It’s no secret that students love to complain about everything from the mundane to the serious. The anonymous CU Problems account first appeared online Oct. 19, 2011 and gives Carleton students space to air their concerns on Twitter, where it has over 550 followers, and Facebook, where over 1,500 people like its page.
The Charlatan’s Jill Krajewski spoke with the organizer of CU Problems about sexual assaults on campus, school spirit and the building they wold remove from campus.
The Charlatan (TC): How did you get the idea for CU Problems?
CU Problems (CP): Queen’s U Problems. I have a friend that goes to Queen’s and caught wind of the site within the first day or two that it was up. It just seemed like a nice idea to give students a place where they could vent. It’s not a forum to talk badly about this university. I love this school as much as the next person. It’s just a place where you can show school spirit inadvertently.
TC: Why did you choose to remain anonymous?
CP: Because CU Problems is meant to be for everyone. If I tell people who I am, then there’s an automatic face to CU Problems. I don’t want people to think there are things I write that [they can’t relate to] because of who I am. This is a forum for everyone, not just for me.
TC: Have you ever overheard people talking about CU Problems?
CP: I have! It [shines] a little light on my heart (laughs). Quite a few people on campus know who I am, but when I hear someone who’s talking about it that I don’t know, it’s a shock. It’s amazing.
TC: You sometimes talk about campus clubs. Do they approach you to promote them?
CP: Not once. Usually, when I put out things about certain clubs, it’s because it’s either an issue that’s important to me or an issue I think should be important to the school community at large. For example, with Relay for Life, it’s Movember and someone I know was diagnosed with cancer this month.
TC: What made you comment on the sexual assaults on campus?
CP: This is a real problem. A lot of people are unaware that sexual assault happens more than [people] think. You don’t hear about it because people are afraid to say they were a victim. Often, it’s because there are no resources available to them. I think the fact that there’s a group that’s willing to provide a support centre, to step up to the plate and say there’s a need that isn’t being met by the university itself . . . it’s something that we need. I should hope that Carleton listens.
TC: What would you say Carleton’s biggest problem is?
CP: Lack of school spirit. I look at other universities and they’ve got traditions, songs for their schools . . . I mean, we’ve got songs but mind you, they’re disssing another school. There’s no student cohesion. That’s what we need, and it’s going to make for a stronger university presence.
TC: If there was a building at Carleton you could remove, what would it be?
CP: I’d just get rid of everything from 1942 (laughs). No, that’s a toss-up between Mackenzie, Southam and Loeb. But because my faculty is located in Loeb, I think I’ll suck it up and keep it. And Leo’s [Lounge] is in Mackenzie. Nothing good comes out of Southam. I’d scrap Southam.
TC: What are your favourite things about Carleton?
CP: There [are] too many good things about Carleton. Carleton’s a pretty diverse school compared to other schools, where there’s a certain demographic. I’ve met people from all over the world, all over this country, all over this city. It’s interesting to me how different we all are, even [though] we live so close together. It’s something we can learn from.
TC: What are your thoughts on the Ravens-bashing that happens on the U of Ottawa Problems Twitter?
CP: They’re just not witty enough to think up of anything else. Let’s face it, Ravens are classy. We take the higher road. There’s no point in bashing the Gee-Gees when we already know what’s wrong with them.
TC: Will you pass on the mantle when you graduate?
CP: I hope so. I hope someone steps up to the plate.
