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With no regrets, it's time to move on

I always keep my promises.

People that know me know that when I make a promise, I will keep it -- no matter what. And while I've made a lot of promises to a lot of people over the years, I've also made a very important promise to myself. On the car ride to Bloomsburg on the first fateful day of my freshmen year, I told myself that I didn't want to have any regrets when I left school after my senior year. I wanted to take every opportunity that I could and work as hard as I could.

I've kept that promise to myself. I got involved in clubs right away and it made all the difference in the world when it came to "feeling at home" at college my freshmen year. I became a part of the campus, not just a student going from classroom to classroom. I made Bloomsburg University a home, and I am forever changed because of it.

While I played a major part in my own success, I think the university as a whole helped me along the way. Whatever your opinion of the university is, you can't argue that they have something for just about everyone. They have clubs. They have concerts. They have trips. Quite simply, they have opportunities.

After three and a half years at Bloomsburg University, I'm finally graduating. Graduation couldn't have come soon enough. And, I'm quite sure that a number of my readers feel the same way -- some about my graduation, others about their own. In reality, no matter how good Bloomsburg has been to me, I'm ready to move on.

I'm done fighting. For the past year, I've written a column every week about something that I believe in. I've taken some shots by angry readers, as a lot of what I've had to say has been controversial. I've fought, and I've fought, and I've fought. Now I am done fighting. It will be up to someone else to carry on and fight the good fight. I am done. I'm moving on with my life and I will fight no longer at Bloomsburg.

The university has waited me out. The administration generally isn't concerned when a student makes a fuss and discusses negative aspects about the campus. They aren't concerned because students graduate and leave, while administrators are here for the duration. Instead of tackling problems head on, often the easiest and most effective tactic is just to wait the student out. We all have to graduate at some point, and now is my time to graduate. Congratulations -- I can't make waves any more.

I didn't write my column to win any popularity contests. I know that I sometimes had a minority opinion or expounded on an issue that others saw as minute. What I had always hoped was that people could recognize a valid argument, even if they didn't agree with me in principle.

I have no doubt that Residence Life is glad to see me go, as is the Greek system. I've been very negative towards both organizations because I think they have a lot of potential and that they can be a lot better than they are currently. I can appreciate what they've tried to do to fix some problems and I sincerely commend them for their continuing efforts.

I still haven't changed my opinions, however -- no matter how much feedback I get. I still don't like the Greek Affairs Coordinator. While some people may see her as the reason the Greek system is doing so well, I think the Greek system isn't doing as well as they should be doing. No one will ever convince me otherwise of that. What writing those columns has made me realize is not everyone at this university feels the same way about the subject.

I also hold fast to the opinion that there are some organizations and people on this campus that are just top notch and should serve as models for the rest of the university. I love the work the maintenance department has done. They work tirelessly to make sure that everything is working and running the way it should be. The staff is efficient and extremely courteous. I can say the same thing for the Registrar's office.

Many people have told me that they were angry about some things that happened on campus, but they weren't really sure why. It was only when I brought up some points that they realized how wrong that thing really was. Others have said that they hate me for what I say, but that I really did make some valid points and that what I said was true.

I made two more promises to myself when I started this column at the beginning of last semester. I wanted to express my opinion and I wanted to do it logically. And, I feel that I've done that. I know that a lot of people haven't agreed with me and a lot of people hate me for what I've written. Even though I know they don't think very highly of me, I hope they can at least admit that I've made them think about some things that they might not have thought about before.

Think of me what you will, Bloomsburg. I think I've kept my promises.