A Little R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Nightly noise a nagging nuisance
Susan Leitholf
Issue date: 1/30/07 Section: Opinion
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Virtually the only part I know of that Aretha Franklin song is "R-E-S-P-E-C-T." I venture that most people know that part best.
However, how many people actually know what the word means? And furthermore, how many people actually practice what it means? I'm not sure.
I have been noticing a great many expressions of disrespect at Loyola.
Let's start with a relatively overt example. There is a large grassy area right outside my window. It's a really pleasant space for sitting at the picnic table to do homework, socializing or for playing catch when the weather is nice (and if there were a decent amount of snow on the ground, it would be ideal for snowball fights!). How-ever, at night, it often becomes a magnet for disrespectful people. One night in particular, my roommate and I were abruptly awakened at…3 a.m.? 4 a.m.? (When it gets to a certain hour, they all blend together.) Why were we rudely ripped from sleep on a weeknight?
People were shouting outside our window. And I mean shouting. We waited for them to stop. And we waited. And we waited. Finally, my roommate jumped out of bed, ran to the window, and bellowed for them to quiet down. Luckily, it worked.
Unfortunately, that was not an isolated incident. I've now lost track of the number of times that students have congregated outside of the building at all hours of the night to shout, talk loudly, laugh loudly -- basically, to make noise.
Come on. Grow up.
I know that many of you are going to say something along the lines of "That's college. Deal with it."
Yes, it is college. However, one of the many purposes of 'college' is to become a mature adult. A big piece of being an adult is showing respect for others. This does not mean being silent. Rather, it simply means being more aware of how your actions affect others.
I'll give another example of disrespect. We have all forgotten our swipe card and/or keys at some point or another. Still, if you forget yours, recognize that it is not the most considerate move to lean on a stranger's doorbell to let you in the building. However, if you choose to do this (especially at such a time as early on a weekend morning) -- and the stranger is kind enough to stumble to the door of the building to let you in -- simply say "thank you." Most importantly, say it sincerely.
Some people take an awful lot for granted.
This is also evidenced in the area of parking on campus. A handicapped space is just that -- a space for drivers (or drivers of passengers) who are legitimately handicapped. If you simply don't feel like parking in a farther away, legal, space, you still don't qualify for one of these specially designated spaces.You don't merit special treatment. I'm sure you have some amazing and unique qualities that I don't know about, but respect isn't one of them. The rules apply to you, too.
However, how many people actually know what the word means? And furthermore, how many people actually practice what it means? I'm not sure.
I have been noticing a great many expressions of disrespect at Loyola.
Let's start with a relatively overt example. There is a large grassy area right outside my window. It's a really pleasant space for sitting at the picnic table to do homework, socializing or for playing catch when the weather is nice (and if there were a decent amount of snow on the ground, it would be ideal for snowball fights!). How-ever, at night, it often becomes a magnet for disrespectful people. One night in particular, my roommate and I were abruptly awakened at…3 a.m.? 4 a.m.? (When it gets to a certain hour, they all blend together.) Why were we rudely ripped from sleep on a weeknight?
People were shouting outside our window. And I mean shouting. We waited for them to stop. And we waited. And we waited. Finally, my roommate jumped out of bed, ran to the window, and bellowed for them to quiet down. Luckily, it worked.
Unfortunately, that was not an isolated incident. I've now lost track of the number of times that students have congregated outside of the building at all hours of the night to shout, talk loudly, laugh loudly -- basically, to make noise.
Come on. Grow up.
I know that many of you are going to say something along the lines of "That's college. Deal with it."
Yes, it is college. However, one of the many purposes of 'college' is to become a mature adult. A big piece of being an adult is showing respect for others. This does not mean being silent. Rather, it simply means being more aware of how your actions affect others.
I'll give another example of disrespect. We have all forgotten our swipe card and/or keys at some point or another. Still, if you forget yours, recognize that it is not the most considerate move to lean on a stranger's doorbell to let you in the building. However, if you choose to do this (especially at such a time as early on a weekend morning) -- and the stranger is kind enough to stumble to the door of the building to let you in -- simply say "thank you." Most importantly, say it sincerely.
Some people take an awful lot for granted.
This is also evidenced in the area of parking on campus. A handicapped space is just that -- a space for drivers (or drivers of passengers) who are legitimately handicapped. If you simply don't feel like parking in a farther away, legal, space, you still don't qualify for one of these specially designated spaces.You don't merit special treatment. I'm sure you have some amazing and unique qualities that I don't know about, but respect isn't one of them. The rules apply to you, too.
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