The Black Student union is just one of manydiverse student organizations at the University ofToledo.

Speaking up: The impact of student voices at the University ofToledo

independentcollegian.com/2015/12/02/news/speaking-up-the-impact-of-student-voices-at-the-university-of-toledo/

Student voices have often been at the forefront of change, andsome University of Toledo students are striving to do just that.

In the past year, UT has seen a number of student-ledmovements, from a campaign to divest from companiesinvolved in Israeli military actions to protests against the university’s treatment of a sexual assault survivor. Studentleaders have varying levels of interaction with administration, but the dialogue is continuous.

Tamika Mitchell, the dean of students, is an administrator who interacts with student groups and leaders on a day-to-day basis. Mitchell wrote that both she and her office use various methods to make each student feel heard.

“We work very closely with students to make sure they are involved in campus decisions; many times, this isthrough focus groups and meetings with various organizations and student leaders,” Mitchell wrote.

Lance Price, Jr. is the president of the Black Student Union, a group that has been involved in the Black Lives Mattermovement taking place across the nation. BSU has held several events to raise awareness for this issue, including adie-in and a march for civil rights. In Price’s mind, UT’s admins have been supportive by giving studentorganizations the right amount of freedom.

“I think it is important to have some level of independence where you can [make] your own decisions and have thefreedom to put on the programs and the events that you want,” Price said. “For the most part, I think theadministrations helps to guide at least us, as far as I’m concerned, in the right direction.”

Cody Spoon is the president of Student Government, a group that regularly submits legislation for theadministration’s consideration and campaigns for changes like enacting the tobacco ban and extending library hoursduring exams. Last year’s president was also involved in the selection committee for UT’s president. Spoon saidSG’s relationship with administration has always been give or take.

“It’s just a matter of working together instead of telling them what we want and expecting it to just magically happen,”Spoon said.

Sierra Hudnall is the president of Zeta Phi Eta, a co-ed fraternity for communication majors. Despite being arelatively young organization, Hudnall thinks Zeta Phi Eta has already made its voice heard.

“We won Best New Student Organization on Campus Spring of 2015 … So I think we’re starting to gain moretraction,” Hudnall said. “We’re still growing, but I definitely do think we have a voice.”

Hudnall said being president of a new organization still comes with its frustrations and setbacks. She wanted tomeet with academic leaders to speak about her constitution as president and other issues, but found herselfshuffled from person to person in search of answers.

“It was disappointing that the last few people I spoke with just transferred me to other people,” Hudnall said. “You’restarting off, and you want to get the help and support that you need and it felt like no one wanted to help,” Hudnallsaid. For student leaders, their job doesn’t stop at working with administrators. Price and Spoon agree thatcollaborating with different organizations is a key part of an organization’s success.

“It’s just a matter of collaborating with them [other organizations] as often as we can … I’m always trying to see what1/2

I can do for other organizations,” Spoon said.

Price said presidents and vice presidents from Latino Student Union, International Student Union and many more ofthe multicultural organizations meet on Sundays and have discussions.

“We meet once every Sunday and we go over our calendars, our events, what we have coming up, any issues,”Price said. “As far as students of color, ; so one option is if we all just came together and pulled our resourcestogether and go out and get and seek what we want.”

Price said he would like to collaborate with Student Government or the Campus Activities and Programmingorganization to benefit not only the students of color, but everyone.

“TheyPrice said. “So I think if we were to collaborate with them more, I think we would have a greater impact, notonly on the students of color on this campus, but the students in general.”

Mitchell wrote that her office has an open door policy, and is always working to make sure students feel comfortableraising issues with administration.

“We have a great relationship with student organizations and have open communication when issues or otherconcerns come up,” Mitchell wrote. “I believe our student organizations have great experiences at the university, andfeel they can always address feelings with the Office for the Student Experience.”

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