OPINION
MAY 3, 2013
Guilford College Confessions:
BY KIM
KLEIMEIER
Staff Writer
Guilford College Confessions
April 25 id
To the black guy with the long white beard that told me
how pretty my new haircut is (which I wasn't so sure
about), thank you. That made my day. And so does your
beard.
Guilford College Confessions
Yesterday id
I met the love of my life here at Guilford.
Guilford College Confessions
Sunday id
To ail the people who don't see fit to flush their turds on
campus: I hope a sewer snake bites your anus. They do
exist.
Hiding behind their computer
screens, students have been spilling
their guts on Guilford's own version
of "Gossip Girls." Controlled by a
group of anonymous
administrators,
hundreds of posts on
a heap of different
subjects are submitted
daily.
The allure no
doubt comes from
voicing one's opinion
anonymously and
not having to accept
the responsibility or
the consequences.
But, are there certain
drawbacks to having this site? I would
say so. Not only does the site enable
poor communication, it also allows for
problematic first impression of Guilford
for any prospective student looking at
the page.
Sophomore Heather Nelson expresses
concerns about this new phenomenon
that has swept across campus.
"It shows how disconnected our
society has become," said Nelson.
"It promotes this sterile, separated
community because it's not giving
voice."
Within our current culture, we can be
instantly connected to anyone, no matter with each other," said sophomore Mary "And here we are creating a space
the physical dis^nce, but there is truth Hersey. "But, it gets sad, pathetic and where people become both faceless and
in the concern that a different distance creepy, especially anything involving voiceless."
is herewith created. Our communication Early College because people just hawk Another issue that arises is that
has become worse instead of better on Early College girl students." this page is open for everyone to see.
because we put less effort into it. People Yes, the compliments are nice, and it's Prospective students seeing this page
shrink from open confrontation because fun to see people wanting to be friends, and gaining their first impression of
they now have the option of hiding but the real question is why can't they Guilford just from this site can have
behind their phones and computers. do that without the aid of anonymity negative consequences. Not all of the
Some would argue that there are and a confessions page? comments are positive or raise intelligent
positives that come from this new Our society, through its technology discussions about relevant issues on
page. Giving stongers compliments as and new modes of communication, campus. Some of the posts are flat-
has lost the ability to confront issues in out ridiculous, and if misinterpreted,
person, voice opinions outright or even possibly even offensive or hurtful,
meet people on a face-to-face basis. "I think the fact that you can say
"We talk to so much about giving something anonymous, that is not so
voice to the voiceless," said Nelson, good," said exchange student Bernardo
Sotero when shown the Confessions
page for the first time. "A joke can be
really misunderstood."
This type of misunderstanding could
truly impact Guilford's admissions.
A first impression tends to stick, and
this page is not a shining example or
representation of the student body.
Especially posts about pooping in trash
cans wanting to have sex with specific
people and the open display of drug
use on campus are all things that do not
need to be advertised.
Parents of future students and
prospective students themselves can
take this as a real turn-off to attending
this school. As an institution currently
struggling with admissions, Guilford
needs to put its best foot forward.
We have more to offer than what is
displayed on the confessions page. We
have a group of bright, involved and
caring people who will one day change
the world. Let's advertise that, Guilford.
well as admitting to wanting a closer
relationship with some people is a
common theme within the posts.
"Sometimes there is really sweet stuff
like when people want to be friends
2 Guilford College Confessions
April 24 id
i*m genuinely scared of the squirrels on campus.
Guilford College Confessions
April 26 id
Dear Neighbors: If you keep blaring music and shouting
and banging against the wall my roommate and I will put
Rebecca Black on very loud and continuously play it at six
in the morning Just be forewarned.
“ts
A review of the
2012-13 school
year events
As campus fills with the scent of
burning midnight oil and the sighs of
sleep-deprived students, let's take a
moment for reflection on the year behind
us.
As a nation, we re-elected a president,
experienced tragedy, made leaps and
faced setbacks in the debate over
marriage equality, all while stressing
over a struggling economy. Amidst this
myriad of issues, it's not easy to create
or maintain an interconnected national
community — or a campus community,
for that matter
But, this year at Guilford, we've done
just that.
This year held campus issues that
cut to the core of our values as Guilford
students, faculty and staff. Campus
renovations, which threatened to
displace Mary Hobbs residents and
turned Founders into a regrettably sterile
space, forced students to speak out.
Plans for the new fountain and
plaza continue to raise questions* and
concern over the allocation of funds and
donations. The possibility of divestment
from Sabra brings to light the need to
walk the walk and establish our identity
in the context of world issues.
And then there's the big one — Kent
Chabotar's retirement and the impending
presidential search and selection. As a
campus, we'll be watching this process
closely and striving for a voice in the
next turn that the administration will
take.
So, clearly we have campus issues.
We don't live in a vacuum or a state of
communal bliss. But this isn't because
we're a weak community — just the
opposite, in fact.
This year, we've proven the power
of collective awareness and open
discussion, student-administration
communication and a commitment to
transparency and accountability.
It's not easy to create an interconnected
community, but as active members of this
one, we've made campus our own. So
take some time to celebrate the successes
of this year and continue to stand up for
the community we love.
Reflecting Guilford College's core Quaker
VALUES, THE TOPICS AND CONTENT OF STAFF EDITORIALS
ARE CHOSEN THROUGH CONSENSUS OF ALL 14 EDITORS
AND ONE FACULTY ADVISER OF ThE GuILFORDIAN’s
Editorial Board.