Johnson, cabinet cast a presidential shadow
Jennifer Butler
News Editor
Issue date: 11/24/08 Section: Campus News
On Monday, Nov. 17, students may have noticed a few non-traditional faces sitting beside them in classes.
President Melvin N. Johnson and members of his cabinet shadowed members of the Student Government Association around campus, attending classes and observing TSU academics first-hand.
"We wanted to have the opportunity to look at the academic environment from the eyes of a student," Johnson said.
Though the idea was well received by the administrators, Johnson says that the credit goes to a student leader.
The move was the brainchild of SGA President Patrick Walker-Reese, who decided it was necessary after a summer event revealed some outdated views.
"This summer at the presidential retreat with the cabinet, I felt like the cabinet was really out of touch, for lack of a better word, with the student experience," said Walker-Reese, a senior history education major from Nashville. "They didn't really know what the student experience was like, but they make decisions that affect a lot of the students. I felt like this was one way to get them in touch."
Administrators attended classes all across campus, including radio and television programming and psychology of speech communications.
Professors were notified in advance of the administrative appearances, out of respect for university protocol and the classes. Johnson, however, does not think it made a difference.
"I don't think professors can change their teaching methods overnight," Johnson said. "Some things can come through even with them being informed."
Cabinet members witnessed the highs and lows of students' academic experiences, including some facilities management issues.
"It actually brings joy to me that an administrator sees this," began Mario Price, a senior communications major from Memphis and a representative-at-large.
"Someone is giving a presentation, and in the middle of it the ceiling begins dripping, on a moldy, soiled spot in the carpet.
President Melvin N. Johnson and members of his cabinet shadowed members of the Student Government Association around campus, attending classes and observing TSU academics first-hand.
"We wanted to have the opportunity to look at the academic environment from the eyes of a student," Johnson said.
Though the idea was well received by the administrators, Johnson says that the credit goes to a student leader.
The move was the brainchild of SGA President Patrick Walker-Reese, who decided it was necessary after a summer event revealed some outdated views.
"This summer at the presidential retreat with the cabinet, I felt like the cabinet was really out of touch, for lack of a better word, with the student experience," said Walker-Reese, a senior history education major from Nashville. "They didn't really know what the student experience was like, but they make decisions that affect a lot of the students. I felt like this was one way to get them in touch."
Administrators attended classes all across campus, including radio and television programming and psychology of speech communications.
Professors were notified in advance of the administrative appearances, out of respect for university protocol and the classes. Johnson, however, does not think it made a difference.
"I don't think professors can change their teaching methods overnight," Johnson said. "Some things can come through even with them being informed."
Cabinet members witnessed the highs and lows of students' academic experiences, including some facilities management issues.
"It actually brings joy to me that an administrator sees this," began Mario Price, a senior communications major from Memphis and a representative-at-large.
"Someone is giving a presentation, and in the middle of it the ceiling begins dripping, on a moldy, soiled spot in the carpet.
Be the first to comment on this story