While working on my computer this afternoon I received a phone call – as normal I usually look to see who is calling - oh, how I love Caller ID. The call is from the audio tech office on campus, maybe the director. I answer and to my surprise it is one of their student workers and one of my fav-o-rite students. I am often confused for the college fountain of information as I get asked a question regarding campus activities instead of something that actually is in my field of expertise (by calling my personal line instead of the front office), Oh, well – I am usually glad to oblige.
The student, DM asks, “Are we having Midnight Breakfast tonight?” [Midnight Breakfast is hosted by staff and faculty where we serve a huge breakfast on the first night of final exams for all of our students]. “Yes”, I reply, “Didn’t you hear the announcements we did in chapel? We had power point slides and did a couple if verbal announcements in daily chapel”. DM moans somewhat questioning this, “I don’t remember seeing them”.
In fact now that I think of it DM was running the Power Point and audio on the days we announced this event in chapel and being always willing to help someone face a challenge I decided to mention this overlooked fact. He confesses to me, “Sorry DC, I guess I didn’t listen – thanks for telling me”. He hangs and he is unfazed.
The staff in our office has been known to stand around the front counter and bemoan the fact that no matter how we publicize an event, students do not pay attention. They don’t listen in chapel during verbal announcements, they don't watch our announcement TV channel, they don't read the announcement page posted in common areas, nor do they seem to notice the colorful blaring signs posted strategically through the walkways in student halls. And well, to some extent DM has proved our point, even though I think he may have been standing right there with us complaining about students and their lack of focus.
Even more amazing is student residents have even been seen getting mail out of their campus mail boxes, noticing the college logo, and pitching it in the circular file immediately. Thus they often miss important information about financial deadlines, scholarship opportunities, and notifications requiring them to visit some office. To personally battle this - I have gone to the length of handwriting their names, using blank envelopes, and actually individually signing my signature with a real ink pen on things I want them to read. I will say for the most part it works but it is certainly a lot of effort.
Recently I did that (handwrote the student’s name and mine) in a letter about dress code issues and several students called or emailed asking why I had singled them out for this issue. At this I asked them to read the last line which stated – “this letter went to all students” to which they replied “oh!” But no matter -----they read most of it and in my mind it was worth the effort.
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