I'm having a tough time getting through Habits of the Heart. I have a hunch that if I make it to chapter six the reading will serve as beneficial to an understanding of my own identity. For now, though, I'm trudging.
(I would appreciate anyone's insights - how's your progress extracting the main ideas? The topics covered are very hazy and nebulous to me...)
Thinking in retrospect about President Neil Kerwin's visit, I must admit I wasn't aware of opening up a can of worms. My question about purpose of the Strategic Plan lead to an unraveling of AU's past tarnished reputation. Still, in my view, President Kerwin chose his words carefully and handled the replies superbly, outlining causes for the new Strategic Plan without exaggeratedly obfuscating the truth.
Yet, I wonder - what was Professor Jackson's intent of bringing President Kerwin in? Had we asked the right questions during his visit? And, how did President Kerwin recognize his talk to us? Was it a motivational speech for the identity-befuddled Explorers, or was it a conscious and quelled defense of his mission to improve the school? Had he known we would bring up the subject?
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Putting a Stop to the Excuses
I have to admit that out of all the speakers that have come to our class so far, Dr. Kerwin has been the best one. For being an image of success and perseverance, he talked in a very humbling yet inspirational tone. His message was a simple one, that I'm pretty sure many of us have heard and possibly live by (I know I do), and that was that if you want something, go get it. The only obstacle you will ever face when wanting to get something, is yourself. When Dr. Kerwin first said this, I struggled to suppress a rolling of the eyes. It sounded so cliched and like something you would find on one of those posters pasted around my high school cafeteria or library. You know which ones, the ones that say something inspirational like "Courage" and then have a very inspirational picture on them. The message is so simple (and a little corny) but behind it lies so much power, if only one is willing to accept it. Living with no obstacles means living with no excuses. It means that if one wants something then just go get it, don't let anything hold you back.
There have been many times when I have wanted something, but I end up not getting it because I let fear dominate me, or I would make excuses like "Oh, I'll do it tomorrow" when really, I was just making excuses so that I would not have to face a challenge for fear of failing. Yet I've learned to hate regret, it's probably one of the worst feelings in the world. But for me, this is precisely why regret happens, because I allow myself to become my own obstacle, I deny myself the things that I want and wish for. However, ever since my arrival at AU, I have had my uncomfortable moments. At first, I thought that I was just learning how to adapt to a new environment, but since last Friday's class, I now understand that feeling uncomfortable is just a sign that I am finally fighting for what it is that I want. No excuses, no fears.
There have been many times when I have wanted something, but I end up not getting it because I let fear dominate me, or I would make excuses like "Oh, I'll do it tomorrow" when really, I was just making excuses so that I would not have to face a challenge for fear of failing. Yet I've learned to hate regret, it's probably one of the worst feelings in the world. But for me, this is precisely why regret happens, because I allow myself to become my own obstacle, I deny myself the things that I want and wish for. However, ever since my arrival at AU, I have had my uncomfortable moments. At first, I thought that I was just learning how to adapt to a new environment, but since last Friday's class, I now understand that feeling uncomfortable is just a sign that I am finally fighting for what it is that I want. No excuses, no fears.
Friday, October 23, 2009
President Neil Kerwin's Visit
Although I had to leave President Kerwin's speech twice in the beginning due to my frequent coughing attacks, I still was able to grasp the message of his speech and some aspects of his life story. I found President Kerwin's words to be reassuring because I do feel "uncomfortable" here at the moment and I do think that the transition into the university has been very "traumatic." He expressed these sentiments and I related to them, and I am very glad to know that it is normal because usually people are very ashamed of such feelings or try to pretend they are just fine. So by having someone who has been through the entire process at AU before, though it was many years prior, to state feelings that I relate to currently was very comforting. President Kerwin, obviously, turned out to be quite successful so now I know that the difficulties that I am facing are not because I am not cut out for this entire college experience.
After President Kerwin's speech, I was surprised to find out about the history of the past presidents that AU has held, but it also explains why AU has a bad reputation still to some people and why it is so important for President Kerwin to create the strategic plan. However, I always find it disheartening when we discuss how people's speeches and responses are rehearsed because it makes one see the world devoid of sincerity. I do think that President Kerwin's responses were sincere and truthful because of the way his face lit up when he relayed certain stories. I also like to believe in the good of others so I do not think that the strategic plan was created solely to extract more money from alumni because to think that way is distressing to me. President Kerwin definitely had to have received similar questions to the ones we asked, but I do not think that he ever received the EXACT same questions before, and thus there is no way that he could have practiced saying such responses. Yes, he has to say certain things as a part of his job, but I think that he truly loves AU and he wanted to make a strategic plan to not only explain his dedication to the campus and the students, but also because such an action is necessary for any university to do at this time in order to ensure that it can continue to meet the growing demands of this changing world in which we live.
After President Kerwin's speech, I was surprised to find out about the history of the past presidents that AU has held, but it also explains why AU has a bad reputation still to some people and why it is so important for President Kerwin to create the strategic plan. However, I always find it disheartening when we discuss how people's speeches and responses are rehearsed because it makes one see the world devoid of sincerity. I do think that President Kerwin's responses were sincere and truthful because of the way his face lit up when he relayed certain stories. I also like to believe in the good of others so I do not think that the strategic plan was created solely to extract more money from alumni because to think that way is distressing to me. President Kerwin definitely had to have received similar questions to the ones we asked, but I do not think that he ever received the EXACT same questions before, and thus there is no way that he could have practiced saying such responses. Yes, he has to say certain things as a part of his job, but I think that he truly loves AU and he wanted to make a strategic plan to not only explain his dedication to the campus and the students, but also because such an action is necessary for any university to do at this time in order to ensure that it can continue to meet the growing demands of this changing world in which we live.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Uh? Solid Nomenclature.
I concur in finding this question slightly bizarre. What is the opposite or qualifying point to AU not being a community? Why would the university not be a collection, fellowship, grouping of people sharing common characteristics and purposes? There certainly don't appear to be any counter arguments.
While it is important to evaluate the meanings of certain terms to us, and perhaps analyze their usage in our world, I really don't feel like there is much in nitpicking the definition of a community and dwelling on how AU fits the term.
If AU is not a community, what are we saying that it is? A learning institution with student groupings and cliques not comprising a comprehensive whole? But they do!
Whether AU contains smaller communities, or is situated within a large community, all depends on point of outsider perspective. Equally as a foreigner, who, albeit being a physical member of his community in a town in Illinois, for example, is also a member of the emigrant group of his homeland within the new country (e.g. Polonia community in Chicagoland). Yet, this emigrant group is not limited to a certain region (Chicagoland) - it spreads cross-country (whole of United States). Polonia community leaders and quarters are scattered across the nation, but they do agree on collectivity and similarities and attempt to cooperate together. Thus, Polonia leaders from Florida give scholarships to Polonia kids in Illinois. On a much less tangible level, the Polonia community across the world communicates and connects via forums and chat rooms for support and information exchange.
In this light, AU, while a community formed of smaller groups in itself (as past posters have mentioned), AU belongs to the larger community of D.C. universities which include GU, GW, Catholic, etc. In the next hierarchical level, it belongs to the Eastern US universities. And, in light of a global scale, AU's community are the unis cross-country.
Geography appears pertinent, which is a curious discovery.
While it is important to evaluate the meanings of certain terms to us, and perhaps analyze their usage in our world, I really don't feel like there is much in nitpicking the definition of a community and dwelling on how AU fits the term.
If AU is not a community, what are we saying that it is? A learning institution with student groupings and cliques not comprising a comprehensive whole? But they do!
Whether AU contains smaller communities, or is situated within a large community, all depends on point of outsider perspective. Equally as a foreigner, who, albeit being a physical member of his community in a town in Illinois, for example, is also a member of the emigrant group of his homeland within the new country (e.g. Polonia community in Chicagoland). Yet, this emigrant group is not limited to a certain region (Chicagoland) - it spreads cross-country (whole of United States). Polonia community leaders and quarters are scattered across the nation, but they do agree on collectivity and similarities and attempt to cooperate together. Thus, Polonia leaders from Florida give scholarships to Polonia kids in Illinois. On a much less tangible level, the Polonia community across the world communicates and connects via forums and chat rooms for support and information exchange.
In this light, AU, while a community formed of smaller groups in itself (as past posters have mentioned), AU belongs to the larger community of D.C. universities which include GU, GW, Catholic, etc. In the next hierarchical level, it belongs to the Eastern US universities. And, in light of a global scale, AU's community are the unis cross-country.
Geography appears pertinent, which is a curious discovery.
Community
I can't believe that this is even a debatable question. Of course AU is a community. A community is simply a group of people that have something, anything, in common, whether it be living location, sports team, favorite drink, FREAKING ANYTHING. It doesn't have to be several different traits it can only be one. For example: people talk about the gay community or the black community all the time, and those two have NOTHING in common except their sexual orientation and race, respectively. I do believe that AU is a community, because everyone here has something in common (I'll give you a hint: AU). So it is a bit ridiculous to say that even though the people involved with AU are completely different and therefore do not constitute a community; although, if that's your definition of community, then that's just what you believe. I honestly have nothing more to say about this. I don't think my argument needs any further explanation; it seems quite conclusive.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
That Ant Colony You Always Wanted
First, one must define community. After all the discussions regarding “community”, I have concluded that a community must be composed of individuals that share common interests. However, a common interest is not the only condition, it can also consist of members that regularly interact with each other. Also, there must be communication between members of a community in order for a sense of unity to be created.
So is AU a community? Yes.
AU is a large community composed of smaller communities. For one, the people that live in residence halls, that’s a community. They share a common characteristic which is that they all live in a similar place. For example, the residents of Leonard Hall are a community because they all have a similar living area. Not only that, but they also have an open means of communication. Every day, they see each other either in their assigned hallways and say greet each other. Or they communicate through floor activities like floor dinners of meetings. Their common interest? Well, they are all interested in receiving an education from AU.
However, AU is not only composed of residence hall communities, it is also composed of educational and interest communities. The student body is divided into groups of similar educational focuses, whether that be SPA, SIS, CAS, or any other group, they have all become communities with a shared focus. There are also extracurricular groups where the student can choose which community to become part of. All these groups interact with each other throughout campus, therefore creating the greater community of AU.
If you were to look at AU, I guess we would look like a little ant colony (hence, my blog title). Everyone doing their job, but at the same time being part of a greater community.
So is AU a community? Yes.
AU is a large community composed of smaller communities. For one, the people that live in residence halls, that’s a community. They share a common characteristic which is that they all live in a similar place. For example, the residents of Leonard Hall are a community because they all have a similar living area. Not only that, but they also have an open means of communication. Every day, they see each other either in their assigned hallways and say greet each other. Or they communicate through floor activities like floor dinners of meetings. Their common interest? Well, they are all interested in receiving an education from AU.
However, AU is not only composed of residence hall communities, it is also composed of educational and interest communities. The student body is divided into groups of similar educational focuses, whether that be SPA, SIS, CAS, or any other group, they have all become communities with a shared focus. There are also extracurricular groups where the student can choose which community to become part of. All these groups interact with each other throughout campus, therefore creating the greater community of AU.
If you were to look at AU, I guess we would look like a little ant colony (hence, my blog title). Everyone doing their job, but at the same time being part of a greater community.
The AU Community...?
Communities contain no boundaries, though they are sometimes defined by their geographic location. Communities do not stop at a specific number of people, though they usually involve a certain population. And communities always involve people that share a common interest, belief, or desire. Another important note about communities is that they have the power to include those who share the same beliefs, desires, or interests, while excluding those that do not.
With those parameters in mind, I will go on to explain how AU is a community, but it also contains many multiple communities, and it is also a part of a larger community.
AU is a community because we all made the decision to come here since we held the belief that it was where we were supposed to go to college. Therefore, all AU students have that common thread linking them together to form a community of students. Teachers also are an integral aspect of the AU community because it is assumed that they wanted to teach here and wanted to influence AU's students and allow them to succeed. The overall AU community is also exclusive in that one must be accepted here to attend this school, and since teaching here is a profession, one must be hired first. Through these measures, AU ensures that its community is composed of the people that it thinks are needed to keep this community thriving.
However, AU is composed of many multiple communities, too. When I first thought of the different communities that AU has, the first one that came to my mind was the Catholic Community because that is what they call themselves. They specifically use the word Community because it allows them to include those that are Catholics who will know that they have a place here. Also, the various other religious organizations are also communities because they have the power to exclude those who do not share their common religious belief. Although other clubs are less exclusive than religious ones, they still have the ability to exclude others once all members have joined. Varsity sports teams are another exclusive group on campus in that one must be invited to play for the team. Once one is on a varsity sports team there is a separate gym for one to use, and I am sure there are other privileges that they obtain as well.
Due to geography, AU is also a part of the larger, DC community since AU is recognized by many here and people can sometimes guess if you are a student there. However, AU is a part of a much, much larger community which is composed of all of the universities in the United States. All U.S. universities have in common the desire to educate people, and they are all very exclusive because one must apply to them to go to any university. This large community is defined by its geography in the U.S., and its population in mind is students, allowing it to meet all of the criteria for being a community.
Therefore, I think that it is important to not limit AU's community to itself, in that besides AU being a community, there are also many within it, and AU also plays a major role in a much grander community as well.
With those parameters in mind, I will go on to explain how AU is a community, but it also contains many multiple communities, and it is also a part of a larger community.
AU is a community because we all made the decision to come here since we held the belief that it was where we were supposed to go to college. Therefore, all AU students have that common thread linking them together to form a community of students. Teachers also are an integral aspect of the AU community because it is assumed that they wanted to teach here and wanted to influence AU's students and allow them to succeed. The overall AU community is also exclusive in that one must be accepted here to attend this school, and since teaching here is a profession, one must be hired first. Through these measures, AU ensures that its community is composed of the people that it thinks are needed to keep this community thriving.
However, AU is composed of many multiple communities, too. When I first thought of the different communities that AU has, the first one that came to my mind was the Catholic Community because that is what they call themselves. They specifically use the word Community because it allows them to include those that are Catholics who will know that they have a place here. Also, the various other religious organizations are also communities because they have the power to exclude those who do not share their common religious belief. Although other clubs are less exclusive than religious ones, they still have the ability to exclude others once all members have joined. Varsity sports teams are another exclusive group on campus in that one must be invited to play for the team. Once one is on a varsity sports team there is a separate gym for one to use, and I am sure there are other privileges that they obtain as well.
Due to geography, AU is also a part of the larger, DC community since AU is recognized by many here and people can sometimes guess if you are a student there. However, AU is a part of a much, much larger community which is composed of all of the universities in the United States. All U.S. universities have in common the desire to educate people, and they are all very exclusive because one must apply to them to go to any university. This large community is defined by its geography in the U.S., and its population in mind is students, allowing it to meet all of the criteria for being a community.
Therefore, I think that it is important to not limit AU's community to itself, in that besides AU being a community, there are also many within it, and AU also plays a major role in a much grander community as well.
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