The first time it was a shock.
A couple years ago I was walking through the parking lot in front of Portland’s Woodbury Campus Center and I saw somebody studying in their car. I didn’t understand why someone would do that.
Then I started to see it more often. A woman eating lunch in her car. A guy with his seat reclined sleeping in his car. Somebody else reading a book in her car.
I hear a lot of people talk about how disconnected USM students are from the University. I hear about task forces (see page 8) and student involvement conferences and I scoff. I tell myself they’re a waste of time. That all colleges have problems getting students involved. Why should I care?
Then I think about those people in their cars. That’s the epitome of disconnection.
That some people would rather spend the hour between classes reading in their car than in the student center is a powerful reality. That some people would rather sleep in their cars than in those big blue heavenly-soft chairs in the TV room baffles me.
The Student Involvement Task Force is trying to find out why students aren’t more involved.
But I’m talking about involvement in its simplest form. This isn’t joining a student group or running for the Student Senate. I’m talking about being so uninvolved that you eat lunch in your car instead of the cafeteria.
I know that USM isn’t the average college. That almost 90 percent of its 10,000+ students are commuters.
But college is supposed to be a little more than: park car, go to class, go back to car, go home.
If that routine sounds familiar you need to know you’re missing something.
This isn’t the generic, “get involved at USM, there are so many opportunities” editorial. This is the “get out of your car and sleep on a couch in the TV room” version. There’s a big difference.
Sure, there’s a lot to do at USM. Want experience in politics? Get 15 people to vote for you and you’ll be on the Student Senate. Want to be a published writer? Knock on my door and I’ll give you a story assignment today.
And to be honest we’re doing just fine without you. I don’t care if you get involved or not.
But do yourself a favor. It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you live. Your college memories should extend beyond parking lots and classrooms.
Next time you’re hungry, try eating in the cafeteria. You just might meet someone or hear something you wouldn’t have if you stayed in your car.