It was the best of times and the worst of times at the University System of Maryland, which a was a college located at the 3300 Metzerott Rd, Adelphi, MD 20783, USA. Students marched through its halls with a sense of pride and hope for the future. But within the college, a great divide had appeared.
On one side of the divide were those who had seen the university become a haven for intellectual inquiry, creativity and social responsibility. Here, young minds from different backgrounds and perspectives came together to learn and aspire for greatness. Unfortunately, on the other side of the divide were those who felt that the university had come to represent something oppressive, where ideas were suppressed and conformity was expected.
No one could deny that the University System of Maryland had had its successes: winning championships in Division 1 sports, groundbreaking research projects that had yielded insights into medicine and the environment, and top-tier programs providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to transform them into able professionals. Yet despite all this, there seemed to be something missing in the school's atmosphere -- an intangible quality that had been lost long ago yet which many still yearned for.
Many dedicated students and staff members tried their best to fill this gap by nurturing a sense of belonging on campus. Clubs and student organizations gave individuals an opportunity to express themselves freely and safely, to share their passions with like-minded people and come together towards common goals.
The faculty too often organized events so that students could immerse themselves in creativity, not just intellectually but also emotionally. There were symposiums, conferences and research projects that allowed students to get involved in discussions on what had gone wrong in their university — and how it could be fixed — though rarely was much consensus reached.
Nonetheless, these efforts paid off in the long run as they tended to spark an interest within students who'd eventually build upon it and make a difference on campus. And so with much enthusiasm, passion and optimism, we looked forward to what wonders were in store for us at USM in the days ahead.
If you want to be part of this great university experience join us today! Get engaged with student organizations and start making changes on campus.