In the past few months, Penn State has experienced student rallies and demonstrations for various causes, including the "Rally in the Rotunda," which championed higher state appropriations for the university.

The past few months have proven conducive to the cause of student activism and much attention has been paid to the messages articulated by groups such as Black Caucus, SpeakOUT, Student Labor Action Project and United Students Against Sweatshops in an apparent restoration of the legacy of student activism at Penn State.

Like embers, the core of activist groups have seemingly fanned once again the flames of student activism into a blaze of strongly expressed beliefs and dearly held opinions among the student body.

However, the very visible presence of many different messages espoused by students has thrown into sharp relief the divide between activist groups and uninvolved students.

It makes one wonder whether the spirit of activism has truly returned or whether these highly motivated student activists represent a minority of students very concerned with the issues.

While it would be easy to say that only the most active students are concerned with these causes, it would also be a gross overgeneralization.

As activist groups benefit from working together and expanding their messages, it seems that more students have become aware of multiple issues and have shown solidarity.

Critics of our generation have suggested that perhaps we do not cherish activism as dearly as previous generations.

And while the charge of self-interest may have a note of truth, it seems hasty to judge everyone as selfish and self-absorbed.

In fact, students who manage jobs, school and relationships may find their time overtaxed, which may mean that the traditional method of holding highly visibly protests and rallies may not be feasible for their schedules.

Perhaps, though, this indicates a shift of the types of activism employed by individuals and groups.

For instance, there are subtle methods to support personal causes, such as abstaining from eating at a particular restaurant chain or from purchasing clothing that may have been produced by sweatshop labor.

Students and young people everywhere can vote with their wallets, and merely denying revenue to a group or company may be regarded as activism of a new sort.

In an era of expanding global telecommunications, students are able to communicate more quickly and effectively and perhaps less visibly, but are still capable of making their voices heard.