Chancellor Michael Martin encouraged students to brainstorm ideas for fundraising and the betterment of the University during Student Government’s “Chats with the Chancellor” on Thursday.
Martin, along with Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services and CFO Eric Monday and Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Enrollment Services Kurt Keppler, addressed the questions and concerns of about 15 students in the Live Oak Lounge of the Student Union.
Hanif Soysal, biological engineering freshman, asked the chancellor about international students’ and non-residents’ escalating tuition.
Martin said the University is trying to raise money for a private endowment that could help students who are unable to afford tuition and fees. Martin is seeking creative fundraising ideas to fund a University endowment, he said.
Soysal called Martin “very jolly” and said “Chats with the Chancellor” is a good way to get involved at the University.
Robert Cowan, finance junior, asked Martin about ideas for “cost management across departments.”
Martin said he wants to spur student involvement in campus decisions, like including architecture students in ideas for upcoming buildings on campus.
“We need to use students more rigorously,” Martin said. “There are many issues here that students can contribute to solutions.”
Kendale Thompson, political science junior, asked about a fee report breakdown on PAWS, which Monday said he would investigate.
Keppler spoke to students about getting involved in University recruitment, residence halls, tuition, scholarships, parking and studying areas.
Hilary Soileau, director of SG’s student outreach department, said while “Chats with the Chancellor” does not reach every student, it’s fulfilling to see the students who show up with questions.
“It’s so nice to see that our administrators really, really care,” she said.
If students did not have prepared questions but wanted to talk to an administrator, Soileau had prepared questions they could ask, ranging from trivia to questions about administrative positions.
Soileau said SG plans to host another “Chats with the Chancellor” session this semester, but she wants to evaluate this event’s effectiveness before concretely planning another.
 
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Contact Andrea Gallo at [email protected].