When asked today in class if we need a "good community" and/or "good citizen" to deal with our issue I was a little stumped. My issue is that of poor nutrition options on our campus. I believe that we need a good and strong community in order to make significant change. Because we are attend a relatively large university, many groups, clubs, etc must make their mark on our campus and voice that their opinion, and choices of the group/club are important for the mass majority of our campus. They try to engage in public discourse and promote their community's goals. I think that we form our own community as "eating students on campus" and if the issue is promoted well enough, and draws enough attention, students would enter the public sphere and share their demands for healthier food, or possibly go against my proposal of healthier options on campus and say that it is just fine the way it is, and nothing should change. A good community would promote what is best for the campus as a whole. What are your thoughts on a "good community"? And do you think that students would care about this issue? How could make them care?
I think students at this school do care the issue already. It’s what I felt just after I came here that the cafeteria at this school doesn’t have healthy foods, which are expensive. They just don’t know what to do about the issue or would feel like they cannot change anything about this problem. I think you can find the way to make a change about the issue and make them involve in it like taking part in a signature collection campaign in an effort to change the menus. You can also talk to somebody who in charge of managing the cafeteria at this school. That will be much more active solution than just bringing out a question.
ReplyDeleteIf there was a healthy option, maybe students would choose it. I don't think demanding a change in menu would do much because most of the food providers are franchised from bigger chains anyhow. Now if someone was willing to invest in healthier options at school, that may be a beginning of a solution for you. I remember a few quarters ago, there was a fruit stand that sold fresh fruits and veggies just outside the student union... that doesn't exist anymore?
ReplyDeleteI would attest that CSUSB might not be the ideal "good community", but that you are almost more likely to see the citizens of this community (i.e. the students and staff) more willing to become "good citizens" as Kemmis defines them.
ReplyDeleteAs far as a healthy foods option, I believe a "good community/citizen" is required here. There needs to be healthier foods available. And the school will invariably want to insist on some kind of quality control with this fresher food, which almost privatizes it again; reverting back to options like the sub shop already on campus. So there are, in effect, two sides to this already, and there need to be more "good citizens" calling this issue out to the school board (or whomever) for review. There is room for improvement here.