Editorial: Temp Check: Why were Students Sweating it out at the BruinLink Fair?

At the beginning of every school year student organizations look forward to the BruinLink Fair.

Well, except for this year. 

This year it was held on the hottest day of the year. 

And man, was it hot. 

Thursday’s high temperature was 102°, making it the third 100-degree day in a row.  

Incoming freshmen would have been 6 years old the last time Nashville saw temperatures like that. 

And yet the BruinLink Fair still took place outside, tables lined up in the sun manned by sweating students and faculty. 

Surely as a student-focused university, Belmont would’ve put the student interests first and not continued to host an hour-and-a- half long event on the hotteset day of the year. 

Except it did. 

The university put convenience and promotion over the safety and health of students. 

Yes, water stations were set up to provide hydration, but many students worked their stations alone and did not feel comfortable leaving for fear of missing out on potential recruits. 

As a university with a freshly-opened medical school and a well-regarded nursing program, it's disappointing that there wasn’t more concern for student health. 

It’s disappointing especially when there are air-conditioned spaces like the Curb Event Center, the Maddox Grand Atrium and the Beaman Student Center available that could have been used.  

Worst-case scenario: The BruinLink Fair could have been rescheduled for next week when temperatures are predicted to be cooler.  

Either of these options would have been more in line with the university’s student-focused mission. 

Student organizations and the students who run them need to be given more support and care than they were given on Thursday. 

They shouldn’t have to bring out popsicles and ice to try and lure students to their tables in the heat. 

They shouldn’t have to put up tents to prevent themselves from being over-exposed to the sun. 

They shouldn’t have to choose between their safety or promoting their organization. 

In short, hope should abound, not heat. 

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This article was written by Braden Simmons