Wolfington a not-so-friendly place

Updated Friday, Feb. 25, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Here at Saint Joseph's we have an amazing reputation for our community service that we do through our Campus Ministry.  If I had asked 18-year-old me why she was coming here, the main factor would be for the strong community service opportunities, and how amazing the Campus Ministry program seemed to be through Wolfington.  Campus Ministry, commonly referred to on campus simply as "Wolfington," has amazing opportunities for students to get involved and to serve the local community.  Believe it or not, more college students than you would think are willing to give their time to service, and not just because of its resume-building capabilities.  Despite the multitude of opportunities that are offered through Wolfington, not everyone takes advantage of this.  No, it's not because they are simply lazy.  It is because of Wolfington itself.

Last semester I wrote my senior thesis on what motivates college-aged students to volunteer.  I interviewed several different Saint Joe's students asking them why they were or were not involved with volunteer opportunities.  Out of the 13 people I spoke with, 10 said that Wolfington actually deterred them from becoming involved.  

That thought you are thinking right now is right, this does not make any sense.  A Campus Ministry that actually deters people from service?  

It is not that Wolfington is blatantly deterring people.   If you have ever been on an email list for Campus Ministry you know that they are nothing but encouraging, in an incessant, email-a-day, loving way.  However, it is the small undertones that you notice upon stepping into the building that can be, to be blunt, unwelcoming.  

It is one of those facts on campus that, if you are a student here, you know exists.  It's just like the fact that the sororities and fraternities eat at certain tables in Campion during free period.  It is a fact that if you walk into the kitchen of Wolfington you will see the same people and you are basically on their turf.  Once again, I know this makes no sense.

Unfortunately, it is the case.  These people are the same people you will find as service site coordinators, Summer Immersion trip leaders, PSIP Leaders and Coordinators, Service Scholars, and retreat leaders.  Most of my friends are in these positions or have been over the past four years.  In fact—do not kill me–but I actually have been as well.   I have, also, experienced walking into the building and being met with the shock of, "What are you doing here?"  

Which, let me tell you, when you are just trying to drop off a form,  is not very helpful and can be pretty intimidating.

I know the people that work in Wolfington; this attitude and the judgmental, unwelcoming undertones are the opposite of what they intend.

However, students who have nestled in and made the building their home have forgotten that the building is not really theirs; it is a building on campus that is intended to be welcoming and accepting of everyone.   

It would be like if I took a section of Campion and just sectioned it off for my friends and me.  No, you cannot sit there and do your homework; are you my friend?  No, then get out.  Oh, and if you would like to do service with us then apply, but I will be the one interviewing you and I get to make the personal judgmental call about whether or not I like you.  Then, sure, we can be friends.

Obviously, that is a slight exaggeration for dramatic purposes.  However, there are several people on this campus who have had that exact experience, and it ruined Campus Ministry and service for them.  

I am actually going to go out on a limb here and say that the exception is the Appalachian Experience, which many say is "totally a cult, man."  It might seem like that when the groups return from spring break.  However, it gets more participation than any other service organization on campus.  It also attracts people from all different groups and parts of the campus.  

It is not just the same 20 people that participate in everything run out of Wolfington.  

Sure, you could say I am exaggerating here.  

However, after four years of being involved on campus, I have noticed Wolfington produces more animosity and judgmental attitudes than any other part of this campus.  Obviously, they cannot accept everyone that applies into every single service program.  There needs to be some type of exclusivity. Wolfington is not exactly a fraternity or sorority, or some elite society that only certain people can join.  

So, to the people of that elite crowd, you know who you are, turn those grouchy frowns upside down.  You are committing yourself to a building whose mission is "men and women for others," not "you and all your friends, for you and all your friends."  St. Ignatius would not approve.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published online with an incorrect headline, which was subsequently changed.