The clock is ticking, the last Mirror deadline is quickly approaching and, most upsetting of all, I’m being kicked out of my own office by a kid in Ashleigh Banfield glasses who dresses as though he’s been forcefully removed from a Soho art gallery.
But while I’m still here, much to the dismay of 112 fans everywhere, I must apologize to those of you who requested shout outs in my column this week, especially to the members of Meat Nuggets, who asked that I use the phrase “Music that will rip out your soul.”
At any rate, I’ve decided to dedicate this last edition of Frankly Speaking to something that’s been on my mind a lot lately: the state of student affairs at Fairfield University. On one hand, life may have never been better for an incoming student, as more buildings are completed, more dormitories are renovated and the quality of a Fairfield education continues to improve in reputation.
It would seem that there’s a lot to look forward to if you’re an underclassman at Fairfield. But I truly worry that in the midst of these enrichments, a sincere and effective voice for the student body has been lost in the process.
In the past two years, Clam Jam has been lost forever, on-campus regulations have continued to tighten and students continue to complain about a variety of issues from underclassman housing to major and minor registration.
And while I don’t expect an Athenian democracy or schoolwide referendum to be called for every substantial decision, I do fear that students are being treated as more of a bottom line figure and less like adults in charge of their own futures.
In the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the most selfless students on this campus in an organization that is almost entirely independent of this university and any organization within it. In doing so, I’ve learned to make my own decision with or without outside pressure, make my own mistakes and eventually take responsibility for my own actions.
But more than anything else, I’ve learned that standing up for your beliefs may come with criticism, but is well worth it if done in the best interests of those around you.
So the bottom line is, whether it’s at college or the “real world,” there are much better things to do than complain. Stand up, refuse to be another victim of Fairfield student apathy and voice an opinion against what you feel to be unfair in a clear and articulate argument. At the very least, while you may not achieve instantaneous change, you will earn respect.
Well, maybe not from a few university vice presidents, but who’s counting.
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