SNU Students Pledge to Make Changes in Their Daily Lives

“I will not plagiarize papers”; “I will not use surfactant-containing detergent”; “I will use my own chopsticks instead of disposable ones when eating delivered food.”

Seoul National University students publicly pledged to keep those promises for the rest of their lifetimes. Leaf-shaped cards containing small but straightforward pledges by students were posted on the hallway wall in front of the SNU central library in Shinlim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul.

The campaign called, “Promises to change the world” began a week ago, led by the SNU branch of the “University Students Human Alliance,” a human rights group of university students. About 100 people have participated in the campaign so far.

In the program, students write their names, affiliations, and student numbers on leaf-shaped cards with pledges to do or not to do something. Every week, organizers gather and post the cards on a bulletin board named “the tree of promises,” and choose the best pledges through a monthly vote.

A pledge should be for the public good and be specific enough to justify the reason. In addition, participants are responsible for their promises as their name or pennames are revealed. Hence, this has become the equivalent of an SNU student manifesto of their daily lives.

Participant Jang Kyu-yeon (20, a freshman majoring in veterinary medicine) pledged not to plagiarize papers. Jang said, “There were a few times when I wrote papers against my conscience and principles. Taking this opportunity, however, I publicly announced my pledge to change myself.”

Yoon Ju-young (19, a sophomore majoring in Russian literature) vowed to hand-wash socks, stockings, and underwear. “Though I felt the need to save electricity, water, and detergent, I didn’t pay much attention. But now that I have announced my pledge, I can practice what I have thought and even share my thoughts or philosophy with friends about it.”

Kim Hee-sun (23, a senior majoring in Korean literature) who organized this campaign said that most university students today have no self-esteem and little interest in social issues due to the competition in the job market. She added that they can take responsibility as a member of society by pondering over what little things they can sacrifice for their community.

The first pledge announcement ceremony is expected to be held at the university’s Acropolis Square on May 21, which is the country’s “coming-of-age” day. Organizers said announcing promises for a lifetime will be much more meaningful than simply exchanging roses and perfume on that day.

achim@donga.com