Spring Break
Wanted: Big band for Spring Jam
By: Editorial Board
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Ed-Op
Originally published: 5/4/07 at 2:56 AM EST
Last update: 5/4/07 at 2:56 AM EST
Originally published: 5/4/07 at 2:56 AM EST
Last update: 5/4/07 at 2:56 AM EST
Another May arrives, and it's time for the 2007 Spring Jam. Of course, going to Drexel means settling for a middle of the road, B-rate, mildly popular band. In fact, the band has always been a sideshow. The Campus Activities Board can do a great job making an enjoyable experience - oodles of free food, free stuff, and random, quirky arts and crafts projects, but they've yet to pick a successful band in recent memory.
Last year, students emptied out of the DAC once the food stalls closed, even though New Found Glory hadn't performed yet. Has anyone considered what would happen if a big-name came to Drexel? Imagine if the Gorillaz, or Kanye West, or the Roots came to campus: the armory would be jam-packed, full of screaming, excited students about a show specifically for our campus.
Administrators can play a role in this. They say they want a revival of school spirit. What better way to do this than fill the house with thrilled students? Students aren't completely comatose. They aren't drones that only come out of their holes in the wall to eat and go to the bathroom (and occasionally go to class).
The Drexel Dragon's phenomenal basketball season is a great example of how pumped up student morale can get. The Dragons gave us something to get excited about, and the student body responded. They showed us that school spirit can happen. It's not impossible.
But it's events like commencement or Spring Jam that make students feel resigned to a second-class school as they look across the street and see Bono and Kofi Annan speak at the University of Pennsylvania. We've all gotten used to it - "Jack's Mannequin? Oh well, we're Drexel, we'll never get anybody big anyway."
So, Administrators - do you want to boost morale? Get someone big for commencement, someone meaningful and inspiring. Make your students feel proud that they go to Drexel. Give them that rewarding opportunity of hearing anecdotes from someone on the world stage. This is not a substandard University; at least not for the tuition we pay. Bill Clinton came here (although you didn't apply his healthy eating advice in our cafeteria), why not anyone else?
You already made a huge stride with your new text messaging system. You're getting much better at getting your message out, now you just need to get the message in from students.
Last year, students emptied out of the DAC once the food stalls closed, even though New Found Glory hadn't performed yet. Has anyone considered what would happen if a big-name came to Drexel? Imagine if the Gorillaz, or Kanye West, or the Roots came to campus: the armory would be jam-packed, full of screaming, excited students about a show specifically for our campus.
Administrators can play a role in this. They say they want a revival of school spirit. What better way to do this than fill the house with thrilled students? Students aren't completely comatose. They aren't drones that only come out of their holes in the wall to eat and go to the bathroom (and occasionally go to class).
The Drexel Dragon's phenomenal basketball season is a great example of how pumped up student morale can get. The Dragons gave us something to get excited about, and the student body responded. They showed us that school spirit can happen. It's not impossible.
But it's events like commencement or Spring Jam that make students feel resigned to a second-class school as they look across the street and see Bono and Kofi Annan speak at the University of Pennsylvania. We've all gotten used to it - "Jack's Mannequin? Oh well, we're Drexel, we'll never get anybody big anyway."
So, Administrators - do you want to boost morale? Get someone big for commencement, someone meaningful and inspiring. Make your students feel proud that they go to Drexel. Give them that rewarding opportunity of hearing anecdotes from someone on the world stage. This is not a substandard University; at least not for the tuition we pay. Bill Clinton came here (although you didn't apply his healthy eating advice in our cafeteria), why not anyone else?
You already made a huge stride with your new text messaging system. You're getting much better at getting your message out, now you just need to get the message in from students.
ksb
posted 5/06/07 @ 11:50 PM EST
"Big band"? That's a pretty subjective phrase. I love Jack's Mannequin. Their music has been featured on plenty of popular TV shows such as One Tree Hill. (Continued…)