By Karma Salvato
Staff Writer
Stop talking. Stop reading the newspaper. Or last night’s homework that you forgot to finish. Stop passing notes. Stop eating. Just stop. Sit quietly and give the speaker your undivided attention.
Come on people, Convo is less than an hour of your life once a week. Is it so much to ask for a little common courtesy?
It’s difficult to compete with the roar of a college crowd. An unruly student body that can’t control themselves without being reprimanded does not cast a very positive image of our prestigious university.
What’s worse is to see certain groups such as sororities and fraternities, who make up more than 25 percent of the Pepperdine population, proudly sporting their letters but unable to sit still, listen and be quiet.
To a potential new recruit, your chapter won’t be as reputable. To the rest of the school, stereotypes about these organizations are perpetuated.
It is disrespectful to the speakers who took time out of their busy schedule to come talk to us. It is also disrespectful to fellow classmates and faculty who actually want to listen.
There are plenty of Convos to choose from during the semester so that you can receive the much sought-after A. Come to listen, or don’t come at all.
Have you ever run for an office, taken a speech class or had to make a speech for some reason in front of a large group of people? How did you feel? Was the audience quiet, or were they murmuring incessantly?
Now, imagine how our guest speakers feel when we cannot stop talking long enough for them to simply introduce themselves.
Silence should engulf Firestone Fieldhouse as we sit in anticipation of the information we are about to receive.
Convocation isn’t the only place disrespect is displayed around our campus. Another prime example is the floor surrounding the student mailboxes.
There is a constant sea of unwanted mail covering the area. It looks like the streets of New York City after a ticker-tape parade. Someone has to clean up that mess.
At last glance, Mommy or Daddy weren’t living in the dorms with you cleaning up your messes.
Personally, when I check my mail and papers are scattered everywhere, I feel obligated to some degree to straighten up, just to help out.
Recently, while sitting in the Tyler Campus Center simply doing homework, I observed another student picking up papers before proceeding to check her mail. I offer her my utmost thanks, and I only hope that more students will follow such examples.
You aren’t required to pick up other people’s trash; just worry about your own. Besides, there are two large trash cans, that are not that far away. Be considerate — discard your unwanted mail in the proper place. Is that really asking too much?
According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, respect means “to feel or show honor or esteem for; hold in high regard; to consider or treat with deference or dutiful regard; and to show consideration for.”
It is time to take that definition and apply it to all aspects of our lives, especially around Pepperdine. We need to stop being so self-absorbed and become in tune with those around us. Respect each other.
Disrespect also occurs in ways and places that may never before have occurred to you. Such as: parking improperly so the person in the next space over has difficulty; not adhering to rules and requirements devised by this university for our own well being; judging someone based on appearance before giving them a chance; talking in an area where others are trying to study; and even stealing or destroying property that isn’t yours.
Last semester’s instance involving improper language painted on the Rock is a perfect example of rude behavior as well. If there is something that you disagree with, in life or at Pepperdine, come up with an intelligent way to voice your opinion. Don’t just ‘dis’ the other party.
Hold the door open for the person walking behind you and say thank you to the Wave shuttle drivers who save us from having to carry our heavy books from one side of the campus to the other.
Contemplate for a moment all of the people on a daily basis who you may or may not come in contact with, but who also keep our university running.
The helpful people at One Stop. Everyone in the Financial Aid office. The cafeteria and bookstore workers. Those individuals who keep the library running or get your mail delivered to you. What about the CPO workers, Public Safety, the janitorial staff and Admissions?
Get to know these people. Ask their name. Find out their story. Everyone on this campus is important and shouldn’t be overlooked. They all deserve respect and common courtesy.
January 31, 2002