Last Saturday, inundated with so much work, I decided to stay in and read. Unfortunately, I happened to witness the remnants of someone else’s night on the town when I went downstairs. As I stepped into the elevator, however, I realized that someone had broken about three-fourths of the elevator lights in the brand new elevator.
Downstairs, I encountered some obviously drunk people falling over each other in the McCarthy Hall lobby. I remember shaking my head, not because they were totally out of it but rather because one of the kids loudly said that he thought the elevator was a door to the stairs (don’t ask).
Sober, I waited for the elevator after what was a quiet and productive night, for me at least. I then began to think about why anyone would damage the lights. I am in no way advocating breaking anything, but if you’re going to break something, make sure it is something that you own and we all don’t have to use. I have no clue who broke the elevator lights, but I am pretty sure it was probably someone who had a few more drinks than they should have.
Monday night, I heard some people in the other elevator (where you can still see the people who you are in the elevator with) talk about how sad it was for someone to break the lights and then leave the broken bulbs lying on the elevator floor. When you came to Georgetown, you probably expected a lot from the faculty and administration, but I’m sure that many of you also thought your fellow students would all be respectful too, at least in public. However, this is obviously not the case.
I don’t want to sound like a party pooper or something-I always go out into Washington, to parties and functions on campus, and to other events. But like most of the students here, I also know how to conduct myself. If you think you are going to smash in some lights, break down a door, or destroy some benches, don’t drink. If you’re going to drink, you should do so moderately if you have that much of a compulsive urge to bash things in. Besides, you’ll save your liver. That’s a good thing if you ask me.
If you drink moderately while you’re out, maybe you could get up at 10 a.m. instead of 2 p.m. That’s an incentive, right? Also, guess what? Your hangover might not be so bad if you don’t drink as much, and you might actually be able to do that Econ problem set that you just can’t seem to focus on. Also, who likes the Village C elevators? No one. The Village C elevators should be the perfect example of how you should not treat an elevator. Sticky floors from beer, beer cans on the floor, torn elevator panels, and an elevator with expletives on the wall aren’t exactly impressive, especially to people who actually use the elevators. I’m sure most of my fellow Hoyas agree that it is even worse if you don’t even live in the building in which you break something.
There is also something else to consider. I don’t mind this, but a lot of people talk about the awkwardness of being on the elevator with someone they don’t know. Well, imagine stepping in the elevator with someone you don’t know and going up a few floors in the dark because the lights were shattered. Which situation would you prefer? This weekend as many other Hoyas and myself go out, hopefully the elevators won’t be too dark.
Students must learn to have fun without making things inconviencing others. If you’re going to drink excessively, do it with someone who’s not drinking so if you try to do something stupid they can stop you. Most people would actually like the elevators to stay lighted and not remind us of the Northeast Blackout from earlier this year. Our school community embraces integrity and trust from all students. It would be nice if no one has to step into a eerily dark elevator again.
John Dorman is a sophomore in the School of Business. He likes to watch the football games from his room in McCarthy.
