The transition from high school to college might be tough for an incoming freshman. This is the stage where you try to find yourself and prepare for the real world. Students are now faced with grown, adult-like decisions. These decisions can determine the outcome of their lives.
Turning 18 is not easy. High school students after graduation can choose to work, sleep on their parent’s coat tail or any other alternative than attending college. They are old enough to make the decision for the next step of their lives, and even to go to war for their country.
Here at GSU, these decisions are made by the faculty and grown-ups. This can be teachers, police officers, custodians, store employees, and faculty members. They feel it is necessary to make all decisions for the students, instead of letting them grow and help them by mentoring.
Middle-age students are usually referred to as scholars and students. While younger- looking students are referred to as kids, rug rats and most commonly children.
Questions arise from the treatment toward these students. Isn’t everyone enrolled at a university no matter of age, race or religion, known as a student? Are these students paying for their education or is the word tuition a babysitting expense? How many parents does an adult need?
"Some of the rules at Grambling State University are to control and keep the students in check as a game of chess," one student said. "Why isn’t there one co-ed dorm?"
Students have complained about the financial aid process. Saying that the only way clients (students) are served is when the parent of the paying student intercedes.
"I turned in all my documents and they misplaced them," said another student. "I tried to resolve the issue for more than three weeks and they kept giving me the run-around. Then my father called and all of a sudden they acted sweet and in two days I was in school. I don’t think that’s fair."
Keisha Williams have also complained about issues of being treated unfairly in the classroom saying, "Every time I go to class my teacher speaks to this one lady all nice and stuff, but she is mean to the younger students."
In Grambling, no matter how the students may act, silly or mature, they are all stereotyped as children.
Every student has been raised differently. Some grew up without their parents, and some are parents.
Some are even from out-of-state and have been raised in the city.
Either way, they are all treated the same, many kids, with many parents and no blood relation.