Rider: How much is too much?
While trying to decide what to write about this week, a friend IMed me telling me about his boredom on campus. Rider has gone through some massive changes in the past few years, but I feel like they have gone overboard with trying to “improve” Rider’s image. For starters, I feel like the new alcohol policy on campus is completely ineffective. I feel like I have heard of more binge drinking incidents in the past year than I have ever. I feel like the strict rules and punishments do nothing but scare people into drinking, and then hiding their intoxication because they are afraid of the consequences. By threatening students too much, Rider seems to be forcing students away, rather than making them more “aware.”If Rider wanted to prevent the excessive drinking that I hear about so often, they should make this campus more interesting. On Friday nights, the highlight of the campus is Bronc Bingo. I have nothing against playing bingo, don’t get me wrong, but what is this, a senior center? We are grown adults looking for fun, interesting, DIFFERENT things to do. I have friends who do drink, and I have friends who don’t drink. Those who don’t drink are bored with Rider and so are those who do drink. Something new needs to happen here.The lack of activities is not the only bothering aspect of Rider, though. Now there is a housing lottery that FAVORS the freshman and sophomores. I’m sorry, but after paying and being loyal students for several years, they are now trying to kick the juniors and seniors off? Something seems askew. They can only guarantee housing for freshman and sophomores because Rider wants to recruit more people, but what about the students who live here now and who have one year to go?! Luckily I’m a Greek at Rider, so our housing policy is a bit different, but am I wrong to think that all the independents up-campus are being shafted? Rider needs to seriously think about their priorities. I’m pretty sure that if things continue to go the way they are going now, my kids won’t be coming here. I’m very involved in campus activities, and I love Rider…but I can honestly say that I’m glad I’m not a freshman. It seems that Rider has begun to push a little bit too much, so much that it is driving students away.Oh and one more thing…just because Rider has a lawsuit coming at them doesn’t give them the right to ticket my car every day for NO reason. Use our tuition money, please. My poor college salary can’t take much more of this.
funny you just wrote about being bored because I just wrote a post on SEC trying to cater to kids needs and one thing we’re trying is weekend programming. Which is why we did Mythbusters on a Saturday night, why the spring concert is on a Saturday night, and why off-campus trips take place on the weekends. I’d look out for future events we do on the weekends, big or small, we’re at least trying.
I definitely agree the alcohol policy and new housing lottery is retarded. I am not a big drinker, but I’m glad that when I do I am so far off I don’t need to worry about the unclear consequences that may happen. I also think to have Rider change it’s mind all of a sudden about guaranteeing housing is just insane. How about making the residence halls that AREN’T new building not look like run down apartment buildings, and invest in an upgrade? I’m sure students would love that before they’re asked to shove over another large sum of money.
I also got a parking ticket this week. I’d love to rip it up in their face and tell them that maybe they should target those who park in the fire lanes instead of students who are forced to park in the commuter spots because there are no other options.
Those are just a few of my thoughts on the matters.
Posted 4 months, 1 week agoI completely agree with you. When I first came to Rider I expected there to be soooo much going on all the time and I was really let down. For my first two years here I tried attending all the events that get so much hype but little response and quite honestly I have been ways to spend my Friday nights. I know that Rider is trying but some real changes need to happen to make students actully want to hang out here in the weekends.
Posted 3 months, 3 weeks ago