All right, I’ve got a really embarrassing confession for you all so try your best not to laugh at me in class next week… I was in a fraternity. I wasn’t in it for long and I didn’t go through the whole initiation process but nonetheless I lived in and was part of a fraternity for my first semester at college. It should go with out saying that most of the experience was pretty terrible (thus me not continuing to live there) however there were a few positive aspects to be found.
The main thing that sticks out in my mind as being something of worth was the sense of community I had with all the people I lived with. I had a similar experience while attending Boise State University due to the massive football program they had. It seem to give the students a common cause they could all rally around which in turn helped to foster that sense of community I spoke of earlier. During our trip to the EMP I got to experience that same sense of community for the first in my academic career here at Evergreen.
As an evening and weekend student at Evergreen I have realized that for the most part all the people that I am in class with are here for the same reason, to get their degree and get out as fast as possible. This can be a really good thing in some ways. We are all relatively driven, we actually read our books and do our assignments because we have a vested interest in learning what were are taught, and do to the age range in our classes we get a broader and more realistic perspective during discussions. In some ways though I miss that community that can stem from certain institution that that can bring groups of people together that wouldn’t normally have anything in common otherwise.
We are all so busy and lead such different lives outside of school that we don’t really get the chance to connect outside of the classroom. I’ve been to a few Evergreen parties and can honestly say that I’ve never run in to anyone I’ve had class with while I was there. The overall point I’m trying to make here is that it was really great to get the opportunity to connect on an out of class level with all of you. Since we have no big sports team to rally around, and sense most of us have neither the time or energy for weekly campus parties / downtown bar hopping, we as evening and weekend students miss out on a lot of that community that a college experience typically provides. For once it was nice to feel like I was a part of something bigger then just my own personal classroom experience at Evergreen.
All and all it was a beautiful day well spent in Seattle. The worst thing that happened was that I was charged fifteen dollars for a shot of Jameson and a bottle of beer, and to be honest I was having such a good time I didn’t even really care. This has been a fantastic class with a wonderful group of people and I am thrilled to have been a part of it. Thanks to everyone for helping to make it such fantastic experience. I hope everyone has enjoyed this class as much as I did, now lets knock this play out and have a great spring break.
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