Please, please, please don’t let the cafeteria take over the Underground next semester.With Subway on its way out this semester, Guilford has an opportunity to redefine what the Underground in Founders means to its students. I support the grass-roots campaign among the community for a student co-op coffee shop.

Imagine decent coffee at affordable prices, on-campus student employment opportunities, and Guilford having a place where people actually hang out, socialize, listen to music, or study over a good cup of joe.

But at this point, the Underground will most likely will be taken over by Sodexho, the company that runs the cafeteria, in large part due to the administration’s financial interest in expanding its partnership with the corporation. The best thing about Subway has always been that it is not Sodexho.

Senior Matt Lewis said, “[The cafeteria’s food] reminds me of the food in a homeless shelter. No offense to homeless people, but it really does. It’s f***ing disgusting. It makes me sick. It flat out sucks.”

We’ll get that same quality food in the Underground if Sodexho starts the sandwich shop it intends to.

Thomas Liles, cafeteria production manager, said, “The menu’s going to be different, but the food’s not going to be better than the cafeteria’s.”

The time for Guilford students to demand and create the campus we want is right now. Sodexho and Guilford have not yet reached an agreement about the Underground. If we organize and act, a coffee shop for students, by students, can happen next semester.

Whatever winds up in the Underground next semester will make money. If it was a coffee shop, what are the chances that you will fork over for a cup of coffee there most every morning? Why give that cash to Sodexho? We can buy our own coffee shop.

It wouldn’t be hard to sell 500 shares to students and community members at $10 each. Five Gs is more than enough to get things started. And don’t forget about Student Senate, Student Union, and Hall Council resources. We have a huge workforce and an underestimated influence in our college’s operation. Don’t listen to what administrators say about a student co-op being financially unfeasible.

We don’t need Sodexho to have a sandwich shop. Don’t let administration decide what your Underground will be. Lets come together and create something that will make our college a better place.

They can only take our Underground away if we let them.