Student Government Association members spent almost half of last week’s meeting thanking and remembering former associate vice president of student development Phil Lyons. They even renamed the senate chambers after him. From conversation alone, it is easy to recognize Phil as friend and boon to the Saint Louis University student body.
In an editorial in last week’s issue of The University News, we raised the following question: “What should students do until an administrator worthy of Phil’s legacy can be hired, or in case one never is?” We suggested that students work twice as hard to communicate with the SLU administration in the absence of a strong student advocate.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, here’s your chance.
Next Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007 in the St. Louis Room of the Busch Student Center, students can met with the entire SLU board of trustees, SGA president Evan Krauss and University president Lawrence Biondi, S.J., for a “town hall meeting” about the recent 8.6 percent tuition increase.
Think about it: The most powerful and knowledgeable members of this University are gathering Thursday with the sole purpose of answering your questions.
What will you ask? Although the meeting may have been assembled under the pretenses of discussing the tuition increase alone, there’s no rule that says we can’t digress into topics of comparable concern.
Although much of next Thursday’s meeting may be devoted to an explanation of what is to be done with the extra revenue from the tuition hike-25 new faculty members, for example, or the $1.2 million to be spent on technology initiatives, or $4.5 million for renovations to residence halls-there are other topics that simply must be addressed:
1. The $2,000 housing scholarship: What is in the future for the portion of students’ financial aid devoted to housing, especially if SLU runs out of on-campus housing?
2. The future of Greek life: With many Greek organizations facing judicial review and the Pikes kicked off campus until 2012, someone should inquire after the future of sororities and fraternities at SLU.
3. Room 319: An enormous space sits empty on the third floor of the BSC-what will be done with it, and when?
4. Recreation fee: We’re all set to start paying for our jazzy new recreation center, but what will happen after the loan is repaid? Will we have to keep paying $50 for the rest of time? And what about the technology fee? As Krauss proposed, is the fee necessary?
5. Grand bridge: The Grand Boulevard bridge that shelters our own humble, shady MetroLink station is one of the last barriers between our north and south campuses. Is a new, more pedestrian-friendly bridge in the future for both the SLU and greater St. Louis communities?
6. Bandwith expansion: Apparently, improvement of our e-mail system is on the way. But how much space will we get? How much will be done?
7. Dorm renovation: Serious renovation is planned for both Walsh and Clemens Halls over the summer. What’s in store for other dormitories and apartments?
8. Food service: On a Sunday afternoon, students have only two food options–they can pick through brunch leftovers at Gries or trek to Fusz. How about proceeding with plans to lengthen dining hours?
9. Conception of SLU’s Jesuit identity: Let’s set the record straight: is SLU a business or a University, or both? Are we a Catholic, Jesuit University, or just a university that happens to have been founded by Jesuits? Can we continue to associate ourselves with the best Catholic universities in the nation if we deny the central influence of religious principles in our collective character?
Students, take advantage of this opportunity. This is your chance to directly question the personalities that make the big decisions at this University. Attend the meeting to find out about tuition, but bring your own questions, and demand adequate answers.
From now on, we must stand on our own feet and use our own voices.
