As much as I make fun of them, I'll admit that community colleges (jc's if you will) are valuable resources for a large number of people. I personally went straight on to a 4 year institution because I was well aware that even if I would save a ton of money by living at home and taking cheap GE classes, the likelihood that I would ever leave was slim. I would end up as one of those people who refers to an AA as a degree, and that's just not ok. So I decided that the extra money was worth the added assurance that I just wouldn't dick off and get stuck in the black hole of northern Orange County.

However, there is one topic I would like to discuss. As great as it is that you're going to school and doing what you can by taking advantage of the local jc, you are not allowed to have school spirit for that institution. Please remember that it is high school part deux, and not a true college experience. That means that you may not do any of the following:

-Wear clothing for said school.
-Join a frat or sorority at this jc.
-Get a custom license plate with the jc's name/logo (thank you Virginia...)

Let's handle each of these individually. First, I went to a top tier university for my undergrad, but still feel that the gym socks, tank top I never wear, key chain, Nalgene bottle, license plate frame, and membership in my alumni association are overkill. Honestly, unless you went to Cal or better, l'd say lay off the college accessories. Now, since your jc does not figure anywhere on that list, cut it out. If it's sad to plaster your home with UVA stuff, imagine how it looks for a community college.

Second, there's the frat question. If you're going to buy your friends, at least buy good ones. I understand that Greek life is a bit different and a bigger deal on many campuses than it was at Davis, but I still don't approve. That said, if you're at a real university I can see where it's a viable addition to the overall college experience. However, if you're at a jc and joining a frat, what you're really saying is that you're not actually going to school to learn, but rather looking for Animal House without the corresponding academic responsibility. And that makes me cry on the inside.

I think that my third point was adequately covered under the first, but I'm including it separately to point out that in the state of Virginia it takes 300 requests to get a school plate made, and while there are plenty of big name universities whose alumni are in full force in the area that do not have specialty plates, there are quite a large number of community colleges that do. I can understand that there are several different designs for UVA, and it makes sense that mainly Virginia colleges are represented, but I find no real excuse that many thousands of people seem to have wanted their jc's on their license plates.

And thus ends my elitist tirade. Once again, I'd like to reiterate that I do see the value in community colleges, and am not attempting to degrade their students. I simply ask for a small amount of perspective.