For the past four years now, there has been “discussion and interest” regarding a multicultural center here at Iowa State University. I know this because three years ago I was the one who started a petition to get one built here.

However, the discussions started even before that because I received information from multiple sources when I started on my quest to bring a multicultural center to campus. After four years, thousands of signatures, repeated meetings and interest, our progress has brought us to “a name,” not even a “settling of a concept.” Funny how the time and effort of so many students can just be forgotten as soon as the next semester starts.

The administration has not devoted the time nor the effort to really bring this project to fruition. Currently, the dean of students, the assistant dean of students and the vice president for student affairs have gone on record speaking of the greatness that will be achieved through this “idea,” yet we can’t seem to solidify “our” idea.

Why? Simple, let’s leave it up to the students, a transient population that gets so immersed in academics that it can’t possibly devote enough time to solidify this idea. If the multicultural center never gets built, it will be the fault of the students, or at least that is the angle that will be shown to us.

Were the business students contacted about the building of Gerdin? Were the honors students so integral in getting the Jischke Honors Building built? Did we wait until all of the students could add their two cents before we designed the Student Services Building?

Yet now the administration feels the necessity to wait until the students design this center. Ideas have been put to paper, meetings have been held and we’ve told the administration what we want. What more needs to be done?

As far as the multicultural center being relegated to the back of the Memorial Union, that’s a joke all onto itself.

About three years ago, members of GSB added that to the Memorial Union renovation bill without ever consulting those who had been working for a multicultural center.

I have come to the realization that by the end of my time here at Iowa State there will be no multicultural center, nor will Iowa State be any closer to getting one.

Jason Smolka

Senior

Electrical Engineering