A sudden end to a growth spurt

For the better part of the last eight years, Gonzaga has seen a tremendous expansion, most notably the multiple additions of building projects across campus. Gonzaga was booming, growing, and each new addition brought enough success to cause even more plans for further expansion.

But in the midst of a poor economy, any future plans must continue be postponed, or else they could go awry.

As recently as last summer, things were looking up, and plans were being pushed ahead full steam. A new student center would eventually replace both Crosby and the COG. A parking structure would add 600 additional parking spaces. A performing arts center would help develop the west side of campus. The new soccer complex had three more phases of developments planned. And more housing would be added with the Cincinatti residence hall. These projects had the support, and all that was needed was time.

Only the residence hall has proceeded, and with good reason.

But with the economy on the skids, the University must take steps to ensure that Gonzaga is not significantly harmed by the financial crisis, and that has been done by shelving these projects for the time being. It may not be a popular decision, especially with the excitement that these projects were bringing, but the safe thing to do is make sure that the school has a secure financial footing before throwing money around for more new buildings.

The postponement of these projects will no doubt be a disappointment to a school that has grown so rapidly in the last eight years, but it should not be viewed as a setback, considering everything that Gonzaga has added in the past decade.

The law school was built in 2000. Gonzaga's basketball, baseball and soccer teams received new homes with the McCarthey Athletic Center, the Patterson Baseball Complex, and Gonzaga Soccer Field, respectively. They built and rebuilt the Kennedy Apartments. The Hughes Center, the PACCAR Center, turf on Mulligan Field, Johnston Mall walkway, reflecting pool, the list goes on. According to The Spokesman-Review, since the law school opened in 2000, Gonzaga has planned or completed 28 projects worth more than $185 million.

Many of these additions have helped Gonzaga immensely. Others have simply been luxuries. In a current climate where every dollar counts, there isn't much room to indulge in luxuries anymore. If money must be allocated to an area that desperately needs funding in order to help the University, then by all means, that must be done. But new student centers or parking structures aren't a realistic priority anymore. Gonzaga has recognized this, and is taking the right precautionary measures.

Gonzaga has grown more in eight years than many schools have done in 20. The expansion doesn't need to continue immediately - it's OK to rest on your laurels for now while planning for Gonzaga's future when the economy improves. A new student center can still come in the future, but it's still a luxury that can wait until Gonzaga can be sure of its financial impact.

Gonzaga is doing the right thing by waiting on its plans for the student center, and must continue to do the same thing in regard to the other massive building projects that had previously been planned. They've done more than enough for the last eight years, and now is the time to play it safe.