I walked into the Swing and Blues community about 5 years ago when I transferred schools to come to UConn. I was 19, all of my friends were back at ECSU, and I was struggling to find my place at UConn. The second I walked in, I was swooped into the most impactful and heartwarming community I've ever been a part of. Little did I know that Swing and Blues would become the turning point of my entire life. The individual who started the club became my best friend in the world, I met my boyfriend of 4 years at this club. I became so involved that I became president, and was driven to keep the club the same heartwarming and inclusive community it was when I first walked into the door. I attribute the skills I've learned on my Resume to it and I believe it is what helped me gain a job outside of my degree. It helped me realize what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. The club may practice every Tuesday for free, but live bands, and individuals who belong to the community but do not attend UConn are an integral part of the soul of this community and the dance itself. You need to feel the music the way it was intended when it was created in 1920. We have kept this dance alive for 100 years. We need to remain inclusive to everyone. Dancing with other scenes is how you learn, and the only way to drive them to us is incredible live bands.
I am deeply upset that I, an alumna of this university, can no longer attend all of this club's events. A club that I poured my heart and soul into, and a club that changed my life for the better. As someone who is continuing to pay for my time at this university and may donate in the future, I cannot believe that what I've done for this club is not considered and completely tossed to the side. I am disappointed in UConn for this.
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