College Traditions
We’re in a peace and diplomacy floor. So we are supposed to be learning about how to communicate, and how to resolve conflict. Immediate to our own daily lives is the fact that RMWC is now RC. I have been thinking about this a lot lately. The upperclassmen have had an amazing experience so far. They have been changed and empowered by being at RMWC. It had such an affect upon them, they do not want any aspect of that experience to change. However, one of the biggest and most notable distinctions of that particular experience is the fact that they attended a school with only female students. For various reasons this is no longer the case. It appears to me that while originally, this may have been a very important aspect in creating the setting for a life changing experience, what makes RC special goes beyond this. It encompasses the dedicated faculty, caring students, a desire to create a cohesive supportive community, and a recognition of the power of the young and the importance of honor and integrity. One way community is built is through shared experiences, such as skeller sings and silly traditions like the even/odd rivalry, ring week, and the pumpkin parade. Most unfortunately, the upperclassmen seem to have forgot what it was that they love about RMWC and what they supposedly believe in their heart. Their cruel rejection of the first year class and polarizing actions have done nothing but communicate to the first years that we are NOT welcome here. This is very sad because it could lead to a self fulfilling prophecy that the upperclassmen said; that this year’s first years are different, and don’t belong. By not welcoming the first years with open arms- as every other class was before us-the chain is broken. First years, excited by the prospect of creating themselves and of attending what they recognized as a very unique & special community, are now choosing to not be a part of the Randolph College community because of the way they were treated by upperclassmen. I hope that the upperclassmen will be able to recognize the destructive nature of their behavior. Yes, as individuals we may be accepted, but as a whole we are rejected. Randolph AND Randolph Macon are about accepting all types of people, and yes that does include men. Whether you (upperclassmen) are happy or not about the change, attacking first years- physically or emotionally- will only serve to cement the negative change you fear. What we as a school can learn from this is to be brave, and take action.
September 21st, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Changing history is always hard. Before we decided to come here, we know we must get through some difficulties. Just as we assumed, they comes, comes from Randy Mac uppclass sisters. We know that they love this college so much and can not accept the change. We think that we understand them. However, that’s not the turth. Only those who have gone through the process will know the true feelings. Randy Mac girls are as strong as the college motto. Randy Mac girls want to see the college to keep being strong. We need to show them that we will not weaken our tranditions or history. I am not saying that we should keep scient when something happens. I mean that we had better spend our time to prove our abilities. FYB are working to give all the current students of this lovely college a memorible college year. Let’s work hard!