A Clemson "Connect" survey

I mentioned a few blog entries ago that I've been having to go to these mandatory events at Clemson (two of them before school started, and two of them after... one of which I still need to attend). It's called "Clemson Connect" and it's a required pass/fail "course" for all new students. They've consisted of time-wasting presentations and lame activities. Of the four events, the only remotely decent one was the library workshop, which I just attended this morning, but even it wasn't entirely helpful. I also have to attend a two-hour class that, from what I can tell, is meant to expand a student's cultural horizon. In addition to those four events, I've had to complete a two-page essay about why I chose Clemson and what experiences I've had that have led to my "arrival" etc., and do a 5-10 minute video that's based on "what I learned" from the cultural class. That video itself is going to take me forever to complete. When I found out about the video thing (they call it a VLOG for Video blog), it was the icing on the cake and I was just plain downright pissed. This is a non-credit course that has absolutely no educational value from my point of view. This Clemson Connect has not been a very welcoming experience for me, a 1+29-year-old adult.

So, we received a survey link for the "Clemson Connect" thing in an e-mail. Best e-mail I've received this week--I was so ready to bitch and moan about all the BS I've been required to do. This is what I wrote to them. I really, really hope they listen. (LIB100 is what they call this Clemson Connect thing, and if I fail it, I'm not sure whether or not it'll show up on my transcript, but I'm still considering forgoing the VLOG because I'm sure it will take me so long to do it.)

"I've loved Clemson so far, but to be completely honest, I'm pretty disappointed with the Clemson Connect series. I'm an adult student, I've transferred many credit hours of classes, so I know how college works. In addition to that, I work a stressful job, so having to do these extra (mandatory!) activities outside of work and my heavy course load has been just one more stressor in my life that I don't need.

The team-building exercises by the Welcome Leaders were made for very young individuals. For example, we were told to play rock-paper-scissors and the "loser" was supposed to follow the "winner" around. This was silly, and I felt it was a waste of my (valuable to me) time. I understand the vast majority of students are in the 18 to 22-year-old category, but I would have loved if there was some kind of "adult track" for working adults going back to college. Maybe instead of the "New Student Dialogues" assignment, which I know will take a lot of time for me to prepare, you could have a time management class or something similar. I'll be putting as much effort as time allows into this VLOG thing, but really, all of my other commitments come first, and if I have to fail LIB100, then so be it, but that will make this a very disappointing first semester. I sincerely hope someone will take my comments into consideration for future students."

(Disclaimer: I realize 18-year-olds are legally considered adults. I'm talking about people who have responsibilities outside of school: working, paying bills, mortgages, possibly kids, etc.)