When funding for the coffeehouse was pulled by the administration early this week, a semester's worth of work on the project was seemingly left for naught. However, in an admirable display of commitment and resolve, SG was able to reverse the decision in just over 24 hours through an effective series of appeals to the university decision-makers.

Student Government is certainly deserving of a great deal of praise for not giving up on the project when times got tough. For the past several months the administration has been responding favorably to the initiative, and SG made sure to hold it to its word by not taking a sudden 'no' for an answer.

This most recent victory, coupled with its noticeably hard work throughout the semester to gain student input and push the coffeehouse proposal through the various levels of university hierarchy, should establish this SG administration as a particularly proactive and effective one. Indeed, the current executive board should serve as a model for what future SG bodies should strive to become.

Not only did Student Government salvage the coffeehouse project, but they did so without sacrificing their core proposal. The executive board understood that compromising elements of the plan that the student body articulated as essential for creating a desirable environment could very well amount to a kiss of death for the success of the initiative, and was wise to stand its ground. We see a perfect example of the lackluster success of a compromised hangout venue in Shorty's. The sports bar/coffeehouse/study area/restaurant format has resulted in a clash of identities for Shorty's, and its popularity with students has suffered as a result. Student Government foresaw the dangers of setting out down a similar path.

Also quite worthy of mention is Ken Zick, Vice President of Student Life and Instructional Resources, who has remained a valuable ally of Student Government throughout the long process of gaining approval for the coffeehouse. As much as students should be and in fact are able to accomplish of their own accord, the importance of an administrator advocating student interests cannot be underestimated. It is, of course, only by way of student, faculty and administrative cooperation that such large-scale, worthwhile projects can become a reality.

However, several potential roadblocks still stand in the way of the full realization of the initiative. Only a portion of the necessary funding for the project has been appropriated for the time being, leaving SG with the task of phasing in development of the coffeehouse as it waits for additional monies promised in next year's budget. Unfortunately, current seniors, including those in the ranks of SG who had worked so hard to witness the doors of the coffeehouse open before their class's graduation, are now unlikely to see the project completed during their tenure as students.

For a moment, the university administration seemed to have lost sight of the clear mandate for the coffeehouse that had been expressed by students on campus. As implementation of the project will now be extended over a period of time considerably longer than that initially proposed and will cross over into a new SG administration, we will all need to maintain a clear focus and sense of direction with regard to the plan that will not allow it to again be put it in jeopardy of getting watered down or even swept under the table.

The concept behind the coffeehouse remains a solid one. The sheer volume of university students that can be found at Borders or Barnes and Noble on any given weeknight studying and sipping coffee sends a clear signal that a location with a similar atmosphere on campus would be well-received. Indeed, students expressed overwhelming support for the project in the study of student life conducted by The Planning Edge, and such a resounding cry should not go unnoticed by the administration. Students are the primary customers of the university; their concerns should be treated with the utmost attention and, within the realm of reason and feasibility, be awarded priority over those of ARAMARK or other third parties.

Particularly in an academic year in which the university has named improving student life as a main priority, the administration should welcome with open arms such a well-thought-out and researched proposal for improving the appeal of campus. Student Government has gone above and beyond the call of duty to see that the initiative is given a chance to succeed, and the administration needs to do its part in striving to achieve that same goal.