Here’s your chance
University President Michael Rao is hosting his annual open forum Thursday.
Hopefully this time more than seven people will show up.
Rao has made it a priority to periodically set aside time for students, staff and others on this campus to ask him questions.
But last spring when Rao hosted his forum, no students showed up, despite buzz that many students wanted the president to be more available.
Well, Thursday is their chance.
If students have a question to ask Rao, the forum is the time to do it.
A few weeks ago, the Board of Trustees sent a survey to students and other members of the university community asking them to evaluate Rao.
Why it matters
Students should take advantage of the opportunity to meet with President Rao on Thursday
The students who bothered taking that survey probably noticed it wasn’t written with them in mind, asking questing about Rao’s leadership abilities and if he is effective when it comes to “consensus building” and “fiscal management.”
The average student at CMU probably hasn’t seen or spoken to Rao, let alone know enough about the man to evaluate him.
Besides, the results from the evaluation won’t be available until next year.
At Thursday’s forum, students will have a chance to instantly evaluate Rao.
Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe said people don’t appreciate the fact CMU’s president makes an attempt to be available.
Roscoe is right.
Rao is a busy man, far busier than any student on this campus.
But on Thursday he’ll be waiting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Bovee University Center’s Lake Michigan Room.
There’s no excuse for not knowing about it this time around.
