The Collegian Weekly: Embrace your 'townie' counterpart
The opinion of The Collegian editorial staff
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: Opinion
Maybe it's just our editorial staff maturing, but we sense improved relations between the "town" and "gown." Maybe it's because we're increasingly living off campus, or downtown, or we've finally learned of all the nooks and crannies. We've volunteered more, visited the county fair, shopped for bargains at the competing grocers.
But perhaps the college newcomer has not yet fully nestled into the surroundings. Every town has its quirks, sure. But when we get past the toxic material tower (uncanny how much it looks like a water tower) and the creepy mills, there's a lot in Hillsdale to appreciate.
Local establishments have reached out more and more to entice student customers.
There's no reason to hole up on campus. The town's unique businesses offer the gamut of products and price ranges. And with the construction finally tapering off, we can get to shops and restaurants more conveniently than ever.
Hillsdale is more of a college town than some students realize.
The Hunt Club offers a student night Thursday from 9 until closing at midnight. They supply $5 pitchers of beer and well drinks under $3 for anyone who can show a student ID with their proof of age.
Checker Records offers top-notch lattes, and in addition, the trendy owners can help a student navigate through their extensive music selection, jewelry, accessories or incense.
Similarly, the staff at David's Dolce Vita can help a student pick out a fine cigar or pipe or bottle of wine. These are just a few of the student-friendly businesses worth checking out.
Especially considering Michigan's economic woes, we realize the college community and the town can benefit from supporting each other. Already, SIFE plans to forge more relationships with local businesses, encouraging student discounts- and you can look for details in upcoming issues.
Furthermore, it seems the last few years have seen fewer conflicts and less animosity between students and local residents. We can credit this to the local residents' efforts to get to know to students. Local churches connect freshmen with the older and wiser. Local non-profits appreciate student volunteers. Local business owners learn students' names.
After all, a sense of community is essential to small-town charm.
But students have also done much to better relations. We applaud the open-mindedness of students who shun a sneer accompanying the word "townies" and the adventurousness of students who venture out on the town, discontent with another quiet night on campus.
Others can only benefit from following their example.
For four years of our lives, we must remember, we're Hillsdaleans, too. Let's continue to endear ourselves to this cute, hospitable little place called Hillsdale.
Hillsdale College Collegian, 2007
But perhaps the college newcomer has not yet fully nestled into the surroundings. Every town has its quirks, sure. But when we get past the toxic material tower (uncanny how much it looks like a water tower) and the creepy mills, there's a lot in Hillsdale to appreciate.
Local establishments have reached out more and more to entice student customers.
There's no reason to hole up on campus. The town's unique businesses offer the gamut of products and price ranges. And with the construction finally tapering off, we can get to shops and restaurants more conveniently than ever.
Hillsdale is more of a college town than some students realize.
The Hunt Club offers a student night Thursday from 9 until closing at midnight. They supply $5 pitchers of beer and well drinks under $3 for anyone who can show a student ID with their proof of age.
Checker Records offers top-notch lattes, and in addition, the trendy owners can help a student navigate through their extensive music selection, jewelry, accessories or incense.
Similarly, the staff at David's Dolce Vita can help a student pick out a fine cigar or pipe or bottle of wine. These are just a few of the student-friendly businesses worth checking out.
Especially considering Michigan's economic woes, we realize the college community and the town can benefit from supporting each other. Already, SIFE plans to forge more relationships with local businesses, encouraging student discounts- and you can look for details in upcoming issues.
Furthermore, it seems the last few years have seen fewer conflicts and less animosity between students and local residents. We can credit this to the local residents' efforts to get to know to students. Local churches connect freshmen with the older and wiser. Local non-profits appreciate student volunteers. Local business owners learn students' names.
After all, a sense of community is essential to small-town charm.
But students have also done much to better relations. We applaud the open-mindedness of students who shun a sneer accompanying the word "townies" and the adventurousness of students who venture out on the town, discontent with another quiet night on campus.
Others can only benefit from following their example.
For four years of our lives, we must remember, we're Hillsdaleans, too. Let's continue to endear ourselves to this cute, hospitable little place called Hillsdale.
Hillsdale College Collegian, 2007
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