Board of Trustees should meet here
The Observer Editorial
This weekend, Notre Dame students will address the Board of Trustees for the first time in Notre Dame history. Brian O'Donoghue, John Osborn and Mike Heinz's speech on "Students' ability to understand and articulate their Catholic faith" possibly will improve the Board's understanding of the students at Notre Dame.
But if the Board of Trustees really wanted to understand the Notre Dame community, it wouldn't force O'Donoghue, Osburn and Heinz to fly to Washington to meet the Board.
It is difficult to understand how the most powerful body at Notre Dame can make discussions and policies for this University when it doesn't even meet on campus. By meeting in Washington, the Board has removed itself from the people it is supposed to govern.
If the Board wants to understand how Notre Dame students feel, they have to talk to Notre Dame students. If they want to learn how Notre Dame students understand their Catholic faith, they should come to a dorm mass. If they want to find out if students are articulating their faith, they should go on a Campus Ministry retreat and listen to the discussions.
No matter how much work O'Donoghue, Osburn and Heinz have put into their speech, it will not have the same impact as a Board meeting on campus where it can see students understanding and articulating their faith.
The primary goal of this University should be to create the most enriching environment for students social, religious and academic growth. The Board cannot possibly understand this environment from hundreds of miles away. If Board members are truly committed to the future of this University, it doesn't seem unreasonable for the Board to meet on campus twice a year.
All Viewpoint Stories for Friday, February 2, 2001
