Freedom From Apathy for the Apathetic Scholar

By Leanne De Souza and Darlene De Souza

A late afternoon walk toward a crowded communal sitting area on campus brings you to a cluster of tables buzzing with students; some organizing notes for class, some typing away on laptops, a coffee close at hand, and others taking a break to enjoy a meal over some much needed non-academic discussion. Finding a seat is an adventure in this busy little ecosystem—two people across the room set their sights on the same vacant seat. Rushing, but trying not to look desperate, only one will claim victory in this small battle. The loser waits, frustrated, anticipating the next available vacancy. But the invaluable vacancy brings bitter-sweet spoils: the remnants of discarded notes, a half empty coffee cup, abandoned scraps of sandwich paper and puddles of spilled pop. Yet the trouble extends beyond this one seat. Many places on campus are cluttered with such forsaken waste. When did it become socially acceptable to neglect the space we occupy? A person lacking hygiene is looked on with disdain, yet the disrespectful act of littering
doesn’t even raise an eyebrow. And when someone finally does notice the misconduct, the idea of saying something is beyond their convenient comfort level. The student body does not seem to feel obliged to hold their peers and themselves to a higher standard. In an institution of scholars, it is quite remarkable that such apathy exists.

Any crisis, environmental or otherwise, can be traced back to a source and a catalyst. Simple observations, like those described above, reveal an emerging crisis: litter on campus. The source: the evolving student body; the catalyst: student apathy. One could argue that the situation has not quite reached the point of crisis, but there is no denying an eminent threat. Surely, at a university full of young, intelligent, ‘Great Minds’, the consequences of neglect and the benefits of resolution are obvious.

Students are challenged and are motivated to succeed and become professionals. Some will likely go on to solve greater problems than litter on campus. This ambitious agenda for success is compounded by the necessity for volunteer work. Students must demonstrate altruism and well-roundedness to both the university and future employers in order to stand out from the crowd of thousands of other ambitious students. After devoting time to find a suitable volunteer opportunity, most will monotonously fulfill their duties if only to be able to assert their ‘selfless’ contribution. Meanwhile, the growing litter issue on campus is being overlooked and devalued. Litter duty does not seem to qualify in the minds of students as a credible demonstration of commitment and altruism as per the many activities listed on professional school applications. In the search for answers to student apathy one wonders whether the magnitude of the problem dictates the need for participation, which may only enlist more attention than prevention, in turn lacking the benefits of consequence, suspense and relief.

Perhaps commitment is determined by the impressive reaction it may or may not elicit from an admissions committee. Is there an incentive to commit to an issue that may not be glamorous enough to describe in an application, highlight in a cover letter, or boast about to others? The student who consistently abandons their garbage is quite possibly the same loud inconsiderate person in the library; the same person who lacks the ability to be self-critical and is unable to reflect upon his/her own thoughts, actions and behaviour. This person is the apathetic scholar. Almost certainly, this is also the student who claims to have demonstrated altruism on their post-graduate applications and claims to be committed to a life of serving others. Is this the student worthy of admission into a community of professionals, who, it is assumed, are a body of cognizant individuals aware of the proper methods of garbage disposal and the respectful treatment of their space?

Ever-changing social, demographic, economic and political beliefs that we justify as universal truths create challenges for groups that work to motivate others and promote change. Moreover, our awareness of the possible litter crisis on campus calls for appropriate effort to address the circumstance in which we currently find ourselves.

Leaders who do not exhibit a basic conscience and civilized conduct through their own behaviours demonstrate their inability to make informed decisions. Although it is not the purpose of a university education to influence behaviour per se , it is expected that our leaders’ university educations would enable them to apply and integrate their acquired knowledge to solve a problem. There is something to be said then for a graduate who shows little regard for his/her surroundings and the consequences of his/her neglect, be they scientific, financial, social or political. When there are classes to attend, exams to write and grade point averages to save, it might seem secondary to properly dispose of trash or worry about those who choose not to engage themselves in environmental matters. But, would the student body’s reaction be different if these duties were listed as requirements for medical school? If they were, what options would students have and how would they meet these stewardship requirements?

There are many groups on campus working toward constructive solutions for change. One need only search the list of university student organizations to find a group to work with and a cause to adopt. The diversity of student-run initiatives allows people with different interests to facilitate change in unique and individual ways. An example of an environmentally focused group is the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI): Roots and Shoots group. The JGI recently moved their head office to U of T and the authors started the Roots and Shoots (R&S) U of T Chapter after attending a talk by Dr. Jane Goodall at the Convocation Hall. Interestingly, in her description of Roots and Shoots, Dr. Goodall described the meaning of the name: ‘roots provide a strong foundation and shoots are tiny and seemingly inconsequential but to reach the light, they can break through brick walls’. The shoots are symbolic of youth who seem helpless, but collectively have the power to create change. Their small acts, which alone may seem insignificant and unworthy of recognition by admissions committees, can, collectively, transform a generation.

Apathy is an attitude not easily rebuffed by awareness; it requires consciousness in order to be abolished. Ideas and images must be created in order to initiate a paradigm shift that can significantly transform individuals. R&S has produced a poster campaign that will be displayed in the library at UTM. The images have been created to target different types of students. Hopefully they will serve as a catalyst for change. It will likely take several such projects to create visible change, however.

Environmental work, though moderately popular, attracts a select group of people who are perhaps raised with such values, or are pursuing related studies. Yet the issue transcends upbringing and interests because it affects us all in the same way. It may seem easy to resist an event to lower tuition fees, but cleaning the space we occupy should not be as easy to refuse—regardless of whether we are guilty of the mess or not. Living by a higher standard compels others to do the same and redefines the norms for acceptable behaviour.

Apathy is contagious. The young minds of students are impressionable. Therefore, to lead by example is a feasible, effective and necessary strategy. Everyone needs a reminder. It is not the occasional mistake that creates the problem, but the consistent disregard and neglect that become unmanaged byproducts of our every day activities. In the struggle to inspire the apathetic scholar, it is imperative to make the implication and consequence of stagnancy readily identifiable. And perhaps in preparation for professional school, students should ask themselves the question: what have I done to demonstrate environmental stewardship, self respect, altruism and a progressive attitude? A simple answer like ‘I threw away the trash’ just might be the unique answer that pushes your application forward.