A few days ago, while walking across campus, I observed a family, obviously visitors to SIUE, searching for a particular building to meet a faculty member. It was too late. In that brief moment, this family's opinion of SIUE was ruined and the student's intention of attending had changed. Students have shouted horrible comments out of the residence hall windows, told families on campus tours not to choose SIUE and deliberately put alcohol containers and questionable photographs and wore inappropriate attire in the hallways during known tour times.
Every school has negative and positive aspects.
Students and families know this. When students make negative comments to visitors, what seems like a brief, meaningless comment, cannot only drastically influence the student's decision, but also lower the family's opinion of the school and the students who attend. Think about the anticipation and excitement you felt on your first day, the friendships you've formed, the great professor who inspired you to choose and stick with your desired major. Try to recall some of your great memories of being a student here and respect the hard work of the students faculty and staff who work every day to recruit students to our school. Let them see what a well-rounded, diverse campus this really is.