The Griffon News

The issues presented a few weeks ago, in the article “SGA Confusion” are only the tip of the iceberg.    

Across campus, organizations, departments and offices are feeling the pressure of the upper administration, specifically, the Office of Academic and Student Affairs. 

The overall morale of students, staff, and faculty involved in the effected areas is low. 

The exodus this past summer, of university staff and faculty was not without reason.  In addition to several faculty members, officials in both Student Services and Student Development fled the University because they too, were well aware of the problems rolling down hill from Academic and Student Affairs.

Where are we now? 
 
Teachers have used the classroom to tell their students to revolt or protest.  It even seems that prominent students involved in the system have thought about transferring to other schools. 

Of course, there is also the fact that students are losing their rights, each day, as the top officials in Academic and Student Affairs have attempted to shut down our Student Government Association in the same manner that they dismantled the Office of First Year Programs.

If Missouri Western really is seeking to set the standard of excellence in the field of student development, then their handling of the Student Government Association has been mediocre at best. 

Authoritarian tactics are by no means effective in student development, and they are completely contrary to the values held by the university community.    

In pursuit of fulfilling its vision, the University seeks to serve the student body, and teach us the value of freedom, by promoting “the free exchange of ideas that make education liberating, and democracy unique.”   

The powers-that-be have perverted the Constitution of our SGA and our student body.  Their unwillingness to recognize the legitimate Constitution, has led them to pick and choose at their pleasure, the portions of two separate constitutions, in an attempt to exploit the student government.  They have perverted the very values that Western holds dear.

Every student at Missouri Western should be outraged. But as we already said, the students are not alone. 

Faculty and staff have seen the same issues, but many of them have been afraid to speak up, for fear of losing their jobs.   
The management of the several departments and offices under Academic and Student Affairs has been poor.  Imagine the things this great institution could accomplish if its leaders were not so concerned about doing everybody else’s jobs.  If everyone worked together, without having to worry about being micro-managed, then the advancements that this university desires to see might actually be achieved.  We know that there is a long serial list of grievances held by the University community.
   
If every department, office, organization, student, faculty member, and staff member stood up together, and declared with one unified voice, that they are unhappy with the direction that the institution is taking, then maybe we’ll be heard.
 
There is strength in numbers. No one could achieve such a goal working alone, especially when many members of our community have to worry about the potential ramifications of taking such an open and vocal stance.

Students, please support your SGA.  They need your help now, more than ever.

Sincerely,
Natalie Bailey, Luke Herrington, David Williams, Tyson Malone, Trevor Kincaid, Amanda Williams, Rachel Burton    Rachel Booth, Kim Morton, David Allison    Michael DeFelice  Brandon Arnold, Beth Murphy, Jaclyn Hurkman, Janell Banks, Natasha Price, Stephanie Gromowski  Kori Gordon, Nathan Noland, Lindsey Hibler, Jodi Main, Dustin Wheeler, Felicia Keney, Candie DeShon, Matthew Stauffer,  Olin Kinsey, Brooke Tallman, Mercedes Hyman, Trisha Steele, Matt Canaday