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October 25, 2005
Involve the students in planning
There has been much talk about the student turnout at President Hanson’s inauguration and I’ve seen nothing but disappointment. As a student who didn’t attend, I feel that labels, like disrespectful or apathetic, have been slapped on me and all the other students who were absent. I’d like to respond to this image.
It is true that I did not feel the inauguration had a high enough priority to attend; however, this is not the same as saying I am apathetic or intend disrespect. In fact, I am glad that President Hanson has come to our campus and think that her presence will benefit Hamline.
It is more the ceremony itself that disinterests me. Other students I have talked to have said that ceremonies like this just aren’t a big deal for them, and I agree. A large, formal inauguration seems like a throw back to Victorian times, where such things expressed one’s class status. A look at the robes faculty wore at inauguration, which were required, gave an impression of antiquity and outdated tradition. Values have changed. Many students are no longer as interested in rituals and traditions.
The faculty robes and formality of the event also raise the question of who it was intended for. The students? How many students were involved in the planning process? Did the student body have any say in the events? Were we asked if we wanted campus funds to go to the fancy catering and the elaborate pavilion? Are there better ways the money could have been spent, ways which would have better honored
President Hanson and Hamline University? I think if Hamline had foregone the pavilion, catering and other expenses, and instead donated the funds, in President Hanson’s name, to benefit people displaced from Hurricane Katrina, it would have provided a much better opportunity to show her our honor and respect.
If Hamline wanted students to attend the inauguration, perhaps they should have updated the inaugural format and accounted for the reality that students are more involved in the world and like to play an active role. Imagine a ceremony where the faculty are allowed to dress in normal clothes, instead of silly robes, where students are encouraged to participate in the planning and execution, and where funds are spent in a way which recognizes and tries to alleviate suffering of less fortunate people. I suspect such a ceremony would be far more appealing to students, would have had a much higher turnout, and would still show great respect for our new university president.
Posted by msveum at October 25, 2005 12:55 AM
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