Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Why are you attending college?
Okay, so why is it important for students to go to college today? If you are thinking for education and for a better life and career, well I would have agreed with you a year ago. However, since becoming an RA for the Housing department and after seeing and hearing all the problems that we have had, it is not so simple anymore. I am in an apartment building of freshmen. First, freshmen are either 17,18, or maybe 19. The point is they are definitely under the age for many things. Secondly, most of my residents are females who think they have to be a part of these sororities in order to get anywhere with college. Their first priority here on campus is not school or grades, but social activities and parties. So, what's wrong with this picture? Getting involved on campus is a great thing to do because it is supposed to encourage spirit for one's school; however, today, social activities and 'getting involved on campus' turn out to be more about parties. Yes everyone needs to have fun while they are in college! But at what expense? Breaking Laws and Policies?
Four out of Twelve of my rooms have been caught with alcohol. At least that is all I know of. What is happening to our future? More and more under age drinking is taking over, and a high rise of smoking has been seen on our campus too! How does someone decide to break laws or rules and believe that they should not be punished? Well, thanks to our college's administration, when students break rules like this, they are given a 'slap on the wrist'. This tells the students that they can try again! The university is so worried about getting their student's tuition now-a-days that they won't just throw students out.
Just the other night I had to bust a room of freshmen who were drinking. The police knocked and they thought for some reason that they did have to open the door unless the officers had some search warrant. Standing there while the officers went through the room and took down everyone's information I noticed how much the students did not even care that they got caught. Our society and our future has lost it's conscious and guilt for doing wrong.
While I was interning at the state capitol, a representative, actually a former UTC professor, claimed that the state is the true parent. When she said that I gagged with the thought. But, ever since I have been back at UTC, I see how true her thought has become. The university and state institutions like the university, has had to take it upon themselves to parent the youth because there is no parenting at home anymore.
I hate to see how much I have become a skeptic, and I know that this is a large assumption and that this is not true for every student or family. But, things are not getting any better, they are getting worse. What can we do to help it change? I believe this question is what is making me push myself towards my goals!
Four out of Twelve of my rooms have been caught with alcohol. At least that is all I know of. What is happening to our future? More and more under age drinking is taking over, and a high rise of smoking has been seen on our campus too! How does someone decide to break laws or rules and believe that they should not be punished? Well, thanks to our college's administration, when students break rules like this, they are given a 'slap on the wrist'. This tells the students that they can try again! The university is so worried about getting their student's tuition now-a-days that they won't just throw students out.
Just the other night I had to bust a room of freshmen who were drinking. The police knocked and they thought for some reason that they did have to open the door unless the officers had some search warrant. Standing there while the officers went through the room and took down everyone's information I noticed how much the students did not even care that they got caught. Our society and our future has lost it's conscious and guilt for doing wrong.
While I was interning at the state capitol, a representative, actually a former UTC professor, claimed that the state is the true parent. When she said that I gagged with the thought. But, ever since I have been back at UTC, I see how true her thought has become. The university and state institutions like the university, has had to take it upon themselves to parent the youth because there is no parenting at home anymore.
I hate to see how much I have become a skeptic, and I know that this is a large assumption and that this is not true for every student or family. But, things are not getting any better, they are getting worse. What can we do to help it change? I believe this question is what is making me push myself towards my goals!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A Plank In Your Own Eye
Today in Spanish Class, our professor ask us to describe hispanics and name things that come to mind when we see or hear hispanics. Many talked about fiestas, ciestas, and food. It was fun as we thought of pintas and good food. However, the next part of class was disturbing. Our professor asked us to also describe Americans. Right away, students started naming out adjectives like greedy, materialistic, fat, and lazy. It is quite disturbing to see college students to analyze their own country in this way. I believe I was even more disturbed with the fact that those who made these judgemental descriptions were wearing very nice clothes and jewelry, and more than likely drive nice cars. What has happened to our youth and young adults? Do they not see they describe themselves? We have lost the pride in our country and the liberty given to us. And instead of taking care of our own faults, we want to point out everyone else's problems. America's youth is in for a rude awakening as they venture out into the real world and don't have their mom and dad there to give them everything.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Back to School
My time for summer is now at an end. This coming Thursday (7/30) I head back to East Tennessee and UT Chattanooga! I have to admit that I am ready to get my own place again, but it is always quite fun to be home with the family and to be able to help out. I can't wait to catch up with friends, but do not want to go back to the classroom. I learned so much from my experience as an intern at our state capitol that I didn't want to leave. I hope to go back and do it all over again, too! I have another year and a half before I graduate and I am sure that time will go by fast! I hope everyone that reads this has had a wonderful summer! God Bless!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Legislative Internship Update
This is just a quick update for friends and family. I have been quite busy as the end of Session is near. Things are somewhat slowing down, but also everyone is trying to quickly finish! Last week, I was informed that I won one of the TN Lobyists Association's scholarhsips given only to interns. This was very exciting news. Now the association and the foundation from whom the scholarship is through, wants to have it annouced on the House floor with a resolution by Rep. Lynn. This means that I would be escorted onto the floor during session, which is something interns don't get to do! It will be very exciting! You will be able to watch it on live video stream from the General Assembly's website @ http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/videowrapper/default.aspx?CommID=2. We are down to two weeks left and I can't believe it is almost over. I am dreading leaving and heading back to the classroom!! This summer I plan to head home to Martin for the rest of the summer before going back to Chattanooga for another year of school! I will be leaving this internship with lots of new knowledge and a better perspective of where I want to go next!
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