Less than 30 students attended and participated in this year’s first University Town Hall Meeting Oct. 25 hosted by Interim President Leroy Morishita, created to “listen intently” to students on their opinions over their school.
The hour-long session dedicated to allow students to voice their opinions, concerns and hopes for their university was poorly attended, with a large majority of the students in attendance mainly representing student government, clubs and organizations or student university workers.
Meeting hosts emphasized throughout the session their gratitude to those in attendance and how they “really appreciate and value the student voice.”
The session began with an administrative facilitator addressing the attendees to Morishita’s desires to hear from students and gather their suggestions to eventually use and improve upon.
Centering the discussion on seven mandates, which were essentially mission statements expressing their views and hopes for CSU East Bay, the session requested of students to respond to the mandates and answer general questions regarding them.
With such a small amount of students in attendance essentially representing their classmates, many say the event was not an adequate representation as well as an unfortunate reflection of a lack of involvement from students on campus.
Many in attendance, like CSUEB student Stephanie Loredo, agreed while many students complain about their school with an endless array of complaints the event was not heavily attended as it could have been.
“I came because I thought it would be interesting to hear what others have to say, and express my interests as well,” said the psychology major. “I think it’s sad that other students didn’t attend. They constantly have complaints about CSUEB, yet they don’t show up to these opportunities. Shows what a lack of real care we have on this school from students.”
While it appeared rather difficult to draw students to the event, primarily having to use free food as an attraction, it was not a struggle to get students to participate and engage in the discussion, as many of the people present responded to the questions being asked of them without much pressure.
Ranging from “a university of choice through regional stewardship,” “an inclusive campus,” “vibrant university villages” and the like, the discussion revolved around questioning both the positive and negative aspects from the list as a note taker listed each student’s answers.
Many students noted they felt the school’s general education system, teachers, and services as CSUEB’s greatest strengths, mentioning they also appreciated opportunities such as the session to voice their opinions over the school.
Some students who did not attend said they felt the session would not produce any results, as they felt past town hall meetings weren’t fruitful.
“I knew about it but I think they want to appear like they’re doing something when it probably won’t do anything for us,” said business major Jeff Myers. “If I see something come out of this event I’ll attend further ones, but until then I’m not going to waste my time.”
President Morishita, who apparently did not intend to use the forum as a question and answer session, did pick up the microphone at the end to address questions.
Morishita appeared willing to work with students’ needs as he addressed many questions carefully but showed gratitude those students were willing to question and show interest in their university.
Participants voiced their concerns over class sizes, budget cuts and parking with Morishita expressing he would “look into it” and hope to have a solution to each problem in the near future.
In the end, after one student questioned as to how Morishita will actually get back to the attendants on the complaints they had, Morishita said he will be having a column soon where he can address their issues, but in the end to remember he will do his absolute best regardless of the outcome.
“I can’t say that we’ll resolve anything,” he said. “But we can try.”
The next student session will be Oct. 27, and administration noted they plan to hold more of these events in the future.