Ohio University President Roderick McDavis talked about fostering good relationships and avoiding an us versus them mentality toward administrators Saturday at the Ohio Student Government Association conference in Baker University Center.
His keynote address - delivered to about 50 student senators from various Ohio colleges and universities - stressed the importance of communication, teamwork and mutual respect.
There are no good or bad guys in higher education
he said. We are just people getting up every day and trying to make things better.
This is the third year the association has held a conference and the first year OU has hosted. OU Student Senate President Robert Leary hoped Eric Fingerhut, Ohio's top education official, would deliver the keynote, but scheduled McDavis after Fingerhut backed out.
Let me assure you that (administrators) are listening to what you have to say McDavis said. We may not agree but we listen.
McDavis cited Leary's work with OU administrators as an example of how senators can build relationships with university officials. Leary's introduction after his election last spring began a relationship of shared governance, McDavis said.
Throughout his speech, McDavis reflected on his years as president of OU's Omega Psi Phi fraternity, his first leadership position.
The most important thing I learned about leadership is relationships
McDavis said. You don't get anything done by yourself.
People get caught up in titles and do not respect or listen to others' ideas, he said, adding that compromise is necessary to make change.
It takes a group to make a change
McDavis said. It takes a large group to really make things change for the better.
People in leadership positions must work as a team, listen to others, believe in their cause and learn to take criticism, he said.
Your reward is personal satisfaction
McDavis said, adding that student leaders' main goals should be to leave the university better than they found it.
OU Student Senate President Robert Leary said he and visiting student senators were impressed by McDavis' speech.
I think he put a lot of energy into his speech
Leary said, adding that McDavis' points about relationships between student leaders and administrators were particularly pertinent.
cb119506@ohiou.edu
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Caitlin Bowling
