“Répondez s'il vous plaît,” is a French phrase that translates literally to “respond, if you please.” It is with this meaning that invitation cards, e-mails, and similar documents are often marked with "RSVP” as standard practice to reply to an RSVP request whether confirming attendance or declining.
It is also standard practice in today’s modern society to ignore RSVPs entirely. On the college campus, RSVPs have been treated in generally the same way, it is an acceptable practice nowadays to RSVP and to not show up at an event, and RSVPs are considered a more “just in case” type of thing. But does this societal rule apply to the Wabash Campus as well?
Last Wednesday there was a Career Center Graduate school panel which had a very disappointing turnout. Despite the turnout, this situation was disappointing because a much larger turnout was expected. 17 people sent in their RSVP for the event, and out of those only five showed up. There was food, handouts, and chairs arranged for 17 people and only five students showed up to the event. This was obviously not what was originally expected. It was a major disappointment to Scott Crawford Director of the Schroeder Career Center, who sent out an all-campus e-mail expressing his disappointment with the campus.
The e-mail was titled “Is the Gentlemen's rule dead? It seems it may be- A cautionary Tale.” In the e-mail Crawford stated that, “The Gentlemen's Rule certainly did not work tonight. There was surely no regard for our campus guests.”
Many think that this isn't as dire a problem as last Wednesday made it seem. Freshman Miles Ashton felt this way and wanted to make a point that things suddenly come up.
“We are college students, we are busy. Things pop up like daisies,” Ashton said.
Crawford disagreed with this and feels the Gentlemen's Rule Transcends Wabash.
He also stressed a point that many students would agree on: the Gentlemen's rule is just about that, it's about being better, about not being typical.
Other students agreed that although it might happen in college and is normal, doesn't mean that it is okay to help us here. Crawford also said he held Wabash Men to “a higher standard.”
“We are trying to prepare you for the real world, we don't want to be mean,” Crawford said, “but in the real world, if you don't show up, but said you would attend or are expected there, the consequences can be really severe,”
Other Career Center staffers and administrators agreed, that although it's “okay” for college students, it is not for adults, and that is what Crawford and his fellow Career Center Staff are working to do.
“We are the most visible manifestation of that, but when I sent out that email, many people responded, students and professors alike,” Crawford said.
Alumni service recently had an event where there were more than 20 no shows, as well as multiple other student events.
Assistant Dean of Students Richard Warner said he understands how juggling classes, sports, and events can be a tough situation, but it does not mean a student can’t attend something he had previously said he would through an RSVP.
“It starts with a societal problem,” Warner said. “Do we stand above the rest of society? Certainly just because the majority of college students do it, does not mean that a Wabash Gentleman would think it's correct, or be justified in doing it.”
Warner wanted students to know that a good reputation like Wabash’s is very difficult to achieve, yet so easy to lose. “Whether one person may think that their response to an RSVP does not matter, it does,” Warner said. “The implications are larger than one person.”
There are possible solutions to this problem. Warner suggested at least sending a last minute e-mail out of politeness.
Crawford agreed with this idea, but understands students can get busy on such short notice, but that does not mean a student can behave like this. If a student wanted to void their RSVP, all that is needed is to go to the WabshWorks! website, head to the event’s page, and find the RSVP section and void the RSVP.
Despite general consensus that this is an everyday event, there has been a minor improvement according to Crawford.
“There have been no major complaints since the e-mail and so far things are looking up,” Crawford said, “but it will be up to Wabash men to decide whether or not we fix this problem.”