The students behind the ink

Camille Reid
2/17/12

It is somewhat embarrassing—embarrassing in the sense that I am missing out on the customs in which a large population of undergraduates at bigger schools takes part—to think that I have not had the typical “college” experience. When I think of why I have missed out, I do not blame my sometimes introverted nature. Instead, I place the fault on William Jewell College’s safe, claustrophobic atmosphere.
I do not regret coming to William Jewell at all, but it has definitely lacked in providing the experience that television portrays about American college life. I have not had that one-night stand or walk of shame in college, nor have I thrown up all over a fraternity house or blacked out and awoken in a strange place. I have never missed class because of a hangover, nor have I skipped class to get drunk at three in the afternoon. I have not tailgated all day before a football game, nor have I streaked through the Quad.
Yet, with all those things I have not done, I will be completing at least one ritual of the undergraduate: spending an unforgettable and forgettable week in Panama City, Fla., this Spring Break. They say Panama City is the second best place to spend your college Spring Break, next to Cancun, Mexico.
With seven of my sorority pledge-class sisters, I plan to let loose and make those terrible decisions that every college student should make on the sunny white sandy beaches of Panama City. We will be living it up in a condo for the week, waking up at noon to eat breakfast and begin the consumption of alcohol. Then, we will head down to the beach, where we can continue to drink, get a tan and a nap to be fully prepared for the eventful evening to come.
In the evening, we may hit up a club or five, dance with/on some guys we will never talk to or see ever again. Take one shot after another, with the intention to be puking by the time we get back to the condo. There is sure to be one or two of my sisters who will not be returning to the condo with me that night.
I am also sure that a couple of my sisters will be crying around 2:30 a.m. saying, “I am never going to drink again” or “Why did I break up with him?” or my personal favorite, “Why am I such a loser?”
With this play-by-play of what I think will happen on my break, I hope it measures up to the typical spring break I have seen on MTV each March since I was 12. If I do not make out with five different guys, cry at least once, have 10 drinks spilled on me, lose my phone, find it, and lose it again, I will be disappointed in myself.
So, though I may think at this point I have not lived up to my potential as a U.S. female undergraduate, I will have Panama City to remember, hopefully. If not, the pictures on Facebook and Twitter posts should be enough to jog my memory of the crazy events that took place during my last semester of college. Therefore, I would like to leave you with the thought that dreams can come true, and there is still time for you to live up to the stereotypical college experience expected of us.

The students behind the ink

Max Frankel- Staff Writer
2/10/12

It is good to have friends, especially in an international system which, as Dr. Gary Armstrong, chairman of the department of political science, never tires of telling his classes, is anarchic. However, there comes a point in time when our obligations to other countries should be weighed against the shear insanity of their policies.
The United States and the United Kingdom have a unique relationship in world politics. Despite having fought two wars against each other and nearly coming to blows again in the U.S. Civil War, our two nations have managed to create a “special relationship”.
We fought side by side in two world wars, and supported each other during the rise of Communism. In more recent memory, UK troops helped fight wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Clearly, our alliance is strong.
The United Kingdom was one of the world’s foremost colonial powers prior to the break-up of the great empires during the 20th century. The United Kingdom has had territory around the world and has released most of it because its empire collapsed. However, the United Kingdom maintained sovereignty over certain territories that had distinct strategic and economic value with minimal required upkeep. One such territory is a series of islands off the coast of Argentina: the Falklands.
During the 1980s, Argentina and the UK came into conflict over sovereignty claims in the Falklands. The war was used by Argentina to distract its people from its failing economy and was a point of pride for the United Kingdom. The war, which lasted a month and a half, was hugely popular with both the left and right in the United Kingdom.
Recently, the United Kingdom has attempted to reassert its claim to sovereignty by increasing its military presence on the island. Both Argentina and the United Kingdom claim that the Falklands should have the right to determine their allegiance, so what’s the issue?
Recently, there has been some suggestion that the Falklands contain oil reserves, which would be a boon to either the United Kingdom or Argentina. In addition, some analysts believe that Argentina is attempting to distract its populace from domestic problems, much as it did in the 1980s. Strategic control over the Falklands also has an impact on shipping lanes. Argentina wants the United Nations to intervene and has sought assistance from that body since the 1990s.
Former President Ronald Reagan firmly supported U.K. claims to sovereignty over the Falklands. He and former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher were fundamentally in line on many issues, and the support of the United States was invaluable. However, this time it is far from our best interest to support any sort of conflict in the Falklands.
Whether or not the accusations of colonialism, a four-letter word in modern international relations, has any truth to it is far from the issue. In order for the United States to continue to refurbish its credibility and influence in world politics, it and its allies must start playing by the same rules that it expects the rest of the world to follow. If the islands do indeed wish to remain under UK sovereignty, that is for them to decide, possibly through the United Nations. It would be a grave mistake for the United States to endorse any policy that feels even remotely like international bullying.
Though the United Kingdom has been a valuable ally, this struggle seems petty and ultimately pointless. Conservative politicians point to UK sovereignty as a counter balance to Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela, and the influence he wields over South America. The time of the Monroe Doctrine, U.S. sovereignty over the Western Hemisphere, is over. Instead of maintaining power through force of military or rhetoric, the United States should focus on improving its relations with its neighbors. This is not to say that the United States should remain weak or impassive at all times. Rather, we should focus on diplomacy and obedience to international law.
The United States has to be very careful in the coming months. With potential conflicts in Iran and Syria, the U.S. must do what it can to avoid becoming embroiled in an issue as small as the Falklands’ territorial dispute. While it’s unlikely that war will come as a result of the dispute, it is better for the United States to enhance its international image than to support this policy.

The students behind the ink

Austin Baragary- Beyond the Hill Editor
2/3/12

It is February. Yes, February. As in the second month of the year. The month that comes after January. This means that we only have three-and-a-half months until another round of finals. Only three-and-a-half months from summer jobs and internships.

For the seniors, it means being three-and-a-half months away from the real world. I realize that, when framed in this manner, it seems we have barely any time before we move up and out. If every other month flies by like January did, May will be here before we know it. As a professor recently said to me, “The days are incredibly long; the years are incredibly short.”

This statement had a profound impact on the professor, but also left an impression on me, largely because I was still in a mode of thought I like to call “Outward Bound Time.” Allow me to elaborate: I am a Pryor Leadership Fellow at William Jewell College, which means that, along with internship opportunities and fantastic classes, I had the opportunity to participate in a two-week-long Outward Bound course beginning in late December and lasting until early January. For two weeks, I went without a bath or deodorant as I paddled with my crew of eight other William Jewell students through Everglades National Park in Florida. Also, before we proceed, let us get a few things out of the way: We saw one alligator, it was not dangerous and yes, we pooped into a bucket.

Life in the Everglades functions on an entirely different plane than life at William Jewell, or really any other civilized place in the United States. There are no cell phones, no television, no computers, no distractions. Our only task was to get to our next destination, to move from point A to point B. Sprinkled in with that were a few other challenges, like keeping nine college students properly fed and staying afloat during low tide, but we lived simply and with one purpose. This created a sort of time warp, which I like to call Outward Bound Time.

When living on Outward Bound Time, one tends to take life one day at a time. It does not make much sense to plan too far in advance, because things can change so quickly. An unanticipated cold front can come through and force your crew to take a route on which they had not planned. The tide can go out earlier than you had anticipated meaning that you have to pull your canoe over a log.

This “one-day-at-a-time” mentality can be incredibly hard to shake. For instance, it was a little overwhelming upon my return to William Jewell to be faced with a weekly planner. The idea of planning more than one day in advance was daunting. I have, however, been able to get back into the groove of things. In fact, I use my planner now more than ever before. But this is what I think my professor was talking about when she said that the days are long, but the years are short. We always have so much to do as William Jewell students that, while days stretch before us with their endless to-do lists, the school years fly by.

Of course, I am not saying that we should abandon our weekly planners and our to-do lists. I’m merely saying that it wouldn’t kill us to take a break to enjoy this unseasonably warm yet beautiful weather. Prior to Outward Bound, if a friend suggested that we do something spur-of-the-moment, with little to no planning, I probably would have gone into a panic. But now, I am not so sure. I mean, it is already February.

What have I got to lose?

The students behind the ink

Max Frankel- Staff Writer

12/9/11

Most anthropologists have rejected the myth that the Mayan calendar predicts that the world will end next year. Apparently, a few people have misunderstood a translated codex originating sometime between 250 and 900 CE (because no one knows, obviously).   Sorry to anyone who has recently taken a large dose of ayahuasca and watched the director’s cut of Apocalypto, but next year should be just like any other. Looks like History is going to be in need of some new programming.

The winter has always been a time to ruminate over death and destruction, because lots of things (including humans) die when it gets cold outside. Winter is also the time, if you’re me (which you’re not), to reflect on the myriad successes and failures enjoyed over the past year. While most of my successes and failures should not be recounted here (because some of them are illegal), I will share with you my favorite and least favorite moments of the year.

My first success of the year was being readmitted to William Jewell College after failing out in a manner that could only be described as pyrrhic and impressive. Since returning, I have learned not to fear Student Affairs (Especially you ladies. I love y’all.) and to trust Dr. Beth Gentry-Epley (Seriously, where would I be without you?) with all my secrets. I have also formed closer relationships with my professors, so much so that I will be asking for a bowtie for Christmas (You know who you are. All the love and respect possible).
One of the highlights of my semester was being readmitted to my fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha. In the spring of 2009, I was indefinitely suspended from LCA because I make really poor decisions, and I can be kind of caustic. Being allowed to return was a blessing. It felt like coming home, despite the fact that the house has changed in character since the time of my suspension. Special shout-outs to Nathan Rueb, John Morelli, Tandrew Smith and all of you other knuckleheads.

Outside of the fraternity, I have developed some extremely important and meaningful relationships as well. Without the people close to me, including my family (to whom I owe so much), I would be lost and confused.  I have also hurt people over this past year. I have been shown grace by many, and I am trying my best to deserve it. It is impossible to live a life that causes no harm to anyone. However, my goal for next year is to do fewer things for which I must apologize. Grace doesn’t last forever.

I have learned that asking for help, while difficult, is the only way to get the assistance that I or any of us need. Too often, we are scared to ask for help when we are struggling because doing so indicates weakness. We also fear that asking for help will engender too much dependence on others. However, it is clear that no person can exist in a void.
Looking into next semester, and the end of my junior/senior year, I have to remind myself of the things I need to do in order to be successful. While it’s easy to spend all night talking or watching videos of cats, these things seldom add anything to my education and efficacy. I’m tired of feeling like a chronic underachiever. For a long time, I thought I would wake up one morning and feel different, be different. I’ve learned that this is seldom the case. Change takes hard work and vigilance. It’s also possible to slip back into old habits and patterns. It takes a community of good friends and a positive mentality to avoid doing so, or recover from doing so. Cherish this time. It doesn’t last.