Have you ever just wanted to give the administration a piece of your mind? The recent Juniata open forum allowed students to do just that, letting them voice their questions and concerns to the administration. Tara Black, Student Government president, explains the ins and outs of the open forum and change on campus:

Q: What kinds of changes can the student government enact?

A: As student government, we make our best efforts to hear all student concerns and suggestions. When a feasible opinion is expressed, we meet with faculty and administration that would be responsible for this change and talk about the steps that would need to be made in order to see the change occur. These changes can be anything that concern and involve students on campus – including food, facilities, campus life, etc.

Q: How vocal are students about change on campus?

A: After sending out our online survey, we received over 75 suggestions. We also receive suggestions in person.

Q: How do you think open forums have influenced Juniata?

A: An Open Forum is a different event with administration in attendance, this was just a Petition to Forum, or forum for change. Students use these suggestion “boxes” to have their voices heard. This had led to important changes in the past.

Q: What challenges does the student government face when trying to make a change?

A: We do not personally have the authority to make a change. We need to meet with the administration to find out the necessary steps we need to take, and also call a forum together with 10 percent of the student body to make a change.

Q: What changes would you like to see?

A: We are hoping to see some changes with the food, possible printers in dorms, and hopefully resolve some parking issues.

~Laura Bitely ’14, Juniata Online Journalist