Ourview
How
Forty Niners should spend their summer
Summer is here, the sun shines, the breeze
is perfect, and the ocean is right in our
backyard. While many of us are traveling,
working, taking summer courses or simply
staying home and relaxing, there does seem
to be a feeling that there is more time
to spend during the summer doing things
we feel we can’t do during the regular semester.
Indeed,
the summer can be envisioned as a time for
opportunity. Whether the opportunity is
spending time to improve our lives, or spending
time doing leisurely activities, such as
going to the beach.
Why
then do we not use the summer to contribute
and participate in school and community
activities? Many times we rush to class
running like chickens with their heads cut-off,
hoping to be on time or finish that paper
that is due in an hour and we fail to take
time to speak to special interest groups
that approach us. Why? Because there is
no time for that, it’s late and we have
to be somewhere, by some time.
Yet,
where are these groups a couple of weeks
before the semester ends? Most of them are
not in sight. The fairs, the outdoor group
tables and the guys that insist on passing
out their flyers and speaking with every
passerby are no where in sight. They are
all preparing for finals. Shouldn’t this
be the time to attack?
If
the semester is almost gone, shouldn’t groups
plan events for the summer? While students
may not stay on campus during the summer,
events could be coordinated so that student,
staff and faculty can participate in club
sponsored events
Cal
State Long Beach is a university with a
diverse population and organizations that
reflect that diversity and suit the interest
of most individuals on campus. However,
focus on furnishing empowerment to their
individual members should be reflected at
a time when students are less preoccupied
attempting to maintain the balance of school,
work, personal life and leisure.
Summer
at CSULB should manifest itself with fraternities
focusing on networking, business and career
oriented clubs focusing on resume workshops,
ethnic groups sponsoring educational and
tolerance camps and student senate groups
encourage the participation of their peers
in student government.
Summer
should also be a time when fundraising should
take place.
Summer
is also a great time to provide community
service, as part of a group or just as private
individuals. Many community groups are overwhelmed
with volunteer staff during the holidays,
but throughout the year they lack staffing.
Why? These groups exist year round. There
are always homeless shelters in need of
help in nearby cities. If we walk on our
beaches, we can see an ocean in need of
cleaning and sea life in need of care.
While
readers may find this article preachy, we
are not advocating taking the fun out of
summer, but simply adding personal satisfaction
to the formula.
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