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In a single day on a college campus, the phrase “If it’s free, it’s for me” can be heard dozens of times. No one wants to spend money, but everyone wants food, clothes and other giveaways. Recently, this wish has been coming true.

After the recent Frozen Four games, Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the Big Event, the campus has become a sea of free yellow, teal and white t-shirts. Simultaneously, free food can be found almost every day on campus with events like Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Artist Showcase and the Frozen Four viewing parties on York Hill.

While I will never say no to free things ever, I question whether Quinnipiac students realize the significance of these freebies. Events such as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Big Event all display a clear message of awareness or community building. Yes, these events include free items, but these things are offered as an attempt to increase attendance, participation and enthusiasm for the cause at hand.

Events like the Frozen Four viewing parties have a less obvious purpose. Even though the men’s ice hockey team did not come out on top, the students watching proudly in the TD Bank Sports Center appeared to have an overall positive experience. Part of this was undoubtedly due to the free shirts, pizza and posters of the team. The university did not need to give us any of those things, let alone host two viewing parties. But they did and I have never seen more school spirit or higher morale at this university.

So next time you receive something free on campus, think about what the slice of pizza or shirt really stands for. We need to learn to appreciate meaning over material.–M. Fraitag