Students will have the unique opportunity to ask questions of almost the entire SHSU administration tonight at the 7th Annual Bear F.A.C.T.S forum. The informal question and answer session will be held at 6 p.m. in the White Hall Banquet Room and is open to all students.
“The forum is a great way for students to come in and ask their questions in an informal setting,” said Helena Banks, the chair of the Student Life committee.
This year’s forum will give students the opportunity to talk with administrators from all over campus. This list includes President James Gaertner, Vice Presidents David Payne, Thelma Douglas, Jack Parker and Gary Bouse, Deans Brian Chapman, Dean Lewis and Richard Ward, as well as representatives from financial aid, athletics, the Counseling Center, the Health Center, Aramark and several other offices.
“We are so proud of the turn-out for this year’s forum,” said Sue Knight of the Student Life Office. “Everyone wanted to participate this year to show support for the new president, as well as make sure that the students know the correct information about what is going on at Sam.”
The Bear F.A.C.T.S forum, which stands for Fielding Academic and Co-curricular Topics of Students, was started in 1993 by Vice President Thelma Douglass. The event was started to give students an opportunity to address the administration and so the administration could have some time with the students to listen to their ideas, said Douglass.
The administration also uses the forum to collect information for the students about what they view as concerns.
“The forum gives us insight on some of the concerns and issues we wouldn’t otherwise know about,” said Douglass. “We come away with a lot of information about what students see as important.”
In addition to being able to voice their opinions about the university to those in charge, students will also be able to meet and greet other students and eat free pizza.
“There are several reasons for students to come to the forum,” said Douglass. “This is a prime opportunity for students to be able to share their ideas, both negative and positive, about this university.”
Banks agrees.
“We always sit around and complain that we never have a say in what is going on around campus, and this is the time and place where you can voice your opinion,” said Banks. “If the students don’t show, then it will just be a large board meeting.”
The event is sponsored by SGA, the Division of Student Services, and SAM C.A.R.E.S.
For more information, call SGA at 294-1938 or the Office of Student Life at 294-1785.