The ONLY big event for UC

              On the night of Friday, March 5th, people coming from everywhere near and far came to set up the Boehlert Conference Center. There were people coming in from afternoon till night to park their cars for the big event. Campus safety were out on big alert for all visitors entering and leaving the campus. America's Greatest Heart Run & Walk was held on the Utica College campus for the 13th consecutive year.
               On Saturday, March 6th, students were awaken in all dorms to people shouting with joy. There were over 10,000 people on campus to sign up and get started for the walk/run. Everyone had the option of the 3-mile walk, 3-mile run, 5-mile run, 10-mile run or 30K run. This is the only time of the year, there would be so many people on campus. Here is an insight:

 The teams get together after signing up 

Inside the gym: Signing up 

Team UC begins the walk

Only the beginning

The FINISH Line

Every organization walked or ran for this big occasion. It may be sad, but truthful to say, this is the only event you will see every organization on campus come together for a good cause. This poses as a very big occasion for the Utica College community. Still, why don't we all come together more?

            Runners and walkers were given water, subway sandwiches of either turkey or tuna, fruit snacks, granola bars, yogurt or tangerines. There was so much support and excitement for this particular day. We should go back to the idea of this being the only event, everyone would come together. Does the Utica College community truly work together? Unlike a university, this is a smaller campus. Apparently, we have the Homecoming events, but even then not everyone would be completely involved. This is exceptional for everyone deciding to come and show support for a good cause. The American Heart Association is not the only organization seeking help and donations. We should question ourselves of why hasn't anyone put together more big walks or run for other organizations. The UC campus came together in time of the earthquake of Haiti. Now, Chile had an even worse experience than Haiti and what have we as a college done in support. We should not refer to just one organization. Rather college students as a whole we should come together for more causes. 

              Some people would believe college students are concentrating on their work so much. This factor would make it difficult to come up with huge community service projects. How true is this statement for Utica College, when 11% of students per semester are on academic probation. Another point comes to mind, can we be completing community service acts to make ourselves look good. As students, we are should be more motivated coming up with innovative ideas. We shall question our actions not just a human beings or growing adults, but as a college students. Are we doing community service to provide genuine help or to make our organizations look better? In actuality, what big accomplishments have we done as a college for others in need besides the Heart Run & Walk?