By Jaclyn Lambe, Spring 2011
What is the SGA Town Hall Meeting?
It is a forum organized by the SGA for students to voice their concerns and provide feedback to the administration in a constructive manner. Historically, it has involved Alliant President (Dr. Cox), CSPP Dean (Dr. Sammons), the PhD Program Director (Dr. Loewy), the PsyD Program Director (Dr. Jenkins-Monroe), Ned Doherty (Director of Student Services), and will now include Joe Tally (Director of Library Services). The objective of the meeting is to promote complete transparency throughout the school system – between the students, faculty, staff, and administration, between the cohorts, and between both the PsyD and PhD programs. By having the whole chain of command present, there is a sense of responsibility for following through on student concerns.
Who is invited to attend?
All PsyD and PhD students are invited to attend. Attendance is especially encouraged for students who have questions/concerns/suggestions for the administration and who want to participate in the systemic changes within our school. Faculty and staff are also welcome to attend.
What has this event accomplished in the past?
Two years ago, the PsyD Program Rep held an event where a large number of students protested about the Gender Studies Emphasis group. Concerns were presented and later a group was formed to continue advocacy. We now see that the Social Justice Track is a direct result of that meeting.
The Gender Studies Emphasis Area students were also concerned that only PhD students were getting access to the Rockway Institute. We found out that wasn't the case, as PhD students also had little to no access to Dr. Robert Jay Green or the Institute. This serves as a good example of having PhD students and their program director present at the meeting so that we can address the concerns of CSPP as a whole.
Other examples of student-lead change that has come about due to the Town Hall meetings include: the dissolution of online courses as mandatory rather than optional, the addition of multiple course offerings, the formulation of faculty committees to ensure standardization of multi-section course curricula, and the organization of the practicum placement process, among other things.
When will the next Town Hall Meeting be held?
Tuesday, April 19th from 12-2pm in rooms 216/217/218.
How will concerns be addressed?
SGA will be organizing and moderating this meeting and we would like students to participate in generating the topics to ensure that the meeting covers the main areas of concern for the student body.
Please write down any topics you are interested in discussing. You may put your suggestions into the “SGA Town Hall Meeting Suggestions” envelop posted on the door of the SGA office (Room 114), or you may email Katie Steiner at ksteiner87@gmail.com or Jackie Lambe at jnlambe@gmail.com. All responses will be anonymous if presented at the meeting.
Be sure to turn in your suggestions by March 31st so that they may be considered. Thank you in advance for your participation!
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