2008 Woodie Awards
CALLING ALL STUDENTS…
Campus Involvement, Why Not?!
By Whitney Nichole Stevens
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Campus Life
Here at Kean, there are a variety of campus organizations to choose from. They are all unique in their own right, however, they ALL share one major commonality. Their struggle to get students actively involved in programs. Campus leaders, faculty, administration, and alumni have noticed students just are not coming out to support like they used to. Dominique Clerk, senior Criminal Justice major and member of Steppers of a Free Nation (SFN), said, "A lot of students feel like participating in on campus events are a waste of time, especially the educational programs. I enjoy going to both kinds of programs. I am all about bettering my education and supporting other organizations." The lack of participation of students has reached an all-time low and it's time we step up and get it going on campus once again.
Student involvement becomes even harder when it comes to educational programs. Student organizations are supposed to serve as the voice of the campus community. However, it can become extremely hard to be that voice when students don't show up to club meetings and events. If students don't attend club meetings, programs and/or workshops, it becomes virtually impossible to create the type of environment students idolize. Sure, parties and other social events are great, but there is more to college life than your average Thursday night Downs Hall party.
So what's the problem? Why is student involvement so low? Rodrigo Gualdron, senior Criminal Justice major, said, "Some events are not well publicized. Sometimes people don't know what's going on." Shannike Morrison, junior Psychology major, said, "You can't really do much at Kean. Most of the events are strictly for Kean students and the outside community is not welcomed. If there was more of a variety, I think more students would support."
Some students believe time is a major factor in why students are less involved in campus organizations and programming. Tara Adamovich, sophomore Physical Education major, said, "I think that there should be more events on the weekends. Most of the events are scheduled during the week. During the week, the majority of students have work and classes. When we do have free time, we want to have fun." Asata Collins, freshman Journalism major, said, "I am interested in becoming active on campus. But I don't always have the time. Most people don't find the events on campus interesting. More people would support if the programs were more creative and engaging."
Student involvement becomes even harder when it comes to educational programs. Student organizations are supposed to serve as the voice of the campus community. However, it can become extremely hard to be that voice when students don't show up to club meetings and events. If students don't attend club meetings, programs and/or workshops, it becomes virtually impossible to create the type of environment students idolize. Sure, parties and other social events are great, but there is more to college life than your average Thursday night Downs Hall party.
So what's the problem? Why is student involvement so low? Rodrigo Gualdron, senior Criminal Justice major, said, "Some events are not well publicized. Sometimes people don't know what's going on." Shannike Morrison, junior Psychology major, said, "You can't really do much at Kean. Most of the events are strictly for Kean students and the outside community is not welcomed. If there was more of a variety, I think more students would support."
Some students believe time is a major factor in why students are less involved in campus organizations and programming. Tara Adamovich, sophomore Physical Education major, said, "I think that there should be more events on the weekends. Most of the events are scheduled during the week. During the week, the majority of students have work and classes. When we do have free time, we want to have fun." Asata Collins, freshman Journalism major, said, "I am interested in becoming active on campus. But I don't always have the time. Most people don't find the events on campus interesting. More people would support if the programs were more creative and engaging."