Six poised young men wearing suits and ties took their seats on the Colvard Union ballroom stage Wednesday. The doors closed and the room became quiet in anticipation of the spectacle.
The show began. Questions served as prompt cards, and the actors confidently and charismatically delivered their lines. Each characterized a competent SA president or vice president.
As the SA presidential and vice presidential candidates discussed their experience and campaign goals, one primary issue surfaced-the need for students to become more involved in campus life.
The question is this: what would motivate students to join clubs, attend more athletic events, vote in SA elections and otherwise become active students?
Of all the suggestions about how to spark student involvement at MSU, a first-year experience class is the best solution.
All candidates supported the general idea of a first-year experience class, which presidential candidate Adam Telle called “a class about how to be successful.”
The class would give first-year students basic background information about thriving as an MSU student. It would meet three times a week, and peer leaders would assist faculty in teaching these classes.
The class would educate students about MSU history and traditions, money management skills, study skills and safe sex and alcohol, according to Telle.
Eventually, the class would become a requirement.
The SA candidates support it, but why should students and faculty back it? After all, wouldn’t it be another boring, blow-off class? Hardly.
All of the issues that the class addresses comprise the school’s culture, and all State students should become aware of them.
Knowledge of these pertinent issues would enable students to make educated choices in all aspects of their college life, from how to study effectively to how to balance a checkbook.
A first-year experience class would also describe ways to participate in campus activities. Interest follows opportunity, so this information would create interest and lead to increased student involvement.
Many students do not participate in campus activities simply because they lack sufficient information about student affairs.
This first-year experience class sounds fun and easy, but it would not deteriorate MSU’s academic integrity. It would actually enrich students’ academic careers.
This class would teach practical knowledge that many students lack. Students would learn tools that would directly and indirectly help them in other classes.
Learning effective study skills would obviously help students succeed academically.
Understanding some basics about college life would similarly help students excel in the classroom.
In addition to the transition from high school to college, international and out-of-state students face the difficulty of adjusting to a new culture. Framing the context of MSU’s culture in a class would enable students to assimilate more easily into the student population. Instead of worrying about how to set up a checking account, they could work on homework.
A first-year experience class is only a fragment of a larger plan to increase retention rates and encourage student involvement across campus.
It has the potential to single-handedly accomplish these goals if students, faculty and administration support it.
Jenn Rousey is a senior English, French and communication major. She can be reached at [email protected].