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Billy O'Keefe/Chronicle
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Get some Z’s at CCC
If a Columbia student falls in the forest and no one reacts, does he make an impact? |
Walking outside of the Wabash building on any given afternoon, you can hear students chattering about the student organization meeting they just attended. Then you realize, they were discussing the free food they got at the meeting. Then you see students scampering out of the Hokin Annex with the 3-inch plastic plates of food stacked five inches high.
If you attend any functions like the Student Union Movement (SUM), you realize if this was a class it would have been canceled before the first week because of low enrollment. This seems to be a problem across the board for Columbia, as everyone asks, "Why don't students attend anything?"
Last Tuesday, the Chronicle hosted an open house at our office for students. The agenda included a discussion on how we can better serve the Columbia community and its students. It seemed that you couldn't avoid the fliers or posters advertising the event that were plastered all over campus. But it was attended like a 9 a.m. class the day a research paper is due. Although there were some people there who gave good insights and comments on how the Chronicle needs to adapt to the students' needs, it seems that input is at a minimum.
The problem facing Columbia may be one of our bigger selling points. Since we have strong programs that keep students busy making films and acting in student productions it leaves little time for a meeting about policy. Also, the fact that most students commute makes it harder for them to show up for an event.
If this is the case, then events in the Residence Center should be attended better than most functions. Students that live there don't have to travel, and usually events take place in the evenings after class. So why do students still not attend unless there is free food?
It comes down to the fact that maybe students come to Columbia to get away from a typical college atmosphere. We value individualism over group meetings and working on our own art projects instead of making the school a better place for others. There are many students here who care about the state of Columbia, and there is a large portion that do care and work hard to put art up in the school and make sure the students have their say about important issues.
There have been numerous functions that have been held at Columbia. The CCEN block party that took place on Wabash last May was attended by many students interested in the fashion show. The dance after the Freshman Convocation this year that was held in the parking lot across from the Wabash building saw more students than usual, but there still appeared to be lots of people walking out with pizza and not staying for the event.
The success of these events could be that they were visible and took place during school hours. Students would be more interested in attending events when they don't have to go out of their ways to participate.
You only spend a few years in college--well most of us--and getting involved can help you in the career that you will pursue. It helps to make connections, and in most groups, you meet students much like yourselves who are willing to give up their time to make life better for the whole community.
We don't want to give the impression that our generation doesn't care. There are many students that work outside of school, volunteer their time and work in their own neighborhoods. But when students don't even attend their own student government meeting, it makes it easier for the administration to pass us off and not ask for our input when making decisions that affect us all. It easy to silence a voice that barely speaks. |
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