Over the last two years, Guilford’s administration has taken it upon themselves to change campus life entirely. With the renovations of both Milner and Binford also came the destruction of Theme Houses, the implementation of a new protest policy and the abolishment of beloved coffee co-op and resident chill space, the Greenleaf.

For seniors and juniors, it’s apparent that a devastating blow has been dealt to our standing as a student community. What used to be a veritable rainbow of community hubs, like the neighborhood-esque burrows of housing all across campus, is now an arguably barren and plain campus life. You might remember packed and lively events at Cobb or the live-music and open-mic nights held by the Pines. These two venues offered wonderful experiences and memories that new classes will never come together to enjoy.

This convivial atmosphere thrived in the late Greenleaf Coffee Co-op. The Greenleaf was a beloved source of culture and communion under the banner of free trade that many Guilford students did, and surely still do, sympathize with. The new coffee house, Rachel’s, has effectively pushed the Greenleaf out of any possible existence on this campus, and likewise any student involvement in yet another community platform. And with Rachel’s also came the destruction of the Hut, a warm, quiet and safe space open all hours of the day to students.

In the wake of this vibrant community’s passing, the administration has also taken measures to implement a protest policy that is contradictory to the very premise of protesting. An upcoming implementation of CCTV serves as an ironic reminder of a college that once boasted about its surveillance-less campus.

What are these changes meant to say about the future of our school? And why was the student voice not taken into account with these changes, when our  supposed Quaker values demand a consensus? It would seem Guilford College has grown weary of its once strong community-oriented and welcoming values that drew so many of us here.

In its advocacy for social justice, The Guilfordian recognizes that the level of student involvement has dropped with these changes. We are committed to remaining a steadfast voice for the students of this campus, and will continue holding the administration accountable for the blows dealt to the student community.

Physically, more and more spaces are being taken from us. Perhaps it’s a cold comfort, but The Guilfordian still strives to be a publication where student organization and radical community mean something.

Reflecting Guilford College’s core Quaker values, the topics and content of Staff Editorials are chosen through consensus of all editors and one faculty adviser of The Guilfordian’s Editorial Board.