Hosting a State of the University address at Syracuse University would provide an opportunity to reflect on, outline and preface chief initiatives concerning the university community.

Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner hosted her seventh State of the City address Thursday night, falling in line with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State and President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address in January. And while some peer institutions, including Cornell University and Northwestern University, host student- and faculty-aimed addresses, SU has failed to offer one in recent years.

SU should work to revive the State of the University address at a time when increased “communication” and “transparency” are buzzwords on campus. These terms have been used frequently by students and faculty alike who have cited lapses in accessibility within the administration over the course of the past several semesters.

To require SU’s chancellor to host an hour-long informational speech in Hendricks Chapel at the start of each academic semester would address university-wide initiatives, problems and agendas. This opportunity would also give the university community a chance to hold the administration accountable.

A formal address would differentiate itself from other dialogue spaces on campus by providing the university’s chancellor with an outlet to acknowledge topics that affect the entirety, or major sectors, of the university body rather than a select group. Because of this, these environments should be meant to share information, as opposed to remaining open to garner input or answer questions.

While this could fuel frustrations regarding a lack of voice on behalf of students, staff and faculty in these spaces, the State of the University disclosure could be followed up with select town hall meetings to answer direct questions that stem from the address.

In this same way, the initiation of a biannual appearance from the chancellor could also peak student interest to engage with small-scale listening sessions and contribute more of their feedback on university matters — something the university has been actively seeking out despite a consistent trend of low attendance to these forums.

On a national basis, the people of the United States turn to the State of the Union for updates to serve the same purpose the campus climate is currently lacking. On a local basis, in no way can reintroducing a State of the University to SU bring any harm.

Facilitating this platform once everyone has returned to campus would allow the chance to reflect on the past semester and provide a primer on a forward-looking note. Even more importantly, to require SU’s leadership to assert the state of university affairs would allow the administration to set the tone of the university with clarity, rather than leave the campus community to question it.

Published on February 1, 2016 at 12:57 am

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