Originally published in The Pow Wow, February 23, 2002
"Because of the success of our alumni, the University of Louisiana at Monroe is recognized as one of the leading institutions of higher education. To enhance that status we need every alumn to become a part of the ULM Alumni Association. Your participation is very important." -ULM Alumni Association invoice
In an attempt to avoid paying the practically insane out-of-state fees the university was charging me at the time, I graduated from ULM with an associate's degree in December 2000.
As an alumnus, my out-of-state fees were waived, I was presented a nice diploma to hang on my wall and I received a complimentary one-year membership in the ULM Alumni Association. All in all, it was one of the best bargains I've ever received from this university.
Over the course of the year, the association did a good job of keeping in touch. The time I spent on the mailing list wasn't too painful as most of their mailings contained no more propaganda than any other university's alumni group.
With that said, I was surprised to see the association make the claim that ULM is recognized as "one of the leading institutions of higher education." I think that ULM is a swell place and I am (believe it or not) glad that I came here for my education. However, I think it's a stretch to imply that folks are looking to our campus as an example of how to do things right. Let's be honest for once. If our university was leading the pack, we wouldn't be facing our lowest enrollment in more than two decades.
I guess the magic word in that last paragraph is honesty. It's something I value personally and professionally. Sure, my staff and I have made a mistake or two, but I like to think we've always been quick to set the record straight. We have tried to live up to our university's motto. We want to "seek the truth" and proclaim it for all to see. The only thing we can't manage is to get our university to do the same.
The alumni association won't be getting my $25 membership fee this time around. They goofed when they took a shady approach when making their pitch. They didn't need to fudge the truth to win my support because I already support my school. However, brutally honest truth would have gotten me to open my checkbook.
In a perfect world, I would like a letter admitting that the university wasn't in the best of shape when I arrived and that things didn't get much better in the four years I've spent here. I would like a letter apologizing that I didn't get to see nearly 12,000 students enrolled or the university's financial house in order.
I wouldn't mind someone apologizing for the weekend I had to spend with water leaking into my dorm room because a flood "isn't an emergency."
The money would certainly flow if someone would step up and take the blame for rodents interrupting class in Stubbs Hall, for missing ceiling tiles in the SUB Annex, for the lack of modern climate control systems and for administrators thinking that getting rid of the yearbook was a good idea.
The association's letter would wrap up with an expression of thanks for being among the dwindling masses as a student and by asking for financial support as an alumnus.
The old regime is on the way out. New blood is on its way in. It seems to me that there is no better time than the present to seek and present the whole truth -- and not just a sugar-coated version of it.
Michael Cossey is a Monticello, Ark. Radio, Television & Film senior and chief of staff of The Pow Wow.
www.flickr.com
|
Saturday, February 23, 2002
Saturday, January 26, 2002
ARCHIVE: Students should be among prioritiesMichael
Originally published in The Pow Wow, January 26, 2002
My mood was a happy mix between elation and melancholy as I completed my application for graduation last week. I was excited to be near the end of another chapter in my life but felt disappointed that I wouldn't be sticking around to see the school I love return to glory.
Of course, that's how I felt last week. Having my newspaper get the cold shoulder Tuesday afternoon sort of sucked the disappointment out of me.
University of Louisiana System President Sally Clausen was in town Tuesday to meet with state legislators regarding some of the university's academic programs. Following her private meeting with the lawmakers, Clausen held a press conference in University Library.
According to the Pow Wow reporter in attendance, Clausen spoke about not wanting to have any secrets. She was even quoted saying as much in Wednesday's edition of The News Star. Personally, I'm disappointed with those comments because the meeting was almost a secret to your student newspaper.
There was no fax. There was no e-mail. There was no voice mail message. Neither the university or the University of Louisiana System bothered to include the voice of the student body "in the loop."
If one of our reporters had not been hunting down administrators for a story and stumbled across the press conference, we wouldn't have known about it at all.
Perhaps this is proof that few things are as handy as a dedicated reporter with good timing. But unfortunately, this is proof that things aren't much different in the new year than they were in the old. The ULM cast list has seen some changes recently, but the story line seems the same.
I don't want to come across as suggesting this situation was intentional. I've dealt with Clausen and company before and they seem like good, honest people. Perhaps this was just a good, honest mistake. But when inviting folks to the party Tuesday, the people we trust to run our institution seemed to overlook the students. Such an occurrence -- regardless of the intent (or lack thereof) -- is never acceptable.
This university exists because of students. Period. The end. If the student body left here tomorrow, the university would cease to exist. I don't say that to be arrogant, but merely as a reminder to those who might have forgotten.
With enrollment dropping the way it is, the dwindling masses that remain wouldn't mind being courted a little. If the university can appear to care more about the students that are still around... It might just be possible to make those students care about their university.
My mood was a happy mix between elation and melancholy as I completed my application for graduation last week. I was excited to be near the end of another chapter in my life but felt disappointed that I wouldn't be sticking around to see the school I love return to glory.
Of course, that's how I felt last week. Having my newspaper get the cold shoulder Tuesday afternoon sort of sucked the disappointment out of me.
University of Louisiana System President Sally Clausen was in town Tuesday to meet with state legislators regarding some of the university's academic programs. Following her private meeting with the lawmakers, Clausen held a press conference in University Library.
According to the Pow Wow reporter in attendance, Clausen spoke about not wanting to have any secrets. She was even quoted saying as much in Wednesday's edition of The News Star. Personally, I'm disappointed with those comments because the meeting was almost a secret to your student newspaper.
There was no fax. There was no e-mail. There was no voice mail message. Neither the university or the University of Louisiana System bothered to include the voice of the student body "in the loop."
If one of our reporters had not been hunting down administrators for a story and stumbled across the press conference, we wouldn't have known about it at all.
Perhaps this is proof that few things are as handy as a dedicated reporter with good timing. But unfortunately, this is proof that things aren't much different in the new year than they were in the old. The ULM cast list has seen some changes recently, but the story line seems the same.
I don't want to come across as suggesting this situation was intentional. I've dealt with Clausen and company before and they seem like good, honest people. Perhaps this was just a good, honest mistake. But when inviting folks to the party Tuesday, the people we trust to run our institution seemed to overlook the students. Such an occurrence -- regardless of the intent (or lack thereof) -- is never acceptable.
This university exists because of students. Period. The end. If the student body left here tomorrow, the university would cease to exist. I don't say that to be arrogant, but merely as a reminder to those who might have forgotten.
With enrollment dropping the way it is, the dwindling masses that remain wouldn't mind being courted a little. If the university can appear to care more about the students that are still around... It might just be possible to make those students care about their university.
• • • • • •
Maybe it's just me, but the fact that our new president is slated to start work April 1 has me a little worried. ULM has seen more than it's fair share of difficulty. If you think about it, having our new leader report to duty on April Fool's Day might not be the best idea.
Michael Cossey is a Monticello, Ark. Radio, Television & Film senior and chief of staff of The Pow Wow.
Michael Cossey is a Monticello, Ark. Radio, Television & Film senior and chief of staff of The Pow Wow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
