When you read the various student leaders’ columns, you may notice that they all try in earnest to keep you informed, and urge you to get involved and voice your concerns. As leaders, we’ve actively sought input, knocked on your door, stopped you on campus to listen to what you have to say, but are we reaching enough students? When I see the same faces at the forums and other such occasions, I wonder: Where are those other hundred students who I know have some little peeve that they’re itching to get out?
What more can we do to express how important your input is to us? I could mention a thousand times to please feel free to talk to me or e-mail me at uc@rpi.edu, yet there is barely a trickle of students who actually use me or any of the other student leaders as resources. How else can I express that we are your avenue for change and if you think that we are ineffective, then tell us directly or better yet, get involved. If you think it is a waste of time, you’re probably jaded from past bad experiences, but it never hurts to try again, especially when leadership changes from year to year.
Several years ago, when I arrived on this campus as a freshman, lighting and the emergency blue box system was pathetic. The International Student Handbook even states: “We recommend that you not walk alone at night in isolated or poorly lighted parts of the campus.” Forget the bad grammar for now, but poorly lit areas? Why should there be any? At the first opportunity, I brought it up during a town meeting. My complaints and concerns from other students, spurred the President along with officers from Public Safety into taking a walking tour of campus at night to determine specific areas that needed better lighting. Now three years later, we see more lights, and more emergency boxes that work.
I want you to understand from this example that the administration does listen, and don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. If you’re frustrated from your experiences, or still really feel that anything we do is useless, I’d love to hear from you. I’m not trying to change your mind, I just want to you to feel less negative and more positive about where you are and why you’re here.
