A boost in campus life benefits all

Brian Wallheimer
Editor in Chief

I was going to talk about campus life today, but there is not much to talk about.

It seems as though students don't care about what's going on at SIUE. It shows when I'm the only student at a concert in Cougar Den or when I go to a volleyball game and I can count the number of SIUE students on two hands.

I know that SIUE is a commuter campus and people have lives outside school, but a little support here and there won't hurt anyone. I can't say that I go to every event on campus, but I do attend the ones that interest me. Sometimes I even have fun.

I have a question to ask everyone, and I want serious responses. What can I, or anyone on this campus, do to boost campus life at SIUE?

Different sporting events and programs are on campus every week. In many cases if these programs simply stopped happening, I don't think anyone would even notice.

The only answer I won't accept is that SIUE needs a football team. You might as well save your time. I've been thinking about football on campus for a while. At first I thought it was a great idea, but then I realized that students don't support the sports we have now. Based on student support of the other teams, a football team makes no sense.

Other than football, anything is fair game as far as I'm concerned. I want to know what you, individually, need to spark your interest in what's happening on campus.

I look at other universities around the country and I see their traditions and how much spirit other schools have. I really want that here. I don't see significant differences between SIUE and any other school. We're a commuter school, but if we are close enough to drive to school every day, then we are close enough to come to the events on campus.

Think about this. If you were on a sports team or put on a campus program, how would you feel if nobody showed up? Honestly, put yourself in that position. It would be as if you threw a party and none of your friends came.

So write me or call the sound-off line and let me know what interests you. Our address and e-mail adress can be found at the bottom left-hand column of this page. The sound-off number is at the bottom. Hopefully you'll send in some good responses. I want to make this campus better for everyone, but I can't do it alone. If there is something I can do to fix the problem, just let me know.

I urge students to get out and attend campus events. Check Campus Scanner in the Alestle or look at the kiosks in front of buildings. Just get out and do something.

And let me know what I can do.