On Feb. 11, Winston-Salem State Student Government Association President Robert Stephens sent Chancellor Donald L. Reaves a letter listing requests of the student body towards his office.
The letter, which was written by the SGA and signed by Stephens, took aim at a seven issues involving Reaves. The note addressed several areas where student leaders felt slighted by Reaves. Students who attended a Feb. 20 Student Body Forum were given a copy of the letter, which was also forwarded to University of North Carolina President Irskine Bowles, as well as former WSSU Chancellor Dr. Harold Martin.
“We wanted to make the chancellor aware, and put it in print,” Stephens said.
Points of the letter included remaining true as an HBCU, his visibility on campus, admission standards and increased student athletic fee.
“The Student Government Association stands united with the student body in opposition to the full increase you recommended for the 2008-09 Athletic Fee.”
Vice President of Internal Affairs Harold Respass said this was not the first time the SGA addressed its’ concerns to Reaves.
“We’d met with the chancellor at his house last semester, and we addressed a few of our concerns, mainly visibility; even at basketball games, he’s very isolated,” he said.
At the meeting, several students expressed opinions about the chancellor’s lack of visibility.
Some think that he hasn’t felt truly welcomed. Stanley Johnson suggested a way to help Reaves feel more welcome.
“Every organization should construct a letter, welcoming [Reaves], saying we haven’t seen you much, but we’d like to see you, you’re a part of the family now.”
Senior Class President Haven Powell shared that sentiment.
“I did feel this letter was necessary,” said Powell. “But I do think that as students we do need to understand that he is a person, he just got here, and things do take time,” she said.
On Feb. 22, Reaves responded to the letter.
“I am always interested in understanding the perspectives of our students,” he said. “I take their views very seriously. Hopefully, through communication,we can resolve the issues addressed in the letter.”
Reaves and the SGA met on March 3. Prior to the meeting, Stephens expressed his optimisim.
“Hopefully the Chancellor will respond positively,” he said. “Because it’s important that he corresponds with the students.”