Every day lately seems to bear more devastating news of current events around the world. From news stories to campus talk, all of the tragedy can really impact students and their mental health.
However, one of the best ways students have been combating that is by building a sense of community. By defining community and coming together with those around them, they can build a sense of hope on campus.
Senior English major Will Garason spoke about his observations of how people are taking care of each other and building community.
“I think with all the antagonistic shit that’s going on in the world, I think a lot of people need a reprieve from that,” Garason said. “And so I like to think I see more people trying to take care of each other, do the little things for other people, be they strangers or friends or loved ones or whomever, right?”
Amid so much conflict around them, many students, much like Garason, believe in the importance of supporting one another.
Additionally, Garason wrestled with the complex definition of community and shared his thoughts on what it actually means.
“I always think community indicates that you have certain ideas about your identity, and because of that identity, you say, ‘yes, I will identify these groups, and those will be my community, and I will take care of people in my community,’” Garason said. “But I see that all as very counterproductive.”
Many people view supporting and loving one another simply as showing up. Students share meals with their friends and give each other rides when needed. Garason has a more unconventional approach.
“I’m very much a give cigarettes to a homeless person type of guy when he asks for it, buy a drunk guy a beer at the bar. Why not? Those are the small acts of love that make the world go round,” Garason said.
Sophomore nursing major Diana Gonzalez briefly discussed how she sees people coming together as a community.
“You see a lot of protests happening. I’m from Grand Rapids, and there was one that happened in downtown Grand Rapids about the ICE stuff,” Gonzalez said.
Currently, ICE is cracking down and drawing significant controversy. Outraged people have been organizing protests in their cities and leaning on each other for support through challenging circumstances.
Gonzalez revealed what she believes it really means to be part of a community and to belong, emphasizing the importance of being accepted.
“[I think it means] to not be judged in things you do,” said Gonzalez. “It’s good if people are open to talking to you and being around you. Whenever I’m in class, I make sure to include [people] in the conversation.”
Students at Ferris prioritize supporting one another and making sure those around them feel heard and seen, even through small acts of care, such as including one another in class.
Freshman dental hygiene major Aliza Moeller shed light on how she is approaching community and encouraging others to do the same.
“I’m at the point in life where holding people close to me is big right now,” Moeller said. “Meeting new people, that’s going out of my comfort zone, but I think showing people that it’s okay [builds community].”
Moeller concluded by discussing how she thinks about belonging and how she makes others feel they belong on campus as well.
“Things you have in common with people you can belong in those aspects, but also spiritually, almost like you have those in common, but also making sure you feel comfortable,” Moeller said. “I think just showing them who I am as a person and making sure they feel wanted.”
While students all hold different views of community and belonging and have very different approaches to caring for others, they all believe in the importance of supporting others.