In times of financial crisis such as the Great Depression, one of the best outlets, even as our own economy is down trodden, has always been the arts.

People want an escape and whether it be through film, music, or literature, the arts always made people feel better. It is a method for expression and right now, in these depressive times, students need a way to express. themselves

EC’s Myriad creative journal lives up to that legacy of providing an outlet for students to express their artistic talents.

Recently, it was learned that the Myriad has a significantly smaller budget because it didn’t receive a $5,000 Foundation grant that it usually receives.

While some may argue that its entire budget didn’t get cut, we must remember that the Myriad is already a small publication that deserves the recognition and respect of the campus community.

The lack of funding is very disappointing because the Myriad will not be able to print in color which means there will likely be fewer artist submissions because the art has to translate well into black and white. This could severely limit the expression of the art work and the overall design and layout.

Considering that some highschools have creative journals similar to that of the Myriad, and they can afford to print in color, the lack of available funding really shows a lack of foresight on the part of EC.

We are a college of approximately 25,000 and we should be able to afford a colorful medium for our campus to showcase their talents.

Since 1961, the Myriad has been EC’s creative voice, allowing those under-the-radar students to express themselves through their poetry, their short stories, or their photography.

Considering that the word myriad by definition means a vast number or is a composition of diverse elements, it is only proper to realize that the Myriad is not just a small group of students.

It is in fact a reflection of the student body, an eclectic group of artisans that represent different facets of life at EC.

We, as a campus, should do more to provide funds to the Myriad because it is a vital part of student culture and talent and it is a representation of the student body.

It is rare to find opportunities for students to express their work creatively and for the campus to view them, and the Myriad has provided such an outlet.

If the board of trustees are so willing to offer money to the president, why not give the money to such deserving programs as the Myriad?

Pete Marcoux, the Myriad adviser, has done great things for the Myriad and our college should repay him and the work of the faculty in the Humanities Division by supporting the Myriad more in the future.

The Foundation has done a great service to the people associated with the Myriad by providing some necessary funds, but our college needs to help out more with this gem of a program.

Sure, a lot of students get their work shared in the Myriad, but it would be great for many more to be shared at EC, and if EC would support and give the Myriad more funds, it would allow a greater student body voice to be represented. After all, a campus is about the students.

-See related article on Page 3