Editorial: Students: active or apathetic?

As the academic year draws to a close, the editorial board reflects on the year’s biggest “Cheers” and “Boos”: student action and student apathy.

CHEERS to student action. Fairfield students are to be commended for their response to events that have occurred this year on and off campus, and even worldwide. Earlier this semester, both the town and university communities suffered the loss of Kim and Tim Donnelly and support for the family has been overwhelming. Additionally, student organizations worked to aid the Tsunami relief fund and other causes through the sale of different colored bracelets. More recently, students gathered with faculty and administrators to discuss the cancellation of a same-sex marriage equality forum. Not only did the discussion draw over 200 people, but it also spurred the creation of several student-organized committees which hope to address academic freedom at Fairfield. As far as student government is concerned, FUSA has been instrumental in expanding student dining options both on and off campus. Students can now use their StagBucks at several eateries in town. The addition of Mike’s Pizza has revitalized the Levee, and the Stag Diner now features a popular and ever growing dollar menu. These and other efforts show that Fairfield students do, in fact, have a voice and are willing to use it to effect change. We should look to such exemplary displays of concern as models of how our student body should act on a more regular basis. BOOS to student apathy, among the worst demonstrations of which was the record-low voter turnout for FUSA’s presidential election. An astonishingly low 892 students voted, accounting for less than 25 percent of the total student body. While it is the student’s responsibility to take the time to vote, FUSA must also effectively promote the role of individual students in its organization by more actively informing them about its processes and specific purpose. Fairfield students’ apathy extends to their lack of support for student athletics. Large crowds showed up for Fairfield’s men’s lacrosse games when it became well-known that the team was excelling, but where were those throngs during the rest of the season? Fairfield students seem to be most active in events which exceed the norm, but perhaps it is time to begin asserting ourselves in smaller and seemingly mundane situations. After all, it is by voicing our opinions and lending our efforts to everyday causes that long-lasting strides are made.