By Joseph Abraham, Editor-in-Chief

Published in print on Apr.8, 2015

Before I graduate from UNCG in a matter of weeks, I wanted to make some recommendations on how some aspects of campus life can improve.

Athletics

Last week, I advocated for a small redistribution of the amount of student fees going toward athletics on this campus. I did, however, explain that I want to see our campus’ athletics team succeed. I have three recommendations on how to improve athletics, as well as the sports culture on this campus.

Attendance is something that needs to improve. There are too many empty seats. My first recommendation on how to fix this is to push for interaction between student athletes and the general student body on a regular basis. Rarely are student athletes seen on campus—unless you happen to have a class with them. As a communication studies minor, I have gotten a chance to know many UNCG student athletes, and many of them are great people.

While I love sports, with classwork to complete, I sometimes struggle to find the motivation to go to a sporting event on campus. It is because of the athletes I know that I muster the strength to go. I want to show up and support them. But for students who do not know any student athletes, they have no reason to go cheer the Spartans, unless of course there are free giveaways, which shouldn’t be the only way to get students to come out.

Create more events where students can interact with athletes and, more importantly, get to know them even at the most basic level. The closest thing to this was when Coach Miller revealed his game plan for UNCG’s next game in the cafeteria at the busiest time of the day. While it was a noble effort, it was too crowded to make a difference. However, an event by the fountain where athletes play games or introduce themselves to students would increase interest.

My next recommendation is having more men’s basketball games at Fleming Gym. While the Greensboro Coliseum is great for marquee opponents like UNC-Chapel Hill, crowd noise would benefit the Spartans in Southern Conference play because of the tight space of Fleming Gym.

My last recommendation for athletics is shorter coach contracts. Our women’s basketball team has had a terrible record for the past three seasons, only winning 21 games during that time. However, Wendy Palmer is still the head coach.

Why? Probably because despite the fact she had no head coaching experience prior to UNCG, she was given a 5-year contract in 2011. She still has one season remaining on that contract.

Coach Miller was recently given a 2-year extension on his deal. During his time at UNCG, the Spartans have posted a 45-73 record. While I am optimistic he can turn things around, if the team has a terrible season in 2015-16, UNCG would be stuck with a contract for 2 more years.

Campus construction/housing

I understand the need for more residence halls to house students. I just wish there was a way these buildings could be located on the main campus, not across a major street. I have encountered many students who live in Spartan Village that have complained about the long commute. Yes, there are shuttles, but not everyone can plan their lives around them.

The new tunnel that was built looks nice, but it doesn’t exactly help students cross the street. It only takes them to the place where they are forced to journey across in a real life version of Frogger.

My recommendation is for our university to either find places on campus to build new residence halls or find a better way to transport students to and from the new locations.

Cafeteria

It is nice to see the Fountain View Restaurant fully renovated. I remember when construction started halfway through my freshman year.

The thing I love most about the café is not the food, but the people who work there. One of the saddest parts of graduation is no longer seeing the select individuals I have gotten to know so well over the course of four years.

I know some of them are frustrated with how things are managed, but one event really resonated with me. A little over a year ago when we got six to seven inches of snow, which started falling around noon, I noticed many of the upper management leaving to go home. The café, which has to stay open to feed students, was not closing. So, who was left to run the place? The workers.

Perhaps this is a normal procedure at most businesses, but I found it completely unfair. My hope is that if it hasn’t been changed already, a procedure that is fairer will be put in place.

Lastly, the general café workers should be appreciated more. This is not to criticize the current system in place, but mainly to say that they can never be appreciated enough for the hard work they do— work for which I am incredibly grateful.