2008 Woodie Awards
Navigator Staff Editorial
byIssue date: 2/11/08 Section: Opinion
Piedmont has begun treating students like adults.
If students want the administration to respect them, they have to show respect for the administration.
The most recent example of Piedmont treating students as adults is the issue of Multicultural Month. Black History Month is now celebrated on campus instead of Multicultural Month. The student affairs department listened to the students' complaints and implemented changes.
Another instance of this is the modification of visitation hours in Mayflower.
The majority of complaints about Piedmont in recent years have been the inability of the administration to treat students like adults. It seems now that maybe they are.
With all the visitation policies and dorm rules, it's hard to feel mature when living on campus. All of the rules and regulations send the message that students are not trusted.
A break from this lack of trust finally came with the change in visitation hours in Mayflower. Students campaigned for a change, and offered possible suggestions. Maybe now the administration realizes and understands that responsibility is something we can manage.
February, being celebrated as Black History Month, is different from the dorm situation, but still suggests that students can make a difference. Change can happen when it is suggested in a calm and respectful way.
It seems that the administration is trying to get a message across: If students are willing to discuss potential ways to resolve issues and be patient about the decision making process, they are open to suggestion.
This does not mean that the administration will make every change that students want, but it does mean they are listening. Change cannot be made without suggestions and constructive criticism being made. If we as students approach this situation like adults and make constructive suggestions and criticisms, it appears that we will be treated like adults and changes can be made.
If students want the administration to respect them, they have to show respect for the administration.
The most recent example of Piedmont treating students as adults is the issue of Multicultural Month. Black History Month is now celebrated on campus instead of Multicultural Month. The student affairs department listened to the students' complaints and implemented changes.
Another instance of this is the modification of visitation hours in Mayflower.
The majority of complaints about Piedmont in recent years have been the inability of the administration to treat students like adults. It seems now that maybe they are.
With all the visitation policies and dorm rules, it's hard to feel mature when living on campus. All of the rules and regulations send the message that students are not trusted.
A break from this lack of trust finally came with the change in visitation hours in Mayflower. Students campaigned for a change, and offered possible suggestions. Maybe now the administration realizes and understands that responsibility is something we can manage.
February, being celebrated as Black History Month, is different from the dorm situation, but still suggests that students can make a difference. Change can happen when it is suggested in a calm and respectful way.
It seems that the administration is trying to get a message across: If students are willing to discuss potential ways to resolve issues and be patient about the decision making process, they are open to suggestion.
This does not mean that the administration will make every change that students want, but it does mean they are listening. Change cannot be made without suggestions and constructive criticism being made. If we as students approach this situation like adults and make constructive suggestions and criticisms, it appears that we will be treated like adults and changes can be made.
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