Dear Editor,
Each week I read the articles regarding Student Events (SE) and each week I feel
frustrated because of consistently wrong information. I am the Assistant
Director of Student Activities and also the staff advisor for Student Events. With
this job responsibility, I attend the majority of Student Events meetings and
meet frequently with individual members. I know, perhaps more than anyone
else on campus, how hard the members of SE work to provide a variety of
activities. I also know how hard they have worked to improve their image by
providing forums and outlets for students. It is frustrating that The Justice does
not seem to highlight the many successful events SE has sponsored this year
including the Talib Kweli concert, a successful film series, popular events in The
Boulevard, and an 80s-themed Louis Louis which included the annual SCREW
dance that boasted an attendance of over 600 students. The articles that The Justice publishes about SE seem to reflect how The Justice
feels SE should be run without ever consulting the staff members of the
university who are experienced in organizational event planning like the staff in
the Division of Student Life which includes myself as the staff advisor for SE.
While I understand an editorial reflects individual opinion, there seems to be
little research put into the editorials. The Justice was "happy to hear" that only
$3,000 of the money allotted for SE staff development was used thus far for
activities including a regional conference. What The Justice doesn't understand
is how the conference benefits the members of Student Events and thus benefits
campus. The conference includes educational sessions on leadership
development, program planning, publicity workshops, provides networking
opportunities with other universities, and the ability to literally "shop" for
activities to bring to campus. This conference is a huge asset for the community
not just the members of SE who attend.

I would encourage anyone who has questions regarding SE to talk to me or
members of SE.

Sarah Bordeleau
Assistant Director of Student Activities