Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve.
The World is Our Campus.
Since 1966, when political science professor Stewart L. Grow and President Ernest L. Wilkinson chose to emblazon these words on the campus’ main entrance, thousands of BYU students have been welcomed to campus each day by these familiar slogans. Yet it seems more and more that these profound reminders often are overlooked entirely or are merely thought of as nice catch phrases for use on university letterhead, or as a joke for freshmen without cars who rearrange the slogan to say, “campus is our world.”
But as many BYU students’ minds are turned toward graduation and finally going forth into the world, now is a time for everyone to re-evaluate these words of wisdom.
Few doubt the fact that a unique joy comes through service. Yet, students argue that they don’t have time to do real service right now because they’re so bogged down with school demands. They’ve even convinced themselves that after they graduate, get a job and settle down they’ll start serving — just as soon as they have more time.
Perhaps some really will. However, time constraints will only get worse as job and family issues arise. Putting off selflessness becomes a habit, a habit that is extremely hard to break — even without extra time constraints.
Of course, it is never too late to change.
For those staying at BYU, there are several ways of blessing others while inadvertently receiving rewards of service. There are a variety of venues on campus for students to be involved in. Visit the Student Involvement Center for ideas on how you can serve.
One example would be through the Services for Students with Disabilities office in 1520 WSC. Volunteers can sign up to read texts onto tape for students with visual and learning disabilities, to take notes for students with physical and learning disabilities, to read to students with visual or learning disabilities, to help students with mobility impairments around campus by carrying books and other belongings, to assist students with learning and physical disabilities by reading tests and writing as the student with the disability dictates the answer and to type papers upon request for students with physical and learning disabilities.
Lest the campus really become our world, students should remember there are also plenty of opportunities to serve in the larger community. Among various opportunities, the United Way is one organization that has made it extremely easy to find a suitable local project via its Utah Valley volunteer Web page. From this page interested parties may search for causes to help with, either as individuals or with a group. Students can work with children, the elderly, the environment, the homeless and many other groups. The site also allows designation of the type of work to be done, whether it is arts and crafts, office work, entertaining, cooking, cleaning, visiting or a host of other options.
There are countless other ways of serving, be it next door, down the block, across town or across the globe. Whatever it is, find a way. BYU students should aim to make the world their campus as they go forth to serve.
