Column: MU needs a stronger relationship with students
Published April 23, 2010
In the last few months, I've resumed work on the student tailgating initiative. Once more, I find myself plagued by barriers to a relatively simply objective.
However, this column isn't about tailgating. Rather, I feel this issue is exemplary of a larger trend that's been developing at MU for at least the last decade.
Let's examine the situation with tailgating. It's not incredibly complex, and we've been working with the administration since August. Frankly, there isn't an excuse for this issue to remain unsettled at this point. However, this continues to be the case because the administration is hysterically worried about the potential ramifications of such a space. Thus, we arrive at the central issue: MU is far more interested in itself than in its students. MU has moved so far in this direction it's ridiculous. Basically, MU isn't adequately establishing, building and maintaining a relationship with students. I worry that if this trend continues, our future alumni base will adopt a disposition that is apathetic toward MU.
I have issues with Summer Welcome, but at least it establishes an initial connection with students. Residential Life builds on this for what is usually one year while students live in the Residence Halls. But what happens next? Most students move off campus, and their relationship with MU regresses to commuting to and from class. Ironically, if you're reading this, it probably doesn't apply to you. I'm talking about the group of people, who constitute a majority of campus, whom you met your freshman year. Have you noticed how they largely hang out with the people they met while living in the residence halls and, for the most part, no one else?
Essentially, during the following years, there isn't a lot that happens to endear MU to students. Perhaps they got in trouble for something dumb while they were living in the residence halls. Maybe they had a negative experience with the Financial Aid Office. Granted, MU can't really improve things in some areas; not everyone can park in Virginia Avenue Garage. I could speculate at length, but the point is students have a number of points with which they might become agitated with no counterpoints. I feel the steady elimination of these counterpoints is the problem.
It's always been difficult to deal with Jesse Hall, but at least you got to be a college student for your trouble. You can obviously still be a college student, but it seems MU has steadily dimmed the bright spots. I'm talking about a lot of things here, with the move to a dry campus and the hammer that's been taken to Greek Life being some of the more notable moves. However, while alcohol is certainly a large issue, it's far from the only matter encompassed by this trend.
What does this mean? In brief, students have fewer reasons to form an attachment to MU. Especially with rising tuition and fees, students are progressively viewing their interaction with MU as a strictly business relationship. Although this does not have an immediate impact, the long-term implications are significant. The General Assembly's support for higher education is feeble, which amplifies the importance of maintaining strong alumni relations. In addition to other reasons, we look to our alumni not only to donate to MU, but also to lobby on our behalf in business or political contexts and to fill our football stadium and basketball arena.
MU needs to take a step back and re-evaluate how it operates in a number of important areas. Administrators need to remember we're here for more than a degree. Perhaps more importantly, they need to realize we're adults, albeit poor and lacking influence. But that won't be the case in future years. Remember this when you're deciding how to treat students, because we'll remember when you pick up the phone to call for a check.