Whether you’re a naive, bright-eyed incoming freshman, a slightly more jaded returning student with a few years to go, or a senior just excited to graduate and get out of La Jolla, you’re in for a happy surprise — this year is packed with enough historic events, policy changes and expanded resources to make even the most cynical undergrad a little excited about college.
And thank God, I’ve been waiting three years for something cool to happen around here.
If you haven’t registered to vote yet, definitely add it to your list of move-in to-dos.
There’s no question that this year’s election is a huge deal, and chances are it will be your first time voting for the nation’s highest office. That’s something you don’t want to miss because unless you live in a cave, whoever is elected will be making decisions that will seriously affect your post-college, real-life-adult self.
So use that Internet connection for something other than video games, educate yourself about the candidates and hit up the post office, Department of Motor Vehicles or one of the many organizations frequently registering people on Library Walk. It doesn’t matter if you’re pulling for the Barracuda, or wanting to Barack the Vote — get out there come Election Day to decide what the next four years will hold.
Closer to home, there will be some equally big decisions happening on campus that students should keep an eye on. The administration is making some huge changes to student freedom on campus — after a yearlong debate, UCSD’s free speech policies pertaining to major campus centers are still murky at best, and while administrators, advisory boards, the A.S. Council and various committees caucus and pontificate, not much has actually been done to ensure freedom for the student body.
Our constitutional rights are being stripped from us, and this year students need to stand up to reclaim them loud and clear.
But these important on-campus issues aren’t limited to policy changes and power struggles. Last year’s Sun God Festival was a complete 180 away from celebrations past, and a hot debate is sure to arise this year as the Associated Student Council plans Sun God 2009 around the question of whether that switch was for the better. Regardless of your interest in exercising rights, Sun God marks the single day each year when Tritons let their hair down and we need to participate in the school’s political process too, or risk losing this legendary celebration.
Yes, there’s a strong wind of change this year. Don’t believe me? Just walk around and this brand new UCSD is apparent — both Price Center and Student Center have undergone major changes and last year’s frustrating construction maze is almost entirely gone. The Student Center has more study areas and is home to revamped favorites like three co-ops and KSDT radio.
As you’ve probably already heard, Price Center boasts a whole new wing. Now students have a ton more study lounges, all their once-sprawled campus resources in once place and even a nightclub.
Say what you like about the Loft: It’s snobby, it’s contrived, it’s trying too hard, it’s designed for faculty and grad students to enjoy, all that may be true, but it’s also a nightclub; a place for social gathering and merriment. This simple fact makes it about 1,000 times more worth your time to check out than any regular old nighttime hangout — give Geisel Library a break for one night and give the Loft the old college try. Sure, it could be lame, but what if it’s not? Add the soon-promised RIMAC Annex and you’ve got two small steps for UCSD present, but a giant leap for overall college enjoyment years to come.
I challenge every undergrad, however skeptical, to embrace these changes. Get involved on campus and this year at the polls, speak to your student-body leaders and let them know which initiatives you want to see more of.
Who knows? A few years down the line we might see students having fun for no reason, or even greeting a stranger with a friendly “hello” simply because he’s a fellow Triton. And that would be a UCSD we’d all be a little sad to leave.
