Jeff Herzig, the outgoing president of the Oshkosh Student Association, calls for increased student participation in this week's Advance-Titan:
"As I depart though I need to mention some concerns that I have which focus on student apathy. It’s disturbing to see and hear students not care about the issues that affect them on campus, and in the state. Many students here at UWO don’t realize how much they can influence changes if they were to just get involved and help out. Students here at UWO are respected and encouraged when they participate, and OSA works hard to maintain that image. We could be even more effective if more students got involved and participated within OSA in some function."
An example of excellent participation is outgoing OSA vice-president Tom Shields. He has just been named as the first non-traditional student rep on the System Board of Regents. This is not only great news for Tom, but great news for our campus also. Over the last few weeks it appeared as if we were coming dangerously close to once again becoming a campus that appears preoccupied with partying as the "pub crawl" seemed to be the only issue getting any sustained attention on campus.
Many thanks to Jeff Herzig and Tom Shields for not only talking the talk, but walking the walk on student participation.
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3 comments:
S.B.,
Herzig doesn't actually say the administrative reaction to the pub crawl was overblown, does he? He seems to be saying that he understands their concerns, but that those concerns are "rooted in the past." He seems to be saying the administration's stance on the pub crawl makes sense from their perspective--he just thinks their perspective is incomplete.
I personally don't have any problems with a student organized pub crawl, but it would be nices if every now and then someone organized an "art walk crawl," or a "support student athletics crawl," or a--heaven forbid--"attend campus speaker event" crawl. I won't hold my breath waiting for those crawls to happen.
Geez - it's almost like they're fully formed adults who have their family's value system fully embedded into the depths of their beings, are heavily influenced by the vapid public school system and have been seduced by our in-your-face-every minute plastic American culture.
Go figure.
Thanks Tony for the comments, and since there was some confusion on the article I will breifly explain. My point was simply that there is a disconnect between the students and administration as well as the Oshkosh Community. This is evident by many people saying..."Why did they do this the same day as the art walk downtown" and from speaking to the organizers, it was an oversight...they had no clue it was happening, and they did regret any problems that caused.
The reaction by administration was simply viewed by students as a lecture...if students dont listen to their parents about the dangers of drinking why would administration think they should? I'm not a proponent of drinking but I do think their reaction was typical, and in the community we should be given the same level of respect to do what we want (be that organize and participate in an event like this) as any group of adults be it 30yr olds or 50yr olds.
Lastly I would like to say that the city obviously wants to make the downtown revitalization a top priority, so my suggestion is start with the students! Offer them the opportunity to come and utilize the area, and please dont chastise them if this is how they occasionally come. Reach out to the students when there are events planned downtown, invite us, thats the first step to any of us participating!
Its been a pleasure serving the students of UWO and I loved every minute of it. Best of luck in the future to the school, students, and professors. Lastly I should thank many of the professors at UWO, because you are the university. Without you our degree means nothing...and it's time for the state to show you some good faith and give an appropriate raise, that doesnt hurt the students.
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