Fresno State’s Speakers’ Platform Reborn

Have you ever walked past the platform by the library and wondered what it was? Turns out, it’s one of the more notable spots on campus, and it’s just been reopened.

Fresno State’s campus has plenty of notable areas. The bowling alley, the peace garden and the library to name a few.

But in a quiet corner next to the Plaza, the speakers’ platform has been hidden from view for quite some time because of construction and has now made its debut back into the public eye.

However, some students don’t even know what the platform is.

“I mean I’ve seen some students perform on it from time to time, but I never really understood it,” says Samantha Mendoza, who transferred to Fresno State last spring.

While there’s plenty of foot traffic heading toward the speakers’ platform because of the Peace Garden and some of the educational buildings nearby, people often pass it by.

The platform has been closed so long that senior James Barrett saw it for only a moment as a freshman.

“I saw it just before it went under construction and got closed off,” says Barrett.

Amanda Mendoza says that even though she didn’t realize until recently that the platform was there, she’s glad that Fresno State offers a place for students to speak their minds.

“I think it’s really good to have that and for students to be able to express themselves,” Mendoza said. “I think that’s a really good thing to have especially if not a lot of other schools have that.”

As of 2015, the entire Fresno State campus is a free speech area, but the platform is available for anyone to use. Reservations are recommended.