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Town Hall meeting, multi-layered discussion

The student government association hosted a town hall meeting with the university president, vice presidents and representatives in Grambling Hall Wednesday night.

The questions came from students who addressed administrators and anonymously in the form of green slips of paper that were given to SGA representatives.

One of the first issues addressed was the articulation agreement to work with Bossier Parish Community College. Provost and Vice president of Academic Affairs Dr. Connie Walton said that the goal of the partnership is to increase higher education access and complement selective admission criteria.

GSU faculty, who would serve as adjunct professors, would teach BPCC courses. Grambling State courses would also be taught at BPCC.

“It helps to have a partnership,” Dr. Walton said. The provost said that the move would be financially beneficial for GSU.

“We can capitalize on that Shreveport market,” she said.

University president Dr. Frank Pogue reminded everyone of the need to recruit students and the shared implications of furloughs. He reported progress regarding library improvements.

“We do have support now to renovate the library,” said Dr. Pogue.

Dr. Paul Bryant Interim vice president of enrollment management and retention said that GSU must diversify the student population to mirror the diverse global community. He encouraged students to assist male students whose graduation rates are lackluster.

Dr. Bryant said that male students graduate from GSU in four years at a seven percent rate and graduate in six years at a 17 percent rate.

“We need to get these brothers out of here with a degree,” Dr. Bryant said during a crescendo of his presentation.

A recurring student concern was the absence of Greek organization benches.

Vice president of Student Affairs Dr. Stacey Duhon, who met with representatives from the National Pan Hellenic Council the day before, told students that after an agreement is made between organizations and student affairs that benches could be placed on Divine 9 organization’s spots.

Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Kenoye Eke emphasized the need for the university to partner with corporations to generate money and create internship opportunities for students.

“We need more and more students to come out next time,” said SGA president Lamark Hughes.

“We have to help each other in this,” said Dr. Bryant.