Stay: Rachael Shaff

Although more than 100 campus parking spots would not be available for my use, students should not pack their suitcases every weekend.

Platteville turns into “Zombieland” because of the lack of engagement students have with Platteville.

If you plan on staying this weekend, expect to see more students walking outside next Tuesday morning than Saturday night. It is unfortunate.

I chose to join two of more than 200 organizations on campus during my freshman year. Since then, I have had the chance to give back to the community and grow academically and socially.

Getting involved with causes and interests I have passion for has kept me here on weekends and has forced me to exchange ideas and beliefs with my peers and advisers.

One rewarding experience I recently encountered was while attending a tribute concert for late mathematics professor Anthony Thomas earlier this month.

Although I never had Thomas as a professor, I was told many stories when interviewing family, friends and students of Thomas for the Exponent. I felt the passion his family and friends had for the community when more than $3,000 was raised for a scholarship in Thomas’ name.

For this very same reason, it is disheartening for me to see students pack up and leave every weekend. Leaving what is comfortable is the key to growth.

Many complain there is nothing to do. That can easily be solved by those that feel “bored”.

As Earl Reum said in “A Wish for Leaders”, “I wish you could find something so worthwhile that you deem it worthy of investing your life.” It is very possible to find it at a small campus like Platteville, I am living proof. My time here has become more than a “college experience,” because I simply chose to stay and get to know those with similar interests as me.

Face it, there is no “real world” that we are all shipped off to after graduation. The 10 cups of beer you consumed, the amount of gas money you spent and the eight hours you played video games this weekend is real-life.

Is that the commitment you want to remember?

Go: Amanda Laurenzi

I like to think of the weekends as tiny vacations, and when you go on vacation, you usually go somewhere else, right? To experience things you are not accustomed to, because it is fun. Platteville becomes a complete ghost town after Friday hits, and that in itself makes the experience down here less enjoyable.

There have certainly been weekends where I refused to move more than five feet from my bed in my dorm room and just “veg” out. We’ve all been there. But I couldn’t do that every weekend.

Madison and Dubuque are not that far away. Spending a night in the city can be refreshing and open people to different experiences that they do not get to have during the week. I associate Platteville with school, not fun. I have friends down here, I have certain places I like to hang out, but when the weekend comes, I’m looking for something new to do.

I also do not like the idea of living in a bubble. Think about it: Platteville is so small compared to Madison that people generally know each other. I cannot walk somewhere without recognizing at least fifteen people. It makes me feel like I’m living in a dome. I want to meet new people, and while that can be accomplished, I want diversity in my friends. For example, people from different places or with majors that might not be offered here.

I’m not saying students should leave every weekend, but I am certainly not advocating for them to stay, either. Experiencing other colleges can be fun and exciting, while also expanding your social life. Madison and Dubuque have concerts and exotic places and fantastic food! Young people need to experience what is around them.

Everyone should enjoy their weekend, but please, please, please do not look to Platteville for the extent of your weekend activities!