SBG voices concerns to Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor

On April 7th, UIC Chancellor Paula Allen-Meares and Vice-Chancellor Barbara Henley held a "town-hall" styled meeting in the Pier Room. Heather Kaufman and myself attended to ask some questions and to voice some concerns we've been hearing from students. Luckily we arrived early enough to talk with Vice Chancellor Henley about our lobbing initiatives to reduce textbook prices, where she was gracious enough to put us into contact with some great resources on the board of trustees.

Finally the meeting began, and though a panel-styled table was set up, Meares and Henley decided to form the seats into a circle, making the meeting seem less formal. Unfortunately, representatives of student government and the student trustee were unable to get close seats due to their late arrival.

Meares began answering questions and we raised a few topics we felt needed to be addressed. I asked about the upgrading of the structural maps from 1963, if there are any plans on taking care of this. I was directed to Facilities Management Director Mark Donovan, who I will follow up with. Next, we asked about plans to address the multi-million dollar deferred maintenance, and if there are any plans for renovations. Meares responded that the university is looking into using money from the stimulus package to help with these renovations. Finally, Kaufman asked about security within the dorms. The responses she received concerned possible new technology for photographing people entering the dormitories.

Regardless of the specifics, holding such meetings is the right step in the right direction, and I hope more are to come. Yet as representatives of student government, the job is to push the administration on these questions, not to settle for a back seat and remain silent. If the administration is beginning to show positive signs by beginning to reach out to students, we must take advantage of this opportunity and elect a student government willing to be right up in front to meet them, not stuck in the rear.

-Sean Murray