ULV fails to live up to its mission

cartoon by Natalie Fowle

The University of La Verne prides itself in having a diverse curriculum that encourages and even mandates students to take certain CORE classes that deal with community service and environmental issues. However, the University as a whole fails to walk its own talk.

The University's mission statement also boasts the diverse educational experience this school provides, but when it comes down to it, it appears the promise of a meaningful education is only a lure to draw in the numbers.

Classes such as CORE 340, which is titled Toward a Sustainable Planet, deal with environmental issues to help students become more environmentally alert. However, while it is good to implement good recycling habits for the students population, the University fails to practice what it preaches.

As many might have noticed, there are several recycling bins, especially within the residence halls. But what students do not necessarily know is that, while the University encourages recycling, it claims it does not have enough funds to actually recycle the items in the bins. The bins are set up for encouraging good recycling habits alone.

However, there is a light on the end of the tunnel, because some of the housekeepers from the Mariott Housekeeping Services choose to recycle the aluminum cans for their own gain. Kudos to Housekeeping for at least making an effort, even if it is for personal gain.

Why are there not enough funds to allocate a recycling program, and why is the school not seeking out sponsors to help create a recycling program? It appears there are plenty of donors willing to help out in the creation of a sitting area in front of the chapel. If effort is placed into gathering funds for leisure, then why not invest time to find donors willing to start a recycling program?

Also, there is a class titled International/Intercultural experience, CORE 310, which is designed to provide students the opportunity to learn about different cultures. However, those classes do not instill the needed education of how to deal with confrontations. We all remember when, a couple of months ago, some African-American students were confronted by a man who made some derogatory racial remarks. Their prior, presumably diverse experiences did not come in handy to help them calm down.

It is also disturbing that the community at large did not publicly show concern for what happened to these students. Sure, the police took a report; but what good did that do, except give the police something to do?

When it comes to important issues, it seems the majority of residents in the city of La Verne do not want to be bothered. Last week's Campus Times included an article that dealt with the issue of homelessness. When city officials were asked what the city is doing to aid the people in need, they were not able to elaborate much. It seems La Verne prides itself for being a nice, good, clean "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" where the homeless are not welcome.

It is ironic that ULV is placed in such a careless setting. There is a class at ULV called Service Learning, CORE 305, which is a requirement for graduation. The course is designed to give students an opportunity to go out into the community and provide services to the elderly, tutor at local schools and volunteer at a homeless shelter.

But wait, there are no homeless shelters in La Verne. If a student wants to volunteer at a homeless shelter he has to commute to a different city.

In this city there appears to be very little community service that matters. Of course students can go keep company to the rich residents of Hillcrest Homes, or tutor local children, but how much will they benefit?

The University's Mission Statement is full of promises that make one believe that, at ULV, students are exposed to many aspects of life. But when it comes down to it, students are just sheltered in a town that has no real interest in anything other than its own well-being.

It is easy to concoct elaborate and positive mission statements, but what good does a mission statement do if it is not really being implemented?