Creating a Community

The number of opportunities at Duke to be "involved" is astounding. From student government to service, juggling to chess, there seems to be an organization to fit every student's interests. But at what point do all these organizations simply begin to overwhelm the campus? With over 200 student organizations recognized by DSG, and more attempting to become chartered every day, I would argue that we are approaching this point.

While the growing number of organizations creates a way for each student to be involved in an area of personal interest, it has worked against pulling the campus together to form one community. Duke students are busy; this is a given fact we can each attest to. It is impressive the way so many make time to work extracurricular activities into their schedules. They join a group based on an interest and work hard with fellow group members to program activities and events benefiting not only themselves but also the entire Duke community. But after going to class, doing homework and dedicating so much time to one's own particular organization, how often does a student have the time to attend one of the wonderful programs planned by one of the other 200-some groups?

You read about them in The Chronicle every day; you see fliers posted in the Bryan Center; you get e-mails on list serves. But stop and think for a moment. How many of these events have you actually attended in the past year? As a student leader myself, I have come to realize the answer is "not enough." Why are we putting money, time and effort into planning all these events that, for the most part, only our own members are attending? Why aren't student leaders encouraging their groups to participate in the programs other than their own? We need leaders on this campus who are dedicated to creating a single Duke community--by bringing together the various backgrounds and interests--so that we can experience new things and learn from each other. What has happened instead is that students, leaders and otherwise, have simply become too focused on the goals and initiatives of their particular organizations and have lost sight of this vision of a single community.

Pulling various groups together, however, is not as daunting as it may seem. All it takes is a commitment from various student groups to this vision. With a common goal in mind, groups can begin to collaborate with each other on projects and programs. Co-sponsoring programs is an excellent way to begin. Why not bring together the juggling club with a group that works with children in the community to plan a show? Why don't four groups come together to bring a speaker to campus? If groups can find a way to create a programs that incorporate different interests, the experience of all group members, as well as other students who attend the event, will be richer. This is so easy to do. The next time your group has an idea for an event, pick up the phone, call the listed contact of another group and invite them to join you.

At no other point in life will so many chances to experience diversity be as easily accessible to us as they are here and now. We are lucky to have so many wonderful things happening all around us--now it's time to take advantage of them. To each Duke student I extend this challenge: Pay attention to those Chronicle ads, fliers and e-mails. Choose one, step out of your comfort zone, and give up an afternoon or night to participate in a program planned by a group foreign to you. The possibilities of what you will take from the experience are endless.

Loree Lipstein is a Trinity senior and student co-director of the Community Service Center.