I have always been a supporter of change. I have been a foolish rebel plenty of times. I always believed that what I fought for was the right cause. Sadly, I stood idly by in a recent situation.

When the proposal to ban smoking in the Maintenance Shop arose, I thought little of it. I seemed to believe that there were enough supporters to keep the M-Shop the only place to smoke indoors on campus.

Next year when I go to an M-Shop show, it will be an unusual experience. No longer will I need to air out my clothes for three days after the show. The smell of smoke will not permeate the air anymore, bringing a tear to my eye as someone lights up some cloves.

Truth be told, I’m going to miss it. I’m not a smoker myself, but part of the Maintenance Shop atmosphere is that of a smoky dive. I can hardly picture the M-Shop without a certain haze hanging above the stage. The club atmosphere will be somewhat lost. Perhaps bright fluorescent lighting will be installed next.

Was the discussion forum just a technicality? Was it a politically correct move on the part of the Memorial Union, to show how much they care about student opinions? It seems rather ironic that most people who actually cared about the M-Shop and attended the forum opposed the smoking ban, yet it still was passed.

People who support the smoking ban claim that there are numerous other establishments near campus to smoke in. I would love for these people to show me the all ages ones. The Maintenance Shop is one of the only all ages venues in the Ames area. With the newly imposed ban some performers will seek other venues.

Supporters of the ban also seem to believe that the smoking ban, combined with the other proposed changes, will bring in new customers. Sadly the current clientele will be forced elsewhere. Changing people’s preconceptions of the Maintenance Shop will be difficult to do, which means the all-important profit will still be low.

Perhaps this is the plan. A conspiracy to eliminate any enjoyment still available to ISU students. First eliminate the Maintenance Shop, then take out Veishea.

Perhaps I have an overactive imagination.

I have always had a problem with the boundaries administrations establish. In high school, I refused to square dance in gym class and got sent to the office. Luckily, our Dean of Students was a bit dense and never figured out that if I were sent to the office, I must have done something wrong. The teacher threatened to fail me if I didn’t participate in the future. At least I didn’t have to square dance. A small victory — a pretty good feeling for a high school kid.

I have tried to be vocal in my opinions ever since, even if others don’t see things the way I do. A number of times while writing for the Daily, I have gotten responses, both positive and negative, that made me realize that somebody is listening.

Staying silent does not accomplish anything. Let your voice be heard — eventually someone will listen. After some three years, The September 29th Movement is finally getting a chance to voice their concerns. Time will tell if anyone is listening.

I want to thank anyone for listening. Anyone’s voice can be heard, even if no one pays attention to it. The Daily, KURE — these are just a few of the outlets that even a conservative university such as this can offer.

Perhaps next semester something else will be changed, taking away another luxury of the students. Perhaps the administration will implement cameras to watch every move that an ISU student makes.

The truth is out there; I doubt we will ever hear it, though.

Andrew Seitz is a junior in art and design from Dyersville.