2008 Woodie Awards
Staff Editorial
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Forum
There are many traditions associated with Serendipity: the drunken debauchery, friendlier Public Safety, games and music by the lake, and inevitably complaining about the provided entertainment. Every year the student body holds no reservations about vocalizing opinions of events planned by CAB. In turn, CAB complains that no one bothers coming to the Serendipity meetings or filling out the band suggestion sheets.
This year was no different. Many on campus were shocked at the content of Mickey Avelon's songs. CAB offered the typical response, saying that people shouldn't complain because they participated in so little of the process. Students claim to never know when the meetings are or where to fin the suggestion sheets. CAB insists that they are well advertised. The cycle continues.
It'll probably happen again next year and the year after, unless something is changed. When a system is repeatedly proven to be ineffective, it should be replaced. The way in which CAB collects feedback and suggestions for Serendipity draws little participation from the student body.
Rather than sticking with fruitless slips of paper, CAB should experiment with new technology in order to extend student participation. The suggestion form could be sent out in a campus-wide e-mail, or linked to in The Buzz, or even posted on a Facebook group. Reform possibilities are endless and it's time to trial new ways to accumulate student opinion.
The responsibility does not fall entirely on CAB's shoulders; it partly belongs to the student body as well. Students need to appreciate the stress involved in planning a huge event, such as Serendipity, and understand how much their early input would help CAB members prepare Serendipity events.
Once we have a better way to collect feedback Guilford can bring bands and events that would get more and more of the student body excited about Serendipity. Representatives of the student body in CAB should be eager to incorporate voices and opinions of our community in order to plan the most satisfying Serendipity possible. The current method is ineffective and it is time for reform. Perhaps when the lines of communication improve, controversies, like this year, can be avoided.
This year was no different. Many on campus were shocked at the content of Mickey Avelon's songs. CAB offered the typical response, saying that people shouldn't complain because they participated in so little of the process. Students claim to never know when the meetings are or where to fin the suggestion sheets. CAB insists that they are well advertised. The cycle continues.
It'll probably happen again next year and the year after, unless something is changed. When a system is repeatedly proven to be ineffective, it should be replaced. The way in which CAB collects feedback and suggestions for Serendipity draws little participation from the student body.
Rather than sticking with fruitless slips of paper, CAB should experiment with new technology in order to extend student participation. The suggestion form could be sent out in a campus-wide e-mail, or linked to in The Buzz, or even posted on a Facebook group. Reform possibilities are endless and it's time to trial new ways to accumulate student opinion.
The responsibility does not fall entirely on CAB's shoulders; it partly belongs to the student body as well. Students need to appreciate the stress involved in planning a huge event, such as Serendipity, and understand how much their early input would help CAB members prepare Serendipity events.
Once we have a better way to collect feedback Guilford can bring bands and events that would get more and more of the student body excited about Serendipity. Representatives of the student body in CAB should be eager to incorporate voices and opinions of our community in order to plan the most satisfying Serendipity possible. The current method is ineffective and it is time for reform. Perhaps when the lines of communication improve, controversies, like this year, can be avoided.
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