The Record wants to hear your opinions

Things are changing around here.

It’s a new school year, this time seemingly without the masks and COVID restrictions. In-person events have returned in full force, tailgating is back to its usual rowdiness and students can be seen in all corners of campus, not just their rooms. It’s also a time in which CSB and SJU are attempting to define their identities and our shared identity as ‘Strongly Integrated’ institutions. The administration is weighing a number of cuts to faculty and departments through a process known as the Academic Prioritization Plan.

New joint President Brian Bruess’ tenure, although having just started, will be defined by his ability to reconfigure CSB and SJU to stabilize enrollment, bring in new groups of students and raise the endowment. Simultaneously occouring alongside all of that is a number of student happenings, all of which deserve their own spotlight.

Writing an opinion for The Record offers you a chance to express your thoughts on any of the things above or whatever happens to cross your mind. Have an opinion on everyone storming the football field every game? Write to us. Have an opinion on CSB’s identity going away in light of a more intertwined relationship between the schools?Write to us. Have an opinion on Kwik Trip donuts? We’ve published one before.

By writing an opinion, you can help shape key conversations around campus and subsequently shape the trajectory of the two colleges going forward. Opinions are around 500-700 words (or more), and we accept submissions by Wednesday at noon each week.

I’m well aware that it’s much easier to keep your opinion to yourself, or, maybe more satisfactory, to rant to your friends. Writing opinions isn’t something that comes natural to me either, but one of my goals for this semester is to do it more often.

I’m reminded of a sentence that I saw a couple of years ago: “To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.” We can all stay in our rooms, keep to ourselves and never speak up. But such actions do not create the dialogue that is required to make this college experience the best it can possibly be.

Understand that what happens today will affect generations of Bennies and Johnnies that will walk these grounds after you. Being “nothing” isn’t what any of us aspire to be. Recognizing that being yourself will invoke criticism no matter what, I implore you to lean in and embrace the diversity of experiences, attitudes and opinions that make up this campus.

Embrace debate. Embrace meaningful conversations. And most of all, care about the world that is going on around you enough to speak up about what you believe in. The inflection point that our schools and our country are at demands more from each one of us. I know I’ll be writing opinions this semester. I hope you’ll join me.