Silhouette

Issue date: 8/29/02 Section: Opinion

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The trustees recently discussed naming the residence halls. Should the students, as primary residents, have influence in the naming of these halls?



Point

The proper solution to the issue of giving our residence halls proper titles (such names as the Penka or Collins buildings already possess) is a simple one. After all, when a name is arbitrarily assigned, it loses any hold in the student's mind. Instead, most buildings on campus are generally referred to by purpose, not name.

One has only to ask directions, and be guided to the Arts building or the Vocational building to see that none of these administrative-assigned names are that commonly used. On the other hand, student participation in the naming of these buildings might increase the involvement of students and motivate a sense of pride and personal worth for students.

Consider for a moment the impact of such a gesture. The incorporation of the student body in naming these housing halls would permit the students to have a little expression on campus. These students are used to administrations that declare that which could be far better chosen by some democratic method. After all, only a few years ago most of us were carefully herded along the corridors of high schools where no real student input was sought, much less valued.

Students need a signal from the administration showing its acknowledgment of the student body as a group with valid rights and opinions. If the students are going to be living in these residence halls, what better way to promote solidarity and good community feeling then by having students select the names for their buildings?



Counterpoint

First of all, if one monitors popular culture in any way, the risk of ending up with Slipknot Hall or some such irritating public icon is far too great to even consider allowing the student body completely-free reign in the naming of the current residences. Even innocuous names like Victory or Endurance halls miss the purpose of applying names to these buildings.

After all, the Board of Trustees did not select the names of the outlying buildings at random. They were used to honor specifically those who served this college. People like Sister Aquinata Penka, who directed the nursing department from 1971-1976. John Collins, for whom the vocational building is named, served as a trustee for nine years. There are hosts of other worthwhile people who could be honored is such a manner.

The student body, the college, the city itself owes a great deal to its volunteers, the capable leaders and faculty who continue to make this college a success. How could we better show our admiration then to make a permanent edifice to the achievements of these few skilled men and women who make our college worth attending?

Dedicated trustees and faculty like Sister Penka and John Collins deserve recognition from the community for the many services rendered by these individuals. The new halls could be a grand opportunity to once more show a collective appreciation for citizens who aid the college in some special way. After all, where would our college be without the trustees and civic leaders for whom these buildings are named? To contact John, email jbrownlee@webave.com

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