Student leaders update Henderson

Government, leadership discussed at Power Lunch

Published 11/12 /98

Point Park College President Katherine Henderson, several administrators and 10 students discussed ways to rebuild a student government at Point Park on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the latest Power Lunch for Student Leaders.

Henderson, who said she didn't know the current state of the student government project, asked for an update. Monica Tomaszewski, a biological sciences senior and SGP member, said that an internal research overview was underway in order to learn what went wrong with Point Park's previous attempts to create a functioning student government.

In addition, Tomaszewski said that a group of students in the SGP are looking to eventually draft a new constitution.

"Sounds like a good way to proceed," Henderson said.

The student government project consists of Point Park residents who are trying to build a student government at the college.

Dan Merchant, a senior journalism and communications major, questioned the efforts of creating a new student government if the right people aren't available to shoulder the responsibility that the job requires.

"What if strong team players don't exist?" Merchant said. "Who's to blame if an organization goes down?"

Henderson responded by saying that finding leadership at Point Park isn't the problem, but trying to get them to be involved in an activity that isn't within their major is the challenge.

By the time many students enroll here, particularly transfer students who commute, Henderson said that they immediately get involved in organizations within their majors.

Most of these activities are time-consuming, Henderson said, noting organizations like the dance and theatre councils and WPPJ, the student-run radio station.

Henderson said that if a crisis would emerge, students would then become united and form some sort of assembly.

"If there was a 20 percent tuition increase, I'm sure USG (united student government, Point Park's former system) would resurface quickly," she joked.

Vice President of Student Development Charles Quillin said that right now there is no "mechanism" that Point Park's administration can tap into in order to get a consistent flow of student input, adding that "It's a two-way street."

Dean of Faculty and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rex Stevens said that the need for a student government may not be necessary if there is no demand for on by the general student body.

"At places where I was before, if they (students) had a vote they would have gotten rid of it," he said.

A primary challenge for Point Park students who want to maintain a student government, Stevens said, is to convince other students who aren't currently interested to form one.

"What would you say to your colleagues who are busy all the time?" Stevens asked.

Overall, Henderson said she hopes that a student government will be formed because of the experience it would provide to students.

"The experience you get is probably more valuable than getting all A's," she said, noting that holding a student government position or participating in any other college activity would enhance teamwork and oral presentations for the students involved.

"Ninety-five percent of employers won't look at your grades," she said, adding that the skills acquired from participating in organizations would be helpful in finding a job.

Associate Dean of Faculty Robert Alexander agreed, saying that "leadership is the kind of thing you don't get from a book. You get it by doing it."

Henderson went on to say the Point Park's surroundings should provide an excellent opportunity for students to acquire leadership skills because small colleges tend to be a good place for cultivating student leaders.

"A lot of big universities are just lectures," Henderson said, adding that classes which are taught through lectures don't involve any questions or discussions and usually doesn't stray far from textbook reading assignments.

This is the second power lunch held this semester. The first meeting was held on Oct. 8, in which five students attended.

Director of Student Activities Jim Shields said that the increased turnout was a positive sign and that it's important for students interested in building a student government to see that they have administrative support.

Shields said that future meetings will take place next semester.

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