In an effort to expand the communication channels between the University’s administration and its students, Chancellor Sean O’Keefe has created a Web page devoted to addressing concerns students expressed to him at his first Chat with the Chancellor in early March.
The Web site, which is posted in a Q&A format and called “Issues & Answers,” responds to student concerns about international-student scholarships, the University’s commitment to the Baton Rouge community and the effects of last fall’s Chingy concert cancellation. Absent from the Web site are students’ questions about the purple-and-gold-colored Confederate flags.
The Web site addresses each issue individually.
In response to questions about scholarships for international students, the site outlines the qualifications for obtaining scholarships and the details about international scholarships in particular.
The Web site also describes the relations that are underway with the Baton Rouge community to use a multimillion-dollar government grant to “improve the living conditions in the neighborhood north of campus.”
The Web page will also allow O’Keefe to concentrate on future concerns.
Jason Droddy, executive assistant to the Chancellor, said, “O’Keefe told me that he wanted to create the page two days before the Chat with the Chancellor. When a student asked him a question that he thought many students might have, he wanted to have a place where all students could see the solution.”
Droddy said the page is not only for student concerns. Members of the Baton Rouge community, faculty members and business people can also submit questions.
“We’ll take any questions,” Droddy said. “If there’s one that we feel a lot of people could benefit from the answer, we’ll post it on the Web page.”
Droddy said O’Keefe is working to find a solution to an issue that concerned several students during the Chat with the Chancellor — the Confederate flag issue.
“We are addressing that issue right now,” Droddy said. “We didn’t want to simply post the Chancellor’s opinions, we wanted to have a clear plan on how to address that issue.”
Droddy said O’Keefe has met with Student Senate Speaker Brandon Smith, who filed a complaint concerning the flags.
He said O’Keefe and Smith are working to find a solution that will be acceptable to all students.
“We want to touch all the bases so students know that we aren’t just giving them empty words,” Droddy said. “We have actions as well.”
Jimmy Vermaelen, SG co-director of student involvement and a biological sciences senior, said he thinks the new Web page is a great way for students to have their questions answered.
“This is a way for students to bring issues to the Chancellor’s attention that he may not know about otherwise,” Vermaelen said.
Vermaelen said the Web page is not only a way for students to ask O’Keefe questions — it is a way for him to explain his ideas to students as well.
“A lot of times students don’t fully grasp big-picture plans for the University, and this is a way for O’Keefe to explain those plans,” Vermaelen said.
Alex Aldred, a computer science sophomore, said he spoke to O’Keefe about his concerns for the computer science department at the Chat with the Chancellor — and the Chancellor addressed them on the new Web page.
Aldred said he thinks the Web page is beneficial to students in several ways.
“It gives users the opportunity to ask questions whenever they are able to do so and not only at his specified times, which may not be convenient,” Aldred said.
Aldred said the ability to speak with administrators will allow students to help shape their University more effectively.
“It’s important to have accessibility to authority figures because they are the ones who make the decisions in a University community,” he said.
Vermaelen said open communication between students and administrators is a great way to ensure the University runs smoothly.
“Everyone can benefit when the channels of communication are wide open,” Vermaelen said.