By: Sam Thomas, Contributing Writer
Sigmund Freud once said, “Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.”
This quote perfectly describes a few of my fellow students on campus. We all say we want the freedom that comes with being an adult, but the actions of a small group of students show very clearly that they do not want the responsibility of being an adult.
For the first time in recent history, the student body has an opportunity to speak with a unified voice, and the administration is listening.
In the spring semester of last year, we witnessed the first major change in visitation policy in at least half a decade.
This semester our freedom expanded even further with the introduction of the new honor system on the hill.
The majority of the student body has warmly welcomed the responsibility that accompanies this increased freedom.
Unfortunately, the actions of the few often speak the loudest and consequently incite the quickest reaction from the administration.
It happens every semester: a few hypengyophobes shirk their responsibility and win an all-expenses-paid trip in the back of a police car.
It’s a classic case of actions speaking louder than words, as it often sparks a reaction from the administration, for example, the various policy changes regarding the ‘drunk tank.’
But there is an important lesson here: the actions of the students can quickly rewrite school policy.
Now take a moment to think about our voice, and how this lesson can be applied to strengthen our ability to affect change.
In less than 24 hours, a handful of students were able to cause a policy overhaul concerning the drunk tank because of their actions, and I dare say that was their intention. What if the student body as a whole was able to speak so clearly through our actions?
Call me crazy, but here is my challenge for you: tell the world you are ready for the freedom and responsibility of being an adult, not through your words, but through your actions.
If you see trash in the dorm, pick it up.
If you go to the library or student center, leave it better than the way you found it.
Instead of drinking on campus, find a DD and drink somewhere else.
If you’re underage, stay busy with other activities. Join a club, play an intramural sport or come to an SGA meeting and raise hell about something that’s important to you.
And for the love of all that is good in the world, stop throwing apples across the quad. Seriously people, adults don’t do that.
To put it all in a nutshell: if you want open visitation or any other kind of changes, then stop getting arrested. It really is that simple. Don’t make it so easy to be treated like a child.
If you would like to become active in Student Government and make your voice heard, or if you just want to tell me how much you hated my opinion, contact me at [email protected].