The phrase “Benedictine College family” is something that is used very loosely around campus.  We hear it when we arrive on these grounds for ROC Week and then throughout the rest of our experience.

But is it something that we truly “experience?”  

There are other factors that influence this opinion around BC.

It is true that most organizations offer the camaraderie that a family would bring.  From faith-based events and groups to the “ubiquitous sporting events that seemingly occur twenty-four seven,” they all bring a sense of togetherness that some could call a family.

But what about the cohesion among these groups?

For example, last Thursday (Feb. 7) the traditional 100-day march down to Mueller’s Locker room took place for all seniors at BC.  The march took place at 9 p.m.  This would also happen to be at the same time that the Raven basketball team was playing against the Culver-Stockton University Wildcats at the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.

This scheduling conflict prompted some of the seniors in attendance of the game to leave at the beginning of the second half.

And for the seniors that were playing in what would be their fourth to last home game, saw many of their “family members” leave in favor of a “pub crawl.”

Another problem with the conflict is the fact that many of the faith-based students here at BC chose not to attend the event in favor of other activities on campus such as a men’s night sponsored by FOCUS at St. Benedict’s Abbey on campus.

This one particular night is an accurate example of how many different organizations sponsor events on the same night.

With all of these opportunities to socialize with your one family, one might have the problem in choosing the specific location (and type of group.)

So if the same students attend the same types of functions, there is a good chance that many students will go their entire college career without ever interacting with some students of another group.

This may be possible at some larger school, but it is somewhat incredible at such a small institution like BC.  

Perhaps Dr. Newton may have been halfway correct during a recent letter to The Circuit saying that there are too many directions to take your BC experience.  He harked on the fact that socializing takes away from the knowledge process, but as most of us have figured out, learning can take place outside the classroom.

What he did discover is that these numerous options take away from the full realm of the BC family.

The unmistakable mark of community is the value of cohesion among groups.

Students should value their differences, but learn to overcome them in favor of the greater picture.

After all, we only have four years to do so (or five for you slackers out there.)

Editorials written by The Circuit Editorial Staff.  The Staff consists of The Circuit managing editor Vincent Brennan and eCircuit managing editor Rachel Sawin.  They can both be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it