The Top Three Things I Would Change About CMU
By: Layna Mathewson
After being a student at Central Michigan University for three years, I have some thoughts. Although I have really enjoyed my time here at CMU, not everything is perfect. I have experienced everything CMU has to offer from 8 a.m. classes to living in the dorms. With that being said, here are the top three things I would change about my university.
- No Friday Classes
College is a time where you meet new friends, procrastinate homework and avoid most adult responsibilities. College students are often stereotyped as partiers, and there is nothing false about that statement. “Thirsty Thursday” often comes into play for many attending CMU. Since many students participate in this drinking event, they do not want to attend classes Friday morning. At this point, students are ready for their weekend endeavors and could care less about class. Not only would eliminating Friday classes help students, but it would also help the professors. First, the lack of students in class on Friday’s does not impress the professors. Teaching to a half empty class is not something that seems to be joyful. Professors also deserve a three day weekend after dealing with a range of students from frat boys to honor students. Personally, watching the way my peers act, I would need a break. I can only imagine what professors go through.
2. On-Campus Living Requirements
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Being a senior here at CMU, I have had my fair share of living in the dorms on campus. It was not completely awful as I met some of my best friends in the dorms, but it also is not all sunshine and rainbows. First the beds are not the comfiest objects to sleep on. The dining halls are also not always the greatest either. Finally, the idea of needing another student around the same age watch over you and control when you must be quiet is not always fun. With these disadvantages, I would love to see the change of only requiring students to live on-campus for one year instead of two. If this is not an economical change, at least have students who are of junior credit status be allowed to live off campus. I am an accelerated student and am graduating a year early. I was a junior my third semester here and was stuck in the dorms with curfews and quiet hours. Many other campuses in Michigan only require one year of on campus living, and I believe CMU should get with the memo.
3. Flex Dollars For All
The most beneficial part of living on-campus was the Flex Dollars. Flex Dollars are credits that you can use at campus stores, like Starbucks and Einstein Bagels. These credits are put onto your student id and the money gets pulled from your housing tuition. Once a student leaves the dorms, Flex Dollars is game over. Off-campus students can put their own money and charge up their Flex Dollars, but I believe that it should come from tuition. Once a student is off campus, they are paying for rent, groceries and utilities. If the university gave these off-campus students even $100 from their tuition on their Flex accounts it would make a huge difference. All of the markets and stores on campus would get more business and students will be overall happier.
Overall, if these changes were implemented on campus, I would be jealous. I am graduating in May and would not be here long enough to appreciate these changes. However, I think these changes could give CMU a bigger appeal to income freshmen who could be looking at bigger schools in Michigan like the University of Michigan or Michigan State.
Although I would like to see change, I absolutely love Central Michigan. I have met my life long best friends and have gained lots of knowledge and experience for my future career. I could never imagine attending another college. I will always be fired up forever.
Author: Layna Mathewson, Senior at CMU
Contact: mathe1lm@cmich.edu
