A Strong, United Student Voice Needed at NWU

President Ohles shared a surprising piece of information at Wesleyan House on Sunday, Oct. 4: a mere 13 percent of Nebraska Wesleyan University alums contribute to the University. His remarks were directed to the members of the Student Affairs Senate and he urged each person to turn that trend once they have graduated.

My first response was skepticism (well anticipated, it so happens) and Dr. Ohles responded with a feasible solution. He described his own post-graduation days and his first donation to his alma mater: $5. No zeros attached except for those after the decimal.

I don’t mean this story to inspire you to contribute your own sparse change or encourage your already cash-strapped parents to write an additional check after they’ve finished reading this. Dr. Ohles has already presented the rationale to his comments: pride in NWU does not have a requisite price tag.

Instead, I expect you will (and should) be as shocked and frustrated by the present statistic as I am. We are among the lower-tier of institutions when considering that 13 percent and it impacts our opportunities in significant ways. Unless you have stuck your head into the ground with the squirrels’ winter nuts, you have heard rumors about new housing facilities (now debunked by our new Dean of Students) or discussed the future plans for a new science building and student center/library complex.

A mix of rumor and factual plans, all of that talk is grounded in the desires people hold for NWU. The obstacle is money. Where the Student Affairs Senate is the vehicle for microcosmic campus changes, the financial grounding of large scale projects –beyond the working SAS or NWU budgets– is often centered in alumni. And, as I have been told in the past, until the alumni become excited about a project, the progress made is likely to be slow.

Though her presentation was controversial, Naomi Klein shared a historical precedent for activism in the New Deal when she visited for the Visions and Ventures Symposium. She conveyed the words of FDR, saying you have to get out there and make them do it –whatever the desired objective is. We all chose this school for a reason (and I highly doubt it was the food). The academics are top-notch, and the stellar reputation in Nebraska and the region can’t be ignored. Yet, I don’t think it is unfair to look beyond our present means and question: What can I do to speed campus development? Why is it that our Senate is in conflict when money is requested to send students to a prestigious
academic conference?

The Student Affairs Senate is one tool, even when the goals are beyond the scope of its direct power. Last year, the Board of Governors approved life-partner benefits for NWU faculty and staff after SAS passed a resolution in support of the issue. Although the matter has been stalled by Blue Cross-Blue Shield (Wesleyan’s carrier), the standard has been set, thanks in large part, to our determined students.

I believe that the power we, as NWU students, yield will only ever be as large as our desire is to wield it. SAS is a platform for issues, whether by representing a division, speaking through a representative or attending the weekly, open meetings with whatever concerns you have.

There are strong voices on this campus (you’ve all heard them in your classes or – be honest – are one yourself): let’s hear them directed toward issues that the student body wants addressed. Our united voice has the potential to make the alumni take heed. The donation levels are inconsistent with our university’s reputation. We can rectify that when we graduate, but we can also impact that by drawing their attention to our drive and determination now and challenging them to respond accordingly.