Students and cultural apathy at W&L
By Sreya Banerjee
Are students at Washington and Lee apathetic to cultural events or is it just that their busy weekly schedules make them less likely to want to participate in cultural events like political speakers, musical events at Lenfest or films presented by the Film Society?
Terry Vosbein, professor of music at W&L, says that students rarely attend music events unless required to for class. "The students have a lot to do and going to a concert does not necessarily fall on their priority list.” In his first semester at Washington and Lee, on hearing of the two concert requirements for his class on weekends, one student walked out of the class.
But it is not necessarily a busy academic and extra curricular calendar that keeps them away from concerts and film showings. Meredith Hibbard, president of the Washington and Lee Film Society, says that student attendance for film society events on most Friday and Saturday nights is not very flattering as these nights tend to be big party nights at the hugely Greek W&L. “ We do have more sorority girls who come, but not many fraternity men,” said Hibbard. “That is a rare thing and I am always surprised when I see that.”
Vosbein, who organizes the Sonoklect Series at the Lenfest Center, does not understand this trend. He believes that students at Washington and Lee should be taking greater advantage of the opportunity to be able to attend concerts that would cost them $50 at Carnegie Hall in New York. “Parties come every week and world class concerts come a half a dozen times maybe in a year or a semester,” he said.
Hibbard believes apathy lies at the root of low levels of attendance to such events. She says students would attend if they really wanted to as parties do not start until much later in the night, "But I suppose once the weekend begins people start drinking."
However, timing of events appears to play a key role in Contact's success on campus. The committee, which sponsors speakers on campus, has traditionally held talks on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night at 7.30 p.m., largely for the convenience of the students. “We try and intentionally choose a time that’s good for students regardless of what other groups they are associated with,” said Contact committee member, Rachael Seidenschnur. “We are aware of the other social obligations that student have.”
Vosbein does not feel he should change his concert times to accommodate the students' partying habits. “ I moved concert nights to Saturdays because I think it’s a more prestigious night,” he said. “But I have also noticed on Tuesday night concerts that there is no more student attendance than on Saturday night concerts.”
Elrod Commons director, Margo McClinton, however, says that Greek life and cultural activities are not competing but are in co-existence. "A lot of the times frats and sororities collaborate with us in organizing different events," she said. "It's just that you know you have an alternative.”
Hibbard agrees that the Film Society, for example, does provide an alternative. “The same people come every weekend, student wise speaking. Dorm counselors, international students, and independents."
But she is disappointed that the student body at large does not seem willing to be exposed to new and alternative events.
Marion Botchway who is a member of the Minority Student Association and Student Association for International Learning, echoes Hibbard. “At talks organized by MSA, participation is very low, especially for speakers," said Botchway. "It is very disappointing."
Divya Ajay, chair of the International Relations Association, was elated at the 20-some people who showed up for the first few IRA meetings where they discussed the French riots, the Kashmir issue and the London bombings, among other issues. "That was a very good turn-out by Washington and Lee standards," she said.
Afsin Yurdakul, co-chair of Amnesty International, a student organization that is in its first year, expected a greater response with its introduction. “Hardly anyone signed up when we passed around the sign up sheet after a film showing,” she said.
But, academic life and related activities may limit student exposure to cultural events at W&L. Kate Norby who is a dorm counselor and is involved with Project Nicaragua, Women in Technology and Science, among others, says that being a science major keeps her very busy. Despite participating in different leadership and volunteer activities on campus, she does admit that she has not taken advantage of all the cultural events on offer. “I notice I tend to only really participate in things I am signed up for, organizations I am already involved in,” she said.
Seidenschnur, who organizes Contact events, believes that Contact committee speakers are popular because students play a big role in indirectly choosing them. “In determining who to bring we look at a wide variety and what we think would greatly appeal to the student body,” she said.
Along those lines, W&L students who perform at Lenfest often draw a large student audience. Freshman Sean Mckinley said he has not been back at the Lenfest Center since Freshman Orientation Week. But he was planning to go back to hear his friends perform in the Christmas Concert. Kristin Evans, who is co vice-president of W&L Tap, Jazz, and Hip-Hop believes that the student body is very supportive of dance events. “All of the tap, jazz, and hip-hop dancers usually bring in a large crowd of their friends who come to see them perform,” said Evans.
Margo McClinton, director of the Commons, says, "Its really about options. The thought is to let students do what they enjoy--be it to go to a fraternity party, visit a friend out in the country, whether it means coming here to the Elrod Commons to watch a Film Society film or enjoying one of our Wednesday night fun events."
Watch: Music Professor Terry Vosbein on cultural activities and Gen-Ed requirements
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Claudette Artwick
Reporting supervisor: Prof. Doug Cumming
Editing supervisor: Prof. Pamela Luecke
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd