The Honors Program at Iowa State is planning on constructing a $2 million building near central campus. Funds for the building were given as gifts from private donors.

The 6,000 square-foot building will replace Osborn Cottage, the previous hangout for the 1,400 students involved in the program.

Out of the dozen sites across campus considered for the building, the location between Curtiss Hall, the Farm House and the horticulture greenhouses was chosen as the final destination for the building because of its close proximity to central campus.

So what’s the big deal?

Last fall, Iowa State’s central campus, along with Yale University and the University of Virginia, was listed by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) as one of the most beautiful landscapes in the nation.

In order to build the new Honors Building, the otherwise untouched landscape on and surrounding central campus will be altered as trees and shrubs are cut down to make way for the honors students, breaking a nearly 130-year-old tradition of preserving the original blueprints of central campus.

Constructing the Honors Building might not seem like a bad idea on the outside, but once this package is unwrapped, it opens up a whole new set of standards for others to follow.

Allowing one group to build within spitting distance of central campus will eventually lead to other groups wanting the right to be close to the action.

The only question remains: What makes the Honors Program so special it gets to break the rules?

Sure, having National Merit Scholars gives the university some bragging rights, but is it justified in putting these students on a pedestal?

Don’t they receive enough perks already? They get to register for classes early, and they can check out books for the entire school year.

Why is it they can also invade the green lawn we love to play Frisbee on?

Honors students work hard to earn the grade, that is true, and when it comes to perks, have at it, but is it really necessary to add this little extra bonus to their already long list of goodies by destroying central campus? Why not spend the money to restore Osborn Cottage to its former glory? This campus belongs to all of us, and it shouldn’t be wrecked in order to give a bit of convenience to a small minority who already have a sweet deal going.

Even the promise of surrounding the new building with greenery isn’t enough. If ordinary, average students can interrupt their busy lives to walk across campus, honors students can walk a couple more feet to the library.

Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Kate Kompas,Greg Jerrett, Heidi Jolivette, Justin Kendall and Tara Payne.