Our last best chance at representation

On Sept. 19, IU President Michael McRobbie announced the establishment of a student advisory committee called Vision of the Ideal College Environment, or VOICE, which will assist in crafting a vision of the ideal college living and learning environment for the 21st century. \nOver the next four months, the committee will be working to open a dialogue with fellow students to provide recommendations with respect to interests and expectations of the ideal college environment. By mid-spring semester, the project will culminate in a report to the president, offering insight into the future of the college experience – straight from students. \nIt has been the tradition at IU, nurtured and expanded during the tenure of Herman B Wells, for students to serve an integral role in the decision-making process at all levels of the University. From the smallest committees to the board of trustees, the voices of the students have historically been considered a vital piece in providing fair and progressive governance, something very unique in the arena of higher education. For some time now, however, this voice has been slowly eroding. It is no longer assured that students have a spot at the table; students need only look at last year’s exclusion from the search for the next IU president, though we are quite happy with the outcome. The legendary IU demonstrations of the 1960s were as much about this exclusion as anything: The elite of higher education, unwilling to open a seat at the table and hear the voices of the students it purports to serve. \nPresident McRobbie, having been inducted just a week ago, has generously offered us a unique opportunity to be a part of the current long-range planning of this University. We have important obligations to past students of IU who have cultivated the environment we now enjoy, to the students who have yet to apply and to ourselves to ensure that the voice of the students does not fade into obsolescence. \nIt is what may be referred to as our “last best chance.” If we do not rise to the occasion, providing a robust, thorough report to the president, we can consider this the end of a great Hoosier tradition and the end of our participation in the governance of the University. If, however, we are willing to invest the time, engage students from all corners of this campus and produce a substantial document articulating the interests of students and a vision of the future, we can ensure our spot at the table. \nSo, where do you see the college experience heading? How should IU evolve relative to the changes in the future? We implore you to join the conversation, get your voice heard and ensure that students continue to be a part of decision making at this institution. \nTo join the conversation, log on to voiceproject.indiana.edu or become a member by e-mailing voiceproject@indiana.edu.