Kent State University did not have a gathering place for student discourse and student organization ever since the May 4th 1970 shooting incident where a peaceful student sit in and protest against the U.S. in Vietnam was interrupted violently by the U.S. National Guard. Since then, students have lost their voice in the administration. This gathering center will reinstate the right of the student voice. In that way, it is a functional memorial for the shootings that fatally wounded four students, paralyzed one student, and wounded eight other students. 67 shots were fired in 13 seconds and hit 13 students. No members of the National Guard were ever convicted.