By
Rebecca Missel
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Students concerned about construction, academics, campus groups
Despite the midday heat, the opportunity to discuss beginning-of-the-year issues with UA President Peter Likins and Associated Students President Ben Graff drew about 20 students.
Samantha VandeWiele, an elementary education junior, told Likins she wanted students to have more updates on construction.
Likins said the best way for him to hear the concerns is to interact with students on an individual basis.
"It helps me connect with the university instead of being stuck in an office," he said. "I enjoy human contact, it helps get me centered."
Besides these informal one-on-one discussions, Graff wants to initiate the UA Pulse Team, which would directly address student issues on the UA Mall daily. An ASUA cabinet member will be hired at the end of the week to head up the group, Graff said.
"There will be one person out here every day talking with students," Graff said. "It's a simple idea and a tangible way of reaching out."
Besides worrying about class availability and parking, Shaylene Wood, a psychology junior, wants an improved academic environment.
"Hopefully, there will be more communication between professors and students," she said. "A more open relationship makes it easier to ask questions."
Chris Gladney, a finance senior, said he wants to improve the reputation of fraternities and sororities and wants to create communication between organizations on campus. However, Gladney said he valued one issue above all.
"The most important thing is to leave a place better than when you entered it," he said.
Likins and Graff coming out to meet with students demonstrates that their issues are a priority, Gladney said.
"I'm glad to see (Likins) taking an active responsibility," he said. "It's good that he's out here checking on new students."
VandeWiele also said she was glad to have a chance to meet the campus leaders.
"It humanizes them," said Samantha VandeWiele. "Instead of a picture in the paper or a name on a letterhead, they're getting students involved."
