Trinity, it is a-changin’

Posted by admin on Nov 5, 2008 in From the Editor | 0 comments

Change happens everyday – but sometimes big changes don’t seem to follow a slow and steady philosophy.

This year is an example: I have a new president, new house and new brother-in-law. I’m graduating soon, then moving for the fourth time in four years. It’s exhausting keeping up with it all.

Trinity Western University is not immune to the same cycles of change. The extreme turnaround of universities – with an almost completely new population every four years – opens the door for differences in attitude, atmosphere and expectations.

This turnaround can also stunt the student voice in the changes that are made: why speak into something that may not take place until after I’m nothing more than a note in the alumni magazine?

There are big changes being proposed right now at TWU. There is talk of a recreation fee that would be required on top of the current student fee of $60 per semester. On the one hand, many universities require such a fee. It would increase the usability and opportunities for wellness on campus. On the other, only students who utilize recreational facilities would benefit from money that all students have to pay – at a university where students pay for almost everything with tuition dollars, anyway.

Talks about rebuilding a chapel that seats only 200-some people are also happening. Daily chapel services, which draw more attendees than that regularly, would not be able to use such a small facility.

Do you want to pay for these things?

More importantly, should the students who come after you have to pay?

Our time here is brief, but we are part of a larger community that includes not just past and present students, but future as well. The changes the university makes now will impact the value of our degrees and education of thousands of others. Issues on the table include those above, but also the presence of Sodexo, revamping the Responsibilities of Membership and more.

When I was in my first year, the no-dancing policy was overturned. We can now bust a move (provided it’s “modest, wholesome and fun”) anywhere on campus. Same with dorm hours: when I lived on campus, co-mingling was a weekend-only affair. Now it’s a daily activity. This is because students before us decided to speak into the issue before they left – even fourth-years who never experienced the fruit of their work.

As the primary shareholders of this university, we have a chance to influence the life of others by speaking into issues now, in a variety of different ways. Attend a Popcorn and Politics session at TWUSA, or email or talk to your reps. Most TWUSA members sit on various committees with decision makers all over the university: they can take your opinion to the top.

Or, set up an appointment with Dr. Raymond. In my experience, he’s easy to talk to and very open to student input. Email a member of the Board of Governors – they’re meeting this week to talk about the future of the chapel. Write an opinion piece in Mars’ Hill, or comment on one at marshillonline.com.

Changes will happen; I don’t have to convince anyone they’re inevitable. But what kinds of changes take place will impact the lives of thousands of other students. We have the chance to make sure the right kind of change happens.

After all, it’s the student’s university.