Recently, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch named Chancellor Wrighton the 2007 Citizen of the Year. Citing his 13 years of service at Washington University, the Post-Dispatch based its decision on his work “steer[ing] the University on an upward trajectory, catapulting it into the company of the most elite universities in the nation.” This award is certainly prestigious and we would like to compliment Chancellor Mark Wrighton for earning such an honor. He has tremendously influenced Washington University during his tenure. We began thinking, however, about what other individuals and organizations have had significant impacts. What factors provided the most significant influence on Washington University in 2007? And just as important, what factors do we expect to play a large role at this university in 2008?
These considerations formed the foundation for two lists that we have compiled here. The first list is composed of five individuals and organizations (besides Chancellor Wrighton) who exhibited tremendous influence over university events. The second list is composed of five individuals, organizations and buildings (yes, buildings) that face very large expectations in 2008.
Most influential individuals and organizations in 2007
Mary Sansalone
Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science
Few university figures were as controversial during this past year. Since she was hired in April 2006, Sansalone has begun implementing a number of far-reaching changes. Under her “Plan for Excellence,” the School of Engineering will reduce its student-to-faculty ration by hiring new faculty members and reducing the freshmen engineering class size from 285 to 235. Other planned changes include the elimination of many adjunct faculty positions, the construction of three new engineering buildings, the elimination of the undergraduate Aerospace Engineering major, and the merging of the Department of Civil Engineering with the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Not all of Sansalone’s work has been well received, however, as evidenced by an engineering faculty petition calling for the removal of Sansalone. While opinion is split over her work, few can deny that she has had a tremendous influence on the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Student Technology Services/ Student Union President Neil Patel/ Student Union Senator Jeff Nelson
Student Technology Services brought on a student uproar at the beginning of this academic year by bundling new wireless Internet with cable and charging students $240 for it. Student Union President Neil Patel and Senator Jeff Nelson were instrumental in working with STS to decrease the bundle charge last semester and to increase communication from the school about technology. We commend Patel and Nelson for their hard work on this and other issues in 2007 and we expect that STS will do all it can to become more transparent in 2008.
College Republicans
On a campus with a large number of students who consider themselves politically liberal, the College Republicans have made quite an impact in the past year. In April they brought to campus former Gov. of Arkansas Mike Huckabee, long before he was a front-runner for the Republican nomination. In October, amidst controversy, they hosted Islamofascist Awareness Week. And again amidst controversy, in a few weeks they will be bringing in former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, a man known for the opacity of his words and motives. Whether or not most students agree with their views, the College Republicans have certainly made a significant contribution to raising the level of political dialogue on campus. We hope that they will keep this up as the debate and election approach later this year.
Green Action
Taking on one of the most pressing social issues of our era, Green Action has worked tirelessly to activate both the Wash. U. student body and Wash. U. administration for the environmental cause. Green Action led students to visibly petition the Wash. U. administration to cut carbon emissions on its campus. Though Washington University still has not signed a pledge of carbon neutrality, it is not because Green Action has not been adequately pressuring the administration. We applaud Green Action for providing campus leadership on such a significant and important issue and look forward to the day when the University, too, will thank Green Action for its dedication with pledges to cut campus emissions and energy use.
Washington University Police Department
This year, the Washington University Police Department (WUPD) has stepped up to the challenge of investigating sexual assault and hate crimes and dealing with unruly students resisting arrest, all while acting professionally and making a remarkable impact on the campus community. WUPD officers carefully strike a balance between enforcing the letter of the law and allowing students to enjoy their college experience, and WUPD’s continued education and prevention efforts have ensured that bikes remain locked and laptops safe.
Individuals, organizations and buildings that face large expectations in 2008
Matthew Malten
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Campus Sustainability
This year, Matthew Malten is reviewing the University’s operations and developing plans for long-term sustainability. We hope that as these plans materialize, Malten augments his professional experience with the input of student groups and the successful policies enacted in other institutions. We further expect open communication about the proposals, and hope the administration seriously considers these important steps. Wash. U. has been waiting patiently for Malten’s review and we hope his proposals will finally bring about the long overdue green revolution at the University.
Team 31
We know that Team 31 has a tough task when picking W.I.L.D. musicians who will please more than 6,000 students. That said, it has still managed to pick excellent acts, such as Robert Randolph and the Family Band and Ozomatli, which are not necessarily widely known. In the future, however, we would like to see more diverse choices for each concert so that the show is more representative of student taste. Last fall’s W.I.L.D. suffered because every musical performer was from the rap genre. Nonetheless, the inflatable couches were an excellent addition. Let’s see more of them on the quad for next W.I.L.D.
Danforth University Center
While not a person or an organization, we nonetheless expect the new Danforth University Center to have a major impact on campus in 2008. The center has been presented as a place for social congregation for students, with a “fun room” with entertainment and lounge facilities, and we certainly hope that it lives up to its title. The Student Center should be more than a showcase of state-of-the-art architecture; it should be a real center for students to spend their time, relax, and enjoy a product of all that tuition. We look forward to its opening in the fall and hope that it meets its high expectations.
Steve Givens
Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs
After providing the executive direction of university communications and serving as committee chair for the last two presidential debates, Givens will play a critical role in making the 2008 Washington University Vice Presidential Debate both run smoothly and create opportunities for students to engage in the political process. We expect Dean Givens to tap into the potential this debate has to give students a meaningful political experience that will offer firsthand exposure to the United States political scene.
Henry Biggs
Associate Dean and Faculty Advisor for Thurtene Carnival
As the advisor for the largest student-run carnival in the country, Dean Biggs took on a closet full of skeletons. In the past, we have been concerned with Thurtene’s secrecy and issues concerning its position as a charity. Last year we were pleased with Dean Biggs’s move to more transparency and we look forward to more communication from Biggs and Thurtene.