President Sharon Hahs announced the completion of the Statement of University Values [SUV] project, managed by the university “Meld Group.” The SUV got the endorsement of the Student Government Association [SGA], but not before it was rejected once and Hahs had to make a personal pitch to the SGA twice. Some in the SGA remain skeptical.
On April 24 Assistant V.P. of Student Affairs Kris Pierre attended the SGA Senate meeting and asked for the SGA’s endorsement of the University Meld Group’s draft of their Statement of Values. This project is being directly overseen by President Hahs.
The SGA rejected the proposed Statement in a 7 to 4 vote in their April 24 meeting, discussed it further with President Hahs at what was supposed to be an informal meet and greet between Hahs and the SGA on May 4 and ratified the Statement of Values at a meeting attended by Hahs on May 8.
SGA V.P. Kimberly Murphy remains skeptical. “We made our point,” in making Hahs appear before the SGA personally said Murphy. “We all said yes [on May 8] but there is no implementation [plan].”
Senator Michael Hess reflected this view at the April 24 meeting, when he said, “It’s so open ended we can’t hold you guys to anything.” Hess continued, “Who’s held accountable? Students will be, how about faculty and staff?”
Kris Pierre said, “You have the chance to call me on it if it is not a core value.”
Director of Student Activities Sharron Evans, also at the April meeting said the values are, “driving tools, the values we’re striving for, what everything will be centered around.”
Murphy told the Independent she was curious as to “Why didn’t we have values before?” and said that she was encouraged by what the Meld Group was trying to do in implementing the values, but still held back in fully getting behind the idea, “It’s encouraging but we’re going to wait and see.”