Whether as freshmen or returning students Pepperdine Waves arrive on campus at the start of each academic year greeted with an enthusiastic new-semester buzz. New Student Orientation leaders shower freshmen with exuberance resident advisors coordinate dorm-wide activities and students flock to the bookstore to buy the season’s latest blue and orange apparel.
However the fervor so prominent on campus dies as quickly as it began. As students settle in and classes commence we witness the onset of a generally apathetic tone in the student body. It is not that there is a lack of passion on our campus – the cafeteria is always satiated with tables advocating various causes – just a lack of passion for our campus.
This pervasive indifference is especially disturbing as it applies to the Student Government Association (SGA). For those who actually took the time to vote in the recent SGA elections something seemed odd: Two offices were uncontested one of which was the vice president of Pepperdine’s student body. The only plausible reason for this is that people flat-out don’t care (see page A3 for the full SGA election coverage).
SGA’s motto is “vox populi the voice of the students. But one questions whether the students even want a voice when only 16 students run in the campus-wide election.
Surprisingly, this year’s voter participation was the largest to date – with a meager 1,308 participants. This turnout is most likely attributed to the fact that SGA e-mailed the electronic ballot link twice to the student body during the voting period.
Furthermore, it is ironic that at a school where political science and business are among the most poplar majors, more students do not see the value of an SGA job. Although holding an office in SGA should be alluring to students seeking a future in leadership, even to these students, SGA has become so inconsequential that it is not even worth using for credentials.
Nevertheless, entrepreneurship and passion pervades Pepperdine’s campus. Waves display zeal for causes through organizations such as International Justice Mission by continuously creating projects to benefit the less fortunate halfway across the world. Greeks show enthusiasm for all philanthropies and formals, which often draw other non-affiliated students, as well. And clearly, Songfest exuded an immense amount of zeal, not to mention the high degree of commitment: those involved sacrificed days, nights and weekends for three weeks. Students are vastly willing to commit to these aspects, yet when it comes to Pepperdine as a whole, they emanate a lackluster attitude.
It’s not just SGA; that is just the most recent display of a seemingly uninspiring school spirit. In addition, the Graphic has to reach far back into our memories, or perhaps imaginations, to fathom a sporting event at which the stands were filled. I’m too busy” seems to be the prevailing excuse when it comes to these matters. At every college you will find all students have busy lives and Pepperdine is truly no exception. But we have the added struggle to get students to attend anything unless there is the prospect of free food or convocation credits. Oftentimes even these bribes are not enough to attract audiences.
The Graphic has a plan for a two-pronged attack on passive school spirit. First we must discern if this is an adequate environment for Pepperdine students. If we are willing to accept that our voice is not being heard in school decisions and to continue letting our teams go without fans then let it be. But we would love to see students active in this campus. We know the passion is there and we see it in various outlets on campus; it just needs the right leadership to channel it. Pepperdine really could be explosive with energy.
Second we need to instigate and coordinate changes. These recent SGA elections will not only allow a transition for the officers but for the entire Pepperdine community. Greg Lee one of the candidates for SGA president developed a platform that promotes the idea of harmonizing the various leaders on campus. Partnerships between groups would blend the extensive passions of the students and create one streamlined community. This allows the extant vivacity to influence other aspects of student life creating self-sustaining student enthusiasm.
Pepperdine students are highly capable of being passionate; many of us are over-involved in clubs and activities because of our zealousness. Pepperdine needs to synthesize the individual interests with collaborated activities among groups and channel this energy toward the betterment of student life.