On July 13, with much fire and fury, The Edj View unloaded on a certain university that won’t let incoming sophomores and juniors experience the tradition of entering a historic arch.
“This is not an overreaction to what seemed to be an initiative from the higher-ups to protect us from a dreaded virus. But for god’s sake, aren’t we afraid so much? Franklin Roosevelt said that the only thing we should fear is fear itself,” it said. “Maybe that’s why the administration is still hesitant to execute limited face-to-face classes in all courses, unlike others that are beginning to do that. This is a demonstration of unwarranted trepidation that could affect our present – and maybe our future.”
This blog made a desperate plea to reconsider its position: “For now, we desperately pray for God’s intervention. This is a chance for Him to enter the administrators’ minds to rethink their decision. I just hope He’s not attending to some other needs first.”
Apparently, God was awake at that particular time and touched the hearts, minds and souls of the administration of this university. He may not have answered the strong clamor during the election, well, he tried to rebound with this one.
It is now confirmed that this university, after all, will make the students feel for themselves the history enveloping this activity. That there was mercy, indeed, for those who have suffered long enough to the virtual setup – an arrangement necessitated by a virus that disrupted dreams and changed the order of things.
After two long years of staring at the screen that would blur our eyes for the next decade or so, we will finally see the world in our flesh and tell ourselves that we are, indeed, in college.
The university wouldn’t have made this decision without the intense pressure from those animating the same disappointment as I do. It was not one person voicing out the vexation, but thousands – maybe in the tens or twenties.
This episode is a testament to the collective power of a citizenry demanding meaningful change – or, in this case, a particular action. It is dissent that awakens the higher echelons to perform their duties in a manner that is acceptable, conspicuous and effective for the public they serve. No one can diminish the power of their criticisms and suggestions, even if others try to do so.
This university deserves some credit for taking the risk to hold such a big event, considering the latest developments on Covid-19 and Monkeypox. Let’s just pray – fervently pray, if you will – that no one in the higher-ups will flinch. The only time they can flinch is when someone says they’re cute – which they are.
Featured image from Kristoffer Pasion’s Twitter account.
The Edj View 