GCC Postsecrets

This blog was not created with the intent of bashing the school, any individuals, or groups. I’ve loved reading the different perspectives and comments, and have been enlightened and thought about things in ways that I had not thought of before. I respect all the opinions expressed, and I apologize if any of my comments in my previous blog came across as too harsh or attacked anyone individually. My intention was to raise questions, not pass judgment. I think we’re all getting tired of the back and forth, and I don’t know about all of you, but personally, I would like to move onto a new topic:

I know a lot of you have seen http://www.postsecret.com/— one of my favorite websites! I have saved a few “postcards” over the years that I relate with most. If there were a “GCC postsecrets”, what would you post? What have you always wanted to scream from the Hal courtyard, but just couldn’t? You can create an image or just leave your caption in a comment anonymously or email your picture to the gccunfiltered@gmail.com account and it will be added here.

These are a few of my favorites:

(Disclaimer for the Grovers: I am not endorsing murder lol)

– Jade

New Secrets from your classmates:



big bad administration?

just emailed in:

“Let me be blunt with those who hate the big bad administration.

You knew how GCC was when you applied.  Rules exist for a reason.  You aren’t always going to get your way.  End of story.

Basically, stop complaining about how pathetic your life is because you can’t have the same experience found at a public school, and start focusing on what is great at the college.  I loved the article “a few of my favorite things” because rather than being whiney and judgmental about the school, it put a positive spin on GCC.  Let’s look at the most fussed about issues at the college:

1.) Alcohol: If you are underage, you shouldn’t be drinking, it’s a law for a reason.  If you are legal, go to the BRT.  Don’t bring it to campus, don’t get plastered.  It’s simple.  I’ve seen too many drunken guys and girls coming back from heavy drinking, falling over, vomiting, being slutty (not just women), and making fools of themselves.  I don’t give a damn what your reasoning is for drinking, but seriously – it’s not classy to be wasted.  Oh, and it’s kind of illegal.  No kidding.

2.) Intervis: Having the opposite gender barred from our dorms is SUCH torture, isn’t it?  The poor soul who thinks that the college is out to ruin their relationships, friendships, etc. is pathetic.  Again – you knew the rule when coming here, don’t think that they are going to change it because you bitch and complain.  And let’s be honest, if you want to have sex, you’ll find somewhere.  There are at least three hotels out by the Outlets that I can name off the top of my head.  Risk-takers will find some remote area to park their car.  So if this applies to you, stop saying “I wish I could stay past 12” and use that time to find somewhere else to have your co-ed slumber party.  Your roommate will thank you.  As for just hanging out together, if that’s all you wanted to do, then why are the lobbies not good enough?  Oh, you wanted privacy?  Then go to the SAC where no one will be able to hear your conversation anyway.  And if you want “cuddle time,” the college has generously provided nice benches placed around campus that are perfect.  Grab some coffee and a blanket, and you and your significant other can have a nice evening together chatting it up.  And I know a lot of guys and girls are JUST FRIENDS (for some reason that’s a taboo here) and that’s great.  But same thing applies – just go to the lobby.

3.) Chapel: Just go.  It’s not even worth my time to explain why it’s stupid for you to rally against this one.

4.) Residence Life: Yes, it’s their job to catch you breaking the rules.  You may have your candles out, or leave your microwave plugged in over Easter, or sneak some alcohol into your room, and you get busted.  Well, genius, that’s your problem for not following very clear, very EASY rules.  Do you know how much Grove City would lose if your halogen lamp caught illegal draperies on fire?  Let’s do some math: 1 resident hall burns down, say it had 75 rooms, each with two roommates, who pays $21,000 per year.  Not only does the school lose that one to two MILLION dollars to replace the building, they lose an additional THREE MILLION in tuition for the next year because they cannot house those students.  Plus, God forbid someone gets hurt, there’s another $100,000 per lawsuit filed.  RAs and RDs have one of the most critical jobs on campus.  Now, some things that are banned seem overwhelming (duct tape on the walls for instance) but they will not just randomly compile a list.  Every item has been thoroughly thought about, and everything has a reason.  And as for having alcohol in the room, it’s just difficult to deal with drunkards.  They are fun to mess with, but nothing else, really.

I suppose that I am a hypocrite for going on my own little rant.  However, please people – STOP BEING STUPID.  It gets very annoying, very quickly.  Gracias.“

 

….i honestly could not agree more.  we’re all here by will. if you don’t like it, feel free to either go away or suck it up and shut up.  oh, it is hard to find this balance between discussing controversial issues on campus and bitching and moaning.  complaint for the sake of complaint serves no purpose. on the flip side, though, isn’t it important to debate and talk about the things we care about? the things that matter? thank you, ____ for your insight.  _elle

a few of my favorite things [at GCC]

1. The musical talent – seriously, some of you are really good

2. The surplus of service-related activities – from GC to Russia, we have many opportunities to “make the world a better place”

3. Attempts made by groups on campus to keep our weekends entertaining [ie. Coffee houses, the Sweaty D, Big Man on Campus, Orchesis, etc.]

4. The friendly atmosphere – fake or not, I love when people acknowledge me

5. Career Services Office – I, like most others, want to have a job when I graduate

6. Variety in cafeteria – 8 varieties of cereal? Thank you communal living.

7. Sherry’s omelets – enough said.

8. Safety – at what other school can you leave a computer unattended in a building for 7-8 hours?

9. IM Sports – low time commitment but still a competitive outlet 

10. Sunday Brunch

11. The fact that GCC’s president actually talks with the students

-Lee

Yet another double standard.

 



let’s cut the crap: grades matter.

“grades are just a number. what matters is that you learn.” –majority of grove city professors

i’ve heard this inaccurate claim innumerous times since being at grove city college and guess what: still not true.  in fact, it’s a load of bull.  grades do in fact matter. actually, they matter very much:  they matter when you want to get into grad school, they matter when you want to apply for an internship. the gpa requirement is a 3.0 and the employers won’t even look at your application or resume if you have a 2.9.  they matter when you want a job and someone who went to one of penn state’s branch campuses also applies and they pick him ahead of you for the interview because you both have the same major, same work experience, and oh, guess what, mr. state school has a 3.8. they matter when you apply for a job in another state that’s never heard of grove city and assumes that (1) it’s a community college and (2) you’re a real dim-witted loser who spent four years drinking beer and playing video games, never cracking open a book.   fact: grades matter.

but still, grove city faculty and professors fail to recognize this blatant truth. they assign copious amounts of reading that, when paired with that of the other four classes you’re taking , is literally impossible to accomplish while maintaining any sort of social life.  they admittedly create tests that seek to show us how unimportant grades are, by making an a almost impossible to receive.  does this make any sense?

yeah, i know.  we’re human. we’re not perfect. so what? are our professors trying to prove this to us in their grading systems? i’m pretty sure students can identify their shortcomings on their own, but thanks for trying.

**i’m in no way attempting to diss penn state.  it’s just an example of a state school (and i know from personal experience) that’s classes are no where near as demanding or difficult as gcc courses.

_elle

pop the bubble

[Photo Courtesy of the New York Times: “Powerful Quake and Tsunami Devastate Northern Japan”]

Oh, you didn’t know about the tsunamis resulting from a massive earthquake that hit Japan? Well, how about the protests in Libya? The Arizona immigration bill? The burqa ban in France that will be enforced this spring? Or what about the 1.7 billion people who live in absolute poverty?

I’m sure it’s no big deal to know what’s going on outside of GC’s five mile radius. After all, the Bachelor and Dexter are more important. Especially if you’re one of the lucky ones who saved some cash splitting the cable bill with your neighbors.

But seriously, how can we ever function as intelligent people in the “real world” if we aren’t informed. Things that happen in the world can and will affect us. Ignorance is not bliss; you can’t hide from life. You can’t do any good if you don’t know what’s going on.  As capable citizens, we should broaden our horizons beyond reality television and educate ourselves on the world around us.

There is a world outside of Grove City, I promise. I’ve seen it.

-Lee