The school year is back, and as the good times start to roll so do the bad times that we have come to know at FAMU. The extremely long lines in financial aid, lost hours of student time seeking help, ridiculous parking situation and the too-little, too-late net checks are all complaints that students have voiced against the administration in previous years.
My concern is that too often the student body voices complaints and seldomly offers solutions to these problems. I spoke with some students about what they felt some problems at FAMU were.
Alexis Jackson, a 20-year-old sophomore from Richmond Heights, Fla. said, “I am unable to enjoy events like the convocation because it is so hot inside the gym.” She said the school should build a new gym or install more air conditioning. I assumed this was a common problem and solution by the choruses of “Amen” and “That’s right” coming from the other students.
Although this may seem like an easy answer to a widespread problem, students have to understand that the solution does not stop there.
The next question would be where to get the money to fund the building of a new gym or the installation of air conditioning.Would these students be willing to pay some sort of fee for these renovations?
And why do these students not go to Senate meetings and voice these complaints?
Do not get me wrong. I am not saying that there are not many problems here at FAMU that need to be addressed, but I can say that I have offered small suggestions that can improve the school consistently.
While I was waiting in the financial aid line for a total of three hours and 23 minutes, I asked where the suggestion box was and simply proposed that the administration add a comment box on the “OURFAMU” website. Then, if there were any changes made regarding registration or financial aid, these departments could leave a note in the comment box telling what the changes are, why they took place and some contact information.
Fellow Famuans, we can always complain about the many problems at FAMU, but if we are not ready to step in and assist our elected officials in the repair and reconstructions of the “new” FAMU then don’t give a reaction without first suggesting an action to help the change.
The next time you find yourself staring at a ticket for parking in a non-parking area that you felt was not clearly marked, march down to SGA and suggest that the assigned parking areas be differentiated by vibrant colors.
Don’t just talk about it FAMU, be about it.
Anna Taylor is a sophomore public relations student from Miami. She can be reached at famuanopinions@hotmail.com.