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Dear Editor,
In your editorial on September 17, 2009, regarding several issues concerning the Presidential search and visitation process, you stated that the students need to be heard. John-Robert Iruegas has ensured that students are kept first in the process. He has been a Student Government Association member for several years, and has always advocated for students at the University. He was recommended for the position not only by the past SGA president, Marcos Silva, but also by the last term SGA Senate. I have personally kept in contact with him regarding the president search and am confident that he has been a model student and has ensured that the candidates are student-centered leaders. I have full faith in his decisions in the selection process.
With regard to the meetings with SGA, over 15 students were able to ask questions and interact with the candidate in a more holistic manner than in the open forums. The questions asked were diverse, ranging across many university issues, and thought-provoking. The SGA members present all had the intention of identifying whether the candidate would be an appropriate choice for the University and an active advocate for students. All the students were also encouraged to attend the open forums.
On another note though, students should have played a more active role in the process. The forums should have been more published and more accommodating to students. More time should have been given to review the candidates before they step onto campus, but what to do now? The process is not done. All of us, as students should send in their feedback and let everyone in the process know that a wrong was done to students. Email the consultation firm at UTPAFeedback@storbeckpimentel.com and express your concerns and comments.
There is always room for improvement in the process, especially regarding active publicity of the presidential search events. As an SGA member, I will do my best to ensure that students’ voices are heard. Students, in turn, should also inform SGA about any problems they see.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Raghuveer Puttagunta
SGA President
