Honesty is the best policy.
Countless sources, from Instagram quote pictures to parents’ lectures, have drilled this message into our minds. Often, it has proven to be the best way to operate.
Monday’s Speak Up event, hosted by Student Senate, provided the opportunity for students to speak directly to administrators on topics ranging from the very bad to the very good.
With numerous students submitting questions, attending the event and following along and engaging in conversation via Twitter, it was obvious this was a valuable event for students.
Yet, Speak Up seemed to display both sides of the coin with regard to honesty, openness and transparency.
With many topics, we felt our feedback was valued, our opinions were respected and our questions were answered.
Associate Provost for Information Resources and Technology Chuck Ruch was the best example of this.
When asked about issues with Internet connectivity or Windows 8 update rumors, Ruch answered all questions directly and honestly, even when the answer was not positive.
Responses such as those of Ruch were refreshing and straightforward.
He presented us the answers we needed, offered us resources to help solve the issue and provided us with some insight into university plans for an eventual solution.
This is how every question should have been answered.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
Administrators such as Vice President for Business Affairs Gary Anna and Director of Athletics Michael Cross approached questions directed at their positions by side-stepping the answers entirely.
Cross, who was asked questions such as the rationale behind a losing men’s basketball coach with a 37-64 record being paid a $750,000 salary, answered with responses that were so vague they could have been applied to just about anything.
Likewise, Anna responded to questions regarding larger increases in athletic spending than in academic spending by presenting a question of the statistics’ sample sizes and repeating that “an investment has been made,” although no indication of what exactly this investment is was provided.
University utopia does not exist, nor do we expect it to, but avoiding an answer is reason for speculation, distrust and criticism. Furthermore, it’s a waste of time.
At Speak Up, students are not limited to what they can ask or whom questions can be directed to. Additionally, there are no mandates (that students are aware of) that require any faculty, staff or administrators to be in attendance.
So why, if you voluntarily attended, would you waste everyone’s time in not answering a question? Walking around the answer does not make you any more credible or trustworthy. Instead, it shows you are content with sweeping issues under the rug.
But let’s be honest; there’s not too much you could say that would shock us. Nevertheless, to receive an answer to a question, even if the issue is in the midst of being addressed, allows students to feel even more confident in their institution’s direction and leadership.
So thank you to those like Ruch who respected students enough to give straight answers. We know it’s frustrating when things go wrong, but we are appreciative of your honesty and accountability.
And to those such as Cross and Anna: actions speak louder than words, and honesty is the best policy.
