On Monday afternoon, we held our first town hall-style meeting. It was an important first step to open more lines of communication among students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

The idea for the meeting was sparked by a student who stopped me as I was walking through Alden Library. The student expressed an interest in having a forum where everyone could come together and talk about topics that are on the minds of University community members. I thought a town hall-style meeting in the Fall Quarter would be a great way to hear those thoughts and recommendations.

We had a very productive discussion for two hours at the University Town Hall meeting, and a number of themes emerged. What I heard was a clear interest by students, faculty, and staff to further discuss the meaning of shared governance and the administration’s commitment to it. Diversity and inclusiveness, campus and community safety, the future of the Oasis, Vision OHIO, the implementation of the new high-risk drinking strategy, and health care for women and graduate students also were among issues on the minds of attendees. Those are very important topics.

Thank you to those who were able to participate. It was a wonderful opportunity to listen to one another and share perspectives. The University leadership team and I will be following up on the comments and suggestions. I encourage students, faculty, and staff to continue to offer ideas by talking to representatives in the constituent groups or sending suggestions to the chairs of committees who are making recommendations on many of the topics that were discussed.

An archived Web cast of the event is now available. Another University Town Hall meeting will be planned for January. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, we will alternate the day and time of these meetings. I look forward to seeing you at our next University community meeting!

Cordially,

Roderick J. McDavis
President