With nearly unusable space allocated to the Bands Department, it's difficult to attract a critical mass of students to field a quality volunteer music group, but through intense dedication of the staff, students, and alumni, they've been able to make it work and make a difference. As a result, one of the most notable and visible features of Rice University is the MOB.

Now, with the opportunity to create a new bandhall for the Rice University Bands Department, there has also been the great opportunity to create a non-majors music ensemble practice facility that everyone at Rice University can be proud of. Instead of taking that opportunity, the Rice University administration has seen fit to cram the band into a few small racquetball courts with poor outside access, with a wall adjacent to an active basketball court, ensuring that everything the jazz band, concert band, and MOB play will be marred by the cacophonous staccato of dribbles and bounce passes.

This is unacceptable. Continuing to hide and shame the only department dedicated to non-music-major instrumental activities is flatly unacceptable. Give Rice University a bandhall that everyone on campus can be proud of.