First-years adjust to the closing of the Commons

The new centerpiece of the University of South Dakota, the expanded Muenster University Center has left students’ mouths drooling through the first few weeks of the 2014 spring semester, and it’s not just the well-crafted burritos of Qdoba or the bomb chicken of Chick-fil-A. It’s also the numerous televisions along the walls, the views through the MUC’s large windows and the centered student experience where students are thriving.

But the beautiful addition to our university has, sadly, cut ties to an area once close to our hearts. The North Complex Commons.

For students living the first-year/North Complex life, it’s been different adapting to the MUC. Seems like the days have passed where students could rush down in their pajama pants, shorts or slippers to The Commons area for a meal in January.

More often now, trips to dinner require students to actually dress themselves (or put a coat on, at least) and make a block-long walk. The struggle has become real.

What was once routine and almost ritualistic trips for first-year students is now just pages in the history of USD. The space and the memories of the North Complex Commons will soon be swept away, and a small hold in our hearts may never fill.

So, the next chapter in the history of USD is set to begin. What will happen to The Commons?

If you ask Johnny “Fratastic” Johnson from first floor, Richardson, you’ll hear about this really cool dance hall and activities room in the hallowed Commons.

Meanwhile, Susan “That Honors Student” Misschool from somewhere in Beede is super excited for the new Modern Basket Weaving museum exhibit coming to the first-year dorms.

Those aren’t real students, obviously. But the ideas for the empty Commons space have been swirling from every populous of students. Sooner or later, I feel I’m going to hear about the new animal shelter set to open next semester in North Complex.

I don’t possess any insider information, but I was lucky enough to have a lunch with Provost Chuck Staben last November. He was as interested in the future of The Commons as much as the hungry freshmen around the lunch table.

His take was vague as expected. Maybe a study space, maybe an organization room, maybe another food option is in order. But he made it sound like more study space is a top option.

“We’ve found that students like to study privately in a public setting,” Staben said. He also mentioned the convenience of the area for cold nights North Complex residents don’t want to make the trek to the MUC and library.

It’s really starting to becoming the Curious Case of The Commons. Whatever happens, happens. Our sweet, gentle cafeteria will slowly fade from our lives while we move on to bigger and better days filled with more variety.

Gone are the days of waiting 20 minutes for a refill of the chocolate milk… Okay, that might still be a thing.

Follow Nathan Ellenbecker on Twitter at twitter.com/NJE13