Another year has gone by, and here’s what’s been left unsaid – or what needs to be mentioned one more time. We present this year’s edition of cheers and jeers.Cheers to the Right Dose of LeadershipWhat could possibly bring together university administrators, hyper-aware students, D.C. news outlets and copious amounts of hand sanitizer?
Enter norovirus, the gastrointestinal menace that plagued over 200 students in early October.As concern spread on campus, the administration displayed professionalism and leadership. By coordinating effectively with the D.C. Department of Health, closing O’Donovan Hall for inspection and sanitation and keeping the student body as regularly informed as possible via broadcast e-mail, administrators dealt with the toughest of situations in the most practical manner.In the wake of norovirus, the university took steps to avoid future health crises on campus, specifically at Leo’s. The administration cut ties with Organic To Go, the former on-the-go meal supplier suspected of contributing to the virus’s spread, and implemented preventative measures – namely the ubiquitous Purell stations and protective glass seen at the self-serve salad bars, deli and dessert stations.Of course, the administration’s approach to norovirus was not flawless; parents complained of irregular correspondence during the outbreak, and the university should never have employed Organic To Go – which prepares its food in a central kitchen located in the D.C. metro area – when Grab `n’ Go items could easily be prepared on campus.Nevertheless, the norovirus outbreak was a test in leadership for the administration, and in the end, it passed. What a pleasant surprise.Cheers to Passing the TorchThe Hilltop’s academic leadership changed this year.
The College announced this April that it would make Interim Dean Chester Gillis former Dean Jane McAuliffe’s permanent replacement.
In March, School of Foreign Service Dean Robert Gallucci announced his resignation, effective July 1.Gillis brings the right blend of experience, familiarity with students and progressive thinking to move the College forward. As it faces setbacks to development of the sciences, the advising system and cross-school studies, the College needs a leader with the right stuff; Gillis has it.Gallucci’s career as dean sets a high standard for his successor. He oversaw the founding of the Mortara Center for International Studies and the School of Foreign Service-Qatar campus, which graduated its first class last weekend. Interim Dean Carol Lancaster will likely continue his vision and provide stability next year.In its choice of Gillis, the university has demonstrated it has the right eye for good leadership. We anticipate the pattern will continue with the university’s pick to head the School of Foreign Service.Jeers to Bad Acts“T-Pain? Really?” Such was likely the reaction of most students when they first learned of the Georgetown Program Board’s pick for the annual spring kick-off concert. The roster of prospects was impressive: The Roots, Jason Mraz and Third Eye Blind, to name a few. T-Pain, of “I’m on a Boat” fame, was the unfortunate result.Some students eagerly anticipated T-Pain’s Auto-Tuned stylings, but the reaction was generally apathetic. With disappointment surrounding Coolio’s visit last year lingering, T-Pain continued a trend of musical mediocrity on campus; even many enthusiastic attendees emerged from the event dissatisfied. Subject to poor sound quality, concertgoers heard only portions of his songs, since his hits often feature him performing with other artists. The tight security and cramming of the crowd toward the front of the gym only exacerbated the situation.Of course, no artist will come to the Hilltop to universal praise. Admittedly, GPB’s ability to book top acts is limited by financing. Nevertheless, it should pool more of its money toward the spring kick-off concert, one of their most anticipated yearly events.GPB could do well to choose more wisely next year. Given its track record, however, hopes of a better act than T-Pain are fading fast.Jeers to Forgotten Lessons, Cheers to Needed ConversationThe past year was one filled with questions of diversity, pluralism and intolerance on campus. The Student Commission for Unity – initially conceived as a response to the limited coverage in The Hoya of an on-campus demonstration in support of the Jena Six – published a series of survey results and recommendations to the campus community, shining the spotlight on these crucial issues.The SCU’s efforts were a seemingly positive sign of things to come.
In April, however, The Hoya published a disastrous April Fools’ issue – which many deemed offensive – that reignited discussion of diversity and intolerance on campus. In the wake of the sit-in protest that was staged in The Hoya office following the issue’s publication, two community forums were held to prompt dialogue. The forums, in addition to measures put forth by The Hoya Board of Directors to increase institutional sensitivity and diversity, are positive indicators of future progress.Georgetown’s diversity problem will not disappear in the summer months. Thankfully, the campus community – in its discussion of the SCU’s findings and in its reaction to the April Fools’ edition – has demonstrated a commitment to continuing the conversation. That can only be for the best.Cheers to Cautious Optimism
Emerging safely from the tumultuous Georgetown University Student Association presidential election this March, GUSA President Calen Angert (MSB ’11) and Vice President Jason Kluger (MSB ’11) hardly rested on their laurels. In their transition period, they have laid a solid foundation for progress. Their focus on student-run initiatives – rather than those that require elusive university funding – has produced many achievable proposals, such as a student cooperative with SafeRides and a walking security service. Before a vote on a student activities budget in dire need of re-evaluation this April, Angert and Kluger called on student organizations to rely less on university funding and more on their reserves, which total in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. While the GUSA Senate passed the budget, Angert and Kluger’s pragmatic outlook was refreshing.In the midst of this optimism, we proceed with caution. As the budget vote demonstrated, Angert and Kluger must learn to better navigate the inefficient bureaucracy that is GUSA. Let’s hope they’re fast learners.Jeers to Unreliable Guardians
This March, The Hoya released the results of an investigation of the Department of Public Safety, which revealed 65 unreported criminal incidents during the 29-month period studied. DPS’s negligence was intolerable.Only an informed student body can take adequate measures for its protection, and DPS’s failure to report serious crime via Public Service Announcement limits students’ ability to do so. While DPS cited confidentiality concerns as a reason for limiting the number of PSAs, informing students takes precedence and can be done without compromising privacy. DPS must undertake reforms that will better equip students.The most troubling development since the release of the investigation’s results, however, is DPS’s lack of reaction. As of now, it has not implemented any large-scale reforms to better alert the campus community of serious crimes like those that went unreported during the investigated period.Georgetown students too often find solace in the bubble of the Hilltop, and DPS’s mission requires it to maintain students’ awareness of local crime. Under the current policy, however, students run the risk of becoming dangerously complacent with their on-campus safety.
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