School pride is an essential element of identifying with a university, and events that foster it have been found to enhance test scores and increase student interest in athletics and organizations.
However, there is a noticeable lack of campus pride at the University. We interviewed three University of Guam (UOG) students to figure out the importance of campus pride and whether or not it is beneficial to us as students.
“Campus pride matters to me because it’s where we (students) spend most of our time. We should like how our campus looks and be able to enjoy what our campus has to offer,” says Loreal Quichocho, a social work major at UOG.
Christian Gyles Ramos, Student Government Association (SGA) Treasure at the University shares a similar testament. “Campus pride matters because the special thing about it is that we all come from different majors, interests, backgrounds, and communities, but we are all Tritons… This goes on even after one graduates,” says Ramos.
“… it enhanced my student life on campus and virtual settings,” said Muturwan Choay, a graduate student and Outreach Coordinator for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences(CLASS) Dean’s Office at the University.
“Through my undergraduate years and during the pandemic, being a Triton connected me to resources that helped me network and find opportunities that matched my interests and skills…” said Choay.
Benefits of Campus Pride
Students are aware of the benefits a campus enriched with school spirit can entail.
“…it means students are happy,” says Quichocho. “The well-being of students are important because they’ll have the motivation to participate at events, engage in classes, and more.”
Others believe that it can increase enrollment rates and create a strong bond with the community beyond the campus.
“Campus pride will definitely benefit the university as it will increase enrollment and motivate students to choose their local university,” said Ramos.
“…By enhancing student life with inclusive events and accessible tools/technology, campus pride will result from a satisfied student population,” said Choay.
In addition to a satisfied population, Choay believes that it will take a community within the University to greatly impact students interested in attending a college.
“Improving the efforts to attract more students to go to college and complete their degrees takes the whole university to achieve,” Choay believes. “Our presence in the local community and the region of Micronesia is important to uplift our image as a campus filled with Triton pride.”