When will we finally get student input?

For a school that maintains a student-based campus, it is surprising and disappointing that the administration does not seek our opinion more frequently. This issue was recently raised once again with the problem of three-a-day finals, a dilemma that always stresses out students. Although the Academic Council meetings were open and information regarding its decisions was accessible, few students even knew the meetings were being held or were aware of the issues set to be discussed.

Without our input, how does the administration expect us to agree with and follow their decisions?

It is not expected that they invite us to every meeting or ask each student individually about their opinion – even something as simple as a mass email with a survey link asking us for our input would be a possible solution.

This is our campus – we need to feel adequately represented at our school!

Fairfield students have the option to move a test if three or more exams are scheduled on one day, because the administration recognizes a student’s inability to work to the best of their ability under that much pressure.

We do not necessarily find fault with the decision that was reached;  we simply wish that the Academic Council had made more of an effort to reach out to the student body and get a better picture of what students want, since this issue directly affects the student body.

While there was a FUSA representative present at the last meeting, we feel that FUSA should run a survey to give students the option of voicing their opinion. Students take surveys regarding their classes and teachers, so it would only make sense to take it one step further.

A happy campus is one where the students feel they are represented and being heard. And while Fairfield doesn’t have a perfect history of listening to students wishes—remember when students petitioned to not cut down the trees for a new parking lot? —now would be a good time to start, especially since it is related to academics.

This issue of under-representation relates back to the issue of awareness. Fairfield and all of its governing bodies need to focus the most on making all of its information easily accessible and publicized to the students.

The Fairfield community is in essence a relationship between the administrators and the students. As anyone who has been in a relationship can attest to, open communication is key for a successful, trusting relationship. If one end is not communicating, the other half is forced to deal with the repercussions.