A juicy class project
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ORANGE JOURNALISM A juicy class project |
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It’s not as easy as it once was to look through the sliding doors and glass windows of The “There is seriously a difference in this campus than when I got here in 2004,” junior radio, television, and film major Kerry Laird said. “People actually look like they care.” It is now common to see the windows and sometimes doors of these establishments slathered with blue and gold paint, boldly declaring “Go Spartans” or “Beat the Aggies.” “This is part of a campus trend to show a bit more school spirit,” said Jeff Pauley, Assistant Director of Retail Operations for Spartan Shops. According to Pauley, meetings were held this past summer to discuss what could be done to improve school pride around SJSU’s campus through Spartan Shops. When the suggestion to paint shop windows was placed on the table, Pauley said that people were willing to do it. “Campus community is a lacking on this campus,” said Pauley, who has been either a student or employee at eleven different campuses. “Everybody wins if we have more school spirit on campus.” Students seem to agree. Senior religious studies major Lennon Protho-Jones said it’s the most spirit he’s seen on campus in his three years at "It’s good that there is some excitement about it,” Protho-Jones said, of the painted promotions for campus pride. “The culture is changing on campus. We’re finally trying to make a difference.” Even international students are impressed with the campus life and visible school pride now at SJSU. Sid Ath, 20, hails from Ath said that seeing the painted windows and doors “makes you feel quite proud to go to the Having not witnessed many American sporting events, Ath was even tentative about attending a Ath, however, quickly had a change of heart. “At first I didn’t give a damn about American football,” he said. “But after watching a game at SJSU I said, ‘Let’s go Spartans!’” Some students are quick to point out that athletes are benefiting from the student-university engagement. “I think the football players get more pumped and see that we as students really want them to win,” sophomore math major Mark Stickler said. Even if he’s just reading it off a campus wall or window, Spartan cornerback Trae Jackson says it’s obvious that he and the football team are feeding off its proud university. “This year has been like a push,” School pride has finally made SJSU “look like a Division I school,” according to He added, “It makes me feel good to be a Spartan.” Protho-Jones wants to take campus spirit a few steps further, however, claiming that there are additional actions that can be taken. “There can be more done. There are so many windows, buildings, and other places for displaying or painting things for school pride,” Protho-Jones said. After seeing all the painted windows around campus, Protho-Jones said more ideas popped into his head, including possibly having players wear their jerseys before games. “I know it would seem kind of like high school, but I think it would be cool,” he said. It is important that initiative is being taken by students and staff, according to Pauley. “Whether we are leading or following, we’re making an effort,” he said. Related Links: Back to Orange Journalism Home Page Orange Journalism: |
