MY UNIVERSITY: A CULTURE OF SILENCE
By Markida Scotland
It is not uncommon to hear complaints from students on any college campus. After semesters of papers, bothersome teachers, and reprehensible classmates complaints are often inescapable. However, while complaints are in order, where do you go from there? Complaining does not solve anything. When you find yourself in a situation that warrants a complaint you have choices: change the situation or change the way you think about the situation.
At the University of the Virgin Islands, complaints are at an all time high. I am certain the abundance of complaints rivals the amount of students in attendance. What I am trying to say is that it is ridiculous how there are so many complaints yet the campus remains silent. Did I lose you? Let me explain.
Students at UVI are tired of:
- The size of the Fitness Center
- The lack of a gymnasium
- The lack of variety in food choices
- The excessive rules in the residence halls
- Lack of activities
- Low student turnout at activities
- Non-working and out-dated computers
- How security operates
- The favoritism over St. Thomas Campus vs St. Croix Campus
- Poor Greek Life presence
The list continues.
These are complaints I have observed and empathized with over the years and unsurprisingly nothing has changed.
As a student, I complain as well, however I try to make use of my talents in order to voice these complaints. I am a writer, granted I’ve lost my touch, but a writer nonetheless. The school’s newspaper is the greatest asset I have under my belt, and while I am editor I am still a reporter. When I come across concerns I try to get the students’ take on it, however I am almost always met with rebuttal. The students absolutely refuse to speak to me. I do not know if news media equates to enemy, or they truly are not serious about voicing their concerns. Even if I am considered an enemy, when I am trying to work to create a better campus for you then would you not put your betterment over your bias? I would think that would matter more to you.
No changes can occur if we constantly complain to ourselves or our fellow peers. What is the purpose of having all these outlets that say “Voice of the University” and the only people willing to speak are those in charge? When I say other outlets I mean the radio station as well. The school’s paper is called “The UVI ‘VOICE,’” the school’s radio station is “WUVI The VOICE of the University.” Yet where are all the voices? Does this voice mean just the faculty and staff? No! It includes the entire UVI community, yet the students will not come forward. They never want to be documented whether it is via print or broadcast for whatever the reason may be, yet they expect their voices to be heard.
Crazy.
Ludicrous.
Ridiculous.
I have been tempted on several occasions to tell students to just be quiet when I hear them complain, especially if it is about something I have asked them about countless times. Maybe my lack of popularity is a concern. Maybe because I am not some sort of star in the eyes of the students then they should just ignore my plea for them to speak for the paper, radio, or television. What they fail to realize is that my connection to these outlets are what matters, not the student body. While I would love to gain their trust, how can I do that if NO ONE comes forward? Everything remains one-sided if only one side has the confidence to speak, in this case it is those above us.
I’ve grown tired of it now. You want change, get up and do something about it no matter how small it is. You may think that “Speaking” won’t change anything but how would you know that unless you try? For all you know someone else may read, see, or hear it and act on your words. If you’re not, then just be silent…technically you are anyways.
“See if you can catch yourself complaining, in either speech or thought, about a situation you find yourself in, what other people do or say, your surroundings, your life situation, even the weather. To complain is always nonacceptance of what is. It invariably carries an unconscious negative charge. When you complain, you make yourself into a victim. When you speak out, you are in your power. So change the situation by taking action or by speaking out if necessary or possible; leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness.” ― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
Originally published at inscotlandyard.blogspot.com on January 14, 2015.
