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September 27, 2005
Forum with Hanson answers questions, raises more
Last Thursday afternoon, President Hanson met with several dozen students to discuss the progress of the university so far and to answer questions. The informal, low-key event answered a variety of questions on topics ranging from post-baccalaureate and commuter concerns to healthy eating, from the convocation ceremony earlier this month to starfish.
President Hanson spoke enthusiastically to the crowd about her plans for the school year, as well as Dean of Students Alan Sickbert and several student leaders. This event is one of the kickoffs for the first-ever Community Week, which starts on September 22 and ends on Sept. 29 with the Commitment to Community Keynote Address by Dennis Banks.
Dean Sickbert introduced Hanson by saying, “She’s a ‘change agent.’ She knows that for change to happen, a leader must follow.” He then added, “Best of all, she picks up trash!”
When Hanson took to the microphone, the tone was friendly and candid, and the mood of informal honesty continued throughout the question-and-answer sessions later in the evening as well.
Regarding the convocation that took place earlier this month, Hanson acknowledged the need to include students in these types of meetings, but also mentioned that the event was the first time that many of the staff and faculty were able to sit down together and “just talk.” She feels that building college relations is the first step in solidifying the community-friendly programs she intends to hold for everyone on campus.
Plans are even in the works for later in the year sometime after January term for a campus-wide forum, this time including students. “There is a palpable thirst for community here...I want to find ways to link up these conversations,” Hanson said.
Much emphasis was placed on the need for Hamline to reinvestigate and possibly to loosen up on some aspects of the status quo and shake things up a bit in order to improve upon the current university systems that are in place. Hanson explained, “We’ve got to ‘unfreeze’ a bit.”
Regarding the possibility of student representation at the board of trustee meetings, it was mentioned that the process is underway, and that right now the university is investigating models from other schools to determine which setup will best fit Hamline and its needs.
HUSC President Shanelle Evens said, “It is a slow process, more detailed and meticulous than I thought it would be. There’s a specific model that we are trying to fit, [but] it’s still slower than I want it to be.”
All in all, Hanson encouraged all in attendance to stay engaged in bettering the Hamline community, and to be patient. Said Hanson, “There are lots of things in the university that aren’t working well. I will need time for that.”f
Posted by msveum at September 27, 2005 11:52 AM
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