President makes changes to coffee hour

President Tim Gilmour held his monthly coffee hour last Tuesday, only this time, there were some changes made to try to bring up student attendance.

The first big change was the time. In the past, the coffee hour had been held at 8 a.m. However, this coffee hour was held at three o’clock in the afternoon, a time at which more students are awake and ready to talk.

“We didn’t feel that eight in the morning was a good time for many students,” said Dr. Reynold Verret, Wilkes University provost. He continued, “We held it then because it fit our schedules, but students just didn’t want to get up for something like this at that hour.”

Another one of the changes made is that there was a topic: academic advising. Previously, coffee hours were open forums where students could just come ask questions, but they were not about any specific subject matter.

“We still encourage students to ask whatever they may have questions about,” said Gilmour, “but we also want to have something for them to kind of go off of.”

Gilmour said that the topic suggestion was made by members of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) during their recent visit to the University.

“We often just sit here and wait for questions and there is just silence. So, rather than prying questions out of students, we thought maybe a topic would get more people interested and that they could maybe consider their questions ahead of time,” said Gilmour.

Students were invited to come ask the staff and administration questions.  However, the number of students in attendance was three, including two Beacon staff members. The majority of those in attendance were members of staff and administration, who were there to answer the questions.

“We want people to come talk to us. We really want student insight, but it’s always a challenge to get people here. But we are always open to suggestions,” said Verret.

Jon Kadjeski, sophomore English and secondary education major and only non-Beacon student in attendance, said that he regularly attends the coffee hours.

“I feel like a chance to talk to the administration is a good thing,” said Kadjeski. “I always come because otherwise, how do students get their voices heard?”

Jack Chielli, executive assistant to the president, said that there may be some better ways that they could consider.

“Maybe we could set up an e-mail address for students to send their questions to,” said Chielli. “We also could consider getting something set up on the [Wilkes] website for students to go there and submit their questions.”

Gilmour added that these options may be better alternatives for those who cannot attend the coffee hours.

“We encourage students to attend, but people have conflicting schedules. Plus, this probably wasn’t the best time in the semester to have one of these,” said Gilmour.

Gilmour said that one of the big factors that held back attendance to this coffee hour was that students’ course loads pile on when the end of the semester comes along.

“Everyone’s work gets to be a bit overwhelming right around now, so it’s tough to get people to come out,” said Gilmour.

Gilmour said that they will continue trying to have different themes for each coffee hour into next year.

“I really like this [having a theme]. I think it encourages more questions. We’re definitely going to have different things going on next year,” said Gilmour.

He also encourages students to feel free to speak with the administration whenever they have an issue they feel needs addressed. Students can e-mail, call, make appointments or attend coffee hours with their questions, comments and concerns.