COLUMN: Resources meager for drawing student feedback
On the first floor of the Taggart Student Center, across from the smell of Taco Time Mexi-Fries, is a lemonade stand-type kiosk. Behind this booth is a white board displaying activities planned for the current week, written in partially faded dry-erase marker. A slew of assorted papers lie in stacks on the booth’s countertop. Now, I know what this booth is, but do any of the other students know?
I have been impressed by the consistency the ASUSU council has maintained in manning this information booth for the convenience of passing students. These leaders will drum their fingers behind the counter, serve their time and take off when their slot is filled. Every time I pass while walking to The Statesman Office, I see this job is nothing short of monotonous. From my observations there are very few who actually stop and are not acquainted with the ASUSU council member in charge of the booth at that time. I’ve seen the booth serve its purpose best when those who sit behind it beckon students over. At the same time, I’ve seen many students who walk in a wide curve to avoid the booth and the ASUSU members who were trying to seek their input.
During Day on the Quad, the ASUSU Student Advocate Jason Russell, and others who volunteered at his station, lured students in with free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches. If students would offer their opinion on various campus operations, they were rewarded with food. It is always a wise tactic to involve food when bribing college students, and I’m sure this initiative yielded good results, but I’m also sure ASUSU does not have the funding to provide food every time its members wants to have meaningful dialogue with students. So, is there a better way?
Surely, it is not possible to have a flashing sign on every corner telling students everything they need to know, egging them on to learn more about opportunities on campus. After growing up in Reno, Nev., with billboards lining the streets to my neighborhood, I’m not sure I would appreciate that, anyway. On the flip side, the current lemonade stand set up isn’t exactly what the doctor ordered. I commend the council for actually utilizing this space, when last year it was for the most part abandoned. It’s nice to see some follow-through after hearing candidates rant on and on about working for the students, during elections. It would be beneficial, though, to work for the students in a space that is noticeable and inviting. Otherwise, sitting at the lemonade stand could remain fairly lonely.
— Catherine Meidell is a senior majoring in English and print journalism. She is the editor in chief of The Utah Statesman. The “soap box” column features Statesman staff members’ views of USU. She can be contacted at catherine.meidell@aggiemail.usu.edu.