Winthrop University prides itself on being a student-oriented campus, but has our sense of community and social engagement suffered in the process?
While many students choose their college based on academics and professional opportunities, ignoring the social component would be dishonest. When prospective students visit numerous campuses, they don’t just ask about class sizes and programs they want to know about what life outside of the classroom looks like.
However, recent student government campaigns have highlighted a growing dissatisfaction with Winthrop’s social climate. This amplifies an important question… Has the inability to balance business and pleasure led to a decline in social life on campus?
A lot of students argue that Winthrop lacks a social component altogether, but I would argue that the real issue is the failure to separate professional from social. Given that our campus is student driven, student leaders try to appeal to the social side of campus life to remain relatable.
While this may seem like a positive thing, it results in students only engaging in events if there is some type of social experience or capital associated with it. This results in unauthentic participation that diminishes not on social life but the development of leaders on campus.
My solution to this issue is further supporting organizations that exist for solely social reasoning or engagement. With the return of the Digiorno Student Union, students have an organization dedicated to expanding their social lives in a positive manner. How can we complain about the lack of social experiences if we aren’t actively engaging with the opportunities that are already available to us?
Instead of infiltrating advocacy or arts based organizations with an overwhelming dedication to strictly social purposes, invest in the opportunities that are already available to us. Reinvesting in these spaces instead of expecting professional organizations to feel this void or gap.
Another contributing factor is the difficulty to connect with students outside of your immediate circle or friend group. As a sophomore, I’ve noticed the shift away from the concept of a close-knit community that once was the defining point of Winthrop.
Many students hesitate to engage socially due to the fear of being perceived or judged by others. Social life can not flourish in environments where individuals feel afraid to be themselves. If we don’t address this divide we continue to see a divide in genuine social connections.
Social life is not just about events or parties, it’s about creating an environment where students want to connect with others. If we are proactive not reactive, we can rebuild a campus that balances both business and pleasure, ensuring that Winthrop doesn’t just survive but thrives.
