The Rocket

Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Opinion

During my four years at SRU, I have noticed that the "real issues" on campus are neither being recognized by students nor being changed by the administration.

As a reporter for The Rocket, I am required to remain neutral from everything that happens on campus. Now that I am weeks away from graduation, I would like to share my observations in hopes that things will change in the near future.

First, parking is probably the most crucial matter to students and faculty. There are only three parking permit passes offered: faculty, student commuter and student resident.

There should be a different pass for students who live within a mile from campus, and they should pay more than $25 to park their cars on campus. There should be passes just for graduate students, students who commute from home and those who live on campus.

The only way the parking problem will disappear is if students who are close enough to walk, do.

Until that happens, there should be different permits for everyone, at different prices, along with strict rules that outline where certain people are allowed to park.

Second, as far as breaks are concerned, dining halls, specifically Boozel, should remain open to serve the students until break begins. This nonsense of closing a day before break starts is getting out of hand; the lunch overflow overwhelms Rocky's and Weisenfluh.

Third, while I'm glad we have a fall break and a 5-day weekend for Thanksgiving, we don't really get a spring break during the Easter holiday.

Having classes on Monday causes those of us who do not live close to campus or in Pennsylvania at all, to travel on Easter Day. Skipping class doesn't solve the problem. If we're getting a break for a holiday, then give us a break.

We should be getting the Monday after Easter off, not the Wednesday before-we're missing the same classes either way, so I don't understand why the schedule was made this way.

Fourth, another important day to have off is Election Day. This is something the B-E-S-T party in this last SGA election got right.

We're encouraged as young citizens to practice our rights, yet those who live within an hour of campus don't get to experience voting, because they aren't given the time to do so. Voting with an absentee ballot prevents people from really experiencing what the whole thing is about.

Fifth, as for governmental bodies, SGA elections should last more than a week-and-a-half. There should be at least two weeks before elections where students can get to know the candidates and express their concerns, so those running really get in touch with what the student body wants.

Hopefully then, there would be more involvement with those voting and those running. With an extension of time, we might even be able to see at least one full party run!

Sixth, another issue that seems to be growing is how this campus is a suitcase school. For those who want to go home, fine. For those of us who live hours away, the SGA Bookstore should stay open longer on the weekdays, especially on Friday.

The bookstore is a place to buy more than just textbooks. If it stayed open longer, students would be encouraged to shop there more frequently and wouldn't feel forced off campus to get things they need for a class project.

Seventh, graduation information should be e-mailed to students. The post office has the right to keep anything that is mailed via bulk mail up to 30 days. Crucial information that seniors need to know even when scheduling for their last semester is not provided for them in a timely manner.

More effort needs to come from the administration in ensuring that students know everything they have to do to graduate and participate in commencement.

Finally, I want to repeat my thoughts on a topic many students should care a lot about. Until you're a graduating senior, you might not realize how unfair this is. But to not be able to wear chords that represent any academic honorary you were in, unless it was the Honors Program or the only campus-wide fraternity, Phi Sigma Pi, is a slap in the face to all we have worked hard to achieve these last four years.

This may be a long-standing tradition here, and a graduation ceremony trend elsewhere, but what's the point in getting so involved and working so hard to get good grades if we can't display it around our neck for three hours at graduation?

These are situations I have seen repeat themselves every year. Each year, students just want better tasting food. That's understandable. Each year, SGA wants to bring students a new Happy Bus even though the current one is only a year old. Whatever.

It's time these situations were corrected once and for all. The solutions are quite simple. The remedies I have presented aren't the only way, but it's a start.

I encourage every student to start voicing their opinion by writing letters to The Rocket, or posting comments on stories online that the staff works hard at covering for you. Start taking action. Don't just complain anymore, because everyone has the power to change something on this campus. You just need to realize you have the capability of leaving this campus better than when you found it.

Rachel Seeman is the news editor for The Rocket.

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