Central Michigan University often prides itself with having strong core values that define its community. According to the university, CMU believes in integrity, respect, compassion, inclusiveness, social responsibility, excellence and innovation. Ironically, the administration rarely upholds any of these values, especially when honoring these values could be considered controversial. The administration as a whole remains neutral on almost every issue.

On March 25 student leaders had lunch with President Ross to find out why the administration remains stagnant in regard to student issues. These leaders represented groups such as Divest CMU, the Black Lives Matter Movement, Take Back the Tap and Students Advocating Medical and Responsible use of Cannabis. These students were welcomed by Ross to an elaborate, three-course lunch. They greatly appreciated his time to hear them out on their inquiries. The five students requested this meeting to gather his advice on what the next best steps to take for their various campaigns would be. To this day, these issues have been gathering momentum, increasing awareness on campus, and even received Student Government Association support. These students have tried to work directly with administration to accomplish their goals. Despite these efforts, no administrative action has been seen around any of these issues. The students discussed with Ross what other tactics would be most effective to further student campaigns. This was not regarding one specific campaign, but student causes in general.

The students were surprised at Ross’ casual disregard for their passions throughout the meeting. He talked to the students as if they could not comprehend how complex the world is and checked his watch often because he had important places to be. They wondered, after every avenue of the system provided has been exhausted, and support for a campaign has been continuous for several years, what then is the next step? Ross responded with how slow of a process making change can be, and that the students either needed “sustained support” spanning many years, or to take direct action in order to see change on campus. President Ross said the only recent example of successful student change was back when CMU students did not get classes off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day until they occupied a building and their demands were met. He continued on to make other excuses for why change takes so long, instead of realizing that the long drawn out process of incremental change and making excuses is part of the problem. Ross rounded out his narrative by stating that student involvement only exists for “the college experience.”

The president of CMU made it overwhelmingly clear that soon after graduation these students’ passions for ending racism, improving public health, and empowering communities would fade with time as they “evolved,” as he put it. Ross kept reassuring that he was not trying to dishearten them, but in reality his condescending demeanor spoke for itself. Instead of discouraging these leaders, it only fired them up more. It is disappointing that the president of an institution of higher education would send this message of apathy to students. However, this only shows the need for louder student voices. Ross and every other administrator that thinks like him devalues the intelligence and passion of all students at this university.

The truth is, CMU is not the only university that wants its students to remain apathetic. This is the same narrative of universities all over this nation. This is because informed and engaged students challenge the very foundation of what has made higher education one of the most profitable business models ever conceived. Unfortunately, universities have become a microcosm of everything that is wrong with our world. If we get anything out of this experience it should be the understanding of what our administration truly is and what they represent.

The university projects the image of fostering intellectual stimulation and discovery, when in reality it is just interested in getting their $20,000 or more a year from each student. In return we get a piece of paper that says we sufficiently were able to regurgitate information for four years. Then, if we are lucky, we move on to a job that may not contribute positively to the world, but will pay the bills. Next, find a husband or wife, donate back to the university and feed in to the cycle. All of this without ever having taught us to critically think for ourselves or comprehend our situation, and definitely not to care about or create social change when we leave. Universities have become for-profit institutions that no longer value objective thinking or deep questioning, but instead churn out drones that unknowingly contribute to an endless system of corruption and greed. We are paying more each year and in turn receiving less.

No matter what you are passionate about, this traditionally static administration affects you because they are disregarding all student issues. We are living in a pivotal time; our land and seas have been poisoned, mass genocide is still taking place in the world, Wall Street controls our politics, workers are still not given the rights they deserve and higher education has become a business. While these issues may seem overwhelming we should not shy away from them, but face them with a strong moral conscience and motivation to make a change. We are the last generation that can turn this situation around. Universities have historically been a place where positive change started and was pushed forward by the students. Currently there is a group of intelligent and motivated people on this campus who want to make progress but they can't do it alone. They need your help.

Together we can change this, but it will only happen with the voices and actions of students like you. Look at our administration and ask yourself if you really believe they have our best interest at heart. To them each one of us is just another number. Let us take this opportunity to show our complacent administration how we will make change. Get fired up and do something; the time is now.

If this article spoke to you contact CMU.RISE.UP@gmail.com to become involved.

MARIAH URUETA

Former SGA Vice President

Senior

Waterford