Dean of Campus Life and Student Affairs
As I write this article, The Mighty OC is making last minute preparations for its annual auction. The excitement is building across campus to see who will be the highest bidder for the coveted underclassman parking pass. The OC is an energetic and enthusiastic group of students responsible for planning orientation events to welcome new students into the campus community. It is just one of many groups at Drew in which students form lasting relationships and become forever connected to the University.
In the two years that I have been the Dean of Campus Life and Student Affairs I have been continually impressed by our students and their extensive involvement with campus life. As the spring semester draws to a close we are holding awards ceremonies recognizing individuals’ and groups’ contributions to making Drew a lively campus community. Over 100 clubs and organizations offer students endless opportunities to be involved in service projects, leadership development, program planning, and most importantly, to have fun.
At a recent admissions reception I spoke with prospective students and parents. Many of their questions focused on campus life. What happens on the weekends? Do you have a film club? What intramural sports are available? Entering students always want to know how they will fit in and where they can find others who share their interests. Feeling a sense of belonging to the community and fitting in is a developmental stage for college students and Drew provides numerous opportunities for them to achieve this.
Think about your Drew or college experience and where you found community. Was it on a residence hall floor, on a sports team, as a member of an a cappella group, or as part of the stage crew working on a theatrical production? Maybe you found your niche with a religious or cultural club, as part of student government, or on a community service alternative break. My guess is that when you recall that group of friends or organization it still gives you a feeling of belonging and connection to the institution.
Prior to my arrival at Drew, a group of students made a presentation to the administration on the merits of Greek Life requesting that fraternities and sororities be allowed on campus. However, the proposal was discouraged on the basis that it is antithetical to the kind of open community that exists at Drew. When students ask me about why we don’t have Greeks on campus, my response is similar. While Greek organizations provide opportunities for scholarship, leadership, friendship and service, they are exclusive. This is not our concept of community at Drew.
One of the hallmarks of the Drew community is that it is open and inclusive. Membership in Drew’s organizations is not based on adherence to prescribed tenets or beliefs. Belonging is not dependent upon being voted in by peers who feel you are like them. In fact many students purposefully join organizations where there is no one like them in order to learn about another culture, pursue a new interest, or meet people they otherwise would not have the opportunity to know.
Talk with any student and they tell you that one of the benefits of Drew is that each student is allowed to be who they are and maintain a unique identity. There is no mold a student needs to fit into, no stereotype or typical Drew student. Social life exists in many forms and students find a place to belong, the niche where they fit in, through the many organizations on campus. Through participating in these clubs, in being part of the OC, an RA, a senator, an Ultimate Frisbee player, or singing in a choir students feel deeply connected to Drew and others. They leave their mark on Drew and Drew leaves its mark on them. At reunions and visits back to campus they will find one another and reestablish the friendships, the ties, the bonds, that made their time at Drew special.
And as for what there is to do on the weekends, well coming up we have the Junior-Senior Dance, FAP, and Sloppy Saturday. All events planned by student groups, and yes, everyone is welcome.