Speak up: write an opinion piece

Why can’t SJU hire the personnel required for staffing regular hours at the Refectory? How can CSB+SJU talk about environmentalism while simultaneously offering only single-use dishes and silverware during evening dining hours at Gorecki? Why are current students forbidden from participating in events, like St. Patrick’s Day that Johnnies and Bennies in past years have been able to enjoy? If you listen, you can hear complaints like these brought up again and again by CSB+SJU students. I have brought up my own fair share of critiques during my four years here. What I haven’t done, until now, is write an opinion piece for the Record.

The Rule of St. Benedict tells us, “Listen… with the ear of your heart.” Listening is one of our Benedictine values. It is not practical for us to individually listen to every single person in a community as large as our own, so to listen to our community’s voice we rely on aids like the Record. It is then the responsibility of everyone at CSB+SJU to bring attention to issues that impact the community… it is impossible for us to listen to something that is never voiced. Articulating community issues comes with a cost, as you are putting your views on public display and taking time out of your day to write. Hopefully the benefits, both for you and for our community, outweigh these costs. I believe they do.

First, let us consider the benefits that you will receive for taking it upon yourself to write an opinion piece for the Record. I believe that by putting effort into crafting an opinion piece, you will gain a much deeper understanding of the issue you are writing about. You are forced to contend with opposing views, lay out your argument in a clear and compelling way, and potentially even brainstorm solutions. This requires much more thought than simply complaining about a problem to several friends in the Reef. Writing an opinion piece will also help you to practice flexing your liberal arts muscles. By utilizing the knowledge that you have in a wide variety of fields, you can craft a much stronger argument that draws on the interests of a larger audience. We hear about the value of a liberal arts education every day, but unless we learn how to unlock its power, we are leaving much of its potential untapped.

Now for the benefits that the community receives because of your contribution to our collective voice, The Record. One of the largest benefits conferred on the community is the continued success of the Record. The first published edition of the Record from January 1, 1888, stated that a “right welcome way, too, of contributing to its [the Record’s] success, will be by frequently contributing to its columns. Items, personals, reminiscences of your college days, literary, scientific, historic notices and essays, book reviews, etc., will be gratefully received and will certainly add to the interest which The Record will awaken among its readers.” The first creators, 135 years ago, knew that by utilizing the entire student body the Record could find success.

Without student buy-in, it would cease to exist. When the Record is flourishing, the community’s voice is strong and students are actively engaged in the events that are happening: big and small, good and bad. Students can direct community attention towards what is important to them. This enables us to keep our community healthy, tight-knit and in dialogue with all its members. Whether you’re addressing a community issue or highlighting a positive event, now is the time to write your opinion piece for The Record. By doing so, you’ll not only make your voice heard, but contribute in an important way to our community. So, take the leap and start writing! I look forward to reading it.