Ramsammy wants students to spill the “tea”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Angela Scipione

News Editor

President Ramsammy connected with students and faculty on Monday, Nov. 5 to talk about ideas for bettering the college.

Everyone was encouraged to join President Ramsammy from 8:30-9:30 a.m. for his monthly Coffee with the President.

This month, the event was held at Books & Bites in the Marvin Library, where breakfast and coffee were available.

Ramsammy holds this event every month in order to get to know the college better and the people who are part of it.

“I have a whole bunch of students [and faculty]… I want to meet all of you,” Ramsammy said.

According to Ramsammy, he can’t figure everything out by himself. With the efforts of both students and faculty members, he believes the college can improve. He wants to do everything he can to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.

Professors also value meeting with the president.

“If I get a chance to talk to President Ramsammy, I have a better sense of where he’s going [and] where his priorities are,” professor and department Chairman for history, philosophy and social sciences, Peter Sawyer, said. “It’s also good because when you work with people, you need to balance social relationship with professional relationship.”

Professor of sociology, Daniel Polak, agreed.

“I think it is a positive step towards furthering community and fellowship,” Polak said. “It brings us all together into common discussion, common conversations.”

Deron Clark, a psychology student, believed these events are a good way to get ideas out in the open.

“I mean if I had any real concerns, I’d definitely come to this at some point, maybe have a discussion with him,” he said.

And even if you don’t have something to say, Clark thinks the social aspect is worth it enough.

“I think it’s probably a good idea to meet your school president at some point, not just during your graduation,” he said.

Engineering science student Aaron Pape, also believed talking face to face is how real problems can be solved, instead of emailing.

“This is a discussion, it’s a two-way, back and forth, in real time [conversation],” Pape said.

But Ramsammy understands place and time may be a factor in the low student attendance.

“That’s why one of the things that we try to do is encourage more people,” Ramsammy said. “That’s why we move this around too,” he said. “So that we can get different people who couldn’t come, and different timings.”

Javier Howe, an auto body repair student, happened to be in the right place at the right time.

“I wasn’t aware that this was even a thing, but I happened to be here while it was going on,” Howe said. “I think it should stay a monthly thing because it’s nice to go to.”

Some students, however, enjoyed the coffee more than the discussion.

“I came here for coffee to be honest with you,” Clark said.

While many students weren’t aware of the event, some students believed it should continue and hoped more students will attend in the future.

“This event is really cool, but they need to tell more people about it,” said mechanics students,  Nathan Hefner.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to get to know who’s making decisions for the college, and it’s a great opportunity for us to share our ideas with them,” Madison Wolfe, a mechanics student, said. “It’s also a casual and fun environment and that also helps.”

Ramsammy believed the more people that show up to talk, the better.

“Have you ever seen a puzzle where one little piece is missing?” Ramsammy said. “We are trying to make sure that all the pieces to the puzzle are put in there [so] we have one picture that represents what this college is supposed to be.”

Ramsammy feels he has the power to connect all the pieces if students and faculty are willing to share their thoughts, concerns and ideas.

The final Coffee with the President for the Fall 2018 semester is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 5 in the Guenther Enrollment Services Center lobby.