Back in my day

When I started at the U of M, I knew that I wanted to write. Six years later I’m typing the first in a column series as the editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper - your campus newspaper. Yes, The Daily Helmsman is here to serve the campus community, and I can think of no better way to start doing that than by sharing what I’ve seen change since 2012.  It’s been a wild ride. Here’s what things were like back in my day.

Back in my day,  we were “dreamers,†“thinkers†and “doers,†according to the U of M’s marketing slogan. Now we’re “driven by doing.†What is that? Did we stop dreaming and thinking? Is “driven†supposed to reflect that around 90 percent of our student populous are commuters (students who drive to class)? The point is I never stopped dreaming or thinking and you shouldn’t either. How are we “driven by doing?†Honestly, I’m more driven by making fun of dumb slogans.  

Back in my day, in the University Center (UC), they played jazz through the speakers — straight from WUMR The Jazz Lover U92-FM. It made me feel classy. Now whoever is DJing the UC picks whatever top-40 Drake or T-Swift tune is popular. Bring back the jazz, man!  

Speaking of the UC ... back in my day, the UC had a Burger King. I miss that Burger King. Picture this: you could get a Doritos Taco Loco with Burger King fries if you wanted to, or get pizza and Burger King fries if you wanted to (trust me on this). The point is Burger King fries are amazing and, I’m gonna go there, Chick-fil-A is overrated. Consequently, the line is always too long. 

 

Back in my day, this fancy schmancy “Tapingo†app did not exist, so there was no way you could order food in advance and pick it up no matter how long the line is. I highly suggest students check this out to beat the imminent lunch rush that will particularly plague the first quarter of your semester. 

 

Back in my day, a local rap duo named “The Sidewayz†often dominated campus sidewalks with their flyers and advertisements for shows. The two also frequently performed at Oasis on Highland. In the past few years, other U of M-area rappers like Rudy Rhymer and a slew of artists from the Unapologetic label have gained notoriety, even performing at campus events and festivals. Memphis is full of creatives, and it’s always nice to know the U of M is still an active hub for them.  

Speaking of hip-hop — back in my day, this up-and-coming rapper Childish Gambino had a bright music-making future ahead of him. Now he randomly drops 70’s funk tribute records with no rapping on them, although they are pretty good, and announces his next album will be his last. Then he changes 

his mind. What’s with that? Side note: I wouldn’t mind if the DJ in the UC put on some classic Gambino.

Back in my day, I frequently had to park in Spottswood apartments’ lots and get yelled at by old men with heavy southern accent before walking to class. Now the U of M has cleared out a few tennis courts that I guess no one was using, and you should pretty much always be able to find a spot in the back of the Southern lot. 

So while you may feel the strong urge to complain about parking, this is one area the U of M has greatly improved. It will never be perfect, but it’s a lot better than it used to be. Besides, walking is good for you.

 

Back in my day, we had this thing called the TIGUrS garden. I’m proud to say we still have it. If it’s ever turned into a parking lot, I’ll shake my head even harder than when they closed the UC Burger King.  

 

Back in my day, P.O.D was a late-90s Nu Metal band. 

Now this acronym represents “Provisions on Demand†and describes itself as a “one-stop kiosk, featuring grab & go salads, sandwiches and snacks, beverages and more!†I still can’t walk past those things without hearing “Youth of the Nation†in my head. But who doesn’t love Nu Metal?    

 

Back in my day, a beautiful portrait of Jimi Hendrix was visible as you turned from Southern to Highland. Whatever’s was the place to purchase uh … tobacco smoking … products. It still is, but now it’s on the other side of Highland, and the building in the old space is McDonald’s. Now I’m not saying someone should spray Jimi Hendrix graffiti on that McDonald’s, but it sure would make for an interesting front page. Just sayin’.

 

Back in my day, the U of M was completing projects they planned and proudly opening up Centennial Place. Now, we’re delaying plans for an expensive rec center that I’ll never get to use. To get specific, in 2014, the Tennessee Board of Regents voted to increase student fees by $307 per year to build the new center and a pedestrian bridge. Construction on the new center was set to begin last semester, but as our president M. David Rudd explained, a convergence of things did cause a delay in the plans for the center. 

So please enjoy this rec center when it does get built, new students. Consider it us old students’ gift to you. Did I tell you we were serving the campus community here or what?

 

Back in my day, the president of the United States didn’t egg on foreign powers like a schoolyard bully and knew how, from the get go, to condemn the forces of evil that threaten America at home. But hey, that’s a whole different article. I’m sure we’ll talk more about that later. 

 

Back in my day, the staff at the The Daily Helmsman informed, persuaded and entertained the U of M campus to the best of their ability. I’m proud to say that we’re going to continue doing just that. If any changes to campus or the outside world make you feel some type of way, feel free to write up 500 words or so and email it to news@dailyhelmsman.com or my personal email agcarrington94@gmail.com. It’s your campus. Let us be your voice.