Laurier Day unrepresentative

The balloons, purple and gold and fanatical cheering meant that last Friday was Laurier Day, guaranteed twice a year.

While it is great that Laurier has many enthusiastic students, Laurier is first and foremost an institution of learning; this should be conveyed to potential recruits.

During Laurier Day, the university promotes the student experience, which currently focuses on an immature and inadequate representation of life on campus.

This is highlighted by the childish “McDonald’s Farm” promotion of the Mac House residence and dancing in the amphitheatre.

Some senior students make a point to avoid the exaggerated theatricality of Laurier Day, and the absence of these students shows how unrepresentative the day is of realistic Laurier life.

The over-emphasis of school spirit overshadows any academic integrity Laurier offers.

The only components of learning involved in the day are the department booths, which are crammed into the Science Building.

The courses, degrees and professors at university are an influence on why people choose the school they do so Laurier Day should stress these.

The experience is important, but at the end of the day, students are investing in a degree.

The university may be more concerned with boosting its admissions by selling the school as one with a great atmosphere, but students also need to know about the programs offered.

If Laurier stressed its professors and faculties, more students would come here for the quality of the education, thus creating a cycle of academically-oriented students and enthusiastic professors that will, in the long-run, benefit Laurier overall.

–The Cord Editorial Board