MSU President M. Peter McPherson will go from the Administration Building to Wilson Hall today to spend a little time listening to student concerns.
McPherson will be attending the Residence Halls Association’s meeting to answer students’ questions.
He said he will speak about more than finances and budgets - he plans to open up the floor to students.
“Typically what I do is talk about some of the issues before the university,” he said. “The big part of the meeting is when the RHA members ask questions.”
McPherson said the meeting is about more than just student housing - it’s about whatever concerns students have. He said he thinks residence hall life is doing well.
“I don’t know of anything of pressing issues right now in housing, but there are always things that we need to worry about,” he said. “I like to hear about these issues.”
No-preference freshman Lauren Muir said despite having a small living space, she is satisfied with life in residence halls.
“The cafeterias are very convenient,” she said. “They do a nice job cleaning it up.”
The Holden Hall resident said she has no safety concerns within her hall.
“The only thing is late at night when there is a lot of destruction that goes on within the hallways with the garbage, but nothing to be afraid of,” she said. “I guess you can say I am satisfied.”
Amy Sa’id, RHA’s external vice president, said representatives, executive board members, visitors and advisers are able to ask questions.
“Some of the (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and ally) caucuses and other students will bring up their issues,” she said. “That is something that has hit RHA in the last couple of weeks.
“Police relations will probably be talked about, especially if President McPherson talks about it. It will be just about the progression and where the university stands and how they feel the units that are working with the police.”
Other issues Sa’id said likely will be brought up at the discussion are the 2020 Vision project, the proposed campus master plan, and campus safety.
“It is an opportunity for the average students to have their voice heard in an open setting,” she said. “This is always a big meeting for us. President McPherson does a very decent job of asking questions and getting information from students. He always follows up on questions that are asked.
“I hope to see the general assembly taking an active role and taking advantage of the opportunity to get questions and concerns answered by President McPherson.”
