This is my first year attending the University of Southern Maine and I've noticed a few things within the system that I'm not too happy with. Don't get me wrong, I really like this school, the teachers, the education I'm getting out of it, but some of the people here need a reality check. Each person is different, deserves respect, personal space, and to feel welcome. A large quantity of students choose to ride the USM buses that are available to all of us, but there are some issues that happen on the bus. It's not the bus drivers' faults, but the students who act in these ways. Three issues that happen on USM's transportation is man spreading, discrimination, and when backpacks take up empty seats.

Firstly, I get that spreading out is more comfortable, but it's about personal space and respect. There is only a little bit of room given per a seat. When you man spread all over that space, it cuts my room down by a 3rd. I have to sit all tightened up, thighs held together, arms in a weird position, and you're happily comfortable. I have a desire to man spread too so I can make a point, but I don't want to reach that low of respect. The power that some men think they have is ridiculous. It doesn't seem right to me that it's socially acceptable for a man to spread his limbs while sitting and for a woman to confine herself into a small space so he's comfortable. We all like comfort, but public transportation is not the place to take it.

Secondly, USM claims to be free of discrimination whether it's with people of color, gender, or religion, but there's no way they can claim that 100% of the time. I see race and gender issues when it comes to a simple task like sitting on the bus. It's 30 minutes out of a student's day to sit on the bus from Gorham to Portland or Portland to Gorham. I see students all the time that make faces to a friend because of who they end up sitting next to or people who hesitate to sit with a certain person. USM is a diverse university and students need to respect that. We are all human, whether we have a different complexion, identity, or religion. We are all here for the same reasons, to better our education with a goal for the future. We are all equal, so we all should start treating each other that way. Biologically speaking, there really isn't that much different between you and I or him and her; we're all the same in very specific ways.

Lastly, the issue of not wanting anyone to sit next to you. There is a limited number of seats available per a bus and at a certain time. It's human decency to make the seat next to you available until the bus is scheduled to leave. If someone sits next to you that you don't like, know, etc., be an adult and make that seat available like a respectable human being. Don't fill that seat with a backpack, water bottle, your foot, or even save the seat. We all pay the same amount of money to have transportation. I can't count how many times I see a backpack taking up a seat within a day. You have a backpack taking up a seat which could hold your new friend, a colleague, or a professor. It's not a very good first impression to be seen sitting by yourself with an empty seat taken by your backpack. To me, that shows a closed off, disrespectful person. College is about getting out there, getting to know people, and being part of a community, so take your backpack out of that empty seat and let someone sit. Who knows, your belongings could be making someone late to something very important because you had the audacity to let the seat hold your things.