Should Students Who Do Not Participate in School Events Be Considerate?

Students in clubs usually perform at E-square or the small sports area in front of Building to show their singing and dancing skills. In particular, if a festival like “Daedongje” is held, the festival is located on the street in front of Building 4 in order to make it more enjoyable. However, some students are uncomfortable with outdoor events and have trouble in class or their independent studies because of them. Should students who don’t participate in school outdoor events continue to feel uncomfortable? In this section, we’re going to listen to two students’ opinions on topics many students have thought about.

Student A) agree / Student B) disagree

Q. What do you think about the topic?

Student A) I’m in favor of the school‘s outdoor events.

Student B) I am opposed to these events. Students don’t think they need to consider club performers.

Q. Tell me the reason why you think this way.

Student A) I totally agree that the university is an educational institution. However, the university is the last chance to experience various things before going into society. That’s why we shouldn’t deprive students of this opportunity. In addition, outdoor events are being held with the permission of the school. Therefore, if many students felt uncomfortable, these events would have been restricted by the school in advance. Moreover, club performances are held during lunchtime when most students do not have classes. Finally, in the case of the school festival, it is an event held by a school organization and an opportunity to get rid of the stress of school life for a while, so I'm in favor of outdoor events in the school.

Student B) There are three reasons for the above comments. The first reason is that we did not choose to listen to club performances in class. The next reason is that the purpose of a club’s performance is to promote the club. The last reason is that there are times when the performances during class time actually disturb the classes. Adding to these reasons, the clubs’ performances take place at a time that does not reflect the students’ opinions, and the place is also based on the clubs’ own choices, not on the students' designation. Therefore, it is not necessary for the clubs to give consideration to students who do not express any opinion or participate in the event. In addition, considering the purpose of the club performances, they are often aimed at showing the results of activities that the club has practiced and worked hard to promote. After all, a club’s performance is for their club members, not for students in general. Also, these club performances inevitably disturb students in class. There are many performances related to music, such as singing, rap, and dancing, and such performances cause noise, so they interfere with professors and students who are attending classes. Students need not be consider ate of club performances that violate their rights because the school must guarantee professors’ right to teach and students’ right to take classes.

Q. Please tell me if you have any comments that rebut what the other side is expected to argue.

Student A) I think the opposition is likely to argue that it interferes with students’ studies. Studying is important of course, but a university is not just a place for studying. I think this is a place where we prepare for society by participating in cultural activities, learning how to have mature relationships among friends, and so on. Therefore, I think that suppressing cultural activities and opportunities for student to interact such as performances and festivals for the sake of studying is not in keeping with the university’s purpose.

Student B) The proponents may say that club performances are an indispensable option because they are the most effective way to promote a club and the best way to attract students’ interest in a club. However, no matter how bad the publicity situation may be, it is not possible to say that school clubs are more important than the classes that should be guaranteed in the school. Club performances are extracurricular events, and there are alternatives to them. On the contrary, classes are essential activities with no alternative. Therefore, if students weigh the relative importance of these two activities and understand that there are other promotional measures for clubs, they will agree that club performances are not indispensable.

Q. Are there any alternative solutions to this problem?

Student A) An alternative might be to adjust the time, reduce the volume of the sound below a certain level when a club performs, and perform in a place that does not interrupt classes.

Student B) To solve this problem, there are two alternatives. The first is not to perform as a club but to use other promotional measures. The club should come up with ways to promote the club without infringing on the rights of professors and students. For example, a unique advertisement could be put up in places like school restaurants where students are likely to view it. Another way, is to present club products to potential participants by developing programs or surveys that students may voluntarily participate in on bulletin boards of the school community. Second, it is possible to move the club performance time to the early morning or after the students finish their classes. I hope the clubs will move their performance times because the biggest problem is that the club performance time overlaps with the classes. Moreover, if clubs avoid performing near the dormitory or near the library where many students study, they will be able to reduce students’ complaints and continue the promotion of their clubs while being considerate of students in general.

Q. Do you have anything else to say or ask for?

Student A) These issues seem to be more about a lack of mutual understanding of the situation than anything else, and a little concession and acceptance would be more productive than any other alternative. I hope that we can be considerate of each other and create a university culture where everyone can be united.

Student B) When performing in a club, students of the club often do it near E-square. Thus, I think that students who take classes in Building 4 will suffer the most. Therefore, it is better to ask students if they have had any class interruptions due to outside performance noise. If students’ opinions are collected through a survey, all students will be able to think more about this issue.

Students’ performances are intended to entertain all students and boost them when they are out of school. However, if such an intention, hinders students from their studies and rest, it defeats the original intention. If we can find ways to agree with each other regarding the inconvenience performances cause to students, everyone will be able to create a university culture where all students can flourish.

Management Editor•CHOI SOYEON•clara3003@naver.com

71st Reporter•KIM JIN•coo0714@naver.com