Wayne State has been undergoing some serious changes lately. If you go on campus right now, you will be surrounded by bright orange barrels and caution tape. While these changes and updates were much needed, incoming students will never fully appreciate just how lucky they are to be stepping onto the new and improved campus.
The struggle of choosing between Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, and KFC.
Before the student center underwent renovations, we cycled through a few different eateries. What had started with the mainstream fast food chains quickly became places like Campus Grounds and Grille Works (which had cardboard straws for awhile). Be grateful for the selection you have now, because a full-menu Taco Bell is a blessing, but always know that there was a time when you could get breadsticks, mac and cheese, and French fries without leaving the student center.
Having to stand in line for an eternity at Starbucks.
We only had one Starbucks. This means the line was always out the door, and good luck finding a table anywhere.
How perfect the Towers cafeteria was for people-watching.
Before they renovated the cafeteria, there was a whole section of high-top tables toward the back section. I can’t even begin to tell you how often I would take my food and climb into one of the chairs and just people-watch.
How hard it was to walk through Gullen Mall.
The ongoing construction in Gullen Mall will spare future students from having to carefully navigate over the jumbled bricks. What was once a beautiful pathway had become a treacherous zone to pass through for all students, but particularly so for anyone wearing heels.
The difficulty of learning Pipeline.
Before Academica, we had Pipeline. It was easily the most simplistic and aggravating interface we were required to understand. So many tabs and sections to go through, so many tips and tricks to accessing the information needed. While I’m not too familiar with our new Academica just yet, I’m hoping the learning curve won’t be quite as steep.
The confusion surrounding the empty reflecting pool.
Empty since the ‘80s, the reflecting pool, designed by Minoru Yamasaki who also designed the World Trade Center, was left to collect leaves for decades. It was restored to its former glory in 2013, and is now a place of peace and tranquility.
What it was like to have a weekly student paper.
Gone are the days of having a physical paper in your hands. “The South End,” the WSU student paper, has gone completely digital, with the exception of the special editions. Don’t worry, “The South End”’s website still provides a constant stream of current news.
Wayne State has changed throughout the years, just like any other school, and it will continue to do so as the years go on. With each new class, things will be added, altered, and removed. One of the things that I love most about Good Ol’ Wayne U is the ability students have to shape it. So head on over to the beautiful reflecting pool and appreciate the changes you’ve made to this university, and what you can help accomplish before you leave.
This article was originally posted at The Odyssey.
