Apathy-busters

Throughout their time at Brock University, three undergrads watched as their peers coasted, unengaged in the community around them. They watched as, consistently, less than half of the student body voted in BUSU executive elections. And when they watched less than 30 students attend last year’s AGM, they decided they had seen enough.

“We were three of the 25 people who were actually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and we were really shocked by the attendance,” said Carson Hill, founding member and President of the recently ratified Brock club, Advocates Against Apathy (AAA).

Three students in particular: Carson Hill, a fourth-year History/Poli-Sci student, Nathan Cheney, a fourth-year Con-Ed student and Christopher Yendt, a fourth-year Con-Ed student were fed up with the apathy they had seen so much of in their time at Brock.

“The AAA is a new club, we were just ratified by BUSU, and our aim is to advocate involvement at Brock University,” said Hill.

Over the past few years, many Brock students have become aware of a growing stereotype within our community: that a majority of Brock students do not care. Not about their athletes, their community or even their student union.

The AGM, an open forum style meeting between the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) executive and Brock students, represents the student’s chance to air their concerns with and ask questions of BUSU. To those frustrated with the student body’s apathetic attitude towards their student union, the meager attendance at the AGM was a breaking point.

“Apathy is a big, dark mind-set that says things like ‘I can do just enough work and get by like everyone else’,” said Hill. “We want students to see that there’s more to university than a certificate at the end.”

Primarily, the AAA will provide students with peers and resources to better facilitate their involvement in both the Brock and local communities. Through volunteer work and networking, the club plans to increase voting at BUSU elections, increase volunteering on behalf of the student body and altogether “bust” apathy.

To those who question the club’s necessity — as students could merely research their interests and get involved by themselves — Cheney stated that those people don’t need the AAA.

“We’re here for the students that need a push, or a friend to get them involved,” said Cheney. “The people with the confidence to do it themselves, that’s even better”.

Short-term, the AAA plans to gain momentum by getting to know students right at the beginning of the semester. A large part of the club’s outreach will be based on social interaction and word of mouth.

“We plan to be at the Vendor fair, so look for our table, come say hi,” said Cheney. “We’ll also be helping with move-in day”.

If you are looking to meet other Brock students, figure out a club you could join or quite simply, get involved, the AAA is the club for you.

“We want to encourage all students to get involved, ask questions and get informed,” said Cheney.

You can find out more and contact the AAA by visiting their Facebook page, “Advocates Against Apathy”, E-mailing club President Carson Hill at chill@busu.net or by finding them at the Vendor Fair during O-Week.