Luke Tonat
It is time for us, the students of The College of Wooster, to find our voice in the Wooster community. On campus, our discourse grows more constructive and robust by the day. Yet, in regard to the city and the county that surrounds us, our voices remain largely silent, our ideas unheard, our direct interests untended. We fully possess the capability to change this state of affairs, and we must. We are all affected by what goes on in town, whether tangibly because of local policies, or morally, regarding injustice and the relationship we have with our fellow Woosterites.
I have heard many contend that it isn’t our place to work towards change in a place where we don’t intend to stay long. I agree, but only in part. It is unethical to try to impose a lifestyle that is improperly tailored to the needs of other Woosterites, let alone unwanted. Even if doing so accomplishes some greater good, it runs the risk of students envisioning themselves as “student-saviors,” a paternalistic and condescending view that I am not supporting and of which most students are rightfully wary. Further, in some cases, we will not be here in the years following our desired change in policy. Like all movements for change, we would be paying the benefit forward. This does not discount its overall value. What it does affect, however, is the direct benefit received and, therefore, our motivation as potential agents of that change. It is this core deficit in agency that I seek to combat with this article. Our relations with the town, and our situation as students in relation to the community as a whole, will not improve until we approach permanent residents of Wooster as partners and equals. It is that change in perception and culture that I am calling for today. Specifically, I am arguing: (1) for us, students of The College of Wooster, to openly advocate for our interests as a community and (2) for student groups and volunteers to avoid tunnel vision when it comes to service and fostering an environment conducive to understanding and discourse.
We, as students, have the ability to let our voices be heard in the greater Wooster community. Not only do we have the ability to do so, we ought to do so. The tuition that we pay goes towards taxes that fund county and city government. Additionally, although our presence in Wooster is temporary, other students will replace us. Because of our material support and the student body’s sustained presence here, we absolutely have the right to advocate for our positions on pertinent issues in Greater Wooster. Is there a city or county law affecting us that we see as unfair? Then we can change it! We have the right to petition and the ability to vote in local elections. Why don’t we start?
One way of accomplishing a perception of equality and partnership is in regard to organizational outreach and volunteerism. It is important to note that I do not believe all organizations and volunteers have an imperative to work outside of campus. There are many organizations that do great work on campus specifically related to issues strictly relevant to the College of Wooster. Similarly, many organizations and individuals contribute a great deal of effort to improve things in Greater Wooster, and their work should not go unrecognized. What I advise here is that organizations built upon the principle of fostering discourse, improving understanding and serving the community in regard to issues not strictly related to The College of Wooster cast an eye beyond Beall and Bever. Not only will this maximize impact, but also it will improve our relationship with the town as a whole, and go far in proving our place as partners in the community we all share.
I’m not seeking any kind of radical change or asking anyone to join me in a march on town hall. What I propose is that when we see something that negatively affects us or something that we think that we can fix, we don’t just mutter a complaint. I ask that in such circumstances, we vote. We petition. We extend our hand to our fellow Woosterites and get to work. Because that’s what partners and equals do.