Student Government is changing the usual open-forum Chats with the Chancellor to a more casual setting for the first with Chancellor Sean O’Keefe.
At the first chat of the semester, students will be able to meet O’Keefe. SG has not set a date for the first chat because they are still working with the chancellor’s schedule.
SG President Brad Golson said they want students to get a feel for O’Keefe’s personality and give O’Keefe a chance to learn about the students and the atmosphere of campus.
“If students know [O’Keefe], they will feel more connected to the University and the changes we are making,” said Michelle Gieg, SG co-director of legislative affairs.
Gieg said she feels the first chats will be important to O’Keefe because he does not have traditional ideas about education — he has never been chancellor at an university. She said she thinks he will be interested to learn about students’ concerns.
Golson said Chats with the Chancellor will return to the previous format after the first.
Typical Chats with the Chancellor enable students to have their questions and concerns addressed directly by the chancellor. Students can submit an index card with their name, contact information and questions. Questions that are not addressed at the chat are forwarded to the chancellor’s office to be answered later.
Michael Tipton, a frequent attendee of the chats, said he has found that when students understand why the University wants to do something, they are usually supportive.
Tipton said the chats are the only way students can get a direct response from the chancellor on hard questions.
More than a year ago, Gieg helped start Chats with the Chancellor to give the chancellor a direct line to students.
Gieg said they framed the monthly chats with a pertinent topic students were concerned about.
“It is a good way to get your questions answered and find understanding from the head of the University,” Gieg said.