Spring Break
Editorial
Administration embraces dialogue
Editorial Board
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Ed-Op
An e-mail from Dean of Students David Ruth has been sent to the senior management of Drexel University asking them to participate in a town hall forum called "Conversations with University Administrators."
According to the e-mail, the leaders from a wide range of University divisions are required to attend a town hall meeting to answer student questions.
"Anyone who is unable to attend will be expected to send a representative - someone who is able to answer questions from their respective area," Ruth wrote in the e-mail.
In the Editorial Board's view, Ruth deserves the President's $1,000 prize for best suggestion to the University. We would like to thank Dean Ruth for taking the initiative to bring members of the administration before the student body. The only way student life is going to improve is if students and administrators start communicating.
In addition, by telling the others they will be "expected" to send a representative, he makes it clear that people will be held accountable for not participating.
The groups invited are expansive and impressive. They include Provost Stephen Director, Senior Vice President for Student Life and Administrative Services James Tucker, Executive Vice President Tobey Oxholm and Vice President of IRT John Bielec. Representatives from financial aid, the SRC and the Bursar's Office will also attend.
While Ruth deserves praise for taking this step, we can't help but wonder where he got the idea. Perhaps, it was the Jan. 18 Editorial in The Triangle?
It was decided to hold this town hall after "scheduling conflicts" with President Papadakis' schedule prevented him from holding his regular town halls during winter term.
Yes, this very board proposed a very similar concept weeks ago when we learned the President canceled his meetings. It looks like some of our more influential readers followed up on this situation.
Well done - The Triangle is impressed and eager to see more communication between students and leadership.
Now, it is time for students to do their part. You will have direct access to the most powerful members of Drexel - take advantage of it.
These are the people that shape most of your Drexel experience. They are giving up their time to listen to students. The Triangle suggests all students start making lists of questions and show up to the event. This is the type of event that gives students an opportunity to meet their University's leaders and see who is in charge.
We hope for a high turnout from both students and administrators. We are confident that all divisions contacted by Ruth will send someone and we are sure that any members who don't will see their names in print.
According to the e-mail, the leaders from a wide range of University divisions are required to attend a town hall meeting to answer student questions.
"Anyone who is unable to attend will be expected to send a representative - someone who is able to answer questions from their respective area," Ruth wrote in the e-mail.
In the Editorial Board's view, Ruth deserves the President's $1,000 prize for best suggestion to the University. We would like to thank Dean Ruth for taking the initiative to bring members of the administration before the student body. The only way student life is going to improve is if students and administrators start communicating.
In addition, by telling the others they will be "expected" to send a representative, he makes it clear that people will be held accountable for not participating.
The groups invited are expansive and impressive. They include Provost Stephen Director, Senior Vice President for Student Life and Administrative Services James Tucker, Executive Vice President Tobey Oxholm and Vice President of IRT John Bielec. Representatives from financial aid, the SRC and the Bursar's Office will also attend.
While Ruth deserves praise for taking this step, we can't help but wonder where he got the idea. Perhaps, it was the Jan. 18 Editorial in The Triangle?
It was decided to hold this town hall after "scheduling conflicts" with President Papadakis' schedule prevented him from holding his regular town halls during winter term.
Yes, this very board proposed a very similar concept weeks ago when we learned the President canceled his meetings. It looks like some of our more influential readers followed up on this situation.
Well done - The Triangle is impressed and eager to see more communication between students and leadership.
Now, it is time for students to do their part. You will have direct access to the most powerful members of Drexel - take advantage of it.
These are the people that shape most of your Drexel experience. They are giving up their time to listen to students. The Triangle suggests all students start making lists of questions and show up to the event. This is the type of event that gives students an opportunity to meet their University's leaders and see who is in charge.
We hope for a high turnout from both students and administrators. We are confident that all divisions contacted by Ruth will send someone and we are sure that any members who don't will see their names in print.
Be the first to comment on this story