Student Concerns Column: ‘iPod’ survey a success

BY BRANDON WANLESS
Cardinal Staff

As the vice president for student life on the Saint Mary’s University Student Senate, I have responsibilities to address various student concerns regarding many aspects of students’ lives on campus. These include Chartwells Food Service, the RAC and other facilities, ResLife and Student Development. To help attend to these issues in a more universal manner, I will be writing for every issue of the Cardinal with updates on those issues which are most widely important to the student body. For this first column, I wish only to bring attention to two items: how to express one’s concern, and the results and importance of the recent Chartwells “iPod” survey.

As far as I understand, many students have things to say to critique different aspects of life here at SMU. While much complaining will often happen among peers, all too often, what needs to be said is not actually said to those who can do something about it. This really is unnecessary. In fact, structures and persons are in place to help alleviate our seemingly devastating concerns, the best thing to do is to bring any and all issues first to your Resident Assistant or Community Assistant. They usually will point you in the right direction. You can also talk to your residence hall’s senate representative, who can bring concerns before the whole student senate body. Further, one of the most effective means of communicating your issue would be to e-mail me at ugstudentconcerns@smumn.edu. This is a great way to send directly to me those issues pertaining to a student’s life here at SMU.

Regarding the recent “iPod” survey for Chartwells, many participants were willing to make their voices heard. All in all, 287 students agreed to participate, of which were proportionally represented according to grade and gender. The purpose of the survey was to formulate a quick, over arching view of the state of Chartwells according to student perspective so as to make future adjustments more accurately and effectively. The survey was not to discover all that was wrong, but to discover the general thoughts of students’ opinions and tastes. According to Curt Coshenet, director of food service, the survey was quite the success. The more extensive on-line survey is still available through Oct. 31.