Rao's presence
Between meetings with donors, public officials and others off campus, University President Michael Rao may seem to have a lot on his plate.
But he still should try to make himself more accessible to students and the university community. This requires reviving his public forums - even if they do not seem to be the most efficient use of his time.
It's not that Rao is entirely absent on campus. He spoke at the Holiday Festival on Tuesday; he also attends some Academic Senate meetings. He occasionally attends Student Government Association meetings.
His attendance at these events is appreciated, but it is not sufficient.
Being accessible to students requires more than a ceremonial speech or a periodic visit to particular student groups. Rao needs to make himself accessible to the general public; this means he must make himself open to answering to the public's concerns, and the open forums were an effective way to do this.
The open forums were uniquely valuable in allowing anyone - regardless of group affiliation or campus prominence - the chance to speak directly with Rao, unmediated by other administrators. Participants could address serious issues with the university's leader, who has a considerable say in CMU's long-term direction.
More than that, it allowed Rao to hear and understand the public's concerns. It was not only a chance for Rao to alleviate attendees' woes; it was a chance for him to educate himself about issues within the university community. This was productive discourse.
Likewise, the forums were effective in portraying Rao as someone who was actually responsive to students' concerns. If students see him as unapproachable or distant, then the forums can help remedy that problem.
To his credit, Rao responded intelligently and carefully to the questions asked during the forums. He took seriously each question, regardless of from whom it came. This was a strong exhibition of approachability.
The forums ended because of low turnout, Rao said. However, the forums have value in simply being an opportunity for students to express concerns.
If turnout is a concern, the appropriate response is not canceling the forums. The university should better promote them. Rao also could give a speech on a key issue prior to the forum, providing additional incentive to attend.
Though Rao is the main public face of the university, he cannot make that his primary focus. He must remain tuned into - and accessible to - his campus community.
For this reason, the public forums are a good use of his time.
