A welcome, some tips and requests and a call to action
This is the Our View, prepared by the Editorial Board and should be considered the institutional voice of The Record.
Happy first issue of The Record. We hope everyone had a relaxing and rejuvenating summer and is starting the school year strong.
As the Editorial Board, we want to take a moment to welcome all CSB and SJU new and returning students, faculty, staff and community members back to campus. Every new academic year is the beginning of new and exciting opportunities, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of what these institutions have to offer.
In the paragraphs below, we have outlined a handful of requests and tips for students to consider as we all embark on this school year. First, get involved. This is the first year with zero COVID-19 requirements (and we have our fingers crossed that it stays that way), and after years of social distancing, masks and other restrictions, you should be eager to get out and get involved uninhibited.
One of the best parts of being in college is the ability to easily meet other people and join clubs and organizations that match your interests. Don’t let one year, or four, go by without trying something new or experiencing something inside, or outside, of your comfort zone. Each opportunity could lead you to something you never thought you’d do; why not start today?
What comes after creating a culture of getting involved? Supporting your friends and classmates. This goes beyond tailgating before a football game and involves showing up to events, plays, concerts and sports competitions on both campuses. This means actively engaging with the community, looking for opportunities that may not be the most popular and encouraging your friends and classmates to try something they are interested in but may never try without more encouragement.
Third, you’re only in college once. Never again in your life will you have this number of resources available to you, and certainly not for the price–free, after tuition. There are many ways to make you a better student: visit the Writing Center before turning in that essay or book an XPD appointment to clean up that resume.
Take advantage of the weight rooms, gyms, athletic fields and thousands upon thousands of acres of trails, lakes and woods that surround these campuses.The fall is arguably the most beautiful time on campus, so go admire the changing colors.
Strengthen your professional skills through one of the many student employment and volunteer opportunities. Sharpen your smarts by engaging with world-renowned scholars during events and take care of your mental health through Walk-in Wednesday at the CSB or SJU Counseling offices, every Wednesday from 1-3 p.m.
Last, and perhaps most important, treat this place with respect. An article in this week’s paper details the millions of dollars’ worth of improvements that happened over the summer. From the new Seton apartments to the upgraded Brother Willie’s Pub and Sexton mini mart, these renovations deserve to be treated with gratitude and appreciation. Bennie and Johnnie alumni helped keep these spaces ready for us, so let’s do the same for students to come.
It’s going to be a great school year, and all of us can make this experience exponentially better if we lean in, show up and lead with kindness and thoughtfulness.
In honor of editors before us who were fond of quoting the Order of St. Benedict, we’ve decided to quote St. Benedict himself: “It is now time for us to rise up from sleep.” In this case, sleep is the summer and rising up, we hope, involves writing for The Record.