The Charleston 18-to-22 year-old population seemed to dwindle again this weekend. The parking lot outside my building is normally filled with cars. This weekend, just like the other two weekends since we’ve been back at school, drivers could have had their pick of any spot in the lot. Throughout campus I see the same scenario.

I doubt we have that many off-campus students filling up the lots during the weekdays or a load of people moving their cars to staff or upperclassmen lots for the weekend if they’re an underclassman. What’s more likely the case is people are leaving campus and Charleston for home or cities such as Champaign.

Why do the students want to leave Charleston so often? Even if students stay in town, how often do they leave their apartments or campus grounds and get involved in city life in addition to campus life?

Students are part of the Charleston community, but most of the time, we don’t act like it. Many complain there’s nothing to do around here. That’s not true. Besides the numerous campus organizations and the many events the University Board brings to campus, the city also has something to offer students.

We have a $2.50 theater. It’s an old theater, and it doesn’t show the newest shows, but it saves the poor college student money and a longer drive to Mattoon. OK, so maybe Will Rogers is one of the more popular Charleston/Eastern student entertainment options. But have you ever walked there?

On the way, you could catch a glimpse of the old-style houses and the other businesses on the Square.

Have you ever just taken the time to walk around the Square? Do you know where City Hall is, the post office, the Courthouse? Do you realize the nice small-town atmosphere in small shops along the Square? Or do you just know the Uptowner is on the Square?

Did you know Charleston has a Dairy Queen?

Have you been to Lincoln Log Cabin? This site is on my list of things to do before I graduate. Maybe you should consider planning a visit, too.

Eastern’s theater department does a great job with putting on plays. Did you know Charleston has a community theater, too, one that includes Eastern students in its cast? I attended a play there my freshman year and another one this past weekend. Granted, the place doesn’t seat much more than about 30 people, and I didn’t bother to count the students, but there weren’t many to count. At least as the shows I’ve been at, I remember community members, not college-aged students, being in the audience.

The city also goes to a great deal of work to provide entertainment for the city and the campus communities, yet the campus community does not seem to fit into the community as a whole. I’m left wondering whose fault that is.

Just last weekend, the city hosted Taste of Charleston and Chuckstock, two events that had minimal college student attendance. One student organizer even was left puzzled. He said college students complained about not enough concerts, yet when multiple bands got together and played at a festival, barely any students came to the event.

Looking into the future, Christmas in the Heart of Charleston, which will be held the weekend after Thanksgiving, could be a good event to go check out.

Even before then, though, I encourage you to leave campus, but don’t leave town. This weekend, don’t just hit the bars or house parties or leave town, but find something fun and interesting to do in the city.

As students who live in this city for nine months of the year, we should take more active participation in the community we are a part of. If you’re not involved or aware of what’s in Charleston, it’s certainly not because there’s nothing to do.