Semester in Review: from starting a mission to the "Last Midnight"

DISCLAIMER: Since this is the last post, for now, I am returning to my long post roots.  Enjoy!

Over the semester, I have tried to discover how involved are people on campus.

My intended plans did not exactly come true, but I have had fun through it all.

At the start of the semester, I did not expect to be in a crowded room learning about IRS Criminal investigators, observe people acting out scenes from an anime, and understand both groups as people investing time in what they love, even if photos do not tell the whole story.

I was not expecting to find out a smoker can be inside and not get warned about lung cancer.

I learned goals can be met if one is willing to wait long enough for your voice to develop.

I was able to get introspective and explain who I am and what I believe and display where work.

I was one of the few who took notes at an improv show (and got my suggestions used) after hearing heartfelt music about a developing relationship.

I was able to report on "the varsity sport of the mind" and promote the Taqueria (great value and community, even if your digestive system might not agree.)

I got to drive a golf cart and raise the scoreboard!   I might still feel the strain from that weekend, but the ability to see this campus from a different perspective was definitely worth the risk.

I discussed ASUP Senate Resolution 11-03, (funding the fundraising efforts for the new rec/wellness center from Fall Capital Improvement Fund money for the next three years), running a debate and expressed my views about the Beacon. 

Though those two entries proved to be among the most popular, I am mixed about my work on each. 

Call me naive but I do not want attention, views or whatever passes for social capital these days through arguments and controversy.  Though I might go into the field of journalism for a career, I want to stand on my own and attempt to build a reputation through what I wrote about 11-03, uncovering facts and pointing out solutions to problems rather than blithely complain about issues.  If I cannot survive in the field without resorting to unsubstantiated viewpoints with limited bias, then I am skeptical of a culture that supports people putting their own goals ahead of their subjects.  Journalism should be about displaying new ideas and perspectives so people can realize the world is full of new and different ideas that can shape their lives, hopefully for the better.

I cannot retract my views from either entry, but I must acknowledge those views were valid at the time of writing.  I will deal with whatever comes from the reaction and if that costs me opportunities, so be it. I will always try to keep the perspective of subjects in mind and remember to aim toward story not opinion (unless the situation somehow requires a sledgehammer instead of a camera.)

Even in that 11-03 post that recieved positive reactions, I feel I got a little too personal and opinionated about the meeting and discussion.  The post might have been able to shed light on the 2010-2011 ASUP Senate experience, but the meeting made me weary, frustrated and bitter toward the senate, democracy and even myself.

Several of my views about this semester can be supported/emulated in the Steven Sondheim production "Into the Woods" which wrapped up its UP run on Sunday the 17th and was profiled over at UP in Theater.

Possibly the only spoiler-free photo I took, unless you did not realize trees exist in the woods.

Warning: some spoilers abound!

Like the main characters, I wished to see how involved people, specifically students, are on campus.  Like Little Red Riding Hood, I strayed from the path, but was able to learn things I never knew before making the journey.

Like the finale "Children Will Listen" points out, children and people will look up to everyone of us and develop plans of action from what they see us do. I feel this blog tried and succeeded every once in a while by showing clubs and activities people would otherwise ignore.  Maybe people will try to start their own club or decide to attend an event or join a club just because the name is odd or for a new experience. 

When I strayed from my original goal, I acted in ways that might have harmed others and have to keep those transgressions in mind to avoid repeating those mistakes. I must always remember people are reading and not always commenting.

What does the future hold for this blog and myself after I leave this wood of supervised writing?

We will have to find out together. I might focus on some things more (ASUP Senate, clubs gone by) and not be as personal.  Depending on what the reader wants, this entity could shift toward crowd-sourced reports about clubs or events or wither away into the digital ether.

I must go for the summer but like the song also points out, no one leaves for good.  This experience through the woods allowed me to discover people can enjoy my work, regardless of length and amount of links.  I guess to them, I was doing something right. The important part is we all survived and hopefully are richer for the experience.

Thanks again to everyone who allowed me to profile them or allow me access to materials surrounding clubs and especially the commenters.  The perspectives have allowed me to gauge content reactions and improve my writing/storytelling skills.  Without you, this blog could or might have turned into random ramblings that only I and future family will see to mock or enjoy.

What did you think of this first journey through the woods?  What would you like to see more or less of in the future? How has this blog helped your journey through the woods of line on UP's bluff?

The Start of a Mission

Disclaimer: this blog is the investigation of a question that has been bugging me for my three years on campus: how involved are people on campus?

Freshmen are encouraged to get involved in clubs for the first few weeks, culminating in the Activities Fair.  

 Few people try to follow up with older students, let alone freshmen after those weeks. 

Parents ask what their kids are doing or could be doing on campus; even high school seniors might see what they could do during their college experience.

Also, few clubs are also known by the ASUP Senators as they use precious time during the semester budget meetings asking club representatives about their events or role on campus.

This blog hopes to shed light on the lesser-seen clubs and activities, providing them some much needed attention, removing preconceptions and ignorance about clubs and activities, and make strides to answer that ultimate question.   

Maybe I will find out there are just a few that are involved in anything and most of the campus is made up of the “silent majority” that are only here for their degree and hanging out for their friends.

How will I work to answer these questions?

Club profiles: club synopsis, interview of leadership, stories about their meeting/ event attended

"How an Idea Becomes a Club": I will follow the efforts of at least one potential club as it tries to become an official club

"Inside the Student Activities Office": interviews with student workers and the employees of the Office of Student Activities including Jillian Smith, the Assistant Director for Student Clubs, and Jeromy Koffler, the director of Student Activities and ASUP Senate Adviser.

Club of the Week: profile of a club, not necessarily one I have already attended or already profiled

I am a Member of the "Silent Majority": interview with someone who is involved with only a few clubs and is more concerned about their degree or their friends than what happens in other clubs

"Not My Club": a rip-off of NPR's "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me''s popular segment, "Not My Job", asking questions about a club or event on campus to someone not affiliated with the club to see how much they know campus activities

"Clubs Gone by": a featured club that used to exist on campus. Possibly including ways it could return or how it served its purpose  

"The Search for the Most Active Student": a continuing series to find who is either the most organized or the most tired student, depending on their perspective

Weekend Recaps of club events

Listings of as many events occurring each week I can find to show the options and potential conflicts

These are most of the ways., as the weeks go by, some segment will change or be dropped.  I am also open for guest suggestions and even a guest columnist or two.

I also have a radio show Fridays from 4-5pm called UP to Something on kdup.up.edu, the campus radio station, where I will discuss some of these topics and produce interviews that might make appearances here.  I warn you, I do not have the best voice for radio, but I try my best.

I also serve as KDUP's liaison with the student government, so reports for meetings will make occasional appearances.  

Even though I will try to be as unbiased as possible, there are times where I will have an obvious slant on an issue. I will try to remind you, the reader when I write in that way, but let me know if I go astray.

Do not hesitate to provide your opinions on things through the comments.  I hope you enjoy my efforts and once a routine is established, this site can perform some good in the university community.