Collegiate Times

Last week I had the opportunity to “take the student pulse” during the first “The VP is In” session I was able to hold. We have begun these sessions at times when the SGA has offered me space in its Squires office to “hang out” and provide students with the opportunity to stop by and talk, ask questions, make suggestions, etc. Between 15 and 20 undergraduate and graduate students stopped by for last Thursday’s session, and we covered a variety of topics.

There is keen interest in the environment and sustainability, illustrated by questions about why we are cutting trees down (some are diseased and dying), recycling efforts, how we can infuse environmental sustainability into the curriculum, ideas on saving energy, and even ideas about new forms of energy generation. We talked about the programs underway at some colleges whereby the power from student fitness center cycling is harnessed to help supply the energy needs of the campus. I hope that we will eventually be able to do this in our own McComas Hall.

Financial issues were also at the forefront of the discussion. We talked about shrinking support from the Commonwealth of Virginia and how that will force Virginia Tech both to reduce budgets and to increase tuition and fees. The students presented concerns about those on tight budgets and receiving financial aid. I also noted that the university is planning to use a portion of next year’s fee increases to generate more financial aid funds, and there was strong support in the group for doing so. I was impressed by the concern and compassion students were really expressing for other students. We even dealt with very specific questions: Why wouldn’t the Schiffert staff see me for medical consultation last summer? (You have to have paid the Student Health fee for the academic term during which you seek to be seen.)

There were two very positive things I heard in the realm of academic issues. We talked about the opportunities for undergraduate research and there was a strong consensus: All you have to do is ask. Students told me of their successes in getting involved in this research and of how anxious faculty members are to give them a chance to participate. This was encouraging to hear! It was also good to hear one student ask me how he should go about telling someone that a certain faculty member was really an outstanding teacher and person. (Answer: Write a note to the faculty member’s department head.)

The fourth and last area seemed to be quality of student life issues. I heard about SGA efforts to work with the Blacksburg Transit folks on installing GPS signaling systems in the buses so that potential riders could know exactly where their bus was at any moment in time. Some who stopped by expressed concern about the need to address facility and furnishings issues in Squires and, as one student put it, the need to “liven up” the building (and we have plans to do this). We had conversation about how the Division of Student Affairs’ efforts to strengthen fraternities and sororities are sometimes misperceived as our “being out to get” these groups. The recent alert notice about the threatening YouTube page prompted a discussion of threat issues and when a notice versus a note is appropriate.

Finally, one student proposed a specific way for him to partner with Recreational Sports to extend the season for tennis lessons.

For our community, this is a glimpse into student concerns and issues these days. I’ll be providing more after the next session at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18. I hope you’ll attend or send me an e-mail in the meantime. See you around campus!