Shippensburg is the city that sleeps.

The meager excitement lasts from a few hours after sunrise to a couple hours after sunset every night.

There is no hustle and bustle, the night life isn’t hopping, and the most activity we’ll get is a few police notifications on a busy week.

We miss out on most of the things associated with the craziness of a college education, but is that a bad thing?

Nestled here between a cow field and a corn field, Shippensburg is a unique environment in which to get an education.

Although there may be more country music and diesel trucks than street vendors and subways, we do have it better here than many people think.

What about crime?

If we went to a metropolitan urban campus we would be strongly advised not to leave the campus because of the slums and murders that happen outside the gates.

I know things on Richard Avenue can be sketchy some nights, but the rare exception is crime and violence, not the rule.

It may be convenient on weekend nights that the crime rate is low, but think about week nights.

For those who live just off campus, it is not a matter of fear of getting home at night, it is comfortable here.

Rather than worrying about how to get safely home every night, we are free to worry about more important things, like studying or the Reisner food bomb in our stomachs.

It is true that Shippensburg is lacking in the diversity requirement.

Many people here have very similar backgrounds than other universities.

We are not exposed to nearly as much variation in culture and expectations as a bigger and more visible university.

Maybe this lack of diversity makes it easier to figure out what is different among friends and colleagues and appreciate that more.

Since many of us are so alike, we can find little things and take note of what makes each person special and unique.

As long as the lack of diversity comes with understanding and acceptance, it is just another “pro” of SU.

What about the size? Some may argue that recognizing people on campus you saw last week or weekend is a bad thing, but we should see value in it.

By having such a small number of students, we have the opportunity to become a tight-knit community that could do impressive things.

Our size puts us in a position to move as one unit and get behind good causes like our football team or Relay for Life.

Shippensburg may not be an international powerhouse, a renowned research institute or the center of cultural rebellion and advancement, but I do not know of another university whose president is out checking on the electrical crew when the transformer blows and puts us out of power.

I know President Ruud is leaving, and that is a shame, but Shippensburg University will keep moving forward with any captain behind the wheel.

Even the painful Ship puns have become second nature after a while here.

Shippensburg may be the city that sleeps, but Shippensburg University is a place where we can get a good night’s sleep to be ready for the big day ahead of us.

Share