BY CORIE LYNN
PHOTOS AND VIDEO BY ALEX JUAREZ
How does Fort Hays State University meet its students’ needs?
During its first Town Hall, the Student Government Association hoped to answer this question.
The event was held Thursday night in Cody Commons. For those attending, the SGA provided free pizza and faculty-free place for students to discuss the issues they see on campus as well as ask questions of the SGA.
Students were able to anonymously submit their questions online, with common themes and words presented on a projector screen, or written on question slips. They were also welcomed to ask their questions directly.
The SGA panel that answered student questions included President Brad DeMers, Vice President Michael Musgrove, Legislative Affairs Director Kaytee Wisley and Appropriations Committee Chair Joshua Becker.
Students representing a variety of campus experiences attending the meeting, bringing a variety of topics to the night’s discussion.
One of the first concerns students expressed was the problems with accessibility on campus. This includes steep ramps, uneven bricks in front of Tomanek Hall and the frequent problems with the Rarick Hall elevator.
Vice President Musgrove assured the audience that Fort Hays State administration is aware of the accessibility problems on campus and is working to make improvements.
“[The administration] has it on their plans right now to replace that entire front [of Tomanek] to make it all concrete so that it’s all level,” he said.
DeMers also informed the students that Rarick, which is undergoing renovations, will have a new elevator installed.
Throughout the meeting, the discussion also revolved around how to address harassment on campus and within Greek life. LAD Wisley informed students that issues such as these should be brought to Amy Schaffer, the University Compliance Officer.
Other topics brought up including food security on campus, what free speech looks like on campus as well as multiculturalism at FHSU.
This last topic was brought up by Jetta Smith of the Black Student Union.
Smith later said that she attended the Town Hall “to voice [her] opinions and thoughts about how Fort Hays State can continue to grow and be better.” In particular, she wanted to see a better representation of minorities on campus.
During the Town Hall, Smith stated that a multicultural center on campus would be beneficial for the university and its students.
“I feel that often those minority groups that don’t make up a large population on campus are often an afterthought,” Smith said, addressing the SGA panel.
She sees the best place for a multicultural center as within the new Student Success Center.
“We don’t want a huge space, but just a space for students to go to where they don’t feel that they’re the afterthought on campus because my dollars are the same as your dollars,” Smith said.
DeMers agreed with Smith as well as stated that he would begin for a space for the students.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, DeMers said that Town Hall was a success because of the turnout and the discussion. The SGA would look to planning more events such as this, ideally each semester.
“I think it’s just great that we have students who are willing to come in and talk,” DeMers said, “and I know that for every problem, there’s a solution or we’re going to work for a solution. I think that was the best thing about tonight, knowing there are some issues we can address.”