Midnight shows, mainstream films, weekend excursions — these are all part of the media and entertainment experience. They are part of college nightlife and one that campustown and the University currently lack.

It’s nearly impossible for University students to see a film without having a friend with a car, a ride of their own or the ability to walk to see a film. Taking the 100S Yellow from Savoy after seeing a midnight showing probably isn’t the best idea. Traveling home late in the night is potentially dangerous and inconvenient. 

University students need entertainment venues close to campus, whether it’s by expanding the Summer Quad Cinema Series sponsored by the Illini Union Board into a year-long event or by bringing a theater company to campustown.

Affordable and attainable entertainment is often miles away, and students rarely have the means or mobility to see recent films as often as they would like.

Sure, we have films sponsored by the Illini Union Board on the Quad during warmer months, but where are we to go when the winter doldrums have us down? 

The Illini Union Board could take these films indoors and hold these screenings more frequently. By increasing the frequency and availability of these film showings, Union activities would be more accessible. 

Weekends would be the optimal time for films to be shown to students on campus.   

Students need options. Organizing movies indoors when the Quad is unavailable would be a great way to cultivate a sense of community and even provide options for students who want alternatives to drinking and the bar scene. Even for students who want to mix up their weekend activities, these films would be an excellent option. 

In the same vein, we would love to see a theater company expand to campustown. Mainstream films aren’t always available at The Art Theater or The Virginia Theatre. Accordingly, The Art Theater and The Virginia Theatre are nearby, but not in campustown. Students don’t want to wait until the hype is over to see new films, and we need accessibility venues close to campus. 

As Green Street and the surrounding campus community continue to expand, we encourage developers to consider what the students really want and need. Students want to see popular movies that are coming into theaters — the independent films that we have inconvenient access to don’t cut it. 

Students need access to a variety of University-sponsored activities, and quality, engaging activities at that. Expansion could easily happen, considering the proposed commercial developments along Green Street and around campustown. Films close to or on campus are in demand. The Illini Union Board could expand its summer series into a yearlong activity. Film media and entertainment have an unfulfilled potential to grow.