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UA group organizes Operation Friendly Campus

Students encouraged to smile and say 'hi' today

Beyond Tolerance, a UA anti-racism and social equality organization, is holding the first "Operation Friendly Campus" day, hoping to promote greater community among students.

The operation asks students to greet each other in passing all day today.

Matt Case, a history sophomore and Beyond Tolerance member, said he came up with the idea after he noticed, "people walking with their heads down between their classes and not really acknowledging that other people are there."

Sundeep Suchdev, sociology junior and Beyond Tolerance president, said from his experiences, the University of Arizona could be a much more friendly campus.

"I've had two types of experiences," Suchdev said. "You say 'hi' to someone and they'll be really glad, or, they'll just put their head down because they're embarrassed."

Suchdev said he hopes today's operation will prompt people to say hi to one another in passing more often.

"The whole purpose is to get people to say hi to one another - to initiate a change and make our campus more friendly," Suchdev said.

Beyond Tolerance will be on the UA Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today promoting the event.

Jay Dirner can be reached at Jay.Dirner@wildcat.arizona.edu.