THE
IRON BLADE Vol. 62, No. 2
SINCE 1955
60 Years of Ferrum College News
April, 2018
Johns Hosts First Reverse Town-Hall by Mary Stoudt On February 21, 2018, President David Johns held a reverse town hall meeting in the Panthers Den from 4 to 6 pm. In a reverse-town hall, the audience leads the conversation instead of the speaker. The meeting was a chance for Johns to hear what students, faculty, and staff had to say about Ferrum College. He asked a variety of questions, giving students numerous opportunities to have their voices heard. Near the end of the meeting, Johns got personal about his own struggles in high school and explained how one mentor helped him turn his life around. As the meeting went on, students became extremely vocal about what they wanted to see Ferrum become. Johns took in what everyone had to say, but he also emphasized that change could not happen overnight. Johns is hoping “students will see some changes, good ones, by Fall semester.” Johns began by asking students what would encourage them to stay on campus during the weekends. There were numerous responses, but the two answers students were most vocal on were having a student activity center and keeping food venues open later on the weekend. Senior Chris Saunders suggested having an activity center designated just for students. One student suggested having a “Gym Jam,” a practice from her previous college where students go to the gym for activities. Johns also asked students where they would put donation money if they were president. Students suggested that the money go to a graduate program and certification programs to accompany the degrees currently offered. Students also had suggestions about the fitness opportunities on campus, including improving the fitness equipment in the YMCA and adding another fitness facility on campus specifically for students, since the YMCA is also open to the public, and the Hank Norton Center is designated for athletes. Students made clear that they wanted change in food and dining services. One suggestion was that the remaining work-study jobs be made available for work labor opportunities, as some students do not qualify for work-study. A member of the student senate informed the students that a proposal for that idea was being prepared for Johns. Students were also vocal about introduc-
Inside the Issue page 2
Photo courtesy of Ferrum Colllege Athletics
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Photo by Mary Stoudt
Dr. Johns, right, speaks to students, faculty, and staff about Ferrum College at his first reverse town hall meeting. Students asked questions about campus food, allocation of school funds, and pets, among other things.
ing student management jobs on campus, which would give them the opportunity to add valuable experience to their resume. Students want jobs on campus that help them earn more skills that relate to their future career. For dining services, students want nutritious options offered in the cafe. Students also suggested that to-go boxes should be introduced to the cafe. Since the food venues close so early, students who have a tight schedule want the option to grab food and eat it on the run. The audience also suggested a grab-and-go area, which would enable students to swipe their card and grab to-go food. The food choices offered on campus and at the cafe have always been a topic for debate. The students seemed excited to have their voices heard. Johns’ last main question was about making an area of campus pet friendly. Students were very vocal on this question because there are a lot of pets on campus, both registered and unregistered. Students suggested designating a pet friendly dorm, which would relieve those with pet allergies or fears. Students also suggested having a pet park on campus to give pets an opportunity to exercise
and play outside. Several audience members with emotional support animals, or ESAs, expressed their discontent toward a policy preventing them from taking their pets to other dorms. After the meeting, senior Jade Jones said, “I thought the meeting was productive and a step in the right direction. However, talk is cheap. Until I see results, I’m not going to put too much faith in the administration. I wish more students would have come, because I was honestly disappointed in the turn out. But I think if these things happen more often, more people will speak up.” This Town Hall meeting was the first one Johns held since becoming president of Ferrum College. “I appreciated everyone's openness and honesty in sharing their concerns,” Johns said. “It was valuable information, and as I often like to say, the only way we can improve is if we're honest with each other.” To continue open communication within the Ferrum community, Johns is holding two more Town Hall meetings. The first will take place on Wednesday, April 4, from 10:10am until 11:05am, and the second on April 10, from 9:30am until 10:50am.
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Photo courtesy of Ferrum Colllege Athletics
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