Looking to foster transparency between students and the administration, the Binghamton University Student Association (SA) will be hosting weekly Administration Luncheons.
Dillon Schade, SA president and a senior majoring in industrial and systems engineering, created this idea with Brian Rose, the vice president for student affairs. The initiative came about after they realized that many students on campus believe communication with administrators could be stronger.
Each Friday, a different administrator chosen by Rose sits with six to eight students who are chosen by Schade’s office. The lunches are held in the Chenango Room from noon to 1 p.m., and the first event was held on November 20. All BU students are eligible to apply by emailing their resume and a brief statement of why they want to participate. Schade said he selects students not only based on their leadership roles in the University, but also on whether they previously have had opportunities to meet with administrators.
“I think one of the most powerful things this provides both students and administration is an environment where people can just talk and provide productive conversations and solutions,” Schade said. “I definitely think change will come of it.”
Lunches are advertised on SA-Line and will continue to be advertised more through flyers next semester. They will be categorized into topics based on different office’s duties at the University, and an administrator that best matches each topic will be selected for that week. According to Schade, this will better tailor the student demographic to have more productive conversations.
The idea was approved by BU President Harvey Stenger, and lunches are paid for by the administration’s funds under Rose’s office.
Suzanne Howell, the director of Residential Life and the associate dean of students, was the administrator selected for last Friday’s Luncheon. She said she thinks increased communication with the student body will benefit everyone.
“I think an open communication dialogue that we’ll gain from each other is learning what’s on each other’s minds,” Howell said. “I’m here to listen and to help people understand if there’s things out there that they want to know more about.”
Students can ask administrators to clarify any information regarding things on campus, why certain systems function the way they do or offer suggestions as to how to make certain parts of the University better. Students can also learn from each other, by sharing knowledge they know about events going on at BU.
Last Friday, students began the lunch by introducing themselves and their campus involvement, followed by Howell introducing her current projects. She discussed how she is working to make changes to the Union’s Undergrounds in order to reduce the prices of activities. From there, Howell asked for student input about how to promote certain changes, as well as increase awareness about campus opportunities and what changes students want to see.
Conversation topics included discussion about how Howell recently implemented free bowling in the Union, updates on Old Digman renovations and ways to expand the food co-op program.
Schade said that increasing communication will help bring about change and foster positive relationships for the future.
“Hopefully this will help the students have that ability to talk to administration in a more informal environment,” Schade said. “[These lunches] will provide the network and get the conversations going.”