Bellarmine students lacking in campus involvement
Kasey Fehler and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: Opinion
By Kasey Fehler
How many clubs do you belong to? No, let me rephrase that, how many clubs are you actually involved in? Are you one of those people who signed up for every single club at the involvement fair? Now, how many of you who are signed up for 12 clubs actually attend the events held by these clubs? And if you don't go to the events, but are still on the e-mail list, do you include in your resume that you belong to all of those clubs?
Unfortunately, it seems that many of the students at Bellarmine can answer yes to the last three questions. At a recent meeting for the club of which I'm an officer, there were only two members, besides the officers, in attendance. At the first meeting, there were three members besides the officers. When the president asked for volunteers to participate in a debate on health care, one person volunteered. There are 80 people on the e-mail list for this club. Why? Why aren't more people participating? And what do we need to do to get these other 75 people involved?
I will be the first to admit that I am not always the first person to volunteer when it comes to club events. I have a very busy schedule and get easily distracted. Attending this speaker or that service event is not always on the top of my list. But, when it comes down to it, I want to hear new ideas and new views; I want to make a change and affect others; I want to participate. Perhaps my reasons for slacking off every now and then are the same reasons why the other 75 members of my club don't participate. Are college students just too busy to come to a sometimes 15 minute meeting? Is free period too crowded; do people have to choose which club meeting to attend? But how many times do I see those missing club meetings in Kosters or in the Café or on Facebook? Are you actually skipping events for something more important?
Maybe students aren't interested. Are speakers and movie nights and service events not entertaining enough? Does Bellarmine not offer enough of a variety in events? I don't exactly find this a compelling excuse. Bellarmine boasts over 70 registered student organizations. Within the last month I alone have attended a speaker from Nicaragua, a nationally known activist, a Middle Eastern woman, and more. Even when we offer food at club meetings and events, since everyone says the way to draw in a college student is food, we still have dismal turnouts. Not only are Bellarmine's offerings vast, but also the entire city of Louisville's offerings. But still, students would rather take a nap or eat lunch with friends than work to eradicate poverty for just one hour.
What is the solution, then, to the lack of involvement on campus and in our city? Do we offer cash gifts for every person that attends? Do we only plan events that involve elaborate games and entertainment? I am at a lost, after two and a half years of trying to get the campus involved, for what to do next. But I don't want to give up hope. I truly believe Bellarmine should not be cast to the side and that we should never expect anything from the students. I think we can rise above the low expectations placed on us by society and perhaps even ourselves. But, as students, we have to step up and get involved.
How many clubs do you belong to? No, let me rephrase that, how many clubs are you actually involved in? Are you one of those people who signed up for every single club at the involvement fair? Now, how many of you who are signed up for 12 clubs actually attend the events held by these clubs? And if you don't go to the events, but are still on the e-mail list, do you include in your resume that you belong to all of those clubs?
Unfortunately, it seems that many of the students at Bellarmine can answer yes to the last three questions. At a recent meeting for the club of which I'm an officer, there were only two members, besides the officers, in attendance. At the first meeting, there were three members besides the officers. When the president asked for volunteers to participate in a debate on health care, one person volunteered. There are 80 people on the e-mail list for this club. Why? Why aren't more people participating? And what do we need to do to get these other 75 people involved?
I will be the first to admit that I am not always the first person to volunteer when it comes to club events. I have a very busy schedule and get easily distracted. Attending this speaker or that service event is not always on the top of my list. But, when it comes down to it, I want to hear new ideas and new views; I want to make a change and affect others; I want to participate. Perhaps my reasons for slacking off every now and then are the same reasons why the other 75 members of my club don't participate. Are college students just too busy to come to a sometimes 15 minute meeting? Is free period too crowded; do people have to choose which club meeting to attend? But how many times do I see those missing club meetings in Kosters or in the Café or on Facebook? Are you actually skipping events for something more important?
Maybe students aren't interested. Are speakers and movie nights and service events not entertaining enough? Does Bellarmine not offer enough of a variety in events? I don't exactly find this a compelling excuse. Bellarmine boasts over 70 registered student organizations. Within the last month I alone have attended a speaker from Nicaragua, a nationally known activist, a Middle Eastern woman, and more. Even when we offer food at club meetings and events, since everyone says the way to draw in a college student is food, we still have dismal turnouts. Not only are Bellarmine's offerings vast, but also the entire city of Louisville's offerings. But still, students would rather take a nap or eat lunch with friends than work to eradicate poverty for just one hour.
What is the solution, then, to the lack of involvement on campus and in our city? Do we offer cash gifts for every person that attends? Do we only plan events that involve elaborate games and entertainment? I am at a lost, after two and a half years of trying to get the campus involved, for what to do next. But I don't want to give up hope. I truly believe Bellarmine should not be cast to the side and that we should never expect anything from the students. I think we can rise above the low expectations placed on us by society and perhaps even ourselves. But, as students, we have to step up and get involved.
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