SSI Town Hall Source: Javell Sheppard
On Feb. 21, the Saint Xavier University administration held an open town hall to reveal the initial findings from the Student Satisfaction Survey (SSI) held in the fall 2023 semester.
In collaboration with the Student Government Association (SGA), the town hall event was meant to be a way for students to see that the university is listening to their concerns, and is willing to work to create positive changes.
The problem? Aside from members of SGA and The Xavierite staff, no other students showed up.
While students raved about how excited they were to finally get to express their concerns in the survey, there was no excitement to hear about how successful the survey itself was. But, why could this be?
For starters, there is no denying that SXU is a school that caters mostly to commuters who have very busy lives outside of campus. Despite Wednesdays (the day of the week the town hall was held) being one of the busiest days on campus, the hallways become emptier and emptier past noon, which might have had a role to play in the lack of students present.
Additionally, we have fostered an environment where many students come for their degree and leave. They do not care for the social aspect of the university, nor do they feel heavily affected by some of the concerns listed by more active students.
There is nothing wrong with this, everyone deserves to go through college at a pace they enjoy. But that does not diminish the fact that it is very frustrating and difficult for administration and student-led groups to create programming for this type of student body.
While it is inevitable students may want to come and go as quickly as possible, it is also frustrating to hear this same student body complain about not feeling heard despite the countless opportunities for them to voice their thoughts.
As a student leader, it feels like sometimes students do not take the extra, small steps needed to be an active member of their community.
For example, despite SXU sending out a number of emails announcing Dr. Rebecca Sherrick, Ph.D as the current interim president before the start of the school year; as well as Sherrick having a presence among students on campus, some students still do not know who she is.
While SXU can take some steps to make information and events more accessible, students need to realize that not every single little piece of information is going to be handed to them in a golden pamphlet (which most would throw away without even opening).
There are many sources, both online and on-campus, where students can easily keep themselves up to date about the happenings on campus.
Yet, the problem still stands that SXU is a school with students who have incredibly busy lives outside of campus. Even for those who want to be involved, it is still sometimes very difficult for them to find time in their day to be involved with their community.
A possible step forward in the right direction would be livestreaming town halls, and other programs of that nature, so that students who need to go home are still able to participate. I believe this would help students feel like they matter on campus, even when they are not physically present.
Despite the lack of students at the SSI town hall, the survey was incredibly successful, and the goal of the number of students taking the survey was not only met, but went above and beyond. This proves that students have voices they want heard.
This past year, there have been many changes made throughout the school that are a result of students’ wants. Some of these include new diner food options and the return of swipe access. Now it is just a matter of making sure that students are receptive to these changes.
It is also important for the students to be aware of these changes so that they realize that SXU is becoming a place where students are heard.
I believe that students may still be used to the environment created by the previous administration that was much more secretive and kept students out of the loop about the happenings of the school.
This year has proven to be very different, and it is my hope that students will come around to realizing that there are good people who want to see this school thrive, and who want students to be heavily involved in making sure the university continues to grow.