In an organization like a university, wherein several disparate departments are vying for funds and have differing interests and concerns, communication is key.  That’s why the open forum for faculty and staff held on Sept. 20 was so important.

Universities are increasingly becoming more and more like a business.  The product they’re selling is a degree and the value it holds in society.  The students, as customers, are in the peculiar position of paying the university for a degree that can’t be bought with money alone.  We also have to work for it.  In addition to all of that, there are many professors and students who disagree about the purpose of a university altogether and feel that a university should be a place where value is earned and education should be sought after for its own sake and not bought and sold like a commodity.

Both of these lines of thinking coexist at U of L and in many ways are necessary for a successful campus community.  Without the business side, we would not be able to pay top professors and bring desired amenities to campus. Without the academic side, however, the campus wouldn’t be fostering a learning environment and releasing capable, intelligent graduates into society.  The open forum was an attempt to bridge the gap between business and academia at U of L, focusing on the ways in which these two areas intersect.

Many of the issues discussed had to do with the budget and making sure money was appropriated responsibly.  The smoking ban was also discussed, as well as a perceived disconnect between faculty and staff.  All of these issues are important and there must be a running dialogue like this, to insure that all sectors of the campus community are communicating and working together.

Another forum will be held on Oct. 12 and hopefully many more will be held throughout the year.  It might also be beneficial to have a similar forum, involving President Ramsey and a similar panel of administrators and students.  Students that have pertinent concerns should have their voices heard.  The student, after all, should be the central figure in a university environment, more so than faculty or staff.  We are the ones receiving an education and paying salaries, for the most part, and our perspective should be represented.

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Photo courtesy UofL Today