I am graduating in a little more than a month. Well, technically I need to pass one class that I am now enrolled in. The issue is not really in doubt though, because the only grade is a 25-page research paper at the end of the class. It is pretty hard to fail a paper?I hope. I should probably stop writing and start researching, but that can wait.
I feel a little sad about graduating but I am ready to leave Georgetown. I guess this is for a number of reasons. I am sad because when I walk through New South, sit in the cafeteria, hang out in the lounge, go to a party, walk across campus or sit in class I realize that there are people who say things like “that’s gay” or “don’t be a pussy.” Huh, kind of funny. I just got up to check my laundry, which isn’t done because the dryers on campus suck (something not to be sad about leaving), and as I was walking down the hall I could hear someone yelling “queer” several times. Anyway, it just makes me sad that so many people still think that is OK. I don’t think it is. Maybe I am wrong; that is almost more comforting. I believe that to say these things is bad because it is homophobic and misogynistic. If that is true, and as many students say them without regard as I hear them say, then I think the Georgetown student body is messed up.
Why else am I sad? Well there is the fact that I never got that elusive Village A rooftop everyone dreams of when they go on the GAAP tours. Not living in apartments was a choice since I decided to live in New South as an RA for the last two years of my time here. What was I thinking?
I am sad I was a junior before I ever went to a basketball game here. I promise I am not a fairweather fan though. I have rooted for the Dodgers all of my life, and all but one year they have sucked. It makes me sad that the Senior Class Committee can send me e-mails saying I should drink a “40” 40 days before graduation, that GUSA candidates can be student bartenders serving underage people free beer at Hoyas the night before an election, but that Vittles can’t sell condoms. I am sad that I never once got to use my GOCard. I am sad I have only been to Champs once. Wait … actually I am happy about that. I am also happy the Tombs brought back the lamb sandwich and that I have been to at least one Georgetown theater production, lacrosse game, football game and Georgetown Day. Oh, here is a good one: I am glad I got to go to one Block Party. That was the bomb. I will never forget how awesome it was that I got to go start drinking at 1 p.m. in May of my first year the day classes got out, with everybody else in school, at least, that is what it felt like. That was fun. I am glad I have acquired a taste for cheap beer. You simply cannot beat High Life, the champagne of beers, especially since you get a pitcher for $6 at the Tombs. I am glad I got to meet some Jesuits I really liked. To be honest I had a pretty strong bias against the Catholic Church before I came to Georgetown. Now I really like some of the priests I have met here. The Church still isn’t my favorite thing but maybe it is important that I learned the difference between The Church and Catholics.
Overall I would have to say that I am happy I came to Georgetown. I would say I am happy with my college experience. There is definitely a lot I would change, but I would still absolutely recommend Georgetown to friends. I guess that means I should give to the Senior Gift so our US News and World Report ranking can go up.
Here are three things I recommend a person at Georgetown do and not do: First don’t say “that’s gay” or “don’t be a pussy;” second never, ever make sudden moves in the cafeteria in a direction you are not looking; finally, don’t be one of those people who go to office hours to contest a grade.
My three positive recommendations are to go to the Tombs with people you like; second, lobby to bring back Block Party; finally, find one Jesuit you really like.
Good luck Hoyas, I will catch ya on the flip side.
Scott Sakiyama is a senior in the School of Foreign Service. This is not his first time writing without mentioning his ex.
