Two top Ohio University administrators will begin to schedule some time to engage students each month.
Wednesday marks the kickoff of a new monthly open forum series, Bobcat Coffee Hour, with President Roderick McDavis and Vice President for Student Affairs Ryan Lombardi.
The first forum will be held Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Honors Collegium on the fourth floor of the Baker University Center.
McDavis has held forums like this in the past for certain groups of students, but he was unhappy with the way the forums were turning out, Lombardi said.
The two discussed ways to interact with students during Fall Semester and decided to set up the open forums for the spring, Lombardi said.
“I think he wanted to get back out there and have some more opportunities (to hear from students),” Lombardi said. “He just wants to make sure students have a chance to ask any questions or do anything like that, which I think is a great idea.”
McDavis said he is looking forward to the chance to interact with students.
“I am very excited about our first Bobcat Coffee Hour and the meaningful dialogue that most certainly will take place,” McDavis said in a statement. “Engaging one-on-one with students about issues of importance at OU is a priority — and one that I truly enjoy. I look forward to having another venue for sharing ideas and discussing ways in which we can improve our university community.”
McDavis will continue holding open office hours for students to come by his office in Cutler Hall in addition to Bobcat Coffee Hour, Jennifer Kirksey, chief of staff and special assistant to the president, said in an email.
Other forums have been set for Feb. 20 at 2 p.m., March 20 at 10:30 a.m. and April 10 at 10:30 a.m., although locations for those open forums have not be secured yet, Lombardi said.
OU Student Senate President Anna Morton said she hopes that the discussions will be beneficial for both administrators and students.
“I’m interested to see how it will be,” Morton said. “I hope it doesn’t turn into a screaming match between administrators and students.”
@MARIDADEVITO
MD781510@ohiou.edu
