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Sam's Place worth saving

To the editor,

I would like to take a moment to rebut about a letter printed in yesterday's Arizona Daily Wildcat ("Sam's Place a waste of power"). I would like to address the fact that Ms. Barbara Kausen has really shown how much she does not know of all the resources that the campus has to offer. Overall, it is a good thing that the Student Union is getting a complete renovation (it desperately needs it), but singling out one particular aspect of change that seems to be a "waste," does nothing more than add hostility to an experience that means to be beneficial.

What I am referring to is Ms B.K.'s apparent lack of understanding of the entertainment possibilities that are on the UA campus. It is true that Gallagher has departed for the time being due to construction, but that was not the only form of entertainment that the SU had to offer. In the basement, just under the Gallagher, was a place called Sam's Place.

This room is now on the first floor (where it should be), a pool hall that students and other billiards players could go to, to break a few racks and waste time with friends who have the same skill level. Music plays, people laugh, friendships are made (sometimes broke up over an argument of a bad shot, but I digress), people fall in love (myself included) with other people and with a game that is a tradition the world over. Over the years, entertainment forms have advanced and evolved into faster paced and more involving games that can be profited from. And the University has given means to provide a spot to hang out, other than the local dorm table, so that social interaction can take place in a safer environment than out among the many bars and more expensive pool halls within Tucson.

I think that it is very petty of Ms B.K. to call attention to details of something that is a benefit to all who come in contact with it. I would like to ask Ms B.K. to do two things: One, your energy of change, honorable by default, needs to be refocused on bigger concerns, including underage drinking or peer counseling, and Two, once and a while take a break from your responsibilities and ask a couple of your friends to show you how to play pool. You will find that sometimes playing away your troubles is better than worrying about them.

Andrew R. Reimisch

Studio Arts Photography Senior