We were very disappointed to hear the recent news that the University of Richmond is terminating its men's soccer and track and field programs. Although we were saddened by the fate of both programs, we can only speak directly to this decision's impact on the cross country and track teams.
As a proud Westhampton alumna, I want to give words to those Westhampton women who may feel disheartened by the openness to change demonstrated by many since the changes to Ring Dance have been announced. Let me begin by saying my four years at Richmond were some of the most impactful of my life.
Despite being a nice respite from sweaty lodges and packed apartments, going out in the Fan or downtown Richmond still has its trials, most of which stem from the fact that it's the "real world," outside of the confines of our cozy collegiate playground. Here are the top five challenges a downtown partier might face, and how to be prepared for them: 1 Cab drivers.
There's a disease that's plaguing our generation today. It's killing dreams, self esteem and drive with one blow, and we refuse to stop it.
As a member of the women's side of the track and field team, the termination of men's track and field hits me deeply.
A recent article in The Collegian by Ben Panko suggests that the new RVA stickers are a "desperate and unnecessary attempt" to fit in.
As has been widely publicized across campus in the past few days, the men's soccer and track and field programs were terminated as intercollegiate sports at the university. Being a sophomore member of the men's soccer team, I have gotten a firsthand look at the student-athlete reaction to this situation.
As a four-year member of Westhampton College Government Association who served as the junior and senior class president during my time at Richmond, I obviously hold a special place in my heart for Westhampton College and its traditions -- particularly Ring Dance, to which I devoted the better part of my junior year. Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed to read the article in last week's Collegian announcing some major changes to Ring Dance for the class of 2016 -- black dresses replacing the traditional white ones, and escorts being removed as a part of the ceremony. Many things about this situation are upsetting to me, but the most concerning part is that these changes are being forced upon Westhampton College by the administration without so much as even a simple poll of the student body.
[The following letter was written in response to an email from Jim Miller, the director of athletics, announcing that track and field would be officially cut from Richmond's sports roster. Right now it is 8:56 on a Saturday night.
Ah, Ring Dance. Currently one of the most hotly debated issues on the Collegian's website and surprisingly, I seem to be the centerpiece of some of the comments.
For all my past rhapsodizing about how great it is to be young and in college, the truth is, our lives aren't exempt from getting stressful.
Q: I've been seeing this guy for a few months, and I want to get more serious. We got together at the end of last year and didn't talk much over the summer, but we're back on now.
I did something this semester that I thought I would never do. I became dependent on caffeine. I realized this today, as I downed an energy shot before a class because I knew the professor enjoyed making fun of drowsy students.
Recently, a friend , whom I have known for years and always considered a kind and thoughtful person, posted a picture on Facebook. The photo was a list of "reminders," and one of them read, "Dead girls can't say no," while another said, "It's not rape if you yell 'surprise!'" I was shocked, to say the least, and wrote out a comment citing statistics of sexual violence, letting him know that "jokes" such as these have a wide, powerful, political impact.
Q: I read your opinion piece in the last Collegian, and I have seen you around campus.
Two weeks ago, I started noticing stacks of stickers sitting next to the registers in the bookstore and at Passport Cafe.
Fall semester is upon us, which brings two constants on campus: overwhelming humidity and a massive influx of wide-eyed, first-year students. When I'm not wondering why these kids somehow look older than I, I'm feeling nostalgic, and thinking back to my first days at Richmond three years ago. So, to start off this year, gather 'round and let me offer you some friendly senior-to-freshman advice. 1) College is a new start.
I must admit, when I came to University of Richmond in 2009, I was a little confused about what exactly it meant to have a coordinate college system. Growing up with brothers and close male friends, I was worried that it would limit my relationships with members of the opposite sex, and that wasn't what I wanted. I thought, "If I wanted to go to a single-sex university, I would have chosen to go to one." But, here I am, three years later, representing Westhampton College as your student body president.
Q: Between a bad breakup and the long summer, I've been out of the dating scene for a while.
I am extremely disappointed with the university's decision to stop providing academic planners to students this year. When I received an email over the summer notifying me that the student handbook would now be available only in an online format, I didn't realize that planners would not be distributed as a result. This decision is a hindrance to my academic success, and I hope my fellow students will stand with me in opposing it. I applaud the university's efforts to go green, but such environmentally conscious initiatives should not be undertaken at the expense of what has become an academic and organizational necessity for myself and so many other students. For the past three years, my academic life has revolved around my planner and its easy-to-use format--nothing offered in stores works quite as well. It has become a fixture in my college career, a small but much-appreciated reminder of the university's commitment to my academic success. If the university thinks that it can save money or appease environmental regulators by nixing planners, they have grossly overlooked the wide range of benefits that the notebooks have provided to countless students over the years. I sincerely hope that the University of Richmond will reconsider its decision and provide even rudimentary assignment books--we don't need anything fancy or glossy--to the students who want and need them. And I hope that my fellow students will not remain quiet about this decision. If you feel your academic career will suffer as a result, please make your voices heard to your professors and the deans.
