I used to walk around this campus and think to myself, "I love this place and there's nothing I want to change..." I reveled in everything here, from the grass on the Green to the comfy chairs in the Tower Room. Sure, some aspects of campus life bothered me occasionally, but I figured someone, sometime would fix them. It never occurred to me, though, that the someone should ever or would ever be me. I did the "student leadership" thing in high school, and honestly, I was reserving college for fun, friendships, and of course, academics. I figured there would always be enough other people to do all the grunt work planning activities, sitting on committees, gathering student opinion, etc. So, freshman year passed and even some of sophomore year, and I contented myself with being on the outside of the inner "leadership" circles at Dartmouth.
Now, don't get me wrong. I did become involved in various organizations, and I loved all of my experiences. As for student government though, Student Assembly had only been a passing thought, once. "Hmm, maybe I should go to a meeting sometime." That thought quickly passed, though, when a friend assured me that "You really don't want to do SA. They don't do anything, anyway." I'm not usually one to be so swayed by outside opinion, but in this case, I clearly decided the Assembly would be a waste of my time. Honestly, I was almost under the impression that it was a waste of everyone's time.
After these passing thoughts, I continued to fully enjoy my Dartmouth career. This place provided me with just about everything I could want. Granted, I know I am one of the lucky people, as we still have a long way to go in terms of meeting each student's needs. Recently, however, I came to a sort of realization. I can't recall exactly when; maybe it was during my Off-term in the spring; maybe it was as I walked across the Green during Summer Carnival; maybe it was one day as I opened BlitzMail messages from our class leaders whom I had never even met. The time of the realization does not matter, though. I finally realized how selfish I had become on this campus. Like I described, I was content to let someone else determine the fate of campus life. I was content to watch silently from the back as my peers planned events and all I did was enjoy them.
With a new consciousness for involvement and a bunch of great ideas, I decided to go to an Assembly meeting. I expressed interest in community service to the vice president and next thing I knew, I was the chair of programming and community service for the summer. Well, of course, there was no backing out now. I was now officially an "SA" person, whatever that means...
"Wow!" I thought. "I'm an executive of Summer Assembly. Hmm, I guess I should become more certain about exactly what the Assembly does." The first meetings cleared up any questions though, as over 50 different brainstorms were suggested, and those were just for this summer. Well, I was still skeptical. Sure, we could suggest events and improvements in student life, but would anything really happen? Here, again, I came to a realization (that lightbulb in my head has been working overtime). I could make things happen. We, the Assembly, have the power to do just about anything this summer. As programming chair, I needed ideas, and yes, they could become a reality. This excited me, and it should excite just about every '01 here this summer.
Now, when I walk around campus, the new, rather "enlightened" me looks at everything just a bit differently. Summer Assembly asked for healthier dining options in Food Court. Anyone notice the Home Plate entrees and fresh fruit the last couple of days? Students complained about not knowing where anyone was living this summer. Well, I'm sitting here staring at the housing guide provided by the Assembly and 2001 Class Council. These are just two examples and to think, the summer is just getting started. Somehow this summer, as the Class of 2001 has free reign on this campus, we're all just a little more psyched to plan events and make campus changes. What's even better, we can do this in a totally informal way. Summer Assembly meetings barely last 45 minutes and not one person has ever said "Parliamentary Procedure."
Here, in this relaxed setting, with ideas-a-plenty flowing through my head, I can honestly say joining the Assembly was one of the best decisions I made at Dartmouth. Further, that slightly guilty and selfish feeling has been eradicated within my head. Because now, I'm 'giving back" to Dartmouth (to use a total cliche).
Well, I don't know if I have convinced a single person to join Summer Assembly, and I'm not sure if that was even my intention here. Personally, I'm just filled with this new sense of Dartmouth pride and Class of 2001 spirit, and I hope some of that can be transferred to the rest of the campus. My advice to you is this - come to a meeting, blitz a current member with suggestions of things that you want changed; generally, do something that empowers you as a student on this great campus. Right now, the Assembly is working on 'MoreCorps (a multi-weekend community service project), campus-wide barbecues, the upcoming summer fest at Storr's Pond, evaluating Dick's House, suggesting changes in Dartmouth Dining Services, Big Green Bikes, expanding the course evaluation system on line, etc. These are just a few of our projects. Really, though, anything is possible this summer. Take it from someone who was convinced of her total satisfaction with Dartmouth. This place can only get better and well, we all have a duty to be part of the improvement efforts. If you've ever even considered being involved in Student Assembly, now's the time. And just think, small time commitment, lots of super nice people, and we even have a little fun.
