Syracuse University’s Student Association will host a forum for students to voice questions and concerns to high-ranking university administrators next Monday.

Department of Public Safety Chief Bobby Maldonado, Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele Wheatly and Dolan Evanovich, senior vice president for enrollment and the student experience, will be present to answer questions at a forum in Maxwell Auditorium starting at 7:30 p.m.

“This is a perfect way for students themselves and Student Association to hold a safe space for students to interact with administration and administration to interact with students,” said Angie Pati, SA’s vice president.

Parliamentarian Obi Afriyie, in part, wanted to hold the student forum because the Campus Framework is bringing change to the school, and he said he thinks students should have a way to voice what they want.

Afriyie said he does not want this to be broadcasted as a “Student Association event,” but as an event for all students.

“We want it to be a space where students can be informed of changes happening to the school, and also the administration could be informed about what students are actually thinking and feeling, making changes that actually affect students,” Afriyie said.

The parliamentarian said last year there was an event that was advertised as a “student forum” planned by the Evangelista administration, but he said it was not conducive to hearing what students had to say. Afriyie described it as an event where SA said, “this is what SA is doing, does anyone have any questions?”

He said he hopes Maldonado will hear student safety concerns and act accordingly within DPS’ power. Afriyie said he wanted Wheatly and Evanovich to do the same in regards to their respective fields: academics and the student experience.

“It’s up to the students, and it’s up to the administration,” Afriyie said. “You can go to Wegmans and buy all the ingredients and not bake the cake. It’s up to both sides. It’s up to students to take an active role in their education.”

The forum is a way for students to voice their concerns to administrators, Pati said.

“The more I interact with the administration, the more I realize how great they are,” Pati said. “But the more I (also) realize there can be a disconnect because they go from meeting to meeting, they don’t go from class to class.”

Published on November 29, 2017 at 10:43 pm

Contact Catherine: ccleffer@syr.edu | @ccleffert