A new school year always brings changes. 

Whether that’s new food options in the HUB, renovated buildings or a new reception area in the residence halls, returning students are experiencing the changes that have taken place over the summer.

And while these are typically met with either mild approval or complete disinterest, there’s one alteration to the Student Center that seems to be drawing a more pronounced reaction, at least from my perspective: What happened to our beloved bulletin cylinder?

For as long as I’ve been here (which is not an insubstantial amount of time, I can assure you), those traveling between the HUB and the Student Center have been greeted by our cylindrical friend, colorfully adorned with posters and leaflets.

Groups from all around campus would post advertisements there, hoping to draw in new members.

Indeed, such flyers got me to join student organizations my freshman year, where I would go on to meet some of my best friends.

So to see something that I once considered a staple of campus life taken away unceremoniously was honestly a little shocking. 

And it begs a few questions.

For one, why was it taken away? It’s not like we’re hurting for space around there, especially with the new book store lounge they’ve set up.

Was it because of some poorly thought-out plan to ease the flow of student traffic? Even then, it was never much of an obstacle for those passing by, certainly not to the point where it had to go.

And where are organizations supposed to post their flyers now? With the cylinder removed, there’s no real central place where everyone is likely to see them anymore.

I suppose you could head to each building on campus separately, as they usually have some sort of bulletin board near their main entrance. But that is both time and resource intensive, and they lack the gravitas possessed by our former friend at the Student Center.

This removal, however insignificant a decision it may have seemed to those in charge, proves itself to be much more important than many would guess.

It has taken a central pillar of communication away from the Kent State community, the pieces of which are left to be fought over by the remaining designated posting areas scattered about campus. 

Perhaps I’m being a bit overdramatic about the whole situation; I’ll admit, I’m prone to overexaggerating.

This change reflects a genuine loss to the college experience at Kent State. When I think about all the memories and experiences I wouldn’t have had were it not for some flyers, I’m honestly shocked by how much of my life was shaped by those pinned leaflets of paper.

I can only pray that this removal doesn’t mean that our incoming freshmen will miss those same opportunities.ull

Matthew Olienechak is a columnist. Contact him at [email protected].