Okay, it’s that time of the year again. It is officially the holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or another holiday, it doesn’t really matter because you have to suffer through them regardless. Don’t get me wrong, I personally love the holidays ? I just can’t handle everything that comes with them.
For example, if you aren’t a hermit and don’t live in a vacuum, you have most likely seen countless ads from every store imaginable (the Home Depot as a Christmas headquarters — I mean really, how many sets of screwdrivers can one family use).
Well, in keeping with the holiday season, I have created a wish list for the UW and Madison community. Maybe some of my wishes are unrealistic given the current campus climate political atmosphere and geographical location, but hey, I still believe in Santa Claus. So here it goes.
1. More decent affordable housing near campus. Rather than being relegated to dumps or being crowded in with half a dozen other people, it would be nice if we actually had some options of humane living conditions at a reasonable price. If you want quality housing around Madison, you have to pay the price, and it is considerable.
2. Warmer weather in winter. Anyone who has walked down Bascom hill in winter knows it’s a death trap, and I frankly don’t know how many more falls courtesy of the ice on University Avenue my ego (and tush) can handle.
3. Fewer drunk drivers. Yes, here in Wisconsin we enjoy our beer, but does that mean we have to drive at the same time? I think it is common sense not to drink and drive, but maybe I’m wrong.
4. More advisors at UW who are better informed about student issues. Perhaps if advising were better at this campus, we’d have fewer seniors on the “five-year plan.”
5. A cheap, quality grocery store within walking distance, because I can only live on Ramen noodles for so long.
6. For all buildings on the campus to be as nice as Grainger or Engineering. Entering those buildings is like entering a whole new world of learning in comfort and style.
7. Wider-spread acceptance of the Greek system and less ill-informed stereotyping. The Greek system does a lot for the community, but a lot of people are too busy criticizing it to realize it.
8. Real entertainment options within Madison that involve activities other than the consumption of alcohol.
9. A winning football team. Enough said.
10. Drunk alumni who leave the bars on game days at a reasonable time. Yes, I understand they have an overflowing amount of Badger pride, and they want to share it with all of us, but do they really have to crowd the bars so late into the evening? How many “friendly” 45-year-old guys can one gal take?
11. Real solutions to the demises of State Street and Peace Park. State Street is one of Madison’s greatest attractions, and we are letting it slowly crumble away.
12. Shorter lines at the bars.
13. A student government that cares less about personal agendas and more about students.
14. An administration that actually does something to increase diversity instead of just paying it lip service.
15. Fewer pyromaniacs/arsonists. Having the fire department respond to fires in front of your house three times within one month seems a bit excessive.
16. Better ventilation at the S.E.R.F. I understand people get hot and smelly when they work out, but does the building really need to hold all of it in?
17. More computers at campus libraries. Around about the end of the semester, available computers become pretty scarce, and I’m afraid people might start throwing elbows.
18. A less apathetic student body when it comes to knowledge of seg fees and other important campus issues.
19. Quicker service at Starbucks. I’m a grumpy person in the morning without my coffee, and sometimes one minute seems like just too long to wait.
20. A smaller campus. I don’t know how this can possibly be achieved, but let me tell you, walking across campus for forty minutes in the dead of winter in high heels and a short skirt (or even in a parka and a wool hat) is not what I consider fun.
Sara Machi ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in English and journalism, and she wishes everyone a happy holiday season.