2008 Woodie Awards
Be responsible!
Muhlenberg Weekly Executive Board
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Op/Ed
Let's face it. We, as students, can get away with quite a bit on this campus, or on any college campus, for that matter. For example, it's no secret that underage students drink. Everyone knows it, no one denies it. Is it in its commonality that we accept it and move on? Do we do things we know are wrong because if it's the norm, it's ok? But the real question remains: how far can we bend the rules; how far can we creep across that line until there's no turning back?
Whether we like it or not, we are now officially adults, and need to start taking responsibility for our actions and words. The recent vandalism at the College shows that we so-called adults maybe aren't ready for a real world where it won't just be the Campus Police on our tails. And while we hardly think this college is made up of criminals, we do believe that it is time to grow up. No one should have to live in a filthy, dilapidated dorm, especially if it was not by their own doing. Those responsible should realize everyone else they are impacting: the other residents, the housekeepers, and future attendees to this school. Even the school's image is at stake. We know that responsibility is a word that has haunted us since our parents deemed us old enough to know the meaning, and it follows us still. We won't always be able to hide amongst the sea of students or the vagueness of unsigned anonymity, always having the comeback, "how do you know it was me?" It will catch up if it doesn't change.
As for us? Our personal responsibility lies with The Weekly, where our words will be read, judged, and sometimes argued. Having a voice comes with a risk that others won't agree, but as editors we must take responsibility for the words on the page. No matter the topic, whether it's controversial or strictly campus news, each article comes with a name. We put ourselves out there, and it is up to us to follow our instincts and hopefully have the courage to back them up. We are proud of the messages we write in this editorial and we want the College to know that it us who says these things. We hope that eventually the rest of the campus will act with the same pride--as adults not ashamed to take responsibility for their actions and their words--rather than juveniles using anonymity to remain in the world of children.
Whether we like it or not, we are now officially adults, and need to start taking responsibility for our actions and words. The recent vandalism at the College shows that we so-called adults maybe aren't ready for a real world where it won't just be the Campus Police on our tails. And while we hardly think this college is made up of criminals, we do believe that it is time to grow up. No one should have to live in a filthy, dilapidated dorm, especially if it was not by their own doing. Those responsible should realize everyone else they are impacting: the other residents, the housekeepers, and future attendees to this school. Even the school's image is at stake. We know that responsibility is a word that has haunted us since our parents deemed us old enough to know the meaning, and it follows us still. We won't always be able to hide amongst the sea of students or the vagueness of unsigned anonymity, always having the comeback, "how do you know it was me?" It will catch up if it doesn't change.
As for us? Our personal responsibility lies with The Weekly, where our words will be read, judged, and sometimes argued. Having a voice comes with a risk that others won't agree, but as editors we must take responsibility for the words on the page. No matter the topic, whether it's controversial or strictly campus news, each article comes with a name. We put ourselves out there, and it is up to us to follow our instincts and hopefully have the courage to back them up. We are proud of the messages we write in this editorial and we want the College to know that it us who says these things. We hope that eventually the rest of the campus will act with the same pride--as adults not ashamed to take responsibility for their actions and their words--rather than juveniles using anonymity to remain in the world of children.