Dear University Presidents,

I am formally writing because there is one thing that is clear. You are not happy and neither are we. See, college students have been a passionate bunch since the beginning, and they want to fix the imperfections in this world. As you're well aware, college campuses are full of imperfections. Some imperfections are small, like on-campus parking. Surely, these inconveniences many students will nag and complain about, but there are some things we, students, cannot tolerate.

I am sure your answer is already determined as you read this: That the students in this generation are too overly sensitive. Now, do not get me wrong, plenty students are, but that is the minority. Let me put it into perspective.

When the Oklahoma Wesleyan University's president stated, "This is a university, not a daycare," he had some points. The young man he discussed is a prime example of an overly sensitive individual, but to take this one sentiment and create a blanket statement for all students is not the way to handle all situations.

Now, look at where I am coming from. I have a hard time seeing my peers as people who are overly sensitive. Maybe it is because you do not see what I see.

I see a girl who has to sit in the same classroom as her rapist. I see black students get discriminated for their race every day. I see those who are suffering from mental health issues on college campuses lack any form of support.

Presidents, I get it. There are many people who believe life should be an endless sea of bliss. I am not one of those people. In life, people have to lose. People have to suffer hardships. People have to work. They have to do these things because seeing different points of you, working hard, and losing is what makes your own beliefs, accomplishments, and winning that much more worthwhile.

That is not the problem. The problem is not that college students cannot listen to others' beliefs, take it with a grain of salt, and either be molded, discuss, or move on. No! We are more than capable of that and do so on a frequent basis. We can do all of that, and we can having our feelings hurt and grow. What we cannot do is sit around while injustices ensue.

I am not a victim. Oklahoma Wesleyan University's president accused college students of calling themselves victims if their feelings get hurt. Trust me, my feelings get hurt, and I hear people with different beliefs than mine. I am not a victim, though, and do not think I am one. But there are real victims on college campuses.

More than one-fourth of college women will experience sexual assault on their college campuses. Thousands of marginalized students face racism on a daily basis. Students struggling with mental health will be put on a six-week waiting list for their "one free session." These are the victims.

These victims have little to no refuge. That is the issue at hand.

So go on and say college is not a "safe place." By doing that you are discrediting your own university. For how is one supposed to learn if they cannot feel safe? Looking at various philosophers of education from Greene to Rogers to Freire, they all make it clear that classrooms need to make students feel comfortable. They clearly preach that if students are going to be successful in education, their basic needs must be met. One of the most basic needs is safety. How is one supposed to feel safe if they are in a constant fear of violence?

I want to attend a university and not a daycare. I pay way too much money for college to not be attending what is considered one. If you really want us to be independent adults who are not "selfish" and "narcissistic" then stop fostering that education. Stop having professors worry more about who is on their cell phones during class then presenting the course material. Stop letting those who are criminals get away with maybe a slap at the wrist at most. Stop sending letters home to parents when students misbehave, or allowing students parents to call and complain to get their child out of something. Have your campus start caring more about sex crimes and hate crimes.

Do not let the few immature pupils define all college students and take away from the real problems at hand.

Please spend a day in your students' shoes and see what is happening at your university. I agree with what some college presidents do, and, even if we disagree, I like to see their different outlooks. That is all I am asking university presidents to do. They may disagree with all that is being said, but try to see it from the other side.

Sincerely,

Concerned Student