Some years ago colleges started welcoming new students by assuring them they wanted them not to feel uncomfortable in their new setting. It was a nice thing to do, though some new students may have read between the lines anxiety that despite every well-intentioned effort they might not be happy there. Others may have found the message empowering. They could easily accuse someone of “making them feel uncomfortable.” Almost anything could make someone feel uncomfortable, from a chilly greeting to a direct act of violence. Distinctions got blurred. Some people learned to exploit the nowreigning subjectivity..
Perhaps it would have been better if faculty and administrators had used talk about feeling uncomfortable only among themselves and then followed it up with thoughtful planning to help students adjust to a new environment, one focused on learning. To entering students the message might be along these lines: “Welcome! You have been admitted because we believed you would flourish in a challenging academic environment. We believe each of you can flourish in this setting and help others to do so, too. It won’t be easy, but we know you can handle it. You are here for something totally different from what any of you has experienced before. Sure. it will be challenging; that’s part of the fun of it. So get ready for ideas and experiences you have never encountered before. If from time to time you feel puzzled, awkward, or a little disoriented, good! That means you are getting a real education -- to question things you have always taken for granted, too listen to people with whom you differ, ...”.”
Well, reader, you get the point. Don’t feel uncomfortable in taking it from here.
Perhaps it would have been better if faculty and administrators had used talk about feeling uncomfortable only among themselves and then followed it up with thoughtful planning to help students adjust to a new environment, one focused on learning. To entering students the message might be along these lines: “Welcome! You have been admitted because we believed you would flourish in a challenging academic environment. We believe each of you can flourish in this setting and help others to do so, too. It won’t be easy, but we know you can handle it. You are here for something totally different from what any of you has experienced before. Sure. it will be challenging; that’s part of the fun of it. So get ready for ideas and experiences you have never encountered before. If from time to time you feel puzzled, awkward, or a little disoriented, good! That means you are getting a real education -- to question things you have always taken for granted, too listen to people with whom you differ, ...”.”
Well, reader, you get the point. Don’t feel uncomfortable in taking it from here.