I believe that most problems in life occur because of a lack of communication. We love to talk about our problems with everyone except the people who we should be talking to. It is no secret that we could correct ongoing problems in a matter of hours or even minutes if we were all more direct with each other.
It never fails to surprise me how easily people can run around “yes or no” questions. I recently had some issues with a communication professor at Fredonia that led to over 25 emails and several meetings with the faculty and administration. There were mistakes made on both ends, and one lesson that I have been taught by my advisor is that you need to be accountable for your actions.
It is disheartening to experience your openness and honesty being used as a point of attack to hide any faults made by the opposing side. After hearing such positive encouragement from other faculty that what I was doing was right, I was faced with defensive and evasive behavior.
I do not want to share this to say that I am right and they are wrong. I want to share this because it is important to address when people who we trust to guide us and show us how to be leaders can so easily dismiss your concerns.
One point raised addressed the lack of issues brought up by other students. As I stated above, people do not often present their concerns to those who need to hear them, but my experience is one example of the other unfortunate reason that people accept when they have been wronged. People want to know that after they open their thoughts up to others and go through an extensive, tiresome process to explain themselves that they will not be stepped on even more. They do not want to relive their troubles to be told again that they are wrong or be told that nothing can be done.
Last semester, I held the position of Chair of Student Relations for the Student Association. My responsibility was to do my best to create a better experience at Fredonia for students. Through my efforts, much of the time was spent speaking with administrators to learn about why the university operates the way they do. If students understood more about the university and how decisions are made, I believe that they would be much happier with everything that Fredonia has to offer.
At the General Campus Meeting on Jan. 15, 2016, Dr. Rob Deemer highlighted the willingness of students, faculty and administrators to come together and collaborate for the betterment of Fredonia. Provost Terry Brown stated that Fredonia is delivering the highest quality education for the students, and President Virginia Horvath asked what we are doing to enhance learning. I would now like to ask the same question. We all need to communicate more and strive for great experiences not only at Fredonia, but wherever our ventures take us after we leave.