What would you do for $1,000? How far would you go to test the limits of your knowledge? With the Sept. 16 trivia night, the St. Lawrence University’s Thelomathesian Society is literally banking on the fact that you’ll do all you can and anything they ask for. In an age of consistent disclaimers to students about “financial difficulties” and “necessary” cuts to clubs and organizations’ budgets, it’s atrociously dystopian.
Thelmo recently announced a trivia night to be held for any interested students or on-campus groups to participate, advertising an enticing first-place prize of $500 in the pockets of the winning team. The lightheartedly tone-deaf flyer also proclaims that in lieu of $500, the winning team may choose to donate $1,000 to a “valid SLU entity of the winners’ choice,” which itself is a volatile fuel for infighting within whichever lucky (or, depending on your perspective, unlucky) group will walk home with newfound spending money.
Coming only weeks after the beginning of the academic year and after many student organizations were shocked at the reality of rampant budget slashes, the $1,350 total being gambled away Saturday night reeks of the YA dystopian novels we each grew up reading and watching on the big screen.
Rumors are circulating about there being no Fall Fest due to ACE’s budget being slashed. Student publications fear that they can no longer afford printing costs. In one case, a club that I am a part of had its budget reduced by over 50 percent. But don’t fear, student eboards, just brush up on your trivia skills and maybe everything will be all right. Don’t forget your fun facts, and make sure you get your money’s worth at the trivia night’s free ice cream bar.
One student, who will remain anonymous for fear of retaliation against the clubs they associate with, immediately had images of the Hunger Games come to mind. Another anonymous student compared the event to taking clubs’ money away only to force members to play along in Thelmo’s “silly, little games” for a mere chance at winning it back.
Thelmo as an organization has not won the hearts of campus as of late. This latest event is indicative of the disconnect between those involved in our student government and the people they are supposed to represent. Students lack confidence and often remain in the dark about even the most basic of Thelmo’s purposes. One group I spoke with was unable to answer the question, “What does Thelmo do?” Admitting that they would have to “b.s. their response” to get by.
But I digress. A sum of $500 goes a long way for a college student in Canton, New York; and so I, too, will be entering the gladiators’ arena on Saturday night, desperate to cover next month’s bills and hoping to get a meager take of the pot. So, in the words of Suzanne Collins, who, now more than ever, is becoming more and more of a prophet, “Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor.”