We are nearing the end of spring term. Teachers are squeezing in one more paper or one more test before it is all over. Yet, at the same time, every lower and upper is writing board application after board application. How many times can you answer the question, “What new ideas would you bring to this board?” Lately, with everyone about to spontaneously combust, I have witnessed an increase in negative attitude across campus. There are the students who constantly tell you they take harder classes than you, do more extra-curriculars than you and have more leadership positions than you, and, thus, your problems are non-existent in their eyes. Yet even someone in a 100-level class has to learn material they have never seen before, so does your high level class really entail more work? Another proceeds to tell you that they are on six boards. Then, to top it all off, they ask you why you do not go to their clubs, because, of course, their clubs are more important than any clubs you attend. The notion that one cause is more important than another is something very apparent across this campus. I constantly hear people trying to prove that their cause is more important to bettering the world. Yet, as Raeva Kumar said in her article, “Evade, Confront and Create,” we just need to do something because “we are lucky enough to be living in a world where passionate individuals exist who are willing to devote themselves to the betterment of humankind.” Everyone has their cause and it is only as important to the world as it is to person who devotes herself to it. External problems aside, I recently encountered a similar negative attitude within a club. The leaders of this club became caught up in trying to attract only the students they deemed intelligent and well-read to their club so as they could cultivate future club leaders. I do not think this is the attitude any club leader should have. While it is definitely a club leader’s job to attract new members, it is not their job to court the best future board member. Who is actually fit to lead a club, the student forced there because of their “intelligence” or the student who has a genuine interest and passion? Now, I am not saying that intelligent, curious students should not attend. Asking people you think would be interested is a great way to bring new members to a club. Yet the process of seeking out people based on their cultural and political knowledge and leadership potential is ultimately detrimental. This practice only leads to a negative atmosphere within the club. It turns the club into a competition of who knows more instead of a discussion in which everyone learns more. This constant competition, whether between students, between clubs, or within a club, needs to end. In all actuality, no student has it that much harder than another, and no student is inherently more qualified than another. No club is more important than another club and no club member is more important than another club member. I encourage club leaders to continue seeking out members who they think would be interested in their club, yet I caution the recruitment of members based on their leadership potential. Students will ultimately do the things they are passionate about. Passion cannot be forced. Jen Sluka is a two-year Lower from Coralville, IA.
