The Collegian Weekly: Dear Rick

Home Opinion The Collegian Weekly: Dear Rick
The Collegian Weekly: Dear Rick

Dear Rick,

We are trying to understand why you decided to ditch Hillsdale College on Feb. 20 and instead spoke at Hope College in Holland, Mich.

It’s not easy running for president — no one can be in two places at once or please everyone.

But you were the one who promised to come here.

A group of dedicated students neglected their schoolwork and committed untold hours to making your visit possible. The college spent money for what would have been a big event, and invited people around the region to attend. The Collegian even broke the story of your visit on its spiffy new website.

Then you canceled.

Some would say that you Rickrolled us.

So much time and effort was wasted — books not read, papers not written, naps not taken. The college lost money, too. To prepare for your appearance, the administration began renting equipment. It looks like about $4,000 won’t ever be recovered.

That could have helped a financially distressed student pay for tuition. Perhaps the college should create a new scholarship fund worth $4,000. Let’s call it the “Rick Santorum Disappointment Scholarship.”

Then again, the recipient probably wouldn’t show up to collect.

Apparently you had something better to do on Feb. 20. Maybe you satisfied a life-long dream of seeing the greater Grand Rapids area. We hope you were charmed by Hope’s cute Dutch kitsch –– they have a lot more tulips and wooden clogs there than we do. We understand the appeal.

One last question though: Was it worth speaking to those 750 attendees? We had 2,000 people ready, so you must have been going for quality over quantity. Hope that works out for you at the polls.

Even then, we’re confused. If you are elected president, you will have to swear an oath to the Constitution. Every student here takes a whole course on this document. We’re one of the only institutions of higher learning with such a requirement.

We wanted to hear you talk about your commitment to it.

But you stood us up.

So, good luck on Feb. 28. Let us know if you’re ever in the area again.

Just kidding.