Four Major Changes Announced at SVU
Beka Rayburn
Southern Virginia University
Today we got the pleasure of attending a special forum given by President Reed N. Wilcox.
Many rumors were flying around campus as to what this special meeting would entail, most of which revolving around the idea that beards and leggings would finally be allowed on campus. And the anticipated announcements weren’t disappointing.
After meeting with many students, with groups of the HRAs and RAs, faculty and staff and after much discussion with the Executive Board changes to the school were announced and were divided into 4 main points.
1. Honor Code
Contrary to popular belief, honor code is still in place, so careful with “No-Shave November.” What has changed however is the enforcement. RAs will no longer be forced to send students home because of leggings, or because they have some scruff.
Pres. Wilcox likened the Honor Code and more specifically the Dress and Grooming Standards to the idea of Keeping the Sabbath Day holy. There is no obvious line in the sand because we are expected to learn for ourselves what this mean. So Pres. Wilcox wants to extend this amount of trust to the student body and allow for us to choose for ourselves what it means to be “Modest and appropriate for the occasi--on” as the official dress and grooming code states.
2. Support and access to resources
There was also a list of things which the President wishes to be made more accessible to the students.
Internet - starting from next semester and moving forward more resources will be dedicated to adding access points and improving our internet.
No more Midnight Lockup - meaning that the SAC, Arena and Student Center will remain open to students until 2 in the morning - offering many a chance to relax, get some more studying in and stay in good places rather than studying some “nonverbal communication” in the Lofts.
They are looking to re-space the campus to find more study areas to offer more group study rooms and quiet study areas for students trying to do homework.
Fixing the lighting on the stairs from the Lofts to Campus.
Adding a new dorm building. Placed at the foot of the hill by the Lofts, it is scheduled to be completed by August.
Diet drinks will soon be found on campus...and there were hints that perhaps even caffeinated beverages will soon be found.
3. Academic Opportunities
Also it was discussed how we will be doing everything we can to not only excel intellectually, but also socially. This means expanding our majors, and innovating and evolving what it means to be a liberal arts college. With a focus on social intelligence, SVU will become a pioneer in this ever changing world of learning.
4. Inclusion
It was announced today that 2 women will now be a part of the President’s Council and there is another council of Department Directors who will be meeting with the President every 2 to 4 weeks. This was done because Pres. Wilcox wants to build trust and believes that “with no communication there is no trust.”
Overall it was a really important day for SVU. Pres. Wilcox has a vision and a drive to bring us to new heights and I am really excited to see what is going to happen to SVU in the next couple of years.
