Staff Reporters
Published: March 24 2004
On March 8, political and environmental activist Winona LaDuke spoke at PJC in front of about a 1/3 full crowd at the Ashmore Auditorium on the Pensacola campus. That?s the typical number of people attending most speeches, performances and events at PJC.
Such sparse crowds are an embarrassment. It sends the signals that with the exception of their classes, students here don?t care and aren?t interested in what happens at PJC.
To make things worse, the event, like most other events, was free for PJC students. PJC has a reputation as a commuter college. It?s not wrong. Many students drive to school, get there 10 minutes before class, go from class to class and then drive to work or home or wherever.
It?s for that reason that there is no sense of campus spirit here. By and large, the more than 30,000 students don?t get involved in campus activities and events. Because students, with the exception of the athletes, don?t live on campus, there?s a disconnect to what?s going on. The Corsair staff frequently meets students who aren?t aware of clubs and events.
Many aren?t even aware that a student paper exists. The Corsair thinks it is time to change.
One of the key benefits to being in college is the opportunity to meet new people and get involved in new activities and causes. Groups such as the Student Government Association (SGA), Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), Alpha Beta Gamma (ABG), the Criminal Justice Association (CJA), and yes, even The Corsair, provide students the opportunities to meet new people, go on various trips, gain work experience and engage in activities that will not only enrich their college life, but also pad their resume and transcripts.
In fact, two new groups are starting at PJC, one devoted to the ideals of the Democratic Party, the other pledged to the Republicans. In an election year, politically minded students would be prudent to check out the group that best appeals to their beliefs.
Going beyond groups, athletic events usually draw less than 100 people to a game. Contrast that with the attitude at large universities, where the student body lives and dies on the successes and failures of its athletes. The quality of play of PJC teams and their competitors are often top-notch. There?s no reason we couldn?t have a loud and raucous fan base.
The same goes for the top-notch plays and musical performances put on by the PJC Drama and Music department, as well as the numerous touring performers that come through PJC every year.
Students need to give these events a chance to capture their interest. Many even are free to attend.
Students can afford to take a few hours from their day and support their fellow students and their school.
Another important point is that most clubs and organizations are financed in large part by student activity fees, which every student pays for when he or she pays for tuition.
The Corsair challenges students to attend at least one play or musical, one musical performance and one sporting event during the rest of the calendar year. We wager you?ll become hooked on the spectacle and skill level of the events.
The PJC staff and administration have to work harder also to inform students about happenings going on.
Relying on students to look at a flyer posted on a bulletin board as they?re rushing to class is naive and self-defeating.
Teachers need to publicize and mention events in class. The school needs to work closer with The Corsair so the staff can write about events well before they happen so students can know.
More information needs to be presented to the Pensacola News Journal so they can write up upcoming events well before they happen.
Perhaps teachers can offer extra credit to students who attend campus events.
The Corsair believes that now is the time to enjoy the full college experience. PJC has a lot to offer. There are activities here that forever can enrich students? lives.
It’s up to them to take advantage of it and it?s up to the rest of us to make sure they know about it.