A group of eight Boston University faculty and staff is in the process of looking at all areas of student life on campus in the first ever project of its scale to examine campus experiences, according to the committee’s chairwoman.
BU officials formed the Committee on the Quality of the Student Experience in November and have meeting with student focus groups and getting other student opinions over the last several weeks, according to committee Chairwoman Laurie Phol, the assistant vice president for Enrollment and Student Affairs.
Phol said the committee is composed of eight faculty and staff members and will focus on five main policy areas, including campus culture, academic life, student programs, the campus appearance and policies and procedures. Getting rid of the “red tape” associated with the BU bureaucracy is the primary focus of the group, she said.
“I think there are ways to celebrate the diversity of BU and also have some core values and experiences that define the place,” Phol said. “These two ideas are not inconsistent with each other.”
Last week, the committee held three different focus groups, made up of randomly selected students, at a number of residence halls. Committee members polled students about their college experience and Phol said they found the residents to be generally receptive to the committee’s ideas. Phol could not comment further because she said the discussions are confidential.
“The theme that I am hearing a lot is that sense that gets expressed when one mentions BU spirit,” Phol said. “How can we develop a sense of unity that is pan-university?”
Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs Anne Shea said she came up with the idea for the committee and appointed its members. In selecting members, she looked for faculty and staff who were experienced in working with students, she said.
The committee will be conducting a survey of BU students next fall in order to gain a better idea of what issues concern students most. Shea said another survey will likely be conducted after completion of the John Hancock Student Village project to measure whether it positively influenced student life.
Shea said the committee will try to make changes where they are needed as soon as it finds them.
“The idea is that if we want to change something, let’s do it,” she said.
Committee member Susan Jackson, the senior associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the group is a progressive step for BU because it allows students and faculty members to voice their opinions.
“In the 20 or so years that I’ve been here, this has been the most comprehensive, well-supported and action-focused project ever undertaken for the undergraduate experience,” Jackson said.
Several students said they do see areas of campus life that could use improvement.
CAS freshman Patrick Cavallario said he is generally pleased with his experience at BU, but feels that school events, specifically sporting events, are not promoted as much as they should be. He recommended that on- and off-campus events be promoted at the George Sherman Union.
School of Management senior George Kostis said, “I think the new arena is a step in the right direction.”
Kostis said the committee should get rid of some of the natural barriers that separate students living on campus.
“If you live on West or East campus it is two totally different things,” he said. “I’ve never lived on the other side of the bridge [South Campus] and don’t really know what goes on there.”
CAS senior Mike Williams also said BU lacks spirit for its sports.
“The basketball team is unbelievable but no one goes to the games,” he said.
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