Here's to you, the new freshman class at YOUR BLANK UNIVERSITY (enter your institution's name here).
You have been provided a great opportunity. You have the time
and luxury to reinvent yourself; to learn and develop in yourself what you
admire in others.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY!!!!
IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! Isn't that why you came here?
If you have an attitude, an axe
to grind, or a hatred for any identifiable
group of people, I suggest you listen
carefully before you speak. You may
have the right to think anything you
want, but you do not necessarily have
the right to say anything you want
without the possibility of becoming
responsible for your words. The university is a setting that encourages
exchanges of ideas and exposure to differences.
You have come to YOUR BLANK UNIVERSITY (enter your institution's name here)
for an education. No one
here will give it to you. You will be
responsible for getting your education. It will take some effort. You will
have to read, write and think for your
self. If you question your ability to do
these things, then seek help. You might
find some here. You will be to blame or
be congratulated for the education you
will receive.
Some of you will leave us at the
end of the semester because you didn't
make grades. Goodbye and good luck!
Some of you will be asked to leave because you choose to behave in a manner which is not acceptable student conduct. Goodbye and good riddance!
If you are undeclared or undecided, your first responsibility will be to
set a personal direction for yourself. To
not do this as soon as possible is a great
waste of your time and MONEY. Higher education is expensive, but it is a
great bargain compared to the alternative. Get assistance from the advisors
at the advising office at YOUR BLANK UNIVERSITY (enter your institution's name here).
They can help you plan, decIare and
decide. They can refer you to colleges
and departments in the university that
will provide the answers you will need
to make informed decisions.
You have come to school in YOUR TOWN (enter your town's name here).
You should be involved in YOUR TOWN (enter your town's name here)
You have a unique status with respect
to the city of YOUR TOWN (enter your town's name here). You are a resident
in the short term but a guest in the long
term. What you do off campus is a
reflection of all students so you may be
treated better if you choose to behave
as a gracious guest. Please be polite.
Say please, thank you and you're welcome.
Get involved in some organization, any organization, that offers you
an opportunity to develop new skills or
use skills you possess. Much of what
you may learn will take place outside of
the classroom. You will practice your
classroom studies, outside of the scheduled class time. You may be surprised
at how exhilarating that freedom and
responsibility can be (NO PARENTS ! )