On All Hallows’ Eve, many believe that the souls of those who have passed on can once again return to Earth–or at least that’s what Allison in “Hocus Pocus” said. Nowadays, Halloween has become, “a night of frolic, where children wear costumes and run amok,” said the infamous Winifred Sanderson. To keep in touch with the holiday’s supposed roots, The Shield looked back at some amenities the USI campus once offered and asked students what they missed about these, according to some, beloved features before they so tragically met an untimely demise.
Smoking on campus
The right to take a long drag of a hot fag while traipsing to one’s next class passed away not so peacefully in Fall 2010.
After years of debate over smoker/non smoker rights and concerns about second hand smoke, the university introduced a law that bans smoking on campus to many students’ dismay and many students’ relief.
Junior RTV major Grace Whaley said she misses not getting yelled at for standing outside and smoking a cigarette in between classes.
“I miss when people wouldn’t give you dirty looks,” she said.
Surviving are the various out-of-sight corners throughout campus in which students hide, E-cigarettes and the Orr Center’s faculty balcony.
“I think smoking cigarettes improves your productivity. Instead of obsessing over a cigarette you can just get on with your day,” Whaley said. “It’s definitely a stress reliever.”
In lieu of flowers, mourners are asked to inhale microscopic amounts of noxious gases into their lungs to mimic the cancerous effects in honor of the addictive habit.
Smoothie machine
The fruit-tastic smoothie machine moved on to a better life leaving many USI students to mourn its sugary sweet secretions.
Although signs of its passing were apparent since it had failed to work properly—or at all—for months prior, the loss was still all too sudden for Junior RTV major Kamerin Greer.
“I remember saying, ‘I bet the smoothie machine is still going to be here not working today’,” he said.
Every week Greer said he would return and hope it would dispense delightful smoothie goodness again, but it never did.
“And then it was just gone one day and I was like, ‘Dang’,” he said.
Surviving is the over-priced Red Mango location in the Wright Administration Building, blenders and the ability to eat fruit whole.
A candlelight vigil will be held in honor of the contraption. Guests are asked to bring their favorite fruit to be placed in a large barrel and blended with copious amounts of high fructose corn syrup.
24/7 campus initiative
The Board of Trustees passed a six point strategic plan in the summer of 2010, but sadly, one of those points met an early end.
The initiative to create a 24/7 campus seemed to fall by the wayside as attempts to extend Library and restaurant hours crumbled due to lack of attendance from campus residence, possibly due to lack of knowledge that the changes had even happened.
“When you are in the dorms (you) can only have a microwave,” said freshman special education major Tori Porter. “On weekends you really get burnt out on the Loft, so it would be nice for food places to be open longer.”
Porter said that although the library is open until 2 a.m., thanks to the initiative there is no late-night bus service, so she is scared to walk back to her dorm in the dark.
Surviving are the remaining five points of the USI strategic plan, various 24-hour restaurants throughout Evansville and grocery shopping ahead of time.
“I don’t ever have time to work out but I need to so I would totally love a 24-hour gym,” Porter said.
In memorial of the initiative, for one week in November, teachers are asked to cancel all assignments so to allow students a way to go to bed at a decent hour.
Free refills
It has been one year since the beloved ability to refill one’s drink for free on USI’s campus was slain by Sodexo.
In an attempt to save the university and students money, electronic chips were placed beneath fountain cups in order to regulate student quenching habits.
Senior health services and respiratory therapy major Kayla Marie became enraged when she heard about this terrible crime.
Marie said she couldn’t understand why someone would murder such a wonderful amenity.
“I guess they want us to be thirsty,” she said.
Surviving is the choice of the ever replenish-able water cups and the occasional mishap of vending machines that dispense two sodas at once.
“I just bring my own from home now or go to McDonalds,” she said. “It’s cheap there.”
In lieu of flowers, mourners are asked to donate to the Refill Addicts Anonymous recovery program.
RFWC Simply to Go
A Simply to Go once resided in the RFWC and served as a convenient spot for quick snacks.
The demise of the handy food stop still tugs at the heartstrings of hungry passersby by.
Kassandra Cornette, a junior Health Services major was surprised when she heard of the Simply to Go’s death and misses the variety of food options it provided her with..
“It was super convenient and had a little bit of everything,” she said. “Maybe I’m just lazy, but the Simply to Go being right there in the (RFWC) was perfect.”
Surviving are the Simply to Go locations on the first floor of the Liberal Arts Building and The Link between the Science Center and the Health Professions building.
“There was an old lady who worked there that would convince me to buy random things while I was there,” Cornette said. “I’d go there for a gatorade and come out with random candies and allergy meds.”
