Every year since 1830 Wesleyan has welcomed back students in September, so one would assume that, by now, they know how to do it. One would think with so much experience, this school would run like a well-oiled machine ready to handle an influx of over three thousand people.
Well, it wasn’t.
How is it possible that over the past three months the University managed to be less prepared than ever before? Were they not expecting us? Did they get the date wrong? Who thought it would be a good idea to open school on Labor Day?
Can a university successfully begin session on a day when almost every other institution in country is closed? We now know the answer, NO.
Most people want to end their summers by enjoying Labor Day; perhaps this is why many professors did not make it to the first class meeting. Does this mean they are automatically dropped?
Fine, open the school on Labor Day, but open all the things we need to get set up as well. For example, maybe the mailroom should have been open.
A friend of mine arrived on Friday night and had to sleep with no sheets or pillows until Tuesday. His FedEx tracking number said the package arrived on Thursday. It seems like common sense, “How can students begin classes before they can even make their bed?” Another student ordered a computer through ITS, but could not pick it up till Tuesday because the store was closed. I’m glad we are paying so much for such convienece.
Students have spent the past week waiting in atrociously long lines in order to pay for things that are already over-priced: food, books and computers. The lines are so long in the Campus Center that friends of mine had to steal lunch in order to make it to class. This is unacceptable, what are we paying for?
Why are the lines so long? Did they add two thousand more students? No, the numbers are basically the same.
Even worse than the lines themselves is the fact that they occur in places that have just been renovated: Broad Street Books, Weshop and so forth.
How about testing out the new food service computer system before the students arrive? Yes, its great that it’s there but it means nothing to us if the scanners and the computers don’t correspond. It should not take 20 minutes to check out because the prices have to be read out loud.
Why are students living in temporary housing? ResLife had all summer to get them a room. Furthermore, why on earth did construction on the paths in front of College Row begin on Monday, the first day in three months they were actually needed. Why weren’t such issues addressed over the summer?
Upon September arrival every student should have a room and easy access to food and books. This is not too much to ask. We are not paying to stand in a line to pay more.
Why should I invest in the future of this University if they can’t take care of me now?
I am embarrassed of this campus. If I was a parent dropping off my child for the first time I would be livid. It is disgraceful Wesleyan was not ready for the students.
I certainly hope this is not what the University considers progress.
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