From the editor's desk: A media arts response to the Hallick "Listening Tour"
Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Opinion
It's nice to know someone is listening.
As a newspaper, whether the readership is national, statewide or campus-wide, it is always a relief to know that people are reading, being informed and forming opinions - that late nights at the computer are not spent in vain.
As a student, it's also a relief to know (or even to imagine) that the school administration is listening to your needs.
What you have here is a newspaper staff comprised of students, so you can imagine the excitement created when Pacific University President Lesley Hallick announced her desire to hold a "Listening Tour" - the sole purpose of which is for Hallick to listen to the campus community as whole, gaining a sense of what their hopes and desires are for the future of the establishment, as well as the positive and negative aspects of the university and each department.
In an email sent on Oct. 8 to Pacific's student population, Hallick asked four questions that summarize what she wishes to learn from the Listening Tour. The Pacific Index editorial board would like to answer those questions.
1. "What is the greatest strength of your program or of the University?"
The small size of our establishment and the friendly nature of students and staff are what most people will list as one of the main reasons they chose to come to Pacific. Many students have voiced concern over the desire of the university for significant growth, and the steps that have been taken to expand our campus in every way. These students have worried that such growth will detract from what many feel is Pacific's most valuable asset.
The number of professors that have published work in peer-reviewed journals, textbooks and other publications is also respectable for the size of our establishment. Though there will always be certain professors that students would rather see working retail than at the front of their class, the faculty lineup is more than decent.
These faculty members are also committed. We have a large number of professors who have been here for over 20 years, and have shown dedication to the students that pass through.
As a newspaper, whether the readership is national, statewide or campus-wide, it is always a relief to know that people are reading, being informed and forming opinions - that late nights at the computer are not spent in vain.
As a student, it's also a relief to know (or even to imagine) that the school administration is listening to your needs.
What you have here is a newspaper staff comprised of students, so you can imagine the excitement created when Pacific University President Lesley Hallick announced her desire to hold a "Listening Tour" - the sole purpose of which is for Hallick to listen to the campus community as whole, gaining a sense of what their hopes and desires are for the future of the establishment, as well as the positive and negative aspects of the university and each department.
In an email sent on Oct. 8 to Pacific's student population, Hallick asked four questions that summarize what she wishes to learn from the Listening Tour. The Pacific Index editorial board would like to answer those questions.
1. "What is the greatest strength of your program or of the University?"
The small size of our establishment and the friendly nature of students and staff are what most people will list as one of the main reasons they chose to come to Pacific. Many students have voiced concern over the desire of the university for significant growth, and the steps that have been taken to expand our campus in every way. These students have worried that such growth will detract from what many feel is Pacific's most valuable asset.
The number of professors that have published work in peer-reviewed journals, textbooks and other publications is also respectable for the size of our establishment. Though there will always be certain professors that students would rather see working retail than at the front of their class, the faculty lineup is more than decent.
These faculty members are also committed. We have a large number of professors who have been here for over 20 years, and have shown dedication to the students that pass through.
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