Lack of student participation at open forum shows that student body doesn’t care

The Student Government Association held a forum Monday night regarding what students wanted out of the next university president.

But less than 200 students showed up. And nearly 80 percent of them were part of SGA.

The student body was given a chance to voice its opinion about something important at Central Michigan University. Yet the students refused to show up.

The forum was specifically held for students to give input on what they would like to see in candidates for the top position on campus. Board of Trustees member Sarah Opperman and Interim Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Services Ray Francis were at the forum as well. Both are on the presidential search committee. Students had a chance to tell them directly what they wanted to see for the future of CMU.

The forum was one of the few instances that students were given a direct chance to influence policy at CMU. SGA President Jason Nichol was there specifically for student input. As someone who is a part of the presidential search, Nichols takes to heart students’ ideals and opinions.

The university president is an important part of the university. The president sets the policies and goals of the university, shaping its future. There is nothing happening on campus he or she isn’t a part of.

It is understandable if some students have homework to work on or other meetings to go to. But such poor attendance sends the overall message that students could not care less who their CMU president is.

This is arguably the most important issue on campus this academic year. More important than the new tailgating policy, which is a huge controversy among students.

Don’t like the tailgating policy? Guess who will be addressing the issue when appointed. Rather see your tuition money go to something else besides a medical school? Too bad. If you didn’t show up to the forum, you have nothing to complain about.

Every student was given an opportune moment, and most did nothing with it.

Some students may complain that the forum had nothing to do with the actual selection of the president. That is nothing but an excuse for laziness. All the committee members are busy people and took time out of their day to listen.

It is easy to dismiss the next university president as no one of consequence. Most students are in a rush to graduate and move on with their lives, leaving very little time for attention to the school administration. But once students enter CMU, they will always be involved with the school. The university president molds CMU’s reputation, one that carries with every graduate through their resumes and in the work place.

The new university president will be appointed by the end of 2009, early 2010. No one knows what policies will be put into place. But the tragedy lies with the students; the administration may not have a clear idea of what they want.

And this time, it is not the administration’s fault.