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The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

Students need to actively seek advisers and participate in campus events

Editor’s Note: This is in response to the editorial “Billiken magic vanishes for currents students, leads to disenchantment” published in the Sept. 30 issue.

I am writing this letter to express my disappointment in the members of our student body that do not take advantage of all of the programs, activities and opportunities that Saint Louis University has to offer its students.

As a University Ambassador in the Office of Undergraduate Admission, I can attest that they are doing a fantastic job of recruiting students to our campus. The Office hires the best and brightest employees- in turn, they recruit the best and brightest students.

As a two-time SLU 101 Summer Orientation Leader and the current president of Oriflamme, I have seen the “grandeur of Welcome Week” from behind the scenes, and know just how much work goes into making these programs run so successfully.

Although I have worked extensively with prospective and first-year students, I am a member of several other organizations, participate in the numerous programming activities that are put on by various departments and take advantage of all of the services and opportunities SLU has to offer.

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When I am giving campus tours, I am often asked to identify my least favorite part about SLU, and my honest answer is that I feel as though SLU has so many things going on that it becomes difficult to choose an activity.

This is a problem that arises for people like you, and for others who share your apathetic viewpoint.

SLU has so many highly-qualified academic programs, impressive student organizations, large-scale events and well-known and caring faculty members.

If you have not felt the love, care and dedication that comes from the people who work here, then you must not get out much.

Maybe it’s time you leave your room and experience all that campus has to offer.

There are a number of ways for students to get connected and remain connected to SLU, but you must take that initiative to get involved: join a Chartered Student Organization, go to a SLU-sponsored event, go speak with a professor.

I feel as though I am not a member of the “faceless crowd of current Billikens” because I have chosen to get involved and give back to this campus everything that it has given me.

I took the initiative and have grown through my experiences as a leader on campus.

I am confident that I will be able to look back on my college years and know that SLU made an impact on my life forever.

-Keeley Farmar is a senior in the John Cook School of Business.


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    ebuatteOct 20, 2010 at 2:37 pm

    I am personally offended by the way in which you are lashing out to another student simply because they have had a different experience than you have. It is wonderful that you have felt welcomed by many organizations on campus and have been able to involve yourself comfortably, but just because that has been your experience, doesn’t mean that it is the same for all students.
    I have been a part of a handful of organizations on campus within my time here, and although some experiences have been positive, not all of them have been. In fact, I found that many organizations on campus were either extremely unorganized and therefore produced very little, or extremely inclusive and unwelcoming.
    I was chosen to have a leadership position for a particular publication on campus that I found out was nothing but a clique. I often offered up my time and effort in order to better the organization and it was rejected time and time again. In meetings, my suggestions were not taken seriously or even considered. Also, I was never credited for having any part of the organization. I tried to involve myself, but I guess the rest of the officers of the group didn’t think I was a good fit for their inclusive group, even though THEY chose ME for the said position.
    I have talked with other students who agreed that some clubs on campus treated them with the same disrespect. What message do you think that sends to students who are seeking to be involved and a part of something great?
    Also, if you truly think that the biggest drawback of this university is that there is simply too much to do, you are not looking at this instituion in a rational or honest manner. There are big problems on this campus that definitely mean more than joining some club that seems like a scene straight out of Mean Girls.
    How about the housing crisis? How about the fact that Father Biondi merely added insult to injury by buying hotel Ignacio rather than using it to help students? How about the fact that students LOSE portions of their scholarhips when they’re promised they will not, or that DPSSS slides serious security issues under the rug so SLU doesn’t receive a bad reputation?
    I think all of these issues are far more important than trying to alter who you are in order for an inclusive club to deem you worthy of their cause.

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