Saint Xavier University sxu.edu
Universities can be wonderful places for a variety of reasons. One being that so many people come to school with different opinions and values. And yet, the diversity of the student body is what makes it so hard for a university to make decisions that everyone is happy with.
Due to the intricate inner workings of a university, decisions for new developments on a campus have to be made after considering a number of different solutions. However, since it is impossible to make everyone happy, students are bound to complain about some decisions made that affect student life at Saint Xavier University.
Complaining seems to be a part of the average SXU student’s daily routine, as the entire Xavierite editorial board agreed they constantly hear students complain about many different issues on campus.
Some of the complaints heard around campus by the Xavierite editorial board include the following:
“Loads of students complain about professors, and it can range from lack of communication to flat out not being good at teaching,” said one member of the board.
Another person said “Professors, lack of timely feedback on assignments, tuition constantly being raised, and the poor living conditions of the dorms.”
Similarly, some members of the Xavierite editorial board heard students complaining about the newly reinstated cougar card swipe access, with someone going as far as saying, “…they don’t care if someone breaks into the school because the swipe access is annoying them.”
Despite the Student Government Association (SGA) giving students multiple chances to voice their concern regarding the swipe access, as well as any other issue on campus—students don’t seem to care enough to complain until after the deed is done.
Nonetheless, many of the complaints made by students such as lack of transparency from the administration or lack of heating in Pacelli Hall during a winter storm are valid and deserve to be heard.
One member from the editorial board stated, “I think complaints are usually valid. We spend a lot of money to go to this school, so I think it’s fair to speak up about where you think there needs to be improvement. I think some complaints stem from personal grievances or emotion rather than logical reasoning, but there’s still value in venting.”
Looking at it from a different perspective, a member from the board shared, “I think some complaints are valid, but a lot of stuff I hear can be traced back to students just being lazy and not helping themselves or thinking everything should be handed to them.”
Indeed, there seem to be mixed thoughts among the Xavierite editorial board regarding the level of seriousness found in students’complaints. However, the board appeared unanimous in sharing that they believe students’ valid concerns are being heard more now than they have been in previous years.
One editorial board member shared, “I think recently [complaints] are heard a bit more than they used to be. For example, through the hard work of SGA, swipe access was reinstated.”
Some members from the board believe that, although student voices are being heard more now, there is still work that needs to be done.
“For [students] who do know the proper procedure for complaints, they are ignored or brushed to the side more often than not.”
While there have been some changes made throughout SXU, such as the return of swipe access, new food options in the diner, and the reintroduction of town hall meetings that address specific concerns, it seems as if some SXU students still are not happy.
One member from the board stated that, “…many students just go to class and leave without realizing changes are being made.”
Another editorial board member added on, saying, “…I also understand that students won’t be satisfied with the school making the bare minimum of changes or making temporary fixes. Until we establish actual change, we’ll likely see more appreciation for the school and its administration.”
In a similar vein, someone else shared they believe changes are being made in the wrong places, saying “While they may have repainted a few offices and returfed some fields, there are still broken AC units and professors that are here for one semester and gone the next.”
SXU will never be a perfect school, and students will always have valid complaints to make, but are the small and few positive changes being made appreciated enough?
One editorial board member stated, “[Students] can be appreciative once there are changes that are visible to the eye, and audible to the ear.”
Similarly, another board member stated, “Students should be well informed on what’s happening on campus… While I think students should be more proactive in general to seek the specific changes they want, I think they’re still entitled to be upset about the current state of the university.”
On the other hand, one editorial board member shared, “Students could actually pay attention to what’s going on for once. You don’t care to get involved or care to know staff and administrators? Then stop complaining about the state of the university.”
Another writer on the board shared that they believed students would be more informed if they read The Xavierite more.
Overall, there are many changes constantly happening around campus, for better or for worse. If a student wants to remain engaged on campus, they should go out of their way to stay informed about the actual state of the university rather than basing their opinions solely on rumors they hear.
At the end of the day, the environment of a university is created by both the administration and the student body, so it is imperative that they listen to each other in order to create the best school experience possible.