 "Photo: Maura Gallagher")
President Jeremy Brown held the school year's first President's Hour at 3 p.m on Sept. 11 in Reeder Hall.
Graduate student Nodeia Mitchell and sophomore Maura Gallagher seized the opportunity to speak with Brown and discuss campus matters that concerned them.
"It's very important in my mind that the President is approachable," said Brown. "I enjoy listening to students and we do our best to respond and help people answer questions."
Comforted by lavish decorations and tartan plaid seats, Brown and the students struck up casual conversation and exchanged pleasantries almost immediately.
Executive Assistant Kimberly Fabrizio, Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing Amy Neil and Vice President for Finance and Administration Gordon Herbst also joined the meeting to hear students' questions and concerns.
Brown first responded to questions about the "master plan" for future construction on Edinboro's campus, including a new building by Mallory Lake for nursing and speech/hearing programs. Administrators expect the building's completion by next fall.
"This building will help us put those programs in facilities that reflect their success," said Brown. "They'll also get the chance to expand and show off a bit."
The master plan also includes eventual renovations of Compton, Cooper and Ross Halls as well as four more Highlands and a covered walkway connecting Ross with the Library and Pogue Student Center.
The president also discussed Edinboro's budget in relation to student enrollment.
The university does not yet have a budget as per state appropriation, but enrollment has reached a record height of 8,352.
"We're investing a lot in the future of this institution and we want everything to reflect its excellence and positive changes in student numbers and quality," said Brown. "Edinboro provides excellent education at an excellent value."
When asked by Mitchell and Gallagher about other aspects of the school, Brown emphasized the manner in which the public perceives the university.
He said he takes pride in the institution and continues to work towards improving school spirit and student pride.
"Edinboro is a great place to be and I'm pleased to see students get behind that," said Brown. "We've done pretty well so far, but there's still a ways to go."
Mitchell also inquired as to the new email accounts of students and how administration handled the situation.
Brown recognized students' difficulties and frustrations with the change.
He said a warning e-mail was sent before a hardware glitch shut the system down temporarily.
Brown added, however, that the change would allow a more fluent migration from the "webmail" software to a different package.
The President's Hour is a monthly event open to all students with questions, concerns or topics of discussion for the president.
Brown's next open meeting will take place on Oct. 23 at 3 p.m.
"We want to hear from the students what works and what doesn't," said Brown.
"We can't solve all the problems but we can bring attention to certain issues and give students the idea that they can approach their president freely."
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