Campus Life
Texas State University campus life. Is it wierd to say that I like to watch people?
I don't want to compare our campus to other campuses, but this is what I see... Our campus is small. We have a few organizations and many fraternities/sororities. If Greek life isn't your bag, it appears like there isn't a lot else out there for you.
There are Christian organizations, and a few school organizations like SACA, Freshmen Class Council, etc.. This is what I observe.. there isn't much to offer as far as things to be involved in. I think this attributes to a lot of people's sense of disconnect.
Where do people spend their spare time? Watching television, playing video games, chatting on AIM, talking on their cell phones. Oh, and then there is homework right? ..Right?
Unfortunately, I don't think our campus is challenging enough, engaging enough. There aren't enough things going on and things to be involved in for people to feel connected. This attributes to student apathy. I think one of the coolest things one of my teachers this semester said that will stay with me is this, "When I went to Oxford I didn't have to force myself to think how lucky I was. The walls bespoke it." The halls were decorated with ancient art and there was this sense of nostalgia there. It conduced an atmosphere of wanting to learn. The students had a zeal and passion for learning.
Here our attitudes are more like, "ehh...". We didn't have to work that hard to get into Texas State (or was it SWT then?). I came to school here having no idea what I wanted. For me it was just the next step after highschool. I did know I wanted to get out of the house away from my parents, but other than that I didn't have super high ambitions.
I need a sense of involement, that is probably why my last two posts have been on community. I need a sense of connectedness. Despite what our individualistic culture says, we need people. We need love and acceptedness. Being alone is never good. That is one of the first things God ever said.
"It is not good for man to be alone."
I don't want to compare our campus to other campuses, but this is what I see... Our campus is small. We have a few organizations and many fraternities/sororities. If Greek life isn't your bag, it appears like there isn't a lot else out there for you.
There are Christian organizations, and a few school organizations like SACA, Freshmen Class Council, etc.. This is what I observe.. there isn't much to offer as far as things to be involved in. I think this attributes to a lot of people's sense of disconnect.
Where do people spend their spare time? Watching television, playing video games, chatting on AIM, talking on their cell phones. Oh, and then there is homework right? ..Right?
Unfortunately, I don't think our campus is challenging enough, engaging enough. There aren't enough things going on and things to be involved in for people to feel connected. This attributes to student apathy. I think one of the coolest things one of my teachers this semester said that will stay with me is this, "When I went to Oxford I didn't have to force myself to think how lucky I was. The walls bespoke it." The halls were decorated with ancient art and there was this sense of nostalgia there. It conduced an atmosphere of wanting to learn. The students had a zeal and passion for learning.
Here our attitudes are more like, "ehh...". We didn't have to work that hard to get into Texas State (or was it SWT then?). I came to school here having no idea what I wanted. For me it was just the next step after highschool. I did know I wanted to get out of the house away from my parents, but other than that I didn't have super high ambitions.
I need a sense of involement, that is probably why my last two posts have been on community. I need a sense of connectedness. Despite what our individualistic culture says, we need people. We need love and acceptedness. Being alone is never good. That is one of the first things God ever said.
"It is not good for man to be alone."
Sean,
I see the point your trying to make... and I completly agree. There are organizations other than greek stuff- but it doesnt seem like they are making an impact on campus. Ask an average student about CRU and then about TEK- see which one they actually know. I think that is something that we are working on- and its getting better and better
I also agree about the way students treat TX state. People treat it as a party school and its because of that - the overall reputation exists. We need to inspire- but the question is how. For CRU- how do you inspire a campus to look towards new things... for TX state- how do you inspire a campus to learn. they do there best but there needs to be more. We should chat- tommorow hopefullly.
Derek Eacho
P.S. "I dont know if you know this... but God is kinda a big deal- people know him"
Posted by
Anonymous |
10:50 PM
"Everyone's a vouyer as they're watching me watch them watch me right now." - Modest Mouse
Dude you beat me to the TX State/disconnect/apathy topic. I'm still going to write on it as well...but I'll reference this entry when I do. It's a good one.
BTW I watched you watching people the other day in the quad, for a few seconds. It's not weird to me because I do so myself, I observe things. So many people could save a lot of suprise and frustration if they would only observe what is going on around them. You're exactly right about our school...unfortuntely. But that doesn't mean it has to stay that way and it doesn't mean we can't do something about it, even if it's just small stuff.
We should all keep talking about this. I've noticed some positive changes at this school in just a couple of years, who knows with a little iniative what the next couple might bring?
- Jordan
Posted by
Jordan_Ryan_Stewart |
1:29 AM
I like that verse a lot when God said it wasn't good for people to be alone. It's also interesting to note that Adam then had the perfect relationship with God, completely close to him, with no sin in the world. He also had the perfect job, plenty of food, nothing to worry about, yet what did God say he still needed? People, community. It's also interesting that a lot of Christians nowadays say or imply that "all you need is God," when God kind of said the opposite. Just some thoughts =)
yours,
Moriah
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:10 AM
Marisa,
There are things to be involved in, but diversity, I think, is severely lacking. Advertisement, like you said is severely lacking. Motivation is definently an issue, but I think if people knew what was going on around them they would have a much higher incentive to go.
Derek,
that's funny b/c TKE is a nonactive frat.
As far as CRU goes it takes more willing people to want to serve, and moreso, people taking charge to make things happen.
Jordan,
True. I guess I want change sooner rather than later. I think its nice to think things will change in the future, but if we don't try to make things change now, then next generations kids will be saying the same thing: things will change in the next few years.
Moriah,
Awesome thoughts. :)
Posted by
Sean Raybuck |
4:07 PM