Of the students, by the students and for the students.

That’s what the Memorial Union is now, but the university may take that status away from students in order to fund some much needed renovations.

Although the MU generates enough money to be self-sustaining, it cannot borrow money to make the renovations because it’s too close to meeting its $6 million debt limit.

Thomas Hill, vice president for Student Affairs, who is one of 17 voting members on the MU Board of Directors, said the MU needs more direct financial support from the university.

The MU and ISU already are connected. Two of the board’s members, Hill and Warren Madden, vice president for Business and Finance (who also is the board’s treasurer), are ISU administrators.

But apparently that relationship isn’t close enough to justify the university’s lending or giving money to renovate the building.

Currently the MU receives money from student fees to subsidize programming and to allow students to use MU rooms for free. ISU pays for utilities in return for free use of space by faculty and staff.

Ryan Sievers, president of the MU Board of Directors, said a change in the relationship between the MU and ISU won’t affect the way the MU operates or serves students.

But university control will affect the building’s operation. For example, the MU would lose its liquor license and couldn’t use off-campus catering services.

Also, if the MU’s bylaws were rewritten, the Student Union Board, which puts on student programming in the MU, could be eliminated.

And, most importantly, university control would destroy the legacy of the Union that generations of students have left for each other for more than 70 years and should continue to leave for generations to come.

Since its opening in 1928 as a memorial to those who served in World War I, the MU has been the meeting place and headquarters for most student organizations and functions.

Now, instead of simply helping the Union out with renovations, the administration thinks it must take control to make sure it gets what it pays for — a guarantee that its money is used only the way the university wants.

The administration is trying to run ISU like a business.

And if the university is going to be run as a business with the students as customers, then students have the right to demand certain services.

If students are treated like customers, then let the customers decide what’s right.

Put it to campus referendum and find out how the students want the Union run, either for themselves or for the administration.

The MU Board of Directors should find another way to obtain money for renovations, such as fund raising efforts and gifts.

If an alumnus could give $80 million to research plants, there must be one out there willing to give a few million to the one building on campus that truly is for the students — then, now and in the future.

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Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Sara Ziegler, Greg Jerrett, Kate Kompas and Carrie Tett.