Features Reporter
Last Monday, an open forum was held to see what changes students would like to see in Student Life, the organization that enables students to get involved with clubs, student media, student government and club sports.
Director of Student Life Bree Meier is on maternity leave and will be part time next semester. A national search is being conducted to replace her.
Vice President of Student Services John Marshall said one reason the forum was held was to find out what qualities students wanted in a new director.
“Periodically, I do different forms of outreach with students just to get their feedback on different things,” Marshall said. “For instance, last year, we hired a new director of Residence Life. Throughout that process, I solicited a lot of student feedback. They told me things that they appreciated about living in the halls and things they didn’t appreciate about living in the halls. It’s my desire to get out and talk to the students to find out what is on their mind.”
Pre-Law Club President Jeremy Watson and Gay Straight Alliance Vice President Emily Prock attended the forum.
“I know many LGBT students that have come to this campus, and after a semester or two, they leave to go somewhere else,” Watson said. “They aren’t accepted on this campus. Those of us that cannot afford to go somewhere else for our undergraduate degree stick around, try to change what we can, and count down the days until we are done. I look forward to leaving for law school. Mostly, because I am ensuring that the campus I go to is one where LGBT students feel welcome. CMU doesn’t have that.”
Prock said that generally, diversity isn’t accepted at CMU.
“Our students aren’t safe here,” Prock said. “Talking about it doesn’t help. They still get punched in the face because they are gay or of a different race.”
Marshall said students want Student Life to support students that come from unrepresented backgrounds.
“Improving diversity on campus isn’t simply a numbers game,” Marshall said. “It also means, how do we improve the quality and the experience for all of our students? We are all enriched when we get to meet and get to know people who come from other walks of life.”
Marshall said changes won’t be made to Student Life until he receives more feedback from students.
“I’ll weigh all the suggestions I receive and then we will figure out what [suggestions] make the most sense,” Marshall said.
Marshall said he appreciated the suggestions from students during the forum.
“I hope to have another really lively discussion during the next forum,” Marshall said. “That helps me go out and find the right person, and to make sure that Student Life is heading in the right direction.”
Another Student Life forum will be at 12:30 p.m. May 2 in room 225 in the University Center. Students are welcome to attend.
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