A proposal to renovate the first floor of the Alumni Memorial Union was heard at last week's Marquette Student Government weekly meeting. Renovations would include four new meeting rooms for both university and student organizations, expansion of the Brew Bayou, relocation of the commuter lounge and elimination of the Brooks Lounge.

The changes will "permanently solve the campus need for student organization space," said MUSG President Dan Calandriello, who heard the presentation given by Todd Vicker, executive director of the Alumni Memorial Union and auxiliary enterprises, and Tom Ganey, director of facilities planning, design and construction.

While we doubt there is any "permanent" solution to the lack of space on campus, we are glad MUSG – along with the administration – plans to alleviate a problem well documented in these pages this year.

We remain skeptical, though, to the level of commitment between the initiating parties. While no bill has been drawn up regarding its decision on the proposal, MUSG correctly identified student demand and it is now up to the administration to commit the funds necessary to renovate the heavily used area. Whether directly from the university or through a generous benefactor, renovating university facilities is the fiscal responsibility of the university – not the students.

Costs and funding sources for the proposed renovation have yet to be determined. If and when these decisions are made, we hope the responsibility of MUSG be restricted to initiating, planning and giving input.

Still, we have faith the university, working with MUSG, will respond correctly with commitment to a project which will benefit the university as a whole – and not just students who currently use the area.