Viewpoint by Edna Horton/nw news editor
Students and instructors alike should have pride in their school.
Having pride in a school means knowing what is happening on that campus. Many resources make such information available, and some are as simple as just looking at a sign.
Recently, I was getting quotes from students for an article on the campuswide smoking ban. As I was walking to the campus from the car, I noticed at least four signs stating the ban. When I began to ask students what they thought of it, however, only three of them knew the ban existed.
Read the signs. If students get fined because they are caught smoking on campus, it’s their own fault. Really, there were signs all over the place saying the campus was smoke-free. The Collegian ran a front-page article about it, and all students received an announcement on Campus-Cruiser.
All campuses have bulletin boards around the campus. They include postings of everything: club meetings, crimes, classes and scholarship information.
The Collegian is another good source of information. We list upcoming events, plays, speeches and art events on each campus.
Knowing what each campus offers is another way to take pride in the school. Many times when I ask students on NW Campus if they know the campus offers a full-service fire and criminal justice departments, I am shocked when they say “no.”
The programs are why the fire training instruction center has buildings and cars they set on fire. The smoke can be seen all over campus. What do they think the smoke is?
The criminal justice department has a shooting range, and people across campus can hear the guns. When I pointed this out to another student, he said he thought it was firecrackers. Really? He thought someone was shooting firecrackers every day, all day.
So, please, get to know the school. Read the paper. Read the bulletin boards. Even checking out course offerings can give you better knowledge of your school. Take a walk around campus. Go inside the buildings. Look at the artwork. These are great ways to learn about the campus and meet fellow students.
Take pride in your school. You never know how one thing that happens on campus could directly affect you.
