Students Protest Student Apathy

The Student Union patio was once again filled with chanting as a new organization set to wipe out what they say has been plaguing the university - student apathy.

Matt Schrantz, protest organizer and president of UB Activists for Activism, said the turnout of about seven people was more than what organizers had hoped for.

"We're sick of students not caring," said Schrantz. "And I think we can all say that with an impressive turnout like this, people will be taking notice. Things will get done around this campus, my friends - our voices will be heard."

Schrantz then tried to lead the group in a chant of "One, two, three, four, we won't take this any more."

The crowd mumbled along, as several students sat on benches or pulled up chairs after a few minutes of standing.

"Dude, I didn't even know there was a protest," said Geoff Genesky, a senior chemical engineering major, as he reclined in a lawn chair. "Ehh, whatever. I was just already sitting here when this all started, and I didn't really feel like moving."

"I just feel kind of, um, what's the word, apathetic to the whole thing, I guess," Genesky later added.

Kimberly Grant, a senior majoring in biomedical sciences, said she was not aware of the rally, either, until she sat down to eat lunch between her classes.

"It's fine. I don't mind them being here," she said. "As long as I don't have to do anything like sign up for anything or donate money, I'm fine with them."

Manoj Iyer, a member of A for A, said he was thrilled about the turnout for the event, which more than doubled the number of attendants at the rally organized by Buffalo State College's chapter of the organization. Iyer said that with "this mighty band of followers six or seven strong" anything is possible.

"We will send a message to all of those people who think apathy is cool, because let me tell you something," said Iyer, pausing. "It's not."

Some attendants disagreed with the organization, however, claiming instead that apathy is cool.

Geoff Nason, president of UB Lethargy, an unofficial club, sat inside the Student Union as the protest raged on, saying he was raised to be indifferent.

"It's the American way," Nason said. "Being passionate about your beliefs is for losers."

It seems as though Nason's fellow students agree. While UB Lethargy has yet to be recognized in the Student Association Senate, the club is thriving, with over 100 registered members.

"SA won't give us funding, but I don't really care either way," Nason said. "It's not like anybody shows up to our meetings."

Iyer said he felt like the group made some progress with the crowd Friday afternoon.

"Did you see their faces out there?" Iyer said, after the protest. "I mean, that fellow sitting on that bench over there, with his headphones on, reading a book and smoking a cigarette, I think we really made him think."

The protest comes after the Student Association general elections, which, sources say, pulled at least 25 people to the voting machines this year, up a full 100 percent from last year.