BYU NewsNet - Service Becomes Focus of Campus Redefinition

By Logan Wilkes

If you are a BYU student it is more than likely that you have done the following:

* Walked around campus listening to your iPod or talking on your cell phone and not noticed those around you.

* Looked away when someone looks at you out of fear of making eye contact or having the other person think you are interested in him or her.

* Purposely looked for an empty table in the Cougareat Food Court so you didn't have to talk to anyone.

The demanding pressures that rule a BYU student's life often prevent them from noticing what is going on around them.

Because of this concern, the University Student Council launched "Redefine Service" this week in hopes of making BYU a friendlier place through simple service.

Redefine Service is a campaign designed by the USC, a compilation of the student leadership organizations on campus such as BYUSA, Cougar Council and the International Student Association, to motivate students to serve one another through simple acts of service in hopes of building a Zion-like campus.

The mission of the campaign is, "to motivate a change in the current BYU culture by helping inspire students to exercise a greater degree of kindness and charity towards one another. We will encourage students to incorporate kindness and service into the lives they live everyday, that is might be an ongoing spirit within them."

USC will promote their campaign by showing a short two-minute movie in classes this week that show students how simple acts of service can help others.

"I think the small acts of service are disappearing," said Jewelyn Gallion, a junior from Buffalo, Mo., majoring in psychology. "Everyone gets into their zone and sometimes miss what is happening around them."

While students rush around, most still feel that if asked they wouldn't hesitate to lend a hand.

"People are really willing to help you on this campus," said Whitney Booth, a sophomore from Ashville, S.C. "If you have a problem you can ask anyone and they will be willing to help you."

Sometimes students avoid contact with strangers because of the pressures they feel.

Michael Layton, a senior from Orem, majoring in international relations, said this problem stems from the pressure to get married.

"In a situation where there are so many people looking to get married there is a tremendous pressure," Layton said. "We can make quick judgments like if someone talks to us or sits next to us we think they are interested in dating. That is why I am sitting alone."

While students feel the pressure of dating they also feel that the new wave of technology has distanced them.

Chris Phillips, a junior from Sacramento, Calif., majoring in exercise science, said that iPods and cell phones have made people more introverted and secluded and less likely to notice what is happening around them.

Kristin Hansen, BYU Counseling and Career Center assistant clinical faculty, agrees that these pressures affect how students act. However, she feels that the problem goes deeper.

"I see technology as an escape that students use sometimes," Hansen said. "I think that students have a very good desire to be kind to each other but they're scared to share their feelings out of fear of getting hurt or being negative."

Hansen said because students are afraid of causing contention they will go in another direction and find new friends when a relationship becomes difficult instead of working things out.

"This can lead to superficial friendships rather than building deeper ones," Hansen said. "This can cause students to feel disconnected because they are not talking about things that really matter to them because they are afraid of getting hurt."

Hansen said listening to others and asking questions while developing a relationship or during a disagreement, instead of making assumptions, can take a relationship to the next level.

"We can better serve others as we get to know others," Hansen said. "You can not only give through physical means but you can give emotionally to others by listening instead of just giving advice. As we get to know someone else we learn more about God and our Savior."