'Dream Team' takes Student Life to the next level

Student Life works through the summer to brighten the Mattress Factory

Mathew Cobb

Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: Opinion

Standing alone behind The Harmon, The Mattress Factory has long been regarded as an anonymous building at the end of campus. Much like an elementary gymnasium, the MAT building (as it's commonly known) has typically served a solitary purpose -- housing anonymous student organizations and academic departments.
Located within the MAT confines is the oUWTpost. This student center, covering the majority of the first floor, was founded in 2004 and represents the largest amount of Student and Activities Fee funds allocated for one project in UWT history, at just over $1 million. Traditionally, students have relaxed here playing pool or rested in front of the television set to pass time between classes or mark the end of the school day.
This expanse of space, though, has primarily gone unused in the past. Many student organizations stage their events in the oUWTpost, though student participation has been scarce, to put it kindly.
All of this is poised to change, however, as the Dream Team (staff of Student Life) has worked throughout the summer to give the entire MAT building a wall-to-wall makeover.
The project, referred to as the MAT Beautification Project, has coated the sterile off-white walls of the oUWTpost with yellow, purple, green and blue. Furthermore, inspirational quotes from the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Robert F. Kennedy and Caesar Chavez, to name a few, will adorn these revived walls. Inspiration drawn from these quotes is aimed to provide student leaders with refreshing vigor to pursue projects and activities.
Anyone viewing these quotes, though, is free to draw inspiration as well.
Finally, plaques and pictures honoring alumni student leaders will also garnish the walls in hopes of helping current student leaders envision their position in the present while honoring the efforts of past leaders.
But perhaps the most exciting addition to the MAT building for students to enjoy is the near-completion of a project that began in 2003. Coco Bob's, the first student-owned retail space on campus, is set to begin construction soon in the oUWTpost. The pizza parlor/convenience store will be run by Bob Feller, father of alum Brian Feller, the 2002-2003 ASUWT President.

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