It’s sunny and it’s warm and students are playing everywhere. What’s more, students are playing in the EMU Amphitheater. The Emerald editorial board is super-stoked that the amphitheater is being used in a fun, engaged way.
Part of the credit goes to the weather, of course. If it were raining and cold, no amount of exciting activities (not even Woody Harrelson) would fill the amphitheater with students interacting.
But this week, it hasn’t just been the weather bringing students to this central point of campus to gather, laugh and study. Some credit is also due to the ASUO Programs Faire, which has students stopping to talk about ways they can be active in extracurricular activities.
An additional heaping of congratulations goes to the ASUO Street Faire, which has organized a talented line-up of musicians to entertain us all. Thanks to groups such as On the Rocks — which sounded great and drew almost as many people Wednesday as Harrelson did last Friday — the Emerald office has been filled with tunes and students can study in the amphitheater with musical accompaniment.
We have been most impressed this week, though, with the International Students Association. This week was International Week, and the students involved in putting the events together have shown amazing spirit.
According to the Office of International Education and Exchange, there are currently 1,626 international students at the University, representing 91 countries. This wide range of culture has caused the University to be “ranked number one in the United States among public universities in international student enrollment” relative to its size, according to the Office of Communications Web site. These students seem to be overflowing with energy and enthusiasm to share their culture and heritage with others. And they seem to be having a lot of fun while doing it.
On Monday, the ISA kicked off International Week with a parade ending at a rally in the amphitheater. They were shouting and joyful while announcing the week’s events. When it started to rain, they invited students under the tent to dance and stay dry. On Tuesday, students were teaching others to dance the salsa. There were students participating, students watching and students just enjoying the atmosphere. Thursday saw an amazing African dance and drum presentation which again filled the amphitheater and electrified the audience. Today, World Forum day events kick off at 2 p.m., and there’s sure to be something fun going on.
Yes, it’s sunny, so students naturally hang out outdoors. But the feeling of engagement, of interest and of the amphitheater being the center of campus life hasn’t been this strong all year. So to the ASUO, the bands that played and the ISA, we offer congratulations and thanks for a great week.