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Candidate Rollo seeks work with students |
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Thursday, 23 February 2006 |
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by MILLIE TOLLESON
News Reporter
The first of three candidates for the vice chancellor for student development position, J. Michael Rollo, spent Monday and Tuesday at Appalachian State University meeting with faculty, department chairs, staff and students.
Rollo, who currently serves as the associate vice chancellor for
student affairs at the University of Florida, fielded questions and
concerns from students at an opening meeting in Plemmons Student Union
Monday.
Rollo began by speaking on the importance of the “student voice” on
campus and the obligation of the university to teach students to be
effective leaders and also uphold those lessons themselves.
“Passion without intellect is not effective,” Rollo said. “Speaking out
loudly does not necessarily mean you will be heard. We have to speak
effectively for [the student] voice.”
He said the role of Student Development is to “make sure the student
voice is carried forward and make sure your issues are on the table.”
In response to a question on his choice to leave Florida, Rollo said it
is difficult to leave such talented people, but is also easy to get
“lost in a sea of people” at a school of upward of 48,000 students.
“I am looking for an opportunity to work with students,” he said. “It
is hard for that to happen at a place like Florida and I see a big
potential for it here.”
Rollo called Student Development a partner with the already strong, key relationship between faculty and students.
He said students and faculty are the most important part of the
university and the reason students attend college in the first place.
“Classes come first. Tomorrow, we aren’t going to cancel classes and
say, ‘but hey, we have a great union and recreation center,’” Rollo
said. “Student Development provides resources to students to learn.”
In response to a question on efforts to improve diversity at
Appalachian, Rollo said this problem is common, as universities vie for
a limited number of students in certain groups.
However, the issue is important because having a diverse student body,
faculty and staff adds positively to the atmosphere of a university,
Rollo said.
“We need to find out what we are doing on this campus already to make
students happy and then try and package it further to attract students
here,”
Rollo said.
Rollo listed many positive qualities Appalachian already has to attract
students, including small class sizes, location and a student union
which is “widely
known in [the Student Development] profession” as a
facility to model after.
Some of his goals should he receive the position include enhancing
residence life experiences and the overall college experience for
students.
“I want those who went to Appalachian to share something special. Kind
of like, ‘if you didn’t go here, you don’t get it,’” Rollo said.
Another finalist for the position, Dr. Leellen Brigman, will have an
open forum Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Attic Window Room in the student
union.
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