October 2011 – Page 9 – The Bucknellian

By Nicki Briggs

Writer

The University’s campus was overflowing with parents and siblings of students last weekend. The beautiful weather provided a suitable environment for the activities and events available for students and their parents.

“Freshman parents get to see how well we are adjusting to the college environment. It was also nice for them to see where we’ve been living for the past month and what they’re paying for,” Lindsey Nourse ’15 and Tyler Wind ’15 said.

Family Weekend appeals to everyone on campus.

“It provides a good setting for students to introduce parents to Bucknell beyond what they see in an admissions visit or another weekend during the year. The activities over Family Weekend really provide insight into life at Bucknell,” Arielle Barnett ’14 said.

After checking in at the Family Weekend Welcome Center, families attended numerous events hosted by the University. The weekend athletic events included field hockey and both men’s and women’s soccer games. There was an orchestra concert, performances in Rooke Chapel by all five campus a cappella groups and a comedy show by improv group We Brake for Nobody. There were also information sessions for parents and students interested in learning more about study abroad programs, financial aid and other topics.

While Family Weekend often caters to first-year students and their families, the University provides a unique experience for family members of all students students on campus.

“I love updating my parents about everything that’s been happening at Bucknell, but when they’re actually here and can see the places I study, my friends, and my sorority suite, they actually get to see my Bucknell life. Plus the home cooked meals they bring and the hugs are always the best,” Sarah Dubow ’13 said.

The University attracts multi-generational Bucknell families as well. Those who attended in previous years enjoy visiting their children and grandchildren at the school and seeing how things have changed and stayed the same.

“I was once a student at Bucknell, so it’s great to be able to come back with my family and relive all the amazing memories,” Sue Romagnoli ’87 said.

The weekend concluded with the Paint Bucknell Pink 5K walk/run on Sunday morning.

By Jen Lassen

Writer

President Bravman’s recent email to students about the necessary ‘next steps’ regarding the recent publication of the Campus Climate Report has made both students and faculty more confident in the proposed changes to be made on campus.

On Sept. 22, Bravman emailed students about the next steps on starting the process of making some of the changes outlined in the Campus Climate Task Force Report. Included in the email were sections about the President’s background with the University climate, the Task Force itself, the challenge the University is facing and the steps needed to move forward.

In his email, Bravman said that “the report has initiated an important campus dialogue, and I write to lay out our plans from here and where I hope they can lead.”

Some of the steps that Bravman outlined included holding discussions with various administrative groups over the course of the year, reflecting on student input through the BSG Committee on Student Engagement, asking the Greek system to hold discussions among members about the report and gathering University feedback through the Bucknell Suggestion Box or campusclimate@bucknell.edu

These steps are intended to jump-start the process of change at the University.

The task force covers several major areas including student intellectual engagement outside the classroom, student social life (including the role of Greek organizations), student alcohol consumption, social space on campus for non-Greek activities, student diversity and sexual assault. Because these areas are all important yet complex, it will take time for changes to take place.

“I think it’s important to realize that none of the recommendations that were suggested in the Campus Climate Report are necessarily being enacted right now. These were recommendations that were sent to President Bravman, and whatever changes that may take place will be decided on collectively by Dean Lantz, Provost Smyer and President Bravman, with, of course, feedback from all levels of the University including students,” said BSG president Phil Kim ’12.

“It is half of the responsibility of the student organizations and half of the responsibility of the President and his task force to make students aware of opportunities for involvement with this. Students need to be active and knowledgeable to stay involved with this, and they need to involve themselves in this process if they want a say in the changes taking place,” said Clark Bogle ’12.

Dean of Students, Susan Lantz, a Campus Climate response coordinator, is working with Provost Mick Smyer to gain student insight on the report. They are currently reaching out to student organizations such as BSG, offering to meet with them directly in an effort to hear additional thoughts, questions, concerns and ideas.

“Keeping faculty, staff and students updated throughout this process is very important. I appreciate that President Bravman has continued to communicate so openly with the campus community,” Lantz said.

“[I think Bravman’s e-mail is] simply meant to make sure everyone is on the same page moving forward–to lay out all the cards on the table, so to speak. As he mentions in his email, I would much rather realize our faults and points of concern and straight-on address them. I believe that President Bravman was trying to do just that. And I respect that,” Kim said.