We can talk elitism in the Honors College until our lungs give out. Indeed, many of the programs associated with the Honors College have the term "elite" in their description. So we can go on and on about how we believe we are better than everyone else, and we are more privileged, and so on and so forth, but that is playing the elitism card once again. If you truly believe that the way Honors College students are treated is unfair to everyone else, why aren't you doing anything about it? Why have you not started a mentoring program for "regular" students, or worked with the faculty to get "regular" students into research positions? After all, you have been coddled by the Honors College staff for years, so you have the right connections.
We as Honors College students enjoy the perks we have. As a CBHer, I love my exclusive lab. I hold strong to the fact that my hard work and dedication to CBH have deemed me deserving of that privilege, however I understand that it gives me the "elite" status. In that respect, I am okay with that title.
As academic students, we should be at the top of our classes, and we should be heavily involved. We have shown throughout our lives that we can handle a heavy course load, and we are determined to excel. In the academic field, it makes sense for us to be involved in research, tutoring others, and moving on to grad school.
Where this becomes an issue is the point that you sit back on your laurels and say, "I'm an Honors student, now fan me, fan boy." Obviously, we don't have fan boys (yet), but you get the picture. I can understand the frustration with a lot of Honors College programs, because they have yet to DO anything. They are associated with a certain faculty member, or a certain status, therefore they are given what is not necessarily owed to them.
So again, I ask you, what are you planning to do about it? Those of you involved in the SGA, are you going to fight to make sure EVERYONE is heard? Are you going to set up programs to encourage "regular" students to invest in their academics? Fellows, are you going to take the things you learn in the Black Belt and apply them to real life here at the Capstone? Will you realize that the impoverished people you worked with are just like the "regular" students and they just need some guidance and assistance? CBHers, are you going to encourage your non-CBH friends to seek out research opportunities? Will you help them realize how beneficial this can be to them?
We as Honors College students have many doors opened for us, and many opportunities presented to us. Isn't it time we bring others through those doors with us? Shouldn't we be sharing our opportunities with other students?
Use the connections you have made. Use the Honors College as a tool to your success, but don't forget the success of others. Our Honors College means nothing if the University surrounding it falls to pieces. Don't turn an elite blind eye to the world outside of Nott Hall.
As the future President of a non-Honors organization, and the soon to be former treasurer for HCA, my eyes have been opened to how difficult it is to be an organization not backed by departmental money. Fashion, Inc. has to fight and beg for the money to put on high quality fashion shows, and to bring in speakers relevant to our students. However, through everything I have learned in the Honors College, I have been able to make strong connections with other organizations, getting sponsorships for the show and getting over 800 t-shirts donated. It may be a small part, but that's how I'm making a difference outside of the Honors College, while never forgetting all of the perks given to me because of it. How will you make a difference? How will you show the rest of this campus that Honors students don't hold their noses so high that they can't be bothered by "regular" students?
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