On Tuesday, October 24, 2006, the Seton Hill Government Association (SHGA) sponsored its annual student forum in which students were encouraged to bring their questions about Seton Hill University (SHU).
Panelists from many different SHU organizations were present to hear these questions and provide answers to the best of their ability.
Student concerns about SHU expansion, parking, safety and financial aid were primary discussion topics.
By Valerie Masciarelli,
News Editor
On Tuesday, October 24, 2006, the Seton Hill Government Association (SHGA) sponsored its annual student forum in which students were encouraged to bring their questions about Seton Hill University (SHU).
Panelists from many different SHU organizations were present to hear these questions and provide answers to the best of their ability.
Student concerns about SHU expansion, parking, safety and financial aid were primary discussion topics.
A sophomore, Daryle Gracey, asked the panel, �Why does SHU have such a need for expansion?�
Her belief is that too much funding is given to athletic expansion, while in the meantime, library materials at SHU are scarce.
�I think they�ve lost track of being an academically-inclined school, and have become more of a sports-oriented institution,� said Gracey, who told the panel she was frustrated with not being able to find enough current and in-stock materials from the library.
Mary Ann Gawelek, dean of academic affairs and dean of the faculty, replied that in the case of library expansion, there has not been a high count of books being taken out, in spite of the SHU community’s growth.
She said she would investigate the situation further.
Gracey, as well as other students at the forum, also brought to light the issues of visibly intoxicated students on campus who harass people in the process, students �running amuck� in the chapel at night, and outside solicitors being in residence halls.
Charmaine Strong, dean of student services, said that students who had information or worries about any of these happenings should see her immediately for assistance.
�I hope you wouldn’thave to wait for a forum to bring these issues up,� Strong said to the students.
Aundre Gandy, a junior, asked why it was necessary to enforce students being financially cleared in the middle of a semester.
�Why does it come down to being kicked out of the university or dining hall? At the very worst, why not let us take semesters off before kicking us out halfway through?� Gandy asked the panel.
He was told that the letters sent to students about being financially cleared were to help students realize the need to get their affairs in order before the semester’s close.
Other topics at the forum included credit loads, course availability, SHU shuttles, and access to Mac labs and music facilities during the night.
�I don’tknow how much it will affect the faculty, and if they�ll actually take into consideration what was said there,� said Amanda Gallagher, a junior and SHGA vice president.
�I understand that they appreciate the information, but how far will they go with dealing with it now?� said Gallagher.
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