Bailey meets with students in Open Forum
Feb. 5, 2004
KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University students and other members of the community will be able to solicit answers to a wide variety of questions at the next Open Forum with WMU President Judith Bailey at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, in the Bernhard Center Bronco Mall. Several WMU vice presidents also will be on hand to field questions.
Students and others attending the forum will be able to ask
questions directly to the panel of WMU administrators on any
topic they wish. The forum is expected to last approximately
one hour. Anyone with questions or concerns about any WMU issue
is welcome and encouraged to attend.
This forum, organized by the Western Student Association, is
the first during spring semester. WSA organized two similar forums
in the fall.
Fall semester's forums were held in the West Ballroom of the Bernhard Center. The location has been changed to the Bronco Mall to create a more student-friendly atmosphere and to solicit greater student participation, according to Shavonne Petts, WSA co-chair of public relations.
Since the previous forum, several issues have surfaced that
are of special interest to the WMU student body. Many such issues
stem from the current financial state of the university, including
concerns about the recent elimination of four varsity athletic
programs and the reduction and subsequent restoration of library
hours. These and other concerns, such as parking and parking
fees, will likely be discussed at the forum.
According to Petts, the forum is an excellent way for members
of the WMU community, especially concerned students, to make
their voices heard.
"The open forums give students a chance to directly address
the heads of the university administration," Petts says.
"Student attendance at this forum and other events like
it let the administrators know that WMU students are concerned
about what goes on at their university, that they want their
concerns to be considered when policy and budgetary decisions
are made."
For more information, contact Zak Walsh or Shavonne Petts in the WSA office at 269 387-2194.
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu