The Observer, March 10, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 20
Students, administration step up to new challenges
Cheers to the Case student body. While many uncertainties still surround the vote of no confidence, the absence of a student role in determining the fate of the president and provost has never been unclear. However, that has not stopped Case students from informing themselves about the situation, taking a side, and sharing their feelings on the matter with others.
Tuesday's highly attended USG meeting was a testament to the fact that students want to know what is going on and they want to have a voice in what might possibly be the most important event in our time at Case. On a broader level, countless blogs and forum threads have been started on the issue and have inspired thoughtful discussion about this historic moment.
It is refreshing to see that despite the limited information that has been disseminated as of this point, students are demonstrating curiosity and eagerness to know where the university stands.
Whether this rally for information will push the Board of Trustees in one direction or another, in terms of decisions that must be made in the near future, is still to be seen. One thing, however, is certain: Case students have risen above the stereotype of "apathetic college students" to question the state of this university. They have proven that they want and deserve to know what is going on. They have used whatever powers available to attain information and reach conclusions.
The student body should be lauded for their efforts, and allowed a voice in the decisions that will be made regarding their university. Whether they are given this opportunity or not, they have continuously demonstrated their right to have a say.
On a similar note, cheers to the administration as well. While this could be a time for hiding behind empty statements and waiting around hoping that this problem will just blow over, they have instead chosen to be forthcoming with any recent information that might be useful to the campus community.
Last week's campus-wide e-mail announcing the results of the no-confidence vote was a surprise to many who opened and read it. The university administration could have chosen to keep it a secret, and could have merely brushed the vote off as an isolated incident. They also could have chosen to hinder the spread of negative media attention by keeping headlines such as "Revolt at Case Western" out of Case Daily. A new addition to the main Case webpage, "CasePoint," makes the "university administration's view on issues of interest to the community" publicly known by keeping an archive of messages that have been sent to the campus by the administration. While everything provided on that page is subject to scrutiny by members of the campus community, its availability is helpful when information is needed.
The administration's actions during this difficult time are commendable. If they continue to maintain this same level of openness with the campus community, they might stand a chance in demonstrating their leadership capabilities.
