Spring Break
Top administrators chat with students
Natalie Tosh
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: News
University administrators from a host of offices gathered with students for a town hall meeting March 5, organized by Dean of Students David Ruth.
The meeting, titled "Conversations with Administrators," was organized after calls from the Undergraduate Student Government Association and an editorial published in The Triangle, according to Ruth.
Academics and student life questions dominated the discussion at the forum.
In the area of academics, Drexel is working toward smaller class sizes, more flexibility, a higher graduation rate and better access to interdisciplinary activities. The administration is also focused on adding more international co-op experiences and the construction of new buildings, according to representatives from the Provost's Office.
Jithin Joseph, an electrical engineering major, said his biggest issue was with some of his professors not taking enough initiative.
"We just go over math problems without the professor seeing that the students actually did the work. Math is not my best subject and I would like it to be worth my money," Joseph said.
Dining services was another topic of discussion. Aksel Gungor, a student majoring in business administration, said that dining hall hours could be improved upon.
"In the last few weeks of summer term, the dining hall only served brunch and an early dinner. If we are paying for three meals a day, they should serve them," Gungor said.
Northside Market, Ross Commons and the new 24-hour Bookmark Café give students late night options, Jim Tucker, senior vice president for SLAS, said.
No topics were off-limits; one student asked administrators how long they had worked at Drexel, to which the answers ranged dramatically.
Jan Biros, associate vice president of instructional technology, responded she has been with Drexel for 21 years, while Tucker said he has been at the University since last spring.
The range of veterans and new hires is a strength of Drexel's management team because it allows for a balance between experienced and fresh ideas, Tucker said.
Administrators will be hosting two additional forums in the spring term.
The meeting, titled "Conversations with Administrators," was organized after calls from the Undergraduate Student Government Association and an editorial published in The Triangle, according to Ruth.
Academics and student life questions dominated the discussion at the forum.
In the area of academics, Drexel is working toward smaller class sizes, more flexibility, a higher graduation rate and better access to interdisciplinary activities. The administration is also focused on adding more international co-op experiences and the construction of new buildings, according to representatives from the Provost's Office.
Jithin Joseph, an electrical engineering major, said his biggest issue was with some of his professors not taking enough initiative.
"We just go over math problems without the professor seeing that the students actually did the work. Math is not my best subject and I would like it to be worth my money," Joseph said.
Dining services was another topic of discussion. Aksel Gungor, a student majoring in business administration, said that dining hall hours could be improved upon.
"In the last few weeks of summer term, the dining hall only served brunch and an early dinner. If we are paying for three meals a day, they should serve them," Gungor said.
Northside Market, Ross Commons and the new 24-hour Bookmark Café give students late night options, Jim Tucker, senior vice president for SLAS, said.
No topics were off-limits; one student asked administrators how long they had worked at Drexel, to which the answers ranged dramatically.
Jan Biros, associate vice president of instructional technology, responded she has been with Drexel for 21 years, while Tucker said he has been at the University since last spring.
The range of veterans and new hires is a strength of Drexel's management team because it allows for a balance between experienced and fresh ideas, Tucker said.
Administrators will be hosting two additional forums in the spring term.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
kagedmunky
Andy
posted 3/07/08 @ 10:28 PM EST
Hahaha! Someone actually asked the administrators how long they've worked at Drexel? Un-be-lievable! No wonder President Papadakis cancelled the town hall meetings! He said screw this I'm tired of getting slapped in the face by students!
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