Coffee shops are important to the community. It may sound trivial, and yes, more important things are happening in the world, but it is about time for this campus to get a signature coffee spot to bring us all together — a taste of a good-day drink. Some may ask, “Don’t we already have a few of those?” No. We only have second-rate versions.
It doesn’t matter if it is part of a coffee shop chain or something local — which would be far more creative and always tastes better —  at this point, anything would be welcomed at the U. Imagine a space where philosophers could debate, med students could recover after their night shifts, architects could spread out a bunch of drawings and everyone could work out tough math homework, all in one cozy, crowded and tasty place.
If anyone is unable to see how good this would be for science, just take a look at the facts. Most great campuses in the U.S. have one good coffee shop that adds to the character of the campus. They are considered a survival necessity for final exams and (overdue) papers. And none of those coffee shops are just coffee shops. They provide good, inexpensive food, really great music and — on occasion — even a place where college bands can perform. Coffee shops host galleries where young artists can exhibit their pieces, outdoor seating in the spring. There’s even a coffee shop in Texas where you can get a haircut.
Not to be confused with their brand name counterparts, good coffee shops are more than a cure for caffeine addicts because they also serve hot chocolate in the winter and frappés in the summer. They cater to a rich diversity of students’ and faculties’ tastes and interests, conversations and activities. We are more likely to hear about diverse disciplines in a few square feet. It is practically a classroom, but with many lectures going on at the same time in the same place.
Apart from having educational significance, it is also a good investment. It adds to the character of the campus, it provides an opportunity for business development, and, if planned well, students can save on food and drinks. Opportunities for advertisement would be available, not to mention the potential for different social events on campus, especially in the middle of winter.
The best part is, it does not require a fancy environment, an expensive design and construction process or tons of time. The students themselves could design it, using diverse knowledge from across the campus to create an affordable, functional and creative environment we all could enjoy.
The U has made and topped so many lists for a variety of amazing goals and achievements, so surely we can do this. The case is made, the campus is large and full of usable spaces, and all our knowledge and creativity is waiting to be involved in this simple task that could be fueling future generations of students.