Even though we are in the middle of an unprecedented scenario wrought with unparalleled challenges, we are also being presented with game-changing opportunities. While we are all adjusting to life at home, we also now have more time to think. Specifically, we can think about how Stevens can change for the better. Indeed, it is unfortunate that all the usual ceremonies and traditions, like our summer pre-college programs or Senior Week activities, had to be cancelled, but this also frees up breathing room for re-thinking and re-working how we run our school.
As this semester is coming to a close and we look ahead to the next academic year, we can already see that college life will be different. The New York Times even reported that universities nationwide are facing the real possibility that enrollment will decrease next year. Stevens is no exception and we will also be facing an uncertain future about our enrollment, endowment, reputation, and retention. The Class of 2020 feels this challenge acutely as they had most of their senior activities scrapped and are now entering a dreadful job market. We are forced to ask the tough questions—Will our alumni giving rate decline? Will our student life get back on track? Will our enrollment or retention decline? How much longer will online learning continue? How long before we recover from the effects of the pandemic? These are not just high-level questions reserved for esteemed veterans of academic administration but students, staff, and alumni as well.
Moving forward, our school needs a comprehensive plan to get back on track, and to accomplish this we will need a diverse range of opinions from all aspects of our school. What I am proposing here is the formation of a University Council that will be composed of student leaders, faculty leaders, alumni, administrators, and staff alike who will convene and discuss what we need to do to get back on track. Getting our school to where it needs to be after the effects of the pandemic is a daunting task, which is why all involved parts of our school need to be involved in this discussion process.
Such a council should represent alumni, faculty, administration/staff, and students. As far as alumni, representatives from the Stevens Alumni Association could be invited. Regarding faculty, representatives from the Faculty Senate could join the Provost or the Deans in this council. Concerning administration/staff, President Farvardin and members of his Cabinet could also participate along with others such as Dean Nilsen. Representatives from the Board of Trustees should also be in attendance. Lastly, we move onto students, which encompasses the most diverse group. First, both undergraduates and graduates should be represented. This can be accomplished by having representatives from the SGA and Graduate Student Council. Other key parts of our student life, like Greek life, can be represented by having invites from such organizations as the IFC, CGG, or Panhellenic Council. Moreover, Resident Assistants should be represented given their vital importance to our school. Other important organizations such as The Stute, Honor Board, or ESC can also be invited. While it is impossible to encompass every opinion, this council should portray a range of leaders from all aspects of our school.
We would not be alone in this endeavor. RIT already has a University Council in place, which brings together leaders of the faculty, staff, and students of RIT to address key topics and issues affecting all members of their community. Other notable schools like UPenn and Cornell also have similar assemblies of their own. The SGA even created a similar body of student leaders a while back in the form of the President’s Council, which served the purpose of discussing key topics and issues. In forming such a council, Stevens would certainly have frameworks from other schools to draw from.
Now is a perfect time to form such a council. We are in the middle of a global pandemic and the effects have rippled throughout all corners of the Stevens community. Our school needs to get back on track, which is why leaders from all aspects of the Stevens community need to come together to figure out how best to accomplish this task. Granted, this council would most likely occur virtually given the circumstances, but this should not impede upon its purpose. We need a diverse array of opinions to tackle the biggest issues facing Stevens.
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