I was mind-boggled to read about two universities' preparations to "help" their students on Election Day.
Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy — a crucible for our nation’s next generation of elected officials and diplomats that runs a cool $61,200 per year to attend — has opened the “woke” apolitical cocoons to cater to students for whom political discourse is simply too overwhelming.
“In recognition of these stressful times, all McCourt community members are welcome to gather … in the 3rd floor Commons to take a much needed break, joining us for mindfulness activities and snacks throughout the day,” wrote Jaclyn Clevenger, the school’s director of student engagement, in an email to students and obtained by The Free Press.
Inside the suites, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, students will be treated to goodies that wouldn’t be out of place at a child’s birthday party, including a Lego station, coloring books and even milk and cookies and hot chocolate — all at a comfortable remove from anything resembling debate.
At the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., pupils are also being given options for seeking refuge — not only on Election Day but all week long.
The students can pop into a campus lobby to enjoy some cupcakes before making their way to the campus rotunda to let their minds wander in a “walkable labyrinth” featuring “calming lighting and music.”
Those who still don’t feel they’ve received adequate succor can then partake in some relaxing arts and crafts activities including beading, canvas-bag decorating and painting. Snacks will be provided, natch.
For students who still haven’t shaken off the Election Day willies by Thursday, the school is offering a “post election processing space” where students can create collages, journal using self-care writing prompts and even nosh on some comfort food courtesy of a baked potato bar.
There's more at the link.
I could understand such activities for elementary school students, missing their Mommies and wanting reassurance against the big bad world out there . . . but university students? High school graduates? Preparing to become our next generation of leaders and executives?
Those universities have reduced their student population to a bunch of dependent, childish, self-obsessed, shallow-minded, frightened-of-their-own-shadows little baa lambs. Or, perhaps more accurately, they've allowed them to attend university in that condition, and done nothing to help them break their conditioning and grow into adults.
I wonder if we could mandate that retired Marine Drill Instructors should head every such program, to instill a little esprit de corps - or Corps with a capital letter - into their charges? "What is your major marshmallow malfunction, maggot???"
Peter
Basket weaving, industrial strength Haldol, snugly strapped canvas jackets, rubber walls and floors, burly men in white clothing, pastel green paint....
ReplyDeleteI went to university when I was 18 in 1970. Yes I am an old fart and proud of it! I was 300 miles from home and essentially on my own. I graduated in 1974 and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF whereupon three months later I was in Undergraduate Pilot Training. I was responsible to fly supersonic aircraft (T-38) at 22.
ReplyDeleteThese modern "children" can't handle an election that didn't go their way. Boo Whoo! Until we get some adults in charge the Universities are in big trouble.
The real issue is how many kids still end up in colleges for no reason. The vast majority of colleges don't teach much and the vast majority of students in them don't learn much. People really have to differentiate between environments of learning like Hillsdale and a handful of others and all the rest.
ReplyDeleteI'm always amazed on how much some parents will spend for babysitters.
ReplyDeleteI had a friend that worked at google and guys there would melt down if the pomegranate water was out of stock.
ReplyDeleteMarine drill sergeants aren't enough Grant. Time to go old school, bring out the Roman Centurion! -Randale6-
ReplyDeleteYea gods and little fishes what has happened to our youth? Love to know how many actually showed up. Maybe Charlie Kirk needs to go there next.
ReplyDeleteWAIT! WHAT!? No cannabis and stress relieving sex? What kind of limp wristed, Progressive madness is this?
ReplyDeleteHell, I'm a 73 year old conservative curmudgeon (notsee light?) and even I know ya need Progressive weed and sex for proper de-stressing!
I may be biased by living in So. Cal. for 63 years.
I would purely die of shame if I needed stuff like this because I didn't get my way.
ReplyDeleteThen again, shame seems to be an old-fashioned notion these days.
They are neither the best nor the brightest, they are the scions of the Nomenklatura being prepared to take their parent's positions. After 20 years in an echo chamber they have no concept there are other opinions that may matter more than their infantile tantrums.
ReplyDeleteEver read "Search the Sky" or "The Marching Morons"? Sounds like the current universities have us well on the way.
ReplyDeleteBefore I retired from a college a few years ago, the student body group would bring in emotional support dogs, sugary snacks, blankets, etc. to help the students relieve stress during exams week. I was the only one in my department who thought it was rediculous.
ReplyDeleteGoing to university and being the "best and brightest" have virtually zero correlation. Seriously, we all know this. Why it isn't rubbed in the face of these students to teach them what the sin of hubris is, baffles me. They need it. Nobody is doing them any favors by babying them like this.
ReplyDeleteWhile the rest of it is silly, the idea of a baked potato bar does have a certain appeal.
ReplyDeleteI'm Anonymous, and I approve this message.
DeleteThis is the "bread and circus" that we have read about in history books. I remember seeing the beginning of it while in college back in the 90's. "To reduce stress," they said. I have met some young graduates who have seen it for what it is, (and they will hopefully be our future) but they fully admitted to taking advantage of it since it was available. There is hope, but from what I have seen the numbers are dwindling. -Signed, Engineer too young to retire but old enough to go Galt
ReplyDeleteThere are reasons that the "Ivy League" schools are hemorrhaging students and support.
ReplyDeleteI read recently of a student who got into multiple Ivy League schools but went to Mississippi instead (paraphrasing from memory): They preach Diversity - Mississippi actually practices it. Plus they are cheaper with newer and more facilities and have more relevant degrees.
Jonathan
"I could understand such activities for elementary school students, missing their Mommies and wanting reassurance against the big bad world out there . . . but university students?
ReplyDeleteBut elementary school is about the education level and maturity of the current generation's college students so it is entirely apropos in this day and age.
When two to three generations of youngsters have been taught that "self-esteem" is the goal rather than any kind of accomplishments or actions to justify said esteem, have been shielded from rigorous competition and the horrors of the possibility of losing, and have been steeped in the concept that your standing in the victimhood Olympics defines you more than the content of your character, this is what we end up with.
In that context, it's more than understandable.