An Open Letter to the Main Library Facilities Management

Hey guys, Let me start out by saying that I know y’all have a tough job. I get it, homies. Main Library is a large, confusing building and also one of the ugliest things ever conceived by the human mind. And, as far as I can tell, the facilities management staff has zero employees. So I understand that you have kind of a tall mountain to climb in your quest to, you know, do your job. But Jesus CHRIST guys. I don’t know that I’ve been witness to so much rampant incompetence and obvious lack of hustle since I saw JerShon Cobb wearing a “Lazy but Talented” shirt in Plex dining hall[1]. And I think maybe we need to talk about it. You know, part of me originally suspected that perhaps you do what you do (or rather I guess don’t do the things you don’t do) in some incredible plot to actually allow the library to fall into such structural decay that the University is forced to burn the damn thing down and build a new one. And let me tell you, if that was actually your plan, I think EVERYONE would be very supportive of that. Very supportive. That would be some north campus-south campus-uniting shit right there. Even Patricia Telles-Irvin would smoke an ounce to that[2]. But then you went ahead and turned Reference to some weird, frankenstein-monster creation of acoustics and tiny, awkward desks that apparently only serves the purpose of giving football players a place to be loud/pretend like anyone gives a shit about seeing them on campus. And you spent a LOT of money on that shit. So I’m beginning to think you’re just out to fuck with us. And if that’s truly the goal, then allow me to apologize for/rescind the earlier statement accusing you of incompetence. Because goddamn, you’re doing a bang-up job of pissing everyone off. Admittedly, I have yet to specify my actual complaints regarding the services you (allegedly) provide, but fortunately I compiled a list of incidents that I’ve noticed over the past quarter. 1) First week of September: Escalator working in normal condition expected of escalators. 2) October 7th: Escalator breaks 3) October 8th: Unable to get wifi in core. Relocate to lakefill. 4) October 10th: Giant pool of water flowing out of men’s bathroom on 2nd floor 5) October 10th: Facilities management notified of broken escalator 6) October 19th: With midterms approaching, unable to locate electrical outlet anywhere outside core 7) October 19th: Unable to get wifi in core 8) November 1st: Escalator still broken. Entrance to escalator blocked off by library cafe sign to prevent anyone from the potentially life-threatening act of using escalator as stairs 9) November 8th: Giant pool of water flowing out of men’s bathroom on 4th floor 10) November 12th: Ten minutes of functioning wifi achieved in core 11) November 13th: Unable to get wifi in core 12) November 20th: Spent 20 minutes attempting to get Wildcard scanned at front entrance. Looked stupid in front of everyone 13) November 25th: Giant pools of water flowing out of both bathrooms on 3rd floor 14) December 6th: Escalator still broken So, you know, there’s room for improvement there. And just be aware that we’re ALL rooting for you to succeed. If there’s any way we can help, maybe it’s by just listing the things that are most important to students, or perhaps just encouraging you to, you know, do your fucking job, just let us know. We’re all full of ideas. Sincerely, The Northwestern Student Body [1] Actually Happened [2] Hi Patricia please don’t kick me off for hazing