The word “college” makes me think of independence, personal growth, freedom of expression and limitless possibilities. I assume since I’m here, it is a time to explore my own ambitions to see just what I am capable of accomplishing with the resources of a university, for which I am paying $40,000 a year. So why is it that lately I am hearing a lot more “you can’t” from Northeastern than “you can?”

Recently, I had an idea for an art project for the Northeastern Creates art initiative. It was a community project that required participation from students. In order to inform them of my project, I proposed to post a myNEU announcement to which I heard “you can’t.”

I was told I had to be backed by a formal campus organization. If myNEU is truly MYneu, then shouldn’t the fact that I am a student at Northeastern merit qualification to send out an announcement about an NU program that is calling for student submissions?

I approached someone in the art department for support. He was not against the project idea, but feared it would have to be censored, and he wanted no part in censoring art. He informed me that he had actually seen an administrator tear down “inappropriate” flyers in a form of mild censorship. Why is our creative expression being restricted on a college campus?

Recently, I have been exploring the options for my honors thesis. Here too, I have been told “you can’t.” I proposed two ideas, one of which falls in the realm of my minor. I was told I wouldn’t have the proper “skills” to pursue the project because I haven’t taken enough classes in that field. First of all, how do I determine if I am truly interested in a subject without utilizing experiential opportunities like this to explore the possibilities? Second, when has the classroom ever been the most valuable in developing skills? If it was, I doubt the co-op program would exist.

While sitting at the thesis meeting, other students proposed ideas. The responses I heard from the administrator were, “it’s out there,” “I wouldn’t support it,” “how about something less unrealistic?” Why am I hearing “you can’t” at college? If the students try and fail, at least they tried, and isn’t there something valuable to be extracted from that experience? Why is only succeeding considered a success? Isn’t learning the ultimate goal?

I’d like to think that my university is not an obstacle to the progress of my education and pursuit of my aspirations. The current situation makes me consider Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead.” With all of these restrictions, I feel like Peter Keating. I hoped a university would push me to shine like another character, Howard Roark, who, unlike Keating, was not defined by what he could do within the limitations and conventions, but rather by the unrestricted pursuit of his own personal ambitions.

– Nicole Keimer is a middler philosophy major.