After reading Chris Elsner’s column about non-traditional students, I felt compelled to write in to defend these individuals that he so maligned.

As a former “traditional student” and as a current instructor of English here at NIU, I have experienced my fair share of “non-traditional” students in the classroom. Mr. Elsner attributes many characteristics to these students that are either blatantly untrue or are simply exceptions to the general rule.

For example, we are told that non-traditional students often attempt to relate class material “back to something [their] kid did last week” or that veterans expect us to follow connections that they make to their military experience.

Apparently, it’s not fair to others to “expect [other students] to relate to those experiences and understand what they mean.” To begin, I would say that these assertions are mere stereotypes.

I have actually never encountered non-traditional students who have these types of expectations of their younger classmates. Of course, if these situations apply, the non-traditional student may bring such issues up in class to contribute to discussion.

My question is this: How is this any different from a traditional student from any race, religion, gender, socioeconomic background or country doing the same thing?

By this logic, international students should never bring up personal experiences from their own countries, atheists should be silent in this theistic country and minorities should put aside their points of view as, at least according to the NIU Web site, they only make up 26 percent of NIU’s population.

This type of thinking is ridiculous, dangerous and only encourages prejudice among students. Racism may be the topic of concern in this newspaper as of late, but that doesn’t mean that the writers should sanction ageism, sexism, classism or any other silencing of those who aren’t in the majority.

That being addressed, I’d like to say to non-traditional students:

Keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t let students such as Chris Elsner discourage you from speaking in class. As a teacher, I find your unique perspectives interesting and helpful in stimulating class discussion.

I find your willingness to speak your mind encouraging to other students who may not be inclined to speak in class at all. And most of all, I find your dedication to education inspiring, from the perspective of both educator and student. Veterans, mothers, business people, retirees and all other “returning students,” feel free to return to school to the classes I teach. I’d be happy to have you.

Chris Blankenship
Graduate student, English

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