SGA’s First Town Hall Meeting

Charles Stish, staff writer

On Feb. 8, PVCC’s Student Government Association (SGA) held the first ever Town Hall Meeting, where students and faculty were invited and encouraged to ask three of PVCC’s college administrators questions about topics related to the school.

The panel was set in the Bolick Student Center from 12 to 12:55 p.m. with SGA President Wadah Al Mulhim hosting the event. The three guest panelists were PVCC President Dr. Frank Friedman, Vice President for Instruction & Student Services Instruction & Student Services Dr. John Donnelly, and Vice President of Finance & Administrative Services Kim McManus.

By 11:55 a.m., the Bolick  Student Center was full of PVCC students and faculty eager to ask their questions directly to three of PVCC’s most higher-up members. It had the warm feeling of a community coming together to discuss issues, problems, and concerns to find solutions for the common good.

One student asked, “Because of so many Muslim students that we have in this school, I was wondering if there was a way we can have a room, a prayer room, where Muslims can pray. Can we do something like that?”

President Friedman said, “Space is a real problem here at the college; we’re very short on space. We’re especially short on non-classroom space. We have many different clubs and organizations that have asked us for space dedicated to them, and it’s just not possible to provide that amount of space. The other thing is we do not provide special accommodations for one religious practice over another. So providing a space just for Muslims, or just for Christians, or just for Jews, is against the policies we have and the philosophies that we have. So there is a practical issue of space and the philosophical issue that we do not provide special religious space for individual religions.”

Another question was about the issue of parking spaces. Vice President McManus answered first, explaining there will be more parking in the future as more facilities are built. President Friedman said, “I knew we’d get a question about parking. So, I’m going to give you the answer I’ve been giving for the past, I don’t even know how many years now, whenever a student brings it up. And you’re going to hate my answer, so I’m telling you that right now.”

He explained statistically there is enough parking space and the parking is monitored so they know how many parking spaces are needed to fulfill the college’s needs. He acknowledged the problem of people having to park by the Dickinson Building to get to a class in the Main Building, but he noted, “You will never, underline the word never, park this close to your classrooms again. You will yearn for the days when you could park in the Dickinson lot and walk to this building. So remember, these are the good old days of parking, not the bad old days of parking.” The audience responded with applause and laughter.

After that, Vice President Donnelly added that scheduling was a part of the issue, saying, “Nine through noon classes are the most popular classes that students sign up for.”

Toward the end of the meeting, SGA President Al Mulhim asked the panelists, “What helped you to get through your college career and do you have any helpful tips or suggestions for our students?”

Vice President McManus said that keeping in contact with his professors was helpful during his college years.

Vice President Donnelly suggested working with others in your field of study is a good practice, as it helped him through his college career. Donnelly also suggested being active in the school outside of the classroom by spending time with friends or going to events, to make the school more than a place of work and study.

Agreeing with his vice presidents, President Friedman suggested for students to stay active and participate in the school by not only going to extra events, studying with friends, or being a part of the clubs, but also being connected with their professors. Friedman stated that one of the advantages of PVCC is “small classes and faculty who teach and really care.”

Any PVCC student can contact the SGA to voice their opinions and suggestions. The SGA will share concerns directly to college administrators. President Friedman said, “I think the best way for students to make sure their voice is heard is through the SGA.”