Don't forget civic responsibility on campus

It is ironic on the heels of the $30-million DukeEngage initiative, which strives to promote "civic engagement" among Duke students, that a glaring example of a lack of social awareness is evident right on our own campus.

We were appalled Tuesday morning to observe Duke Facilities employees working to dismantle the remnants of Krzyzewskiville, nearly a week after the UNC game. Scores of tents, sleeping bags and other materials were simply left by students, who obviously assumed it was someone else's job to clean up after them. We approached one of the employees and asked what they were planning on doing with the discarded materials. He simply shrugged, adding "...this is what happens when people's parents have too much money."

This situation is wrong on a number of levels. It is horrible environmental awareness to be so wasteful. It demonstrates utter disrespect on the part of students and only perpetuates the stereotype of Duke kids as wealthy, privileged brats. It also sorely misses an opportunity to engage the community. It took about 3 minutes of web surfing to find a local organization that arranges camping trips for underprivileged youth in Durham. We bet they would love to have all that stuff. As Duke looks to enhance the civic responsibility of its students in places all over the world, let's not forget about our own campus.

Scott Kollins

Associate Professor of Psychiatry

Trinity '92

Katharine Kollins

Nicholas School '09