Chancellor James Oblinger stood before an audience of students, faculty, staff and other Wolfpack faithful Thursday to deliver the school’s first ever State of N.C. State address. With dignitaries from across the University spectrum looking on, Oblinger presented an upbeat and positive state of our University.
Success is evident as you examine NCSU — Centennial Campus is exploding with new partnerships, we are continuing to build our relationship with schools in China and India, we completed the goal of the Achieve! Campaign 19 months early and the Pack Promise is providing an opportunity for low-income students to obtain an education and succeed.
As good as these accomplishments sound there was one area that was significantly lacking from Oblinger’s speech: current students.
While it isn’t the Chancellor’s main job to concern himself with students all the time, he must do more to provide leadership on the student issues.
During the State of N.C. State, Oblinger only briefly touched student issues, which was not only disheartening, but a slap in students’ faces. Without students this University would not exist.
Oblinger highlighted leadership throughout his address but has failed to provide the leadership that is required with sensitive issues close to students’ hearts. We aren’t saying that Oblinger must be involved in every decision, but on the main student concerns Oblinger must step in and not “task force” them out.
Students should know where their Chancellor stands on issues such as tailgating, allowing alcohol at the design school Halloween Bash, the LGBT Center and student fees among others. When issues become as big as these have it’s refreshing to hear straight from the horse’s mouth of where he stands and why, rather than hear it from one of his “people.”
Oblinger should hold town-hall style forums in addition to the Chancellors Liaison for students only, on a consistent basis as a way to receive feedback from the very people who give him his position. After Oblinger has heard from students in a setting like this or a similar situation students will feel that Oblinger has at least listened to their views.
NCSU is on the rise and much of this can be credited to Oblinger. However, we all can improve our performance in what we do. As Oblinger said, bold leadership is required in the future during challenging times. Now is that time Chancellor Oblinger. Students are looking to you to lead us on the issues we are concerned about.
