The Observer, August 31, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 1
Editorial: Declare war on apathy
Case students love to complain – about each other, professors, the ever-changing administration, our campus, the weather, Cleveland, construction, Leutner and Fribley, homework, the Case logo…and The Observer. Yet there are very few people on this campus who will reach out to affect change.
Yes, we all have homework, but that is not an excuse for apathy. After all, what you learn outside the classroom – how to work with other people, how to communicate effectively, and so on – is often more important and applicable to the real world than anything you'll learn inside the classroom. Professors, take note: giving a more manageable amount of reading and homework isn't a bad thing.
Complaining solves nothing. Either accept the situation at hand and stop whining about it, or make an effort to fix what you believe to be the problem. Write letters. Join organizations. Talk to people. This campus hasn't seen a protest in years; organize one!
It isn't only in respect to progressive thinking that this campus is apathetic, however. Though each new class at Case is significantly less awkward than the last, there remain those fanatically focused on their homework, as well as those who consider playing a video game alone a fun Friday night activity. Get out there and do something! Join a team. Start a club. Get a job.
If you can't muster up the energy to actually participate in something, at least support those who are. Cheer on the soccer team. Attend a theater production. Listen to WRUW.
And if you have a problem with The Observer, at least take the time to tell us. We depend on you, the reader, to let us know what you want to see in the paper each week. We're striving this year to be something more than simply a distraction you pick up before Friday morning lecture. We'd like to see people reading more of the paper than just the back page.
Thus, we're making a special effort to include information that we feel is useful to the average Case student – not only what's happening on campus, but simple recipes, student profiles, and local reviews. We're currently searching for someone to redesign our website (http://observer.case.edu), where we'll be able to post news, scores, and photos more quickly. The new website will also feature polls, reader feedback, searchable archives, and submission forms for classies and letters. Basically, we want to become a more accessible campus resource for the student community.
Help us help you. E-mail observer@case.edu to tell us what you really love and really hate about our paper. We will take any suggestion into careful consideration. And when you've gotten that far, maybe you can come up with the drive to help us implement your idea exactly as you see fit.
A college campus should be a dynamic, intriguing place to encounter. Put yourself out there and make a difference.
