Make a difference locally
Friday, March 14, 2008, 19:09 EST
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Butler has been snubbed twice this decade by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament selection committee. The first snub occurred in 2002 when Butler was left out of the NCAA Tournament. The second snub occurred this year when Butler was awarded a seventh seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
If there’s one thing the 90s taught me, it’s to trust no one (thanks, “X Files”). That advice is exactly how I’m approaching “Lost” at this point. As my hero Tony Montana said, “Who do I trust? Me!”
It’s not that I’m a cynic. It’s just that I kind of have to cherry pick alleged truths from less than reputable sources on “Lost” -- Ben or the freighter people. I’m well aware that National Lampoon's Animal House and the Dean’s List do not go hand-in-hand. However, I’m sick of the bad reputation Greek life possesses when it comes to academics.
Those of us who are affiliated are not a bunch of half-wits majoring in toga parties. Yes I admit, with all the things going on in college, sometimes we can forget why we’re here. Greek life alone is a huge commitment, and at times it can seem like a world of its own. But if the whole “getting an education thing” in college is cramping your style, don’t blame it on your fraternity. Butler’s spring break is fast approaching, and the common questions on campus seems to be “what are you doing,” “where are going” and maybe perhaps “what reading assignment will you be attempting to do?” The recess, commonly referred by universities as “reading break,” truly is a great opportunity to catch up or work ahead in school work; however, many take the opportunity to travel home or abroad.
I’ve come up with a concrete top 10 things to do.
Everyone wants to make the world a better place in which to live but after all, I am just one person… I can’t change the world. Then stop trying. Set your sights at a local level and save your community before you save the world.
I’ll use Indianapolis, our community, as a model.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, www.hud.gov, in 2006 1,707 individual households were homeless in the city of Indianapolis; 183 of those households had children to take care of. Out of these homeless households 437 included a veteran, 59 had people suffering from AIDS or were HIV positive, 357 held victims of convicted cases of domestic violence and 1,286 housed chronic substance abusers.
All of these people need help. It is the harsh truth that some people just aren’t as lucky as others and it is up to the lucky ones to lend a hand and make a difference.
You could stay on that same Web site, www.hud.gov, and go over to the search function to find out how to start making a difference. If you were to search “homeless assistance programs” for the state of Indiana you would find the Indianapolis Continuum of Care. Provided is the phone number and Web address for Indianapolis CoC which will help you find a local shelter or soup kitchen that best fits you, and from there you can start volunteering your time and making a difference, first hand!
Let me break this down even further. I'll hook you up with all the essential information for us Butler students. You can start by going to the Butler Volunteer Center’s Web site. You can join the listserv by e-mailing volunteer@butler.edu. For location, hours and staff info visit the Volunteer Center to start making a difference in our community.