Editor’s Note: Opinions expressed in letters to the editor are those of the author, and publication in the Graphic in no way represents an endorsement of any opinions published. This space is provided to allow public response and commentary on articles and issues which are covered by the Graphic and important to its readership.
Dear Graphic,
Something happened to me this semester that has never happened to me before: I have been turned away from a Convocation not once, but twice. Maybe this is because we have two classes of record size on campus, but I think I know the real reason.
The real reason this happens is because so many people cut in line. I haven’t been showing up to events the minute before they start. I make an effort to arrive fifteen minutes or so in advance. Each time I have been refused entry, I’ve missed it by only a few people. And each time, I’ve witnessed at least as many people cut the line somewhere in front of me.
Cutting is dishonest. You are giving yourself priority over others who have chosen to arrive earlier. What would Jesus think? In the past, the cutting problem hasn’t bothered me as much because I’ve always made it into events anyway. But the cutting has to stop now that people are starting to be turned away.
The cutting is especially disheartening to me because I have a real interest in the events I try to attend. Anyone who arrives just one minute before something begins probably does not have the same level of interest. It makes me sad that someone can participate in a Convocation in my place by arriving later than I, simply because they are friends with someone in line. By the way, the enablers who allow their friends to cut them are equally as guilty.
The Convocation crew doesn’t have the manpower to patrol the lines of people and scan them in. So, this change must come from within. The decision to be honest has to start with each and every Pepperdine student.
Sincerely,
Luke Asher, junior
Junior Economics Major
As published in the Oct. 24, 2013 issue of the Pepperdine Graphic.
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