When in a group, some people complain and criticize to no end when they feel they’ve been slighted. But when those same individuals are presented with an opportunity to benefit by airing their grievances, many will succomb to the insecurity of individuality and pass up the golden opportunity.

Last spring, the campus was in an uproar when the university administration removed the Pow Wow Room from the Student Center and replaced it with a Roy Rogers Cafeteria. At the time, it seemed the university was acting with total disregard for student input. They had it set in their minds that they were going to contract the space out, regardless of student opinion.

And it was this “I don’t care” attitude expressed by the university that formed the basis of almost every conversation between students at the time. Most students said they couldn’t believe the university was acting so hastily, and most agreed they wanted to keep the Pow Wow the way it was.

Now, nearly a year later, the university has been proven wrong in deciding to go the Roy Rogers route. Marriott Corporation, owner of the Roy Rogers chain, is pulling out and the university has no choice but to sue for breach of contract.

The good news is we are probably rid of Roy Rogers and the subpar sevice and menu and high prices that accompanied the restaurant’s arrival.

The bad news is there is a chance the university could end up contracting the space out to another group like Marriott.

That’s where the students come in. The administration this time around has indicated it will listen to student input. On Monday, an open forum was held where students could take a stance and have a say about the future of the Pow Wow/Roy Rogers situation.

Sadly, though, student turnout at the the forum was low. And worse, most of those who chose to attend also chose not to voice their opinions. Fortunately, a survey also was distributed to the gathering and about 100 of those were returned.

But despite the survey—which probably will prove that students want the Pow Wow returned—the message delivered to the administration cannot possibly be as loud as it would have been had the students vocalized their feelings.

If an individual feels as strongly about an issue as most students appear to feel about Roy Rogers, he must speak his mind. Otherwise he’ll more than likely end up just another unhappy face in the crowd.