This is one of approximately the 600 orange flags, noting a need for lower tution and a student voice, placed in the lawn in front of Luther Hall by students to voice their concerns, encouraged by Student Senate on Winter Outfly. Photo by Amanda Gahler
MAC SLAVIN SPORTS EDITOR
Today Wartburg students gathered in Clinton Field in an attempt to call a winter Outfly as a rally articulating grievances students wish to be addressed by the administration.
Student Senate has taken the initiative and will be leading a march towards President William Hamm’s house this morning. Monday night students received an e-mail from the Student Senate that asked students to participate in the movement.
“I believe they are issues that aren’t just unique to Wartburg, I believe there are many other students around Iowa and around the nation that should be asking questions,” Travis Bockenstedt, Student Body President, said.
The e-mail stated there were nine issues that Bockenstedt and the senators wanted to focus in on.
Tuition Inflation
Bockenstedt said one of the big issues affecting students in the raise in tuition. He believes that Wartburg’s main goal is to provide students with a quality education.
According to Wartburg’s Financial Aid website, the total tuition, fees, room and board for the 2009-10 school year will add up to $35,065.
“I don’t believe it needs to coast as much as it does,” he said.
He said tuition is an issue that he deals with every year.
“It’s something that is important to students. Some people are going to say we don’t understand the complexities of tuition … well then why not let us understand. What’s the problem in letting students understand where their money goes?” he said.
Faculty Feedback (SRI Review Procedures)
An issue Bockenstedt thought was considered confidential was faculty feedback.
“Facuilty feedback is important and has to deal with the student ratings of instruction forms we fill out,” he said. “I don’t think students take them seriously because they feel they aren’t reviewed at all by the people they should.”
SRI forms are forms filled out by students at the end of the term evaluating performance by the professor and evaluating the class as a whole.
“All of us, both faculty and students, know of professors on campus that aren’t pulling their weight and I think some of them should be held accountable because I think it’s frustrating for the students,” he said. “I don’t think it’s fair not to get adequate and timely feedback.”
One of the reasons feedback is delayed is due to outdated technology, Bockenstedt said.
ITS and Technology Funding
Information Technology Services (ITS) and technology funding was another issue in the e-mail sent to students.
“I feel a lot of students feel we are lacking high speed Internet to some of the [residence] halls and we are lacking wireless in some places,” he said.
He feels that this is an issue the administration needs to look address.
“Technology is important to us as we us it inside and outside of the classroom,” he said.
Campus Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives
Sustainability is an issue that Bockenstedt feels is important to all Wartburg students.
“I don’t think there’s any reason why students had to bring back their own recycling … there’s no reason we need to wait another year without having some type of recycling program in place or sustainability program in place,” he said.
Bockenstedt is worried that Wartburg is missing out on this issue as they are teaching students to be responsible and educated leaders of society.
“It’s going to take a commitment from more than just the students,” he said.
Residence Hall Improvements
The recent partnership with Bartels and Wartburg has also concerned Bockenstedt. Recently Wartburg partnered with Bartels to build a retirement facility. Bockenstedt thinks the administration needs to listen to student’s concerns about housing instead of partnering to build a retirement facility.
“When students have been complaining that [residence] halls … that the first year [residence] halls have major problems, why hasn’t our focus been on those earlier? Why has it taken four years to get a consultant on campus even to address the situation?” he said.
Bockenstedt said he thinks the idea of a retirement center is great, but at the same time there are issues that affect the Wartburg community on a closer level.
Accessibility & Special Needs Accommodation
Bockenstedt said Student Senate has provided a lot of funding towards special needs accommodations around campus.
“It deals with more that just students who need it on a regular basis to get around, I mean we have athletes and other students who get injured, it benefits the community,” he said.
Faculty-Administration Communication and Support
Students used to have a voice in issues that affected campus, Bockenstedt said.
“We’re asking student leaders to be involved in more decision-making processes on campus, whether that is having the Student Body President sit in on discussion about tuition and room and board raises. I think it’s important that someone be involved in those situations,” he said.
Bockenstedt urged that students be involved in these hearings, because they are the ones footing the bill and paying for them in the long run.
International Student Support
Bockenstedt sees Wartburg as an institution that prides itself on diversity and having a diverse student body.
“I think we should strive to provide more resources to provide more inclusion to those people in our community, especially since international students are expected to live on campus,” he said.
“The W” Locker Room Access
Another issue that Bockenstedt drew attention to was “The W,” Wartburg and Waverly’s new health and wellness center.
Bockenstedt feels that the biggest issue with “The W” is student access to locker rooms. Currently students use a different locker room than community members, and this is something that Bockenstedt doesn’t agree with.
“The reason why it’s so important that we advocate for locker room access is because this is supposed to be a community – school partnership. Why are we separating them; students and community? What type of message does that send?” he said.
Students are attempting to get Hamm to call a Winter Outfly, in hopes that these issues will be able to be heard and addressed. Check out The Circuit for more updates throughout the day on this Circuit Breaker.