OUR OPINION: The Campus Culture Task Force gave good recommendations, and leaders on campus must continue to work with students to find the best solutions possible.
The Campus Culture Task Force met Tuesday to finalize its recommendations for Chancellor James Oblinger for changes in the Student Code of Conduct, the Free Expression Tunnel, the Brickyard and campus climate.
The task force made some major decisions by making bold recommendations but also made a big statement by rejecting unsound ideas from its preliminary report.
The task force opted to not recommend students take a required diversity class. According to Student Body President and Free Expression Tunnel and Brickyard Subcommittee Chair Jay Dawkins, 90 percent of students did not want to have required diversity classes.
Diversity classes should not ever be a requirement to graduate and should not be an integral part of the curriculum. But if there is enough interest from students in taking diversity classes, then the University should look into the cost-effectiveness of having those classes available. The task force made this wise decision and also took into account the opinions of students.
The task force recommended that C-stores and bookstores on campus carry spray paint. This gives the opportunity for students who do not have a means of transportation to a store to express themselves in the Free Expression Tunnel.
The task force also did not make the recommendations to install web cameras at the tunnel, which the committee was split on recommending, according to the preliminary reports. Having web cameras in the tunnel would have been a waste of money, especially while the University is in a budget crunch. There are cameras already at the entrance of the Free Expression Tunnel and using the recommendation of having better lighting in the tunnel may alleviate the need to have extra cameras for security.
The task force also showed good judgment when it made recommendations to have better lighting in and around the tunnel.
University leaders should continue to listen to suggestions from students and understand that they are working to make the student experience better. It is necessary and obligatory to get student feedback about big projects.
The task force listened to students’ concerns and had the budget crisis in mind when making these suggestions. Oblinger now has the responsibility of rejecting or accepting these ideas and must make decisions based on what will be best for our University.
