COMMENTARY - Inauguration misses point, overlooks students
Brittany Hopp & Joe Roy
Issue date: 11/7/05 Section: Opinions
Drury University exists as an institution comprised of students. Sure, we have alumni, faculty and staff members and administration, but the real reason we are all here is because of the students. Without students, there would be no Drury.
Why then, at the two-day inaugural celebration last week, was there appallingly low student participation? Maybe it was the confusing and inadequate advertising or maybe it was the insulting treatment and recognition of Drury students.
Our first taste of this insulting treatment and recognition was at the leadership symposium on Friday where we learned about a method of leadership that encourages the importance of organizational investment in the needs of employees. While we agree with the importance of servant leadership, we do take issue with the over-regulated way in which the discussion was structured.
In short, only three pre-selected students were allowed to ask questions. There must have been concern that students would not attend this symposium, students (although in attendance) would choose not to ask a question, or students would ask a challenging question that would cast a negative light on the symposium. In any case, the decision was insulting and demeaning to the Drury students.
At the inauguration ceremony, the theme of discrediting students was continued with the introduction of the student representative, Day School Student Body President Zach Tusinger. Zach was disgraced as his year in school was stated incorrectly and his last name butchered.
After a touching greeting and history lesson, Dr. Sellars somehow managed to further degrade the entire student body. According to his speech, the university needs to implement "programs to address the issues like remediation and binge drinking that our students bring to campus." Of course there are problems that occur as a result of drinking on any college campus, but why does this issue need to be addressed in a celebratory inaugural speech and in such a condemning manner?
An inauguration ceremony was necessary, and we do not complain about the amount of money that was spent; Drury and Dr. Sellars both deserve a celebration. The inauguration of Dr. Sellars could have and should have been so much better - with a higher level of student interaction and recognition, the inauguration would have been better attended and more useful to the student body.
Dr. Sellars, a simple piece of advice from two humble students: remember that students are the reason Drury exists.
Why then, at the two-day inaugural celebration last week, was there appallingly low student participation? Maybe it was the confusing and inadequate advertising or maybe it was the insulting treatment and recognition of Drury students.
Our first taste of this insulting treatment and recognition was at the leadership symposium on Friday where we learned about a method of leadership that encourages the importance of organizational investment in the needs of employees. While we agree with the importance of servant leadership, we do take issue with the over-regulated way in which the discussion was structured.
In short, only three pre-selected students were allowed to ask questions. There must have been concern that students would not attend this symposium, students (although in attendance) would choose not to ask a question, or students would ask a challenging question that would cast a negative light on the symposium. In any case, the decision was insulting and demeaning to the Drury students.
At the inauguration ceremony, the theme of discrediting students was continued with the introduction of the student representative, Day School Student Body President Zach Tusinger. Zach was disgraced as his year in school was stated incorrectly and his last name butchered.
After a touching greeting and history lesson, Dr. Sellars somehow managed to further degrade the entire student body. According to his speech, the university needs to implement "programs to address the issues like remediation and binge drinking that our students bring to campus." Of course there are problems that occur as a result of drinking on any college campus, but why does this issue need to be addressed in a celebratory inaugural speech and in such a condemning manner?
An inauguration ceremony was necessary, and we do not complain about the amount of money that was spent; Drury and Dr. Sellars both deserve a celebration. The inauguration of Dr. Sellars could have and should have been so much better - with a higher level of student interaction and recognition, the inauguration would have been better attended and more useful to the student body.
Dr. Sellars, a simple piece of advice from two humble students: remember that students are the reason Drury exists.
Article last update: 11/3/05 at 10:01 PM CST