Next Tuesday students will have the opportunity to articulate issues they may have with campus at an event called “Speak Up.”
A number of administrators and faculty will be present at the event next week.
“Speak Up will be from 5 to 7 p.m. in the [Michel] Student Center ballroom,” Student Senate Relations Chair Kerry Fluder said. “Students will be able to voice their concerns and opinions, as well as ask questions to over 30 administrators.”
Sophomore AEP major Sean McGovern said he thinks the event has the potential to be valuable to students.
“If they really change things and take the students seriously, then Speak Up is a good idea,” he said. “But they have to listen.”
Student Body President Jordan Ticaric said she hopes the event attracts a significant number of people.
“This event has been a tradition for a long time,” she said. “We would like to see 200 people attend, but usually the number is around 100 or 150.”
As with many campus events with the goal of attracting a large number of students, free food will be provided.
“There will be 100 free pizzas as well as beverages,” Fluder said.
Although it is encouraged, Fluder said asking questions is not the sole purpose of this event.
“The goal of this event is to educate students and administrators about potential problems and solutions regarding Bradley’s campus,” she said.
Freshman AEP major Brandon Stevens said he has specific issues he would like to see addressed.
“I want to have better restaurants in the student center,” he said. “I don’t really like [Blimpie].”
Ticaric said she hopes a number of other issues will be brought up as well. “Hopefully we will talk about the Health Center, the Markin Center, food services, parking and other issues,” she said. “We really want to be able to reach out to students.”
In addition to the administrators planning to come, University President Joanne Glasser will also be in attendance.
“I think it is important to have President Glasser present,” freshman psychology major Sam Howell said. “It shows that she is willing to listen to us and change things.”
Anyone will be able to submit a question to Glasser or the appropriate administrator, Fluder said.
“There will be forms provided for students to write their questions,” she said. “Then, Student Senate President Jordan Ticaric and myself will read the questions that students have and direct the appropriate administrator to respond.”
Ticaric also said the event is important because it shows the level of commitment both and students administrators have to campus.
“This event is good for campus, the students and the administration,” Ticaric said. “It shows the administration cares because they are taking time to take students’ concerns to heart and it shows that students care because they are attending to voice their concerns,” she said.
Howell said she thinks Speak Up will be beneficial to students.
“I am sure there will be a lot of issues brought up on Tuesday,” she said. “It sounds like a great way for people to get things changed that they want to see changed.”