My university is made up of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. However, despite such differences, one seldom notices differences between people since everyone tends to act in adherence to a similar behavioral pattern. Indeed, an uninformed party might argue that all students in my college hail from one community due to the similarity of their behavior and belief patterns. In my view, the sense of community that one gets upon joining the institution is the primary cause of the similarities in behavior and beliefs. Upon admission, one is oriented to the institution’s culture, including knowing around the school and joining different sub-communities that make up the broader university community. Usually, orientation occurs in familiar places such as the student mess, entertainment room, and the various sports facilities such as the basketball court, rugby pitch, and soccer stadium.
The student mess is perhaps the most utilized of all the familiar places in the university. The mess is mostly used as a dining area where students can purchase and take meals. However, beyond serving as a dining area, the mess provides students with an opportunity to bond and discuss common interest issues ranging from examinations to personal relationships and campus politics. The centrality of the cafeteria around students’ and staff’s life makes it the cornerstone of the university as a community. In this context, it brings together students and staff working in different colleges and departments, therefore bridging the gap created by the differences in the academic and philosophical orientations between the various courses and colleges.
The different sports facilities are also integral in creating togetherness and a sense of community in the university. While excelling in academics is the primary objective of all the students, engaging in physical exercises and other co-curricular activities form an essential part of college life. Hence, facilities such as football and rugby pitches provide people with an opportunity to engage in fun activities and interact and form close bonds. Indeed, the team effort required in games enhances close relationships between teammates and ultimately instills a sense of collective responsibility.
The common places and facilities highlighted above play a significant role in providing essential services and offering a platform where students and staff can relax and unwind from the often-tedious academic work. Accordingly, their absence would occasion massive inconveniences, such as undermining the close social fabric and bonds that they help create. Besides, the loss of these facilities would deny people the opportunity to unwind from the tasking academic work, leading to both physical and psychological suffering.
Generally, the content covered in our learning module provides valuable insights into communities and defines or holds such groups together. In particular, the material highlights the role of common places and beliefs in creating a community. The most exciting bit about the whole concept of society, as illustrated in the module, is that it is easy to relate it to one’s surroundings or environment. For example, as highlighted above, common places such as the student mess and sports facilities help create a sense of community in my university. The significance of shared beliefs and places in the establishment of society makes me wonder whether the absence or loss of such amenities would threaten a community’s existence. In this context, is living in the same place or neighborhood, not an indication of a community?