In my time at Wesleyan, one of the complaints I have heard the most is that students’ voices are not heard at this university. Yes, having worked on the WSA for four years, that is sometimes true. However, it is an unfortunate day when trustees are genuinely asking what students think, and no students show up to speak.
This past Friday, the Presidential Search Committee held two forums open to the student body. One student showed up to the first one, maybe ten came to the second.
Despite how the Argus has phrased their articles regarding the Committee, and despite the unfortunate numerical disadvantage that students have on the Committee, all of its members honestly want to hear student’s opinions. Sure the forums weren’t ideally scheduled or massively advertised. But this is an incredibly important decision that will impact all of us whether we fully realize it or not, and I’d hope it wouldn’t take a huge banner in the Campus Center to get people to pay attention.
You will have another chance. Patrick Senat and myself will be organizing more events to seek student’s thoughts, as well as future events planned by the entire committee. Additionally, there is a section of the Presidential Search Website (www.wesleyan.edu/presidentialsearch, also linked off of the homepage) for submitting comments. These comments are received and reviewed by each member of the Committee. Finally, you should always feel free to email either me (bmitchell@wesleyan.edu) or Patrick (psenat@wesleyan.edu).
We are asking for your voice. If you feel you have not gotten a chance to express your grievance in your time at Wes, let us know what they are, please! Let us know what you want the future of this university to be and what characteristics you believe the leader of Wesleyan must have. If students don’t take advantage of this opportunity to be heard, perhaps in the future, no one will put in the effort to listen.
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