On Tuesday, September 30th, students had the opportunity to sit down with President Trombley, Dr. Ron Swain, and Southwestern University’s senior staff. The President’s Corner is an opportunity hosted regularly that gives students a chance to speak with university leadership about almost anything. Whether that is making professional connections, asking questions about campus, voicing worries, or showing off student-led projects.
The meeting began with officers from the Black Student Union asking the President about some of the administration’s upcoming plans, including funding for student organizations like the BSU and others. This led into discussions about the future of student spaces on campus given the upcoming renovations in Bishop’s, Cullen, and the expansion of student dorms and a new welcome center.
President Trombley addressed student concerns about the lack of third spaces on campus by revisiting her discussions with Dr. Bednar, a scholar of campus history and locations and leader of the Placing Memory project, whom The Megaphone sat down with in a recent interview. She expressed interest in seeking coordination with student organizations and student activities to turn the third-floor rooms near the Student Engagement Center, the former home of the Bookstore and Mail Office, into a student-led space that could become a new focal point for social life on campus.
She also talked about a personal plan she’s had for campus renovations reflected by many students, a desire to bring color and life to the Bishop’s Lounge by commissioning murals from student artists to decorate many of the spaces students visit every day.
The President’s Corner ended with the students present talking about their hopes for their own careers, sharing the benefits that they’ve reaped from services like the Career Center, and a growing enthusiasm for life in the next semester and post-graduation.