Today the N.C.State University Board of Trustees meets to discuss many important decisions that will affect you and me. The following is an open letter to board members.
Dear Board of Trustees of N.C. State:
If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one around, does it make a sound? This ancient riddle is something that I feel needs to be examined here at NCSU. The tree symbolizes the student body.
If you were to ask students on campus if they feel like their voices and opinions are being heard by the administration and campus leaders, they would say no. I would like to highlight a few of the issues that are not being heard and if they are being heard, little action is taking place.
1. Game day atmosphere
Walking through the parking lots prior to a football game you will see students, alumni, and other interested Wolfpack fans enjoying their time. However, if you arrive four and a half hours before the game you will be turned away and told that you have to come back in 30 minutes.
Students have sent a clear message to the administration about tailgating. That message is that we want more hours to tailgate along side our fellow alumni and Wolfpack fans. Following this sentiment, students are asking to lift restrictions regarding tailgating.
The ability to have a fan friendly atmosphere within the confines of Carter-Finley is something that needs to be addressed. Even at Clemson, their students to come onto the field after every game.
Yes, Chancellor Oblinger has heard this and is reconvening the Tailgating Taskforce, but will he listen and make the changes that students are seeking to restore tailgating to the amazing time it once was?
2. Tuition & Fees
Year after year it’s the same story when it comes to student fees; the students are left out of the process. Yes, the Student Body President and Student Senate President meet with Oblinger, but that’s not enough.
For the past few years the student input into the fee process has been little to none. Despite University policy that the Student Senate play a significant role in this process, the organization is slowly being cut out of the process.. Student’s voices are speaking about this important issue, but are they being heard?
The same can be said with tuition; however, quality and accessibility of tuition spending is ambiguous and students deserve to know where their money is being spent.
3. Student Centers
Recently the University supported a plan for a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center here on campus, but the problem is a large number of students do not support this center. Students are expressing to administrators that this center is something that they do not want to see their money spent on. Planning for centers and other buildings on this campus is another area where students are largely being shut out from the discussion. If a campus serves students then students need to have a large voice in these matters.
Members of the Board of Trustees, these are just a few examples of where students’ voices are not being heard. Along with my fellow students I am asking for you to question our administrators. Also, I would emphatically encourage you to walk around campus on a class day to hear what is on the minds of students.
The question that you as the highest governing body of NCSU, need to decide is whether you think that the tree in the forest makes a sound. I hope that you will say “yes” and you will want to go out in the forest to hear that tree.
E-mail Matt at [email protected].