flights of stairs. These factors may seem trivial to the overall academic institution, but they are necessary if this school wants to be competitive with its peers.