ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 23, 1997 TAG: 9704230013
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARA GUBALA
RECENTLY, Roanoke College experienced a spurt of negative publicity that students would rather have not seen. The bonding ritual involving a few Roanoke students that led to hazing charges, which later were dismissed, was unfortunate. The attention Roanoke College received from the media may have damaged the perception that the majority of college students today are involved in a number of positive things.
The popular media that give college an "Animal House" image also influence the public perception of college-student behavior. However, the majority of students act responsibly and play an integral role in their colleges and surrounding communities.
Irresponsible behavior is unfortunate but, at times, a natural part of the college experience and the development of the whole person. Some people do things after exercising bad judgment. In cases where the mistakes are silly, students can learn from minor errors. The mistakes that we make are often some of the best lessons we ever learn. In cases where mistakes are serious, college hearing processes or even civil or criminal courts appropriately intervene.
While mistakes will always be with us, the reality in college is that most students are mostly responsible. More importantly, students usually try to use college to learn about greater responsibility.
Responsibility is one of the highest priorities and goals for the entire Roanoke College community. One of the goals of our 2002 plan, the college long-range plan, is to challenge students to make a difference in the world. Responsibility is held in high regard through our rigorous curriculum, in our social and community service activities and through the development of the student as a person.
Roanoke College's long-range plan speaks clearly of the college's dedication to responsibility. That common theme and idea can be detected throughout our entire curriculum. The small class sizes, attendance policies, independent research and faculty dedication are just a few of the ways by which Roanoke has accepted the challenge of educating students to be responsible and accountable.
The challenge, however, extends far beyond the campus of Roanoke College. All of us in society today need to challenge our communities to influence the leaders of tomorrow by aiding in education beyond the classroom setting and helping to teach values and virtues, and especially a sense of responsibility to others.
The Roanoke College curriculum includes a required Values and Responsible Life course that teaches, reinforces and challenges students to be responsible. The course provides a broad basis and background for learning about responsibility to one's community and self. Students participate in class discussions, gain the ability to discuss values amongst their peers, and learn to carefully examine controversial issues. For a college, the institution's responsibility lies in preparing our graduates to make responsible choices in life.
Many social aspects of campus life also aid in the development of responsibility in students. Fraternities and sororities at Roanoke College volunteer time and raise money for the many philanthropies, among them: Read Aloud Program, The Children's Miracle Network, Sight Conservation and Aid to the Blind, American Cancer Society, PUSH America, Ronald McDonald House, MDA. Greeks tutor children at the West End Center for underprivileged youth, and serve meals at RAM House. They build houses for Habitat for Humanity and sponsor holiday celebrations for the children of the West End Center.
The Panhellenic Council and the Interfraternity Council teamed up with the Center for Community Services to sponsor the West End Center Olympics as part of Greek Week this past fall. The Greeks represent the campus in student government, in honor societies, and in other leadership and service organizations. Fraternities' and sororities' conscientious behavior extends into the classroom, as well. The grade-point average for Greeks surpasses the GPA for all students.
Through involvement in other student organizations and through student life as whole, responsibility is also embedded in the programming for our student activities. Our newly formed Outdoor Adventure Program encourages individual and group responsibility, while developing the whole person. Organizations such as the Women's Issues Group, the Shades of Maroon (the multicultural organization), Student Government Association, religious-life groups and the Roanoke College Media Project reflect the diversity and initiative of the student body. The student organizations provide the framework inside which students can learn and grow.
If the whole story can be told, college students are mostly productive, community-minded people. It is unfortunate that faulty judgment on the part of a few can do so much to alter the reputation of a responsible majority. The national attention that this incident received has possibly tainted the public perception of a fine college.
As the student-body president, I hope that the public can understand that most Roanoke and other college students want to contribute positively to society. I hope that as a society we recognize the impressive track records of the majority of Roanoke College students, a track record that makes me justifiably proud.
Sara Gubala-is Student Government Association president and vice president of Chi Omega sorority at Roanoke College.
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