The first glimpse I got of life inside Loyola University was Pathways. That’s right, in May 2006, when I first visited the online edition of The Maroon, the headline story was about students and faculty protesting the decisions made that April by the university’s administration.
Usually, when I mention this to people, they ask me why in the world I decided to attend Loyola. Truth be told, at that point, I had narrowed my options down to two schools: Loyola and Tulane University.
As soon as I stepped onto our campus that August morning to begin my collegiate career, I immediately realized that I had made the best decision.
I knew that not only would I get a great education here, but I would also be encouraged to succeed in multiple facets of life. From that moment on, Loyola became near and dear to my heart.
That’s why it hurts me so much as a student to hear about the never-ending list of negatives about the university. While there is no doubt in my mind that my original vision of Loyola as perfection is far from the truth, I can’t believe that the negatives outweigh all of the positives and the benefits of attending a Jesuit institution.
As students, we constantly talk about the lack of food options in the Orleans Room, how Monroe Hall looks like a submarine, how there aren’t enough practice rooms in the music building and how the study rooms in the library during exam times disappear faster than the keg of beer the Student Government Association provides at Third Fridays.
Even more disappointing to me is that a quick look at the faculty blog indicates at least a handful of our faculty members concentrate on how dissatisfied they are at the university.
Before reading it, I wasn’t aware that some of the same people who are supposed to be imparting knowledge upon us are also the ones who are saying our university is synonymous with “mediocrity, insanity and decomposition,” just to name a few.
Anyone else see a problem here? We’re all spending our time talking, and no one is doing anything to solve our dilemmas.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand and encourage being frustrated with things that are bothersome. I especially understand when it comes to being frustrated with things you have a lot invested in, and I’m pretty sure that students, faculty and administration all have a great deal invested in Loyola.
But to be honest, sitting back, pointing fingers and complaining really bores me after a while. There’s only so much complaining we can all do before the time comes to stand up and take action.
I’m ready and willing to put a little faith in both myself and in the people who work tirelessly to make this university a better place and achieve something greater than what we have had in the past.
I think the time has come. Now it’s up to each of us to decide whether or not we love Loyola enough to roll up our sleeves and make our school a place that we can all be proud of.
LeeAnn Moss is an international business
sophomore from Baton Rouge, La.
