Picture of Merchandise Display at SXU’s Shannon Center The Xavierite
Saint Xavier University (SXU) closed down the Campus Bookstore in 2022 to make room for the E-sports lounge in the Shannon Center. However, that has left students without a place to purchase SXU merchandise.
The former bookstore included textbooks, notebooks, merchandise and school supplies. The store provided a convenient way for students to get items that they need for school and merchandise to wear.
Throughout the SXU campus, faculty members and students are representing our university with merchandise that is only given to those that attend events, or are part of sports teams.
Some merchandise includes, but is not limited to t-shirts, aluminum water bottles, hats, and stickers.
When I asked Cassidy Dawson, SXU student, what merchandise she has seen around campus, she shared, “Most of the time I just see the free VIA, class, athletic program, homecoming, and campus ministry shirts.”
It is wonderful that students have access to merchandise from SXU clubs. However, in my experience, the instance of seeing someone wearing a plain SXU hoodie or t-shirt is uncanny. With that being said, if students aren’t involved on campus, it creates a difficult situation for them to show their university spirit.
When I asked SXU student, Ava Rivera, if there should be a merchandise store on campus she explained, “I’ve been wanting to purchase SXU merch like hoodies, flags, and magnets, but I don’t trust online stores.”
Many students are choosing to not purchase merchandise online because of additional fees for shipping. Students want to be excited about going into a store full of SXU merchandise and fill their closets in scarlet and gray to support the school and show their school spirit.
“When I work at the Shannon (Center), I have families and students coming up and asking if there is merchandise for sale. It is a shame because so many first-year students want to show where they are going to school but they can’t,” shared Athena Speck, SXU student.
It would definitely bring in more funds for SXU if during first-year VIA orientation, students were allowed to go to a merchandise store on campus. As I attended my VIA, I was so depressed to find out that I would not be able to open the doors to my new life with new gear from my future school.
I also think it would draw the attention of many if there was seasonal merchandise dropped in a campus store. With holidays such as Halloween and Christmas around the corner, I can totally see students getting their holiday spirit on.
When I asked Dawson about her views on what benefits a store could bring, she continued by saying, “The store could bring multiple jobs for students to make extra money while they aren’t in class.”
If SXU decided to bring the merchandise store back to campus, it would open up the doors for students that are applicable for federal-work study jobs.
Rivera continued by stating, “I hope in the future SXU can have merchandise available in person for students and family members.”
In my time attending SXU, my family members constantly asked me when they would get their own shirts to support the university. It has always been disappointing to explain that Saint Xavier doesn’t have a merchandise store that they can go to when they visit.
If we can bring back the merchandise store on campus, it would not only benefit Saint Xavier but also the students. I hope one day, students, alumni, families, and visitors can freely purchase SXU merchandise in person instead of online.