What the Administration Isn’t Telling You
by Marcos Santiago on April 29, 2009 in Opinion
I spent quite a bit of time debating whether or not to write this op-ed and risk angering several key decision makers at the school. But I feel strongly that the following student sentiments need to be put out there, and since few others know what’s about to happen at HKS, the responsibility falls to me.
Let me preface this with the sincerest of comments. The vast majority of faculty and administrators at this institution are wonderful individuals who truly care about students and the student experience, at least on a personal level. The “system” and the “bureaucracy,” on the other hand, could hardly be less accommodating to students and their needs.
Perhaps the numerous frustrations experienced as this year’s executive vice president (EVP) of the Kennedy School Student Government (KSSG) pushed me over the edge, or possibly it was my four-month PAE focused on impoverished mining communities and stakeholder theory. Then again, it could be that Town Hall is being gutted this summer to make room for the Hauser Center, and as an advocate for students’ interests, I don’t feel like keeping it to myself.
What am I talking about? I’m talking about how next year after 4pm on Forum event days, HKS students will no longer have a group space to call their own. And by the way, if you want to visit the Office of Career Advancement you’ll have to head to 124 Mount Auburn, which is where they are being relocated at this stage of the game. At least you’ll still have shopping days. Oh no, wait, did you hear about the conversation KSSG President Ben Polk had with HKS Dean Mary Jo Bane? It turns out, you won’t have shopping days, either, sorry.
There have been too many instances in which decision makers carelessly push students and their legitimate concerns aside without a second thought. The fact that Town Hall can be taken away (blue prints already exist) or shopping days eliminated (faculty have already received the memo) without so much as a whisper to students or the KSSG for their input and collaboration is demeaning. Why are students, supposedly being trained as future world leaders, treated like children when it comes to the issues that matter most to us?
We are not unreasonable. We understand that sacrifices occasionally need to be made and that financial and space constraints require some painful but necessary decisions. Still, we should be approached PRIOR to a final decision and be allowed to voice concerns - as well as suggest collaborative paths forward.
There is much lip service around partnership with students, but the reality is much different. The lack of transparency around most aspects of this institution’s operations and decision-making processes is extremely frustrating. The choice to not engage students around the issues that directly affect them is insulting, and the effects are beginning to show.
I have heard from fellow classmates all too often these past few weeks that they gave up many months ago on trying to address issues they felt most strongly about (e.g., institutionalizing public service, increasing diversity in faculty, receiving grades in a timely manner, etc.). Most times in my role as EVP, it felt like KSSG was a glorified activities committee since the HKS administration did not respond to or act on our concerns. Other than the IT team, a primary exception to this sentiment is the Office of Career Advancement, which two years ago was regularly derided by students as useless. Today it is a beacon of light and responsiveness thanks to Sandy Hessler and her team.
Many students about to graduate are frustrated by numerous aspects of their experience. Unfortunately for the school, there is little sense of connection or a spirit of community tied directly to the institution that would facilitate financial giving by these alums going forward. One to two years is a short amount of time for students to bond with an institution, unlike the four years at an undergraduate institution. One would assume that the administration would do everything within its power to facilitate positive lasting bonds, but for the most part, the opposite is true.
Many on KSSG sense that this short turnover window has been exploited by the administration to systematically ignore student concerns. With student turnover happening so quickly, why develop an actual policy to engage students or genuinely addresses their concerns around student space and other issues?
I would like to recognize the fact that there are some who work diligently on behalf of students: for example, Dean Joe McCarthy and Melissa Wojciechowski, among others. It is a shame that they often face the same challenges when advocating on our behalf to the black hole of HKS authority. My sense is that there are some in the administration that truly feel students should not be engaged as stakeholders - that this institution does not exist as much to serve students as it does to facilitate faculty research and policy analysis.
This sense of exploitation has also left students disengaged and with no real tie to the school. The community that does exist is between the students themselves. I have no doubt that the personal relationships built here will last a lifetime, and for my part, I will do everything in my power to help a fellow alum in the future. Many colleagues have expressed similar sentiments, but when asked if they intend to give to the institution, they simply replied “no.”
Excluding the resources and insights students bring to the table is a missed opportunity for the school and its leadership to turn the Kennedy School into the truly great institution we all know it can and should be. And moreover, it’s a pity…a real pity.
Comments
One Response to “What the Administration Isn’t Telling You”
Got something to say?
These iniquities would never befall HBS students. Can HBS just take us over already? I can no longer deal with HKS incompetence.