Foley asks for respect
MEGHANNE DOWNES
Associate News Editor
Respect. Or, to be more correct, disrespect was the topic of Trip Foley's remarks to Senate Wednesday in regard to the administration's attitude toward student leaders.
"Although students are the sole reason that this University exists, all too often I find that other constituencies within the University exists for the students," said Foley, student body vice president. "All too often you are not accorded the respect you deserve in dealings with administrators and faculty."
Foley said his remarks stemmed from several experiences with administrators who did not respond to phone calls or e-mails when he, staffers within Student Body President Libby Bishop's office and senators attempted to contact them. Foley said administrators would meet with student government officers without any intent of trying to make progress on issues that students bring forth and refuse to release information.
For example, Food Services declined to release information for the fall semester's Flex Point usage, Foley said, questioning why officials would think students could not interpret this data.
Foley said, "I have also seen a lack of respect in my own dealings with administrators who fail to recognize the intelligence, thoughtfulness and maturity of Notre Dame students."
Foley said students are capable of making contributions and decisions and that their input should not be disregarded.
Senators Kevin Conley, chair of the Residence Life Committee, and Jeremy Staley, chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, supported Foley's remarks. Conley said senators cannot effectively do their job and make contributions if administrators refuse to help them.
Staley said the University is not fulfilling its responsibility and commitment to students by not listening to their concerns. He said he understands that administrators are busy, but he does not see how they cannot return multiple messages when the University exists for the sole purpose of its students.
"Sometimes there will be those who want to help, but there are those that are extremely resistant to wanting to hear what our committee has to say," said Staley.
Foley said the issue of disrespect will be highlighted and actively discussed at upcoming Senate meetings.
"While I am deeply disturbed by what can only be characterized as an institutional lack of respect for student opinion, I do believe that we still have a chance to reverse this trend," said Foley.
In other Senate news:
u Senate unanimously approved a resolution to send a letter to Dean Angie Chamblee from the First Year of Studies, along with other administrators, asking that First Year of Studies review its policy on International Baccalaureate credits for incoming students.
u Senate distributed the Sexual Assault Awareness posters to senators to post in bathrooms and outside RA rooms. Courtney Kohout, Badin Hall senator and member of the Gender Issues committee, worked with the Sexual Assault Advisory Committee throughout the fall semester to discuss details of the poster's presentation.
u Kaitlyn Redfield replaced Kate Schlosser as Pangborn Hall senator. Schlosser went abroad this semester.
u Danielle Ledesma, Judicial Council president, nominated Betsy Schroder, Megan Bears, Laura Beauchamp, Maureen Ritchey, Brandon Bludau and Mike Dolson for the Judicial Council Executive Committee. The committee will review any campaign violations during the upcoming student body presidential election season.
Senate will vote on the nominations at its next meeting.
All News Stories for Thursday, January 16, 2003
