Editorial

Students lack knowledge on critical UWRF issues

By Student Voice

March 24, 2010

The chancellor of UW-River Falls is Dean Van Galen. This week is the week of his Inauguration, with events that started on Tuesday, spanning through Thursday, with his Inauguration ceremony taking place on Friday. The actual Inauguration is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m., and his reception will follow, at 3:30. The campus is doing its best to promote the event, informing students the best they can about the ceremony and its importance.

However, after gathering this week’s ‘Student Voices,’the Student Voice Editorial Staff realized students on campus have little to no knowledge about Chancellor Van Galen or the responsibilities he has at the University. This is unacceptable. As a member of the student body, it is the responsibility of each person to be informed and knowledgeable, especially about things that are directly affecting them.

Chancellor Van Galen, a Wisconsin native, is the 18th Chancellor at UWRF, and his responsibilities include helping to develop the strategic plan, which includes the University’s commitment to sustainability, outreach with the local, regional and global community and striving further in the goal of creating an inclusive campus.

Staying informed about the important figures heading the University is important for each student to do, but the Chancellor isn’t the only authoritative body that makes significant decisions, affecting each student. The Student Senate is an organization that comes to mind when the issue of a lack of knowledge is brought forth.

The Student Senate is in charge of making several important decisions that affect every student that attends UWRF. It is important for students to be aware of what Senate is doing. There are several ways to stay informed about what Senate is up to. Their meetings are open; anyone can, and is invited to, attend. There are also logs of agendas and meeting minutes available online. When it comes to staying informed to be a responsible student of the University, there are no excuses as to the lack.

When the University is inaugurating a new Chancellor, students should know about him, about the ceremony and about the position. It is their personal responsibility to stay in the know. Information about Chancellor Van Galen is available online at the University Web site. When Student Senate is making decisions integral to the welfare of UWRF, students should be informed and eager to learn. These issues influence the campus in its entirety, and it’s not unreasonable to chastise those who refuse to get informed.