The $600,000 raised by MSUCCC is fantastic, but the donations and goodwill do not stop with the individuals who work the campaign or those who pledge to the campaign. If one takes a moment to look across campus, one quickly discovers MSU is an entity raising money for the Boy Scouts or unwed mothers or abused women.

MSU, with its students, faculty and staff, is a powerhouse in the community, raising millions of dollars, volunteering massive amounts of man hours while providing money and assistance to those less fortunate.

One visible example is the Habitat for Humanity activity that drew individuals from across campus to provide housing for one of our own. It got a fair amount of press attention as well as kudos for MSU.

Many people stop there and go into criticism mode to talk about many less impressive activities on campus: athletes in trouble, student drinking or a lack of civility among the population.

We seem to live in a time when the word sustainability is a critical concept, but we forget there are many things unmentioned we need to sustain — one of which is our focus on the great things done by ourselves and others. Yes, the MSUCCC raises a fair chunk of change to help the community, but what else is happening at MSU to provide needed assistance?

Have you ever searched through fraternity and sorority philanthropic activities to see what those men and women are doing for others?

Would it shock you to find out that your fellow students on the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity?

That story seems to be lost on the front pages of the newspapers or on local television broadcasts. It is a whole lot easier to focus a month’s worth of attention on one party that might have gotten out of hand.

MSU is a microcosm of the world, but we have to be careful when someone says that. We reflect ethnic backgrounds, ages, genders, interests and a multitude of other worldly foci; but if you look at MSU as a whole, it is more than simply another group of people with “20 percent of this” and “10
percent of that.”

MSU is more the cream of the crop in its reflection of the world. The expectation exists that, when we get together and do things, those things will not be bland and dull. The things done here are going to rise far above what might be expected by others outside of MSU.

I think the time has arrived to put an end to the continuous attempts to purposely paint a negative picture of the university based on the behavior of a few. It is high time we stop for a minute and start the process of investigating every nook and cranny on campus and finding out all the good things that have occurred.

These can include the last 10 years of MSUCCC and the more than $6 million raised. It can include the thousands of hours students have spent tutoring local middle and high school students. It can reflect a fraternity and sorority attitude on giving that seems to be boundless.

And it can speak of the many times someone on campus stops to help someone in need. Today, for example, I saw a young man rush to a young lady’s aid when she tumbled off her bike.

We have a great deal to be proud of with all our students, faculty and staff accomplishments. Let’s encourage that fantastic behavior and advertise it across the land.

Craig Gunn is a State News guest columnist. Reach him at gunn@egr.msu.edu.