2008 Woodie Awards
Do we have a sense of community?
Susan Benitez
Issue date: 5/16/03 Section: Opinion
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How many Yuba College students truly feel they are an important part of a comprehensive college community as they walk on this campus? Are attending classes, perhaps studying a while in the library and then leaving for home enough to foster within each student a sentiment that he or she really belongs here? Do you feel that great things are happening at Yuba College and you are excited to be involved in them? Or has your educational experience been somewhat more impersonal in nature?
If you are a student who feels detached from the all-encompassing "ideal" college lifestyle, it is likely that you are not alone.
Our campus has several clubs and organizations already in place, which generate a sense of purpose and belonging among their members. But the scope of those benefits seem to be limited to students who are directly involved with those groups. If that is true, then what is the central force that unifies our student body as a distinctive community? Or are we unified at all?
Even in these times of budgetary crises, changes and improvements are still possible to foster greater integration between Yuba College students' academic and leisure time. The real questions are: How badly do the students want to see improvements made at their school, and how willing will administrators be to work to accommodate the students' wishes?
As a student, the first question I would ask is where is the student union? The closest thing I see on the campus map included in the Spring Class Schedule is Building 300, which is listed as the "Campus Center." As far as direct student services are concerned, this Campus Center houses our dining commons and bookstore. How often do you eat lunch in the dining commons? After the first week or so of classes, how often to you shop at the bookstore?
Obviously, some students utilize these services more often than other students do, but the bottom line is - what is being offered to make the idea of staying on campus to eat or shop or just hang out worth my while?
If you are a student who feels detached from the all-encompassing "ideal" college lifestyle, it is likely that you are not alone.
Our campus has several clubs and organizations already in place, which generate a sense of purpose and belonging among their members. But the scope of those benefits seem to be limited to students who are directly involved with those groups. If that is true, then what is the central force that unifies our student body as a distinctive community? Or are we unified at all?
Even in these times of budgetary crises, changes and improvements are still possible to foster greater integration between Yuba College students' academic and leisure time. The real questions are: How badly do the students want to see improvements made at their school, and how willing will administrators be to work to accommodate the students' wishes?
As a student, the first question I would ask is where is the student union? The closest thing I see on the campus map included in the Spring Class Schedule is Building 300, which is listed as the "Campus Center." As far as direct student services are concerned, this Campus Center houses our dining commons and bookstore. How often do you eat lunch in the dining commons? After the first week or so of classes, how often to you shop at the bookstore?
Obviously, some students utilize these services more often than other students do, but the bottom line is - what is being offered to make the idea of staying on campus to eat or shop or just hang out worth my while?