Not The College Park I Knew

somebodynew
Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:14:53 +0000

Part of going to university is ACTIVELY cultivating an “I want to change the world” attitude, ACTIVELY recruiting that set of people.



I would say that UMD does actively cultivate that. The two things that really stand out to me at Maryland is our commitment to community service and innovation. How many universities can boast programs like Gemstone, Quest, and Hinman where students create research based and practical projects and develop them largely on their own over a period of 2-3 years? How many universities have over 20 Alternative Break trips (not counting Habitat and trips run by non CSL offices) and still have to turn away over a hundred applicants every year?

That’s why I think your reservations about CP as a college town aren’t the top priority. It doesn’t have to be about the town–the campus itself cultivates this atmosphere of student leaders engaged in work that will change the world. The university has no control over the town. It’s up to business leaders to take a chance on a venture that might not guarantee them financial success. And even if they don’t–it won’t stop students from being engaged.

And I would say that even if we’re not dumb jocks (which I never said we were), wouldn’t you agree that more people will go to the football and basketball games than an interesting lecture? It might not be the dominant theme, but is a dominant culture at our university.