Everyone comes to the movement at a different time, I was once told. As frustrating as it may be, no one can be pushed into caring. But there’s also a hopeful side to it – everyone has to start somewhere. Why not right here at ETSU?
My newfound awakening to social justice activism is the reason that I went on Alternative Spring Break. Now that I consider myself “involved” and “aware” of justice issues, I’m amazed that it took me this long to realize the tip of the iceberg of what was really going on around me.
It is also worth noting that I am barely out of the kiddy pool compared to the Olympic-swimmer organizers here on campus.
I’m not writing this to glorify my own actions or criticize those who chose to spend a week lying inebriated on a beach (though I can argue which of the spring breaks is better for heart, mind and liver).
However, I believe there are many students out there who have the desire to make a difference, but don’t know where to start.
News flash: you don’t have to travel to Mississippi, Florida or Ecuador to make a difference (though doing so is certainly admirable). There are problems right here at ETSU that need labor, time and action in order to be resolved.
I hear from far too many students that they aren’t concerned about the new proposed parking plan because, “My parents don’t mind paying the extra money to get me a good parking spot.” Therefore, says their logic, the parking plan isn’t a “big deal.”
For those who feel this way, I’d like to ask them to reach outside of themselves for a moment. I want to pose this dramatic question:
What if this issue wasn’t all about you?
Shocking, I know. Take a moment to breathe deeply and let that soak in.
Think of the janitorial workers, food-service workers, staff and faculty at ETSU who aren’t paid a living wage. Think of your fellow students who juggle work, school and families and scrape by on financial aid checks or loans for a tuition that increases every year for degrees that might be struggling with accreditation (Shhh! No one wants the students to know that! Look for a future article in the East Tennessean on this topic).
If the injustice of separating students, faculty and staff by socioeconomic standing doesn’t turn your engine over, then this should: the student voice on campus is largely ignored by the administration and this parking plan is a prime example of that.
What has SGA done to organize students against this administration-ordered parking plan? What did the administration do to seek out student opinions before this plan was announced?
The only real organization I have seen around this issue involves the Facebook group “STOP Elitist Parking Plan at ETSU,” created by Jared Story, which as of 8:21 p.m. on March 12 had 1,198 members. When you consider that ETSU has 12,540 students currently enrolled, this is a fair representation of how many students feel. (It cannot be determined at this time how many students are pro-parking plan, or are too apathetic to notice.)
Another dramatic question:
How many students are willing to do more than just join a Facebook group?
I want to know how many students are willing to stage a parking protest, write letters to President Stanton or simply, to tear themselves away from Lost long enough to walk to the Cave for an organizational meeting.
If a mere half of the members of that Facebook group – 500 people – got together to speak out against the parking plan, I guarantee that the university administration would sit up and take notice.
And if you, as a student, were part of that contributing group who stopped (or at the very least helped to reform) this parking plan, imagine what else you could do.
You could fight to have fairer, more evenly distributed wages for university employees.
You could fight for the right to a higher quality education that will match the rising tuition rates.
And without your action, how could ETSU ever possibly become the regional university of choice?
Having “ETSU Pride” does not mean rolling over and agreeing to whatever the administration, the alumni or even the faculty of this university tell you to agree with. Having pride for this university means standing up, working hard and making sure that students can have just as much of a say in the direction of this university as anyone else.
It’s not too late to get involved. Everyone has to start somewhere – why not here?
Send me letters, opinions or happy thoughts at eteditor@etsu.edu.

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