Editor,
We would like to clarify some statements made in Jeremy Jaramillo's letter in Wednesday's Daily Lobo.
RHA and the entire residence hall community recognize the need for Agora Crisis Center as a student support center, and we respect the work that they do. While doing so, we, as residents, also feel we need to express some of our concerns. ˇ
The space they are looking to house Agora in is being used as a business and recreational space for the residents of Alvarado. If Agora were to move to Alvarado's basement, the area would no longer serve its purpose as a community association's meeting place and as a location for events held by resident advisors for residents. It is not just a space for residents to hang out and study but a vital part of our home and community.ˇ
An increase in access to Alvarado is a security concern, as currently, the only people entering and exiting the building are residents, student security and housekeeping.ˇEven the occasional visitors to Agora's clinic hours would increase traffic, and while they would have exclusive access via the loading dock behind the building, there would be an increase in people entering by the wrong doors, thus contributing to security issues.ˇ
As for the retention and increase of number of residents living in Alvarado, the loss of a communal space that is included in the cost of living will greatly affect the decision of upperclassmen and incoming freshmen when selecting a residence hall in the fall. We feel that by allowing other University entities to encroach upon our space, we would jeopardize the community that we are trying to build here.ˇ
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We feel that to use the tragic events of Virginia Tech as means by which to strengthen an argument is callous and in poor taste. It is nothing but an attempt to turn the issue from student concerns of security, noise and space allocation to a terrifying event that housing Agora in the residence halls would not prevent. ˇ
We represent the voice of over 2,000 residents here on campus. The administration has tried to silence our voices by neglecting to inform us and seek our opinion, and only when proposed renovations were denied were we made aware of the issue.ˇ
Will they ignore our concerns? And if so, once one basement goes, what is next? The rest of Hokona? The Coronado Underground?
We have to ask ourselves, are we willing to ignore the needs of our community for what a few administrators feel is right?ˇ
Kenneth Turner and other members of the Executive Board, Residence Hall Association
