Two forums were held last Tuesday and Thursday to answer further questions students may have had about the honors program. The turnout for those were dismal at best. Tuesday’s meeting brought no more than 15 students throughout the night, while Thursday had even fewer students.
This board would like it to be made known that those forums were held in large part because of supposed student interest. Yet it appears those meetings were nothing more than a waste of time.
The Whitworthian has received numerous Letters to the Editor talking about the honors program, many voicing concern over its early implementation and to clear the air of any rumors, the honors program is indeed happening in the fall. We recognize the frustration associated with not feeling informed on such a program as this, but two town hall meetings — both initiated as methods of communicating with the student body — largely went unnoticed.
At some point the failure to be informed falls on the student body: We have a responsibility to educate ourselves. After ASWU voiced concern over the lack of communication and the subsequent town hall meeting was held last month, faculty involved with the honors program continued to seek student input. As stated earlier, those were largely ignored by students. If the aim is to be informed, then take the necessary steps to seek that information. There are some on this campus that fail to do their part in seeking out information.
As part of a college campus, we largely get information spoon-fed to us. Our professors print out syllabuses and grading rubrics that clearly outline what is expected of us and how we can go about making the grade. We’ve even had those professors who give us a list of potential sources when we have a paper due. Although that help makes our life significantly easier, life is not always so cut and dry. This board feels that in essence, students cried wolf. The need for communication was there, and faculty did what they could to meet that need, but when it came time for students to stand behind what they said they wanted, few were around.
ASWU, faculty, administration and student groups did their part. If students received all the information, so be it. If not, then efforts by faculty and staff to facilitate communication should continue. But as we’ve seen in the case of the honors program, students cried out for more communication, but did not take advantage of it once it became available. It is this apathy that can be dangerous at a place such as this, where generally the needs of the student body are at the forefront.
If students think they are not informed on an issue, they need to take the initiative to find the information for themselves. Chances are, they aren’t looking hard enough or they aren’t taking advantage of the opportunities in front of them. Let’s face it: We won’t always have faculty and staff who want to communicate so openly with students. Let’s practice being informed by seeking out information for ourselves.
Editorials in the “In the Loop” section reflect the majority opinion of the editorial board, which is made up of five editors.
