Interaction between administration and students creates a better campus environment
Interim President Kathy Wilbur met with students from Central Michigan University’s Leadership Program Thursday night, talking about the responsibilities that come with leadership roles.
We would like to applaud Wilbur for taking time from her busy schedule to meet with students in a low-profile setting. It was the first time in recent memory that a member of the university administration met with students in such an informal manner. The speech was delivered to roughly 70 students, the size of a normal classroom.
The administration should interact with students more like this, as should the next university president when they are voted in later this year or early 2010.
Wilbur was a perfect speaker for the Leadership Program. As someone who was appointed to university president unexpectedly, Wilbur not only got to share what it’s like to be a leader in high positions, she spoke of what it was like to unexpectedly be thrusted into a leadership position.
“It’s frustrating to be a leader sometimes,” she said. “Sometimes, it feels like you can’t think, but you always have to allow yourself time to think.”
In the end, Wilbur was human and extremely approachable to students, which was evident as she answered students’ questions.
More administrative members need to interact with students like Wilbur did. It shows that the administration has genuine interest in students.
Many times, students have absolutely no idea who sets policies at CMU. Worse, some students become afraid of the administration since they never see them. The mentality of “Uh-oh. The administration is here, this can’t be good,” is easy to develop if no communication is established.
It’s understandable that administrators are busy people. But president Wilbur, who is battling Lansing for school funding and trying to start a medical school, took time out of her schedule to try to inspire students to become great leaders. If administrators took at least two hours a month to speak to students, they could build great rapport with the student body.
Issues such as the CMU tailgating policy might have not become so explosive, and perhaps the administration would have a better idea of what students wanted to see around campus.
But this interaction is a two-way street. If administrators are willing to come out and meet with students, there is an obligation that people should interact. The Monday Student Government Association meeting concerning the presidential search was met with dismal results. One reason may have been because it was held in a large hall, a place that some students may not feel comfortable going to and speaking.
If administrators are willing to meet in a low-profile setting, where more one-on-one interaction takes place, students need to come out and listen. It is beneficial for both parties; students can actually be heard and the university can be in sync with what students want.
More importantly, the next university president needs to interact with students in this manner. Instead of always having large forums in Plachta Auditorium, the university president should visit indiviual classes and other programs. Students will trust administrators more and may feel more inclined to be vocal with university officials.
Wilbur’s speech Thursday night was a refreshing reminder that students and administrators are more than capable of interacting at a close level.
Let’s see the administration do this more often.
