In response to the proposed change to activity hour, the time at which many student clubs, organizations and intra-murals have their meetings and host events on Tuesdays and Thursdays, many students have started petitions to keep it at its usual time from 1:40 p.m.-2:40 p.m., instead of switching it to 3 p.m.-4 p.m.
This response is due to the possibility of students not being able to participate in extra-curricular activities. Students who are involved with extra-curriculars have suggested that it will diminish the opportunity for a social life at NEIU, which is already difficult due to it being a commuter college. There were also students who liked the idea of being able to take a class during the activity hour, and go home before 4 p.m. Students would have liked to have known what the administration was planning with more transparency, as the petition states.
“One of the strategic goals the administration has set up to accomplish is integrity, I feel that they may know the definition more than they understand how to actually apply it, because how can you show integrity when you back-door the students on an issue that not only effects students in clubs and organizations,” said Victoria Tullock, Editor-in-Chief of the Independent, ” but also students who use activity hour as a means to get other things done, such as meeting with their academic advisors, do homework, and, most importantly, sometimes it’s the only time during the day they get to sit down and have a meal before they rush off to their other classes, or work, for the day.”
On Thursday, Feb.11 at 2 p.m. the Board of Trustees will be having their usual meeting in the Golden Eagles, where anybody can stay and hear about the happenings of NEIU, and will be discussing the change in activity hour as part of their agenda.
“I felt students should have definitely had a say in this matter,” Tullock said.