When talk of building an underground space to house Alderman Library's Special Collections began last spring, the largest obstacle for the project to overcome was how to raise the $26 million needed to replace 70-year-old Miller Hall, which houses the Admissions Office, with the library of the future. Out with the old, in with the new, right? Well, it's not quite what we anticipated. While everyone was busy daydreaming about the possiblity of never again having to walk outside to get from Clemons to Alderman, no one considered the logistics of yet another central grounds renovation. And not just any old renovation either: an underground library that would cause the hallowed Admissions Office to be displaced, which would in turn displace others.

While the university has not made any official statement on the matter, rumor has it that when renovations begin, the office will move next door into Peabody Hall. In addition to catering to the university's tens of thousands of customers, I mean visitors, by keeping it in close proximity to the parking garage, bookstore, and Rotunda, moving Admissions from Miller Hall will also force the student organizations currently located in Peabody into new -- and as yet undetermined -- spaces. This move will affect a significant number of student organizations: the Consortium of University Publications, home of many student publications including yours truly, the Black Fraternal, Inter-Sorority, and Inter-Fraternity Councils, the Virginia Film and Media Society, Corks and Curls, WTJU-FM, and Student Legal Services, just to name a few.

Having only regained a homeland fairly recently after the diaspora caused by Newcomb Hall renovations a few years ago, many of these organizations look warily upon the proposed move. And why shouldn't they when there has been no discussion of where groups will be relocated or for how long. In fact, any discussion that has taken place must have been behind closed doors or in a game of Telephone because no one seems to have any idea what's going on -- least of all the student organizations. For all we know, the Dec, WTJU, and Blue Ridge Mountain Rescue could be coming to you from Qatar next year. But hey, at least Admissions will keep the tours on schedule for all of the prospective students.

-- KTG