Fall 03, How Blah You've Been

Over this past semester, I've used this space to present a critique of goings-on on-campus. But in looking back over the past few months, I've realized how little there was to critique. No big scandals, no huge fowl-ups, no snafus, no big debates. Some people might say this is great, that it shows that the system is working smoothly. I have to disagree. The best projects that are undertaken, the ones that are really worthwhile, are also the ones that carry the greatest risks, challenges, and costs. And if we haven't seen any failures this semester, it makes me think that, most likely, these risks weren't even taken.

This semester has been pretty blah. There weren't any innovative programs. The only things I can think of were Mr. Engineer and Mr. Jumbo, each a take-off of the same program. I personally prefer Mr. Engineer, as it recognized its own ridiculousness and was a satirical competition. Mr. Jumbo, however, was designed to increase school spirit by stealing an antiquated, objectifying tradition from other world institutions and making it our own. There's nothing like that to increase school spirit, especially by pitting students against one another. Besides, now we have a Mr. Jumbo AND a Homecoming King...who ranks first in the line of succession? Will they have a celebrity deathmatch to duke it out?

The year did start out pretty promising, but those promises proved to be empty, unfortunately. The University College of Citizenship and Public Service started the year with a change in its preferred nickname, from UCCPS to University College. I thought this could be good, as I felt UCCPS had always served as an elitist institution, only providing opportunities to the select few Omidyar scholars, who, at least for the class of 2005, were selected by a completely flawed process. So maybe the reborn institution would finally work on creating programming needs that worked to make all Tufts students "active citizens." But no, the University College (a name most schools use for the division of continuing education) continues to remain isolated from most students at this university. Perhaps the greatest symbolism of this is the banner which hangs at the front of the Lincoln Filene Center. It says "The Road to Active Citizenship at Tufts", and features the picture and name of every "Citizenship and Public Service Scholar," implying these students, and no others, are on the road.

This fall also offered promise to implement some of the recommendations from the Task Force on the Undergraduate Experience's report. But the only idea to come out of that so far has been the proposed changes in graduation ceremonies, which have been at best, coolly received. (Although a library caf?© is indeed in the works.) A new, much-needed, eco-friendly dorm, Sophia Gordon Hall, was supposed to be built, as to be inhabitable by next fall. But opposition from our oh-so-friendly Somerville neighbors has kept that from happening, and none of the powers-that-be at Tufts has felt the need to challenge them, despite the fact that housing is by far the greatest problem with student life on this campus.

So what have Tufts leaders been up to? Well, apparently, alcohol at Tufts is a major problem. This may come as news to any one who has actually experienced the social life at Tufts, because drinking at Tufts is by far much tamer than it is at most other colleges. But the only major initiatives this semester, including the Nighttime Quad Reception and the Alcohol Think Tanks have dealt with drinking, despite the fact that two students have passed away this semester, and I don't think anyone at Tufts has died from drinking.

I know what people are going to say in response to this article. "We're doing things; it's just that people don't know about them." To them, I say, how good can your initiative be if no one knows about it? If no one knows about a program, then the community hasn't been affected by it, and the community hasn't been involved in planning and implementing it. Student leaders and administrators must recognize that although they are in leadership positions, they must involve "regular" students in their projects for them to gain legitimacy and, in turn, efficacy.

I must say, I feel a bit down by upper-level student and administrative leadership. They have said a lot of great things, but provided little follow through, particularly this semester. To them, I say don't worry about messing up, causing controversy, or even making a fool out of yourself. If there's anything I've learned in my life so far, it's that there's nothing worth doing if it doesn't carry those risks.

I am optimistic, though. Next semester has the potential to be exciting, as negotiations with a custodial service provider progress and SLAM gets more active, more undergraduate student life improvements get underway, and perhaps even some increased Fletcher-undergrad relations. Maybe President Bacow will realize there's more to Tufts than handshaking, fundraising, marathon-running, and Naked Quad Run. Perhaps the oppressive tyrants of the bookstore and Dining Services will finally be challenged. Maybe the University College will realize how little effect it has on the Tufts community. Hopefully, a controversial columnist will return. Stealing a line from one of my favorite government spokespersons, Smokey the Bear, only you can make it happen. I'll see you in January.

Adam Pulver is a junior majoring in political science and community health. He can be reached at Pulver@tuftsdaily.com