Guest Column: Show me the power

Kyle MacQuarrie
Guest Columnist

Anyone who knows me knows that my ability to keep opinions to myself is not my strong suit.

When given an opportunity to write a piece allowing me to voice my thoughts, I began rubbing my hands together like an evil mastermind relishing in the idea of tapping my inner scribe and letting pages and pages of my opinions flow through my finger tips.

Unfortunately for me (and fortunately for the rest of you), I was told that I had to keep my ranting and raving to a reasonable length.

The lack of available electrical outlets is a problem that has plagued the school and been a thorn in the side of students for at least as long as I’ve been attending.

If I had a nickel for every time that I’ve had to trek around the school like I was on safari (minus the pith helmet and machete) in search of an available outlet, I’d be retired somewhere hot and sandy with a large, cold beverage with the requisite umbrellas and other adornments in my hand rather than cursing my luck when no outlet was to be found.

It has now baffled me for two years as to why a solution to this problem hasn’t been found and implemented.

If only there was a piece of technology or hardware that would allow students to plug multiple plugs into the same receptacle… Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls — I would like to introduce to you a ground-breaking piece of hardware that is not only affordable, but could ease the outlet drought at the same time: Power bars.

While not nearly as edible as the energy bar that is quickly and easily purchased from the Collegiate Shop in Wyckham House, these multiple outlet receptacles, which are available at your friendly neighbourhood hardware store, are a true marvel of technology.

Not only are they small and affordable, but they also accept multiple plugs at the same time. It’s as if someone had a similar problem and developed a solution.

I know, it’s a scary thought. The idea that with a couple dozen or so power bars, a few screws, a drill and a friendly MRU maintenance staff member to tackle the formidable task of installation, suddenly there would be enough outlets for everyone to plug in their technological extensions whenever they have the need.

Unfortunately for students, as with most ideas that make sense, this one will likely never see the lights of the hallways or the dark corners of Herb ‘n Market. The decision makers will step forward and go on about cost, feasibility or some other bogus excuse that is really nothing but smoke and mirrors.

I obviously can’t speak for the entire student body, but I know that I would be more than willing to have a few additional pennies tacked onto my fees if it meant that every time I walked around a corner I was finding another group of outlets available to use.

MRU has graduated to playing with the big boys, so they should start acting like it. Stepping up and fixing the small problems would make a big difference in student perception.

I could go on about having reliable campus-wide Wi-Fi or installing a permanent bouncy house, but that can wait for another day.

Kyle MacQuarrie is a business student at Mount Royal University who ran for Students Association president last year.