University officials plan to address concerns from construction to dining services during a town hall-style meeting set for 3 p.m. Thursday in the University Center Ballroom.
The event is sponsored by the Student Government Association.
The panel consisting of Gregg Lassen, vice president for business affairs, Shannon Mariani, director of food services, Dr. Lou Ann Berman, assistant vice president of student life, Ona Tolliver, director of student life and leadership and Dr. Howard Patterson, vice president of student affairs plan to attend.
“The town hall meeting is an opportunity for students to address their questions and concerns about UT Tyler to the administration,” said Student Government Association president Kerrie Ambort “This is the first town hall meeting and is an initiative that I feel is important for students and the administration.”
The panel is scheduled to address questions during the open forum from construction, campus facilities, classrooms, dining services, student life, student government and any additional questions related to the University.
Ambort said one of the main goals of the meeting is to give the student body a chance to voice concerns in hopes to making a change on campus.
“SGA wants to provide another opportunity for students, in addition to our weekly SGA general assembly meetings, to voice their questions and concerns regarding their campus directly to administrative representatives,” Ambort said. “Ideally we would like to see every seat in the ballroom filled with students. Whether students are there to ask a question or just listen to the administrative panel, it should be a positive learning experience.”
Students who wish to remain anonymous during the public forum are allowed to submit questions in writing before the start of the event.
“Currently, there are no specific times scheduled per section, however, we will limit discussion as necessary since there are many agenda items to cover,” Ambort said. “We would like to hear from as many students as possible.”
John Dixon, a junior speech communication major, said parking is a concern for him as a student and something he would like the panel to address.
“I guess the only thing that would be a concern for me since I am not on the campus a whole bunch but when I am here it is parking,” he said. “Other than that, I don’t really have any major concerns because I am not here enough to actually have any concerns.”
Parking complaints from students continue to be an issue since construction is blocking off parking in front of the University Center.
“The thing is with parking we understand with the development of the apartments and different places that are open around campus we need a place to park,” Dixon said. “We have to drive around for two hours or up to an hour to find a decent parking spot and I am very concerned about this issue.”
Nadia Bitar, a junior speech communication major, said the University is doing a good job dealing with the construction and parking to the best of their abilities.
“Construction is not always a fun thing and there is always going to be a mess out of construction but they are handling the mess pretty well,” she said. “Parking is something that we are going to have to deal with until the construction is done and it will be worth it in the end.”
By Joseph Elerson Staff Writer
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