Belonging at UMBC
by Craig Berger
Whenever I have transitioned into a new community, I have looked forward to the arrival of the first moment when I felt like I belonged, or when I felt recognized as a unique individual. One of those moments for me involved successfully navigating my new home without a GPS. Another was when I began patronizing a local coffee shop and one day walked in to find my regular drink waiting for me.
One distinct example of this phenomenon occurred in my first year as a college student at Allegheny College (in Meadville, PA). While my nerves were on edge the entire first month of my college experience (scared of becoming homesick, not fitting in, and not making any new friends), I had known since the summer that I would be running for a position in student government there (first year students ran for seats in the Senate each fall). Student council was a large part of my middle and high school experience, and I wanted to continue that interest by running for a position in Allegheny Student Government (ASG).
Armed with a roll of scotch tape, some uncreative fliers, and a determined (yet still nervous) attitude, I strategically posted campaign signs across campus. I visited a few academic buildings, the student center, and the dining halls. ASG required that candidates remove any campaign materials from the polling station, and while I did remove them from the lobby area (where the voting station was located), I figured my signs in other areas of the complex (homes of academic departments) were permissible given the phrasing of “immediate voting area” on the paperwork.
When ASG announced the results, I learned that I had secured a senator position, receiving the second highest number of votes in the election. When I attended my first meeting, however, a few of the officers told me that I, along with other candidates, may have violated the rules and would likely be disqualified. With little time to prepare, I defended myself to the fifty people in the room. I pointed to the confusing message communicated on the candidates’ paperwork and the number of candidates who also incorrectly interpreted the instructions.
As I spoke, I remember thinking about my mom and what she would do, and it calmed me, allowing me to succinctly make the case for why disqualifying the other candidates and me would be unfair. Following my explanation, the group voted and retained us.
I remember feeling a shot of confidence that night. I was challenged to defend myself (and others) in front of people who had never met me before, and I did it – without my parents even knowing about it. It was a small step, but an important one. I could take care of myself, I realized. "I matter here," I remember thinking.
What about you? Think back to when you joined the UMBC community, even if, for some of you, it wasn't that long ago. Was there a moment in time when you first remember feeling like you belonged? What was that moment; what was going on? Let's use the comments below to share these moments with each other.
Whenever I have transitioned into a new community, I have looked forward to the arrival of the first moment when I felt like I belonged, or when I felt recognized as a unique individual. One of those moments for me involved successfully navigating my new home without a GPS. Another was when I began patronizing a local coffee shop and one day walked in to find my regular drink waiting for me.
One distinct example of this phenomenon occurred in my first year as a college student at Allegheny College (in Meadville, PA). While my nerves were on edge the entire first month of my college experience (scared of becoming homesick, not fitting in, and not making any new friends), I had known since the summer that I would be running for a position in student government there (first year students ran for seats in the Senate each fall). Student council was a large part of my middle and high school experience, and I wanted to continue that interest by running for a position in Allegheny Student Government (ASG).
Armed with a roll of scotch tape, some uncreative fliers, and a determined (yet still nervous) attitude, I strategically posted campaign signs across campus. I visited a few academic buildings, the student center, and the dining halls. ASG required that candidates remove any campaign materials from the polling station, and while I did remove them from the lobby area (where the voting station was located), I figured my signs in other areas of the complex (homes of academic departments) were permissible given the phrasing of “immediate voting area” on the paperwork.
When ASG announced the results, I learned that I had secured a senator position, receiving the second highest number of votes in the election. When I attended my first meeting, however, a few of the officers told me that I, along with other candidates, may have violated the rules and would likely be disqualified. With little time to prepare, I defended myself to the fifty people in the room. I pointed to the confusing message communicated on the candidates’ paperwork and the number of candidates who also incorrectly interpreted the instructions.
As I spoke, I remember thinking about my mom and what she would do, and it calmed me, allowing me to succinctly make the case for why disqualifying the other candidates and me would be unfair. Following my explanation, the group voted and retained us.
I remember feeling a shot of confidence that night. I was challenged to defend myself (and others) in front of people who had never met me before, and I did it – without my parents even knowing about it. It was a small step, but an important one. I could take care of myself, I realized. "I matter here," I remember thinking.
What about you? Think back to when you joined the UMBC community, even if, for some of you, it wasn't that long ago. Was there a moment in time when you first remember feeling like you belonged? What was that moment; what was going on? Let's use the comments below to share these moments with each other.
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from UMBC Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.
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Posted: September 22, 2014, 10:50 AM