Currently, I'm sitting in a hotel in the great state of Montana, specifically, in the city of Missoula (btw, its +4 here. I never want to leave). You may wonder why I'm in Montana; I myself thought the same when my plane landed this morning. Back in Edmonton, I work for the U of A Students Union with the Orientation program, so they sent me here for a conference on increasing student engagement through Orientation. Because it's on my mind, that's what I will be venting/blogging about today.
I know that being involved in the university isn't technically part of what this course covers, but on Tuesday there was a brief discussion about how important the University is to Edmonton, and I found myself a little disgruntled at the end of it. I recognize the importance of the University, first and foremost, as a hub for academic activities, but it really should serve other purposes, like providing experiences outside the classroom and the opportunity for social engagement. As someone who is very involved on campus, I wonder a lot if the University is really as important to people as they say it is. I know that there are lots of different ways to get involved on campus both within and without the Students Union , but I know that I'm right when I say that most students on this campus don't take advantage of these opportunities. The current practically uncontested Student Union executive elections are a good example of this lack of student engagement. To be fair, the organization needs to step up it's game in providing events and opportunities that are relevant to more students, but students are also a part of the problem.
At the University of Montana (where I am currently situated) the majority of students live on campus, and this makes a huge difference in terms of involvement. The students here take enormous pride in their university, and it shows! When is the last time you felt proud of your university? In my job, I often have conversations with students who say "Orientation is lame and useless", or that the Students Union doesn't provide for their needs. However, when I push them on it, the majority of these people have never attended any of the events and are just forming their opinions based on rumors. It's sort of the same way that people view Edmonton. They don't bother to get out of their cars and actually experience the uniqueness of this city, so of course they think that Edmonton doesn't have anything to offer them.
We talk a lot in this class about communities, and about shaping your own space and place within this city. I don't want anyone to get me wrong; I'm not calling the class out as lazy, I know a ton of you are involved in various ways around the city and probably campus, I'm just trying to vent my general frustrations with the severely apathetic student body. What people need to realize is that this campus is a community just like any other in this city, one that is absolutely worth getting involved in. I'm sure many people are skeptical about student activities or the SU because of various things they've heard, or maybe they have legit objections to how the system works. If this is the case, then I put forward that you do something about it. "Be the change you want to see in the world". It is not hard to get involved; organizations on this campus are constantly begging for volunteers if you are willing to listen.
I guess my point is this: Throughout this class, Heather has been trying to inform us of our environment so that we won't write Edmonton off, so that we will be proud of our city. I'm asking that you consider doing the same thing for your university community. Don't write off involvement, whether its in a club, student group, charity organization, faculty association, anything. Don't be that stereotype of the uninvolved apathetic student who deems that they are too cool to care. The wonderful thing about getting involved is that you become a part of something that is bigger than just you, something that makes you see your life in a different way.
I apologize for the ranting nature of this post, and I know that some people may write it off as a bunch of jibberjabber. Please don't. Getting involved on with this university change my life for the better: I have an amazing social network of people I never would have met before, I've learned a ton, and I feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for this campus that makes me proud to come here everyday, that makes me stand up for it when others say negative things. I am loving my university experience, and I hope you all are too. And if not, I hope you will consider what I've said, and make a change so that you come out of university with more than just a degree and some leftover textbooks.
Ann: I know what ya mean.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has inexplicably found herself sucked into the vortex known as the Graduate Students' Association (no, not a grad student myself), it amazes me that people could care less where there fees go...until they realize that they don't have power/water/heating but have mice in the brand new residences that the University slapped up this the summer, for example. At that point, suddenly student-led governance is the the saviour. (okay, now I'm ranting too...)
But to echo you, there is something incredibly awesome about working with students from different departments, faculties, cultures, ages groups, etc to acheive a common goal. Students are so divisioned-- engineering, science, arts, fine arts, med sci, le fac, etc. I find it is fantastic to have that reminder that we are all in this experience together, and we do have more in common with each other than we would normally admit.
As for something a little off-topic, RE: orientation-- is there some other way I can chat with you about U of A Orientation, specifically the one provided to transfer students?
I have no University pride.
ReplyDeleteBUT I think it is very important for someone who is ambitious and wants to get the most out of their degree to pursue these extracurricular activities. Over the years I have come to realize (depending on your degree) that just graduating will often do you absolutely no good. To maximize your future opportunities, one must develop experience while still obtaining a university degree. This of course is achieved through various volunteer, work and perhaps student political endeavors. Through these activities you will meet many people (networking) and you may find life long friendships.
So perhaps all of my extracurricular activities are self-motivated (and a bit greedy) but I do them for a different and beneficial experience not to support the UofA...my dollars do that.
OneArrow: Thank you for understanding. I admit when I wrote this blog post I was having a bit of a freak out, but sometimes I get so frustrated with the push and pull of these systems.
ReplyDeleteAs for your query about Orientation, I am involved in the larger Orientation program that is held for high school, mature, and transfer students. There is actually a separate program called Transitions I believe that assists international students. We do have some communication with that program, so if you have suggestions or questions, I would be more than happy to talk about those.
To ed Moon ton: I get that too, and you are certainly not alone. It may be in some ways selfish, but let's be real: many organizations would not have volunteers if it were not for the opportunities students need to enhance their education. I think the system generally evens out that way. No one does something for nothing: whether its money, volunteer experience, social connections, or feelings of belonging, we all get something out of the these opportunities. To a certain extent, I do what I do for my own benefit; I enjoy helping others. So I don't think your motives are selfish, at least not anymore so than anyone else's.