Students Talk Issues at Meeting

The Student Government Association hosted the first Trustees and Student Leadership Meeting last Wednesday in the Vernon Social Center. The Trinity College Ad Hoc Trustees Committee presided over the event, which gave students the opportunity to voice concerns to be compiled into a comprehensive report to be presented to the Trustees at their next meeting. The initiative for such a forum began on March 10, at the Board of Trustees meeting, when the Trustees inquired on what the students were thinking. The committee hopes to create positive dialogue between the Trustees and the students, something that has not occurred in recent history. Zachary L. Contreras-Gould '07 emphasized that the dialogue would only be positive, and stressed the need to create constructive suggestions and comments to aid the Trustees. In an email sent out on March 29 to the Trinity community on the upcoming meeting, Contreras-Gould wrote, "The meeting is not intended to directly solve the problems that are brought before the panel but is intended to give a voice to those problems -- a voice that will be heard by the Board of Trustees in an official report that will be composed by the Committee." He went on to suggest that if the report results in a positive outcome, there is the possibility for similar discussion forums in the future. "I think that if this report turns out to be successful, there is the possibility for more forums like this in the future. These might be held on a biannual basis, once each semester."

With over 200 students present at the meeting, there was a strong representation from the various factions of the College. Kathryn West '07, noted that "Greeks, geeks, jocks and tree huggers were represented at the meeting." Many students were intrigued by the chance to communicate with trustees, whom students thought were distant figures, "far removed from the daily life of Trinity," as one student said. One enthusiastic member of the audience, Alec MacColl '09, stated, "I was glad to know that the trustees were concerned about their communication with students, and I was interested in expressing my own unique opinion in the debate." Other students, like Michael Lenihan '07, were afraid that the trustees would hear these concerns, but there would be no action. "I believed that there were some pressing issues that the students were facing and that should be brought to the attention of the Trustees. Many times, meetings are held and great ideas are generated, but then little action is taken to carry out suggestions. I think that if the Trustees are really motivated to help the College out, they will listen to what students have to say."

A wide range of concerns were raised, from diversity issues to the ever looming and ever increasing budget cuts. The students, however, did not show anger or animosity towards the administration for the budget cuts. Instead, students said that they felt left out of the process, and expressed the need for student involvement. Lenihan also observed that concerns raised ranged from the safety of the campus to the quality of our internship programs to class/race segregation, and the practicality of Greek life. Even Trinity's environmental issues were brought up for discussion, as West explained. "The SGA budget committee and infrastructure committee have contributed time and money to environmental projects at Trinity but the administration has left this area largely untouched. I hope that by communicating with trustees the current student body will voice a desire to make sustainability a goal." Another issue that was a major worry was alumni relationships with the students, and the need to bridge the gap between alumni and current students.

Contreras-Gould saw worries about post-graduate life, and the need for more guidance. "People felt that there is not much guidance for students and not enough direction from the College on post-graduate life. Issues were raised over Trinity's perception to the public, and the need for greater transparency of the administration." Security and safety of the college was a major concern many students held, in light of a recent incident with a female student being drugged with an incapacitating substance.

Students were enthusiastic about the outcome of the meeting, but some showed concern over the way SGA handled the forum. MacColl felt that some SGA members reacted defensively to suggestions from the audience. "I know [SGA members] were just trying to do their best to show the school's point of view on particular points, but I just hope they keep in mind how difficult it is sometimes for the students to make particular comments because they're unpopular with their peers or administrators," said MacColl. Lenihan also noted that, "Many opinions were noted and many suggestions were written down, but unless the Trustees listen to what was said, and I mean really listen, then sadly, many of the issues raised will probably be brushed aside."

With the warm reception the meeting received, Contreras-Gould hopes that in the future, the forum could be expanded so those not present before could still voice their concerns. For the time being, however, students can email suggestions or concerns to the SGA. The SGA is compiling a report of concerns, suggestions, and worries raised at the meeting, to be released to the public in around two weeks. Contreras-Gould expressed hope that the meeting will bridge the gap between the trustees and the students. "I feel that the Trustees do not have a good sense of what Trinity students are thinking. I think this report will make the Trustees aware of what we're concerned about." The hope of the committee, as well as the hope of many students, is that the report will bring about closer relations between the students and the Trustees, bringing about greater cooperation in creating a better community.