Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the additional burdens it brings to student life, many students are seeking ways to relieve their stress. The two pianos in the Student Center basement, located next to the craft shop, could be an ideal way to relieve stress, both for pianists and other students who enjoy listening.

However, both pianos are in severe disrepair, with keys that stick or don't work at all, and are extremely out of tune, rendering them basically useless. Repairing the pianos would be an excellent way for SIU to give back to its students, reduce student stress, and improve mental health on campus. While there are two additional pianos upstairs, one of which requires students to sign up for  time slots, they are located in the open, where shy or beginning pianists may not be comfortable playing. Fixing the pianos in the basement would provide a secluded, relaxing space for all students to either play or enjoy piano music, regardless of talent level. For students who enjoy the comfort that music can bring, but don't have any other opportunities to play piano, these pianos could be an invaluable asset to improving mental health.

While having public pianos available at this time may raise some COVID concerns, there is no reason that disinfecting wipes couldn't be located on top of the pianos, along with a sign encouraging students to clean the keys before and after playing. These would be similar to the wipes available outside of the computer labs that are used to disinfect keyboards.

Please sign this petition to help convince SIU that this simple act is worth spending money on, for the sake of student mental health and and to help encourage an appreciation of music in SIU students for years to come.