Trying something new

By Katie Roberts

Welcome to week three of the Santa Clara quarter system! The first week was dedicated to moving in and figuring out if you can buy cheaper textbooks somewhere else. Week two was for signing up for intramural sports and trying to memorize your schedule, but week three is when life really gets crazy -- as midterms begin and commitments build. Unfortunately, it's also when every extracurricular offers interesting events.

As of the third week of classes, there have been 11 sporting events on campus, at least two meetings for each of 100-plus clubs, activities for nine RLCs, eight showings of "Seven Guitars" in Mayer Theater, countless house parties, and two nights of karaoke at The Claran.

Part of college is being overbooked and overwhelmed. But even with immensely busy schedules, there is a sense of apathy for everything outside what we are personally involved in. Students dive into their own activities, , but disregard other club events around campus. Freshman Kristine Wedum admits that "unless it's an event that really catches my eye, I don't even pay attention."

Many of these events happen on the weekends, or even on Wednesday nights. Yes, I understand these nights are reserved for "going out," But most parties don't begin until the events on campus end. Examples include the plays and musicals at Mayer Theater, choral concerts, any one of a number of multi-cultural events which range from Intandesh meetings to the Chinese Cultural Show, SCCAP placements, and sporting events.

Who are we, as citizens of this ever-globalizing world, if we are not conscious of what surrounds us? When was the last time you stepped outside your comfort level and attended an event in which you have no involvement with or know nothing about?

So I challenge you, as a Santa Clara student, to develop your "consciousness" in the same way you attend class to build your competence. APB Director Amparo Cid knows about encouraging attendance at on-campus events. She said, "I think that we need to move beyond our comfort zones and experience all the great opportunities at Santa Clara."

Contribute to clubs and teams. Get others to join and encourage attendance and participation. But reciprocate. Go to a jazz concert or attend Santa Clarans for Social Justice. Buy a ticket for the Ka Mana'o O Hawaii show or cheer on the Tae Kwan Do participants in their competitions. I'm not asking that you get involved in another club or team, but simply to support your fellow students in their interests.