Source: Student Government Association(SGA)
On Nov. 15 the Student Government Association (SGA) hosted an Academic Affairs Discussion in the Wiseman Lounge. The discussion served as an opportunity for students to ask questions they had regarding issues facing the university and advising, among other things, as well as to discuss academic changes at the university.
Among the administration and faculty members invited were Provost Saib Othman, Ph.D., Interim Dean Charlene Bermele, DNP, RN, CNE, and Gina Rossetti, Ph.D.
The Director of the Graham School of Management (GSM), Indranil Ghosh, Ph.D., was also present for the discussion.
Prior to the discussion, SGA had provided Othman, Bermele, Rossetti, and Ghosh with pre-selected questions to open the event with.
The first question asked each faculty and administration member present to identify what they believed to be some of the primary issues facing the university.
Othman emphasized that the university is two big units, one unit being a business with a main goal of teaching and the other unit focusing on students. The latter unit focuses on maintaining the quality and delivery of faculty, and academic programs, Othman clarified.
Bermele identified a challenge facing not only the students and faculty at Saint Xavier, but universities throughout the United States as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The identified issue regarded resources, specifically making sure that students have the right resources to be successful and know how to access them.
“The chain of command begins with students and faculty, then advisors, then the dean,” Bermele stated. Bermele emphasized that the university’s faculty are there to help students because if students are not successful, then the faculty members are not successful.
Another issue identified was the notion of career preparation, as highlighted by Ghosh. The GSM currently brings in professionals to talk to students about internships, “especially around tax season,”, and full time offers, voiced Ghosh. Many of these professionals are GSM alumni.
Rossetti highlighted that the cost of attending college and the impact of debt from student loans was also an issue.
Othman added that the concept of a university has changed over the years. Where students had to rely on faculty members and library resources in the past, they now have access to loads of information through a simple Google search.
“How do we keep moving forward to serve students?” questioned Othman in regards to the constantly changing landscape of university education.
The second prepared question focused on how the student body’s perspective will be considered going forward, to which those in attendance stressed the importance of completing the Student Satisfaction Survey and the Student Evaluation of Instruction (SEI) surveys.
Ghosh emphasized that professors not only receive the survey responses after the submission of final grades, but the responses are completely anonymous and are taken seriously.
“How can we be engaged?” questioned Rossetti before the floor opened for student questions.
SGA Vice President Arlene Silva questioned the process of discussing issues after the results of the SEI surveys: “If a lot of students feel the same way about a designated department, how do you go about fixing it?” she asked.
Bermele stated that she does a one-on-one exit survey with graduating students to discuss their experience at the university. She also “asks directors to review SEI responses and look for patterns and trends.” However, some courses may have 24 students but only two students will fill out the SEI survey.
All in attendance emphasized that they have open doors for students to come ask questions.
Senior Nicole Vilcamiche questioned the physical changes that have come as a result of SEI responses.
Instructors who got poor feedback and complaints had meetings with Ghosh. He also noted that he attends the classes of instructors whose students have reported issues on the SEI surveys.
Ghosh emphasized that, as a result of feedback and notes on how to improve, instructors have better spring semesters than fall semesters.
Rossetti voiced that it was difficult to give in-depth examples for the question posed by Vilcamiche, as personnel issues are confidential.
Othman voiced that sometimes when issues arise, students expect that instructor “to disappear,” but the situation is more complicated than that. Instead, the focus is placed on how to become better teachers and that sometimes contracts are not renewed.
“Just because you do not see results upfront does not mean that nothing is happening,” stated Othman.
Silva also raised questions regarding the courses available to students, specifically courses that students are encouraged to take but “do not think they need.”
Othman noted that advising is a concern the university is currently facing, adding that “consultants came to identify problems and send a report with an advising model to use” to alleviate some of the issues that students are facing with advising.
A senior nursing student expressed concern regarding the lack of a standard list of resources, highlighting how he was receiving information from three books and found it difficult to retain the information.
Bermele responded with the statement that the program would be centralizing their technology while still maintaining the state’s requirement to use Castlebranch for clinicals.
Rossetti brought the discussion back to changes at the university by noting that instead of students taking 095-level and 099-level mathematics courses, they would take the appropriate 100-level courses for their major and a corequisite course if need be.
Students voiced that they felt the First Year Seminar (FYS) course did not benefit them, stated Othman, so the course will be eliminated as a requirement in the fall ‘24 semester with a course “more aligned with the university and Catholic identity.” The FYS course will still be offered, clarified Othman.
The discussion was rounded out by Othman’s message that it is important to continue to share feedback, and the continued emphasis that his and all else present’s office doors were open for students to come speak to them.
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