Approximately eight percent of the student body gives their input on issues around campus, through Student Government’s weekly Tuesday Two survey.
Nicholas Reitan, Student Government’s executive commissioner for public relations, said, “Our biggest challenges echo similar to other challenges that are faced by other extension efforts (student voting) which are student apathy, lack of awareness to campus issues and general disconnect between administration, staff and the student body.”
The Tuesday Two survey has shown a large increase in responses, through the combined efforts of Student Government as well as a group of core senators who work directly in reaching out to students to create a stronger route of communication between the two entities.
With the number of officers Student Government has, they are not able to reach out to each student individually, however, the Listserv emails have been on their way to making sure all students have the chance to have their voice heard.
“We certainly are hoping to increase the response from students on campus…but attitudes surrounding ListServ notifications are very low,” Reitan reported.
Monica Murray, sophomore studying marketing, said she completes Tuesday Twos about 50 percent of the time and completed the surveys more often last year. When asked why she doesn’t complete the survey, Murray stated, “I don’t know, usually I am busy and I just go through and delete my emails. I guess I don’t even think about taking them when my schedule gets busy.”
The responses to these surveys help Student Government focus their questions on specific topics.
“The most important part about completing the Tuesday Twos is that, simply, there is always a reason for every question. Without responses, we take ‘a shot in the dark’ with projects,” Reitan said.
Student Government hopes to increase the number of responses they are currently receiving.
“For improvement, we would appreciate more input from students as well as more open communication between student senators and their respective constituents,” Reitan said.
Kathryn Burpo, a sophomore studying management communications, said with the addition of an incentive she might be more inclined to respond.
“Maybe if they were to put our names in for a drawing on a bag of candy, or a five dollar gift card. We’re college students,” said Burpo. ” Offering something free is a way to get us interested.”
“We truly wish to empower students to communicate their comments and opinions as often as possible,” Reitan reported. “The only way that we can help to improve a student’s experience is to hear directly from as many as possible, therefore tailoring our projects and changes to fix as many problems for students as necessary.”