The rush to collect community points for the Community Engagement Award has begun. Attending enough point-offering events is a concern in the back of many students’ minds. Although many students need them, few actually know the rules.

On the college website under Campus Life, the school has defined community points as “a number of events on campus each semester in which we invite you to gather… and learn from each other and various speakers and guests.” But are these events worth stopping precious homework time for?

Yvonne Chamberlain scans a student’s identification card. (Photo courtesy of Yvonne Chamberlain)

“For me, it depends on what event it is,” Erin Ewy, a senior fashion marketing and management student said. “I’d rather go to a fun event or one that involves prizes, not go to a speaker or something I’d fall asleep at.”

Although that is the wish of several women, many have to receive up to 45 points, which means they have to attend just about everything that is offered.

“People will go to almost anything to get points, especially at the end of the semester,” Ewy said.

Is this really keeping up with the community’s goal to “participate and to learn from each other and various speakers and guests?” Only the student can decide.

Chloe Willett a self-initiated fashion and art historical studies major feels that community engagement points are not that difficult to receive.

“It’s always been easy for me, I have consistently ended up with 20 to 40 extra (points),” she said.

Willett brings up another emerging topic of community engagement points, the new roll over policy. Since Willett has extra points, she does not have to earn as many this semester, making her scholarship easier to maintain. On the other hand, this new policy could be tricky for those who didn’t earn their points fall semester.

Ashley Landrum, a psychology major, works four nights a week and wasn’t able to earn all her points last semester. With the new roll over policy Landrum will have to earn her points allotted this semester as well as the ones she missed.

“I think they should lower the amount of points needed or do more activities on the weekends as well,” she said. Landrum needs around 60 points to receive her scholarship.

Community points mean more than attendance. According to the schools website, leadership in one of the campus’ many organizations can earn you a hefty fifteen points.

Students should consult the Stephens College website and Portal for any further questions. Both sites list upcoming events, points earned thus far and amount needed to keep the scholarship.