By Mike Matejka

The streets in Normal are congested again and the sidewalks are pedestrian packed, and not just with Pokemon Go players.  Illinois State, Illinois Wesleyan and Heartland are all beginning a new fall semester.

Now maybe the students returning just means longer lines at Target and more traffic congestion.  If you are not university-affiliated, you might consider it a major inconvenience.

Stop and think what the universities contribute to our community. An ISU economist estimates that over $800 million is pumped into the local economy just from that one institution.  That’s not only faculty and staff payroll, but students spending at local retailers.  It’s construction workers building and maintaining facilities.  It’s the spin-off jobs, whether in retail, recreation or academics, that our higher learning institutions contribute.

And it’s not just dollars coming into the community.  We often fail to see the contributions students make, and I’m not just talking about downtown night life.  Go to any non-profit, community organization or service agency in town.   There is probably a student interning with that group.   Almost any charity that does a fund-raiser looks to student volunteers to help staff and contribute.   Their young minds and bright eyes often bring fresh perspective and new ideas to struggling agencies.

Culturally, our universities enrich us in so many ways.  You may or may not like a classical music concerto, but free or minimal cost student concerts are regularly offered.  The curtain lifts on first class theatrical performances annually.  Prominent figures offer lectures and seminars.  And then there are the spontaneous musical, theatrical and community events that happen because young energy is looking for self-expression.

If sports attract you, the Titans, Redbirds and Hawks offer affordable and competitive games at very low cost.  It’s great to go to the big city to watch the Cardinals, Bears, Cubs or Bulls, but there’s first class excitement at local facilities and an opportunity to watch young talent blossom.

So let’s welcome these young people into our community, accept a little thicker traffic and yes, sometimes noisier Saturday nights.  The energy the students bring, their financial contributions and their eager faces help keep Bloomington-Normal lively and interesting, which is good for us all.

Mike Matejka is the Governmental Affairs director for the Great Plains Laborers District Council, covering 11,000 union Laborers in northern Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. He lives in Normal. He served on the Bloomington City Council for 18 years, is a past president of the McLean County Historical Society and Vice-President of the Illinois Labor History Society.

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