2008 Woodie Awards
IN THE LOOP: ASWU bridges gap for students, administrators
Editorial BoardASWU is finding that the truth is out there. All they have to do is invite it.
In the past, ASWC has been a fairly passive organization. It waited for issues to walk in the door.
On rare occurrences, ASWC would debate topics students were concerned about, but rarely moved beyond the discussion stage. It focused mainly on compiling programs, but let the "represent" and "inform" aspects of its mission languish, gathering dust.
But this year, it's different.
ASWU is actively asking questions of the administration. And the administration is actively answering them. After students raised a smattering of concerns in an ASWU constituency report in the beginning of October, various administrators have attended the weekly meetings to address them.
Staff and faculty members have spoken to clarify issues such as the progress of the new ID cards, the strategic plan and the future of the Core program.
Consider the lineup of speakers that has addressed ASWU this year: Dick Mandeville, Keith Beebe, Jim Waller, Forrest Baird, Alan Jacob, Greg Orwig, Ed Kelly and Michael Le Roy. Two weeks ago, assistant to the president Dale Soden addressed concerns about class sizes, institutional growth, and the student-to-professor ratio, among other things. He opened by saying he wanted to hear what was not working for students.
We commend both ASWU's efforts to bring in administrators to respond to these concerns and administrators' openness.
The administrative promise to listen more issued during the 8th of May protest last spring seems to have been a serious commitment.
The attitude of seeking out student concerns is both refreshing and healthy for the institution. We encourage students to capitalize on this and speak up to student government representatives or administrators about their concerns.
A clear channel of communication has finally been established between ASWU and the administration. The next step is for ASWU senators to pass the information from the meetings on to the masses. Executive Vice President Katie Zerkel recommended that senators feature summaries of ASWU meetings in their dorm newsletters.
Some, like Duvall senator Candace Pontoni, have begun doing just that.
There are only two meetings left in the semester. On Nov. 28, trustee Wayne Williams is scheduled to speak during the ASWU meeting. Even if you aren't a paid member of ASWU, attend the meeting. Listen. Ask. Praise. Even complain.
In addition, ASWU members have been regularly attending committee meetings consistently for the first time in years. They have actually begun reporting back their findings. This representation can be made even more effective by asking their constituents about their opinions.
Having a student government presence on these committees is both necessary and vital to making sure the student voice is heard by administrators and faculty.
Whitworth is teetering between two schools, a respected, but radically different, institution or a respected institution still upholding its historical values. Administrators have expressed they want students to be part of this process.
Stand up. Let your voice be heard. Otherwise the Whitworth you cherish may not exist in 10 years.
Editorials in the "In the Loop" section reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of five editors.
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