Samantha Krol
Contributing Writer
Now that ESU students have had a couple of months to get used to the new University Center, I asked around to see what students thought of it, whether there was anything they missed, and any notable likes or dislikes, going to each floor and asking a few people from each.
One of the big appeals of the new U seems to be its size. Many students, including Ella Putalavage, a sophomore communication major with PR and marketing concentrations, mentioned how large it is.
“I think the new U is great, I love how spacious it is, and I love how there’s different floors for all the activities. I like the seats. It’s comfy, and I like the new windows,” said Putalavage.
The size of the new U has another benefit: it spaces out all of the students, allowing for more quiet spaces. John Bitetti, a freshman exercise science major, noted: “I love how I can focus here, all the time. It’s always quiet, it’s a comfortable area for me to relax and get work done,” said Bitetti.
On the design of the U, many people appreciate the atmosphere and style.
“I enjoy how the new University Center gives ESU a more modern atmosphere. I think it elevates the overall college experience for students,” Timothy Wenrich, a digital and media technology and marketing major, said.
Cameron Bennett, a freshman a elementary ed and special ed major likes it too, saying, “It’s great, the architecture is really nice, and all the decorations connect to the school.”
There are still a few complaints:
“If you want a ramp from Stroud, you have to go all the way around the building,” Jenna Horn, a junior HRTM major, said. And while many students enjoy the new food options, there remains some confusion about the GrubHub situation. Horn noted, “It’s confusing if you don’t know the GrubHub stuff, I wish I could still go up directly and order. Having something to explain how it works would help. I don’t want to have to spend the time it takes to figure it out while I’m hungry.”
The food situation does not seem to be all bad as Alyssa Rockwell, a sophomore nursing student says. “I definitely like the food options, and that there are more seating areas.” But Rockwell noticed a lack of places to charge devices, continuing, “I do miss the charging areas though, because there aren’t many.”
Lastly, there is the ever-common, “I miss the bridge,” lament from Delaney Zeidman, a senior English and secondary ed major and DMT minor, as well as from Horn. Allison Muttel, a senior English and secondary ed major, elaborated: “I have a class on the 4th floor, and the elevator is always crowded. Even though it was only a one-floor difference, it still was faster going to class than walking to the bottom of the new U and walking all the way up.”
Overall, the students seem pleased with the new U, appreciating the modern style and windows, as well as the food options and spaciousness.
The views expressed in the Opinion section do not reflect the views of the Stroud Courier, its editorial board or East Stroudsburg University, but are solely the views of the author.