Hello! where is everyone?
- Derek Watson
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
The second part in a 3-part series on the lack of engagement on campus!
The last time we spoke, I talked about campus life and the decline of student engagement. Even though I felt like it was a great start, I do not think I was able to cover all the things I believe I should have covered or interviewed all the people I wanted to interview. In this blog, I hope to hear from more freshman, not only about why they don't attend campus functions as much, but what the college can do to remedy this problem, and hope future students have a better college experience because of it.
While the issue is obvious, the solutions may be closer than we anticipate. Many students I spoke with pointed out simple but meaningful changes that could make a difference. For instance, my fellow Student Government classmate and angler on the fishing team, Emmarie Bires, stated there is a huge problem with advertisement saying, “I don't think events are advertised as much.s Some events are definitely advertised more than others.” When asked what could be done to improve her and maybe other students experience next year, she said the college needs to be better at promoting events, adding that, “a lot of times the social media posts…are delayed, like I see them after the event’s taken place or the day of.”
“I don't think events are advertised as much”
She expressed that this makes it easy for students to miss out many of the events the college puts on. She suggested that professors could help by briefly mentioning said events in class, especially ones connected to clubs or activities they’re involved in. By doing this, it gives students timely reminders and encourages greater participation.
So, What Does This Mean?
Well, after this, I was left thinking maybe I’m not done with this story just yet. The more conversations I’ve had with veteran students, instructors, and those returning to campus after time away, the clearer it’s become that this isn’t just a surface-level issue. It’s not simply about students choosing not to show up or engage; there’s something deeper going on that’s shaping how people experience campus life today.
There’s a shift in how students connect, how they receive information, and even how they define involvement. What used to feel natural talking before class, showing up to events, being part of something bigger now seems almost forced or overlooked. After speaking with Emmarie, something that stood out to me was how often students feel out of the loop. Events are happening, but communication just isn’t reaching students in an effective way. Whether it is delaying social media posts or a lack of promotion, students aren’t consistently aware of what’s going on until it is too late. And when that happens repeatedly, people stop trying to stay involved altogether. It becomes easier to just stick to your same basic routine, go to class, and leave without ever feeling connected to your peers.
But, that raises even more questions for me. Who is actually responsible for making sure students are informed and engaged? Who runs the social media accounts, and what strategies are they using to reach students effectively? Because at this point, it’s not just about figuring out the issue; it’s about accountability and real solutions. What I do know is that this conversation is far from over. If anything, it’s just getting started. There are still voices that need to be heard, perspectives that need to be shared, and answers that need to be uncovered. We also have one last event coming up, Spring Fest. Hopefully, we will start to see some better results there. I guess you will find out that and more in my next blog.
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