Students voice concerns to staff at open forum

By Ryan Dezember

Daily Kent Stater

A hodgepodge of questions and statements surfaced at the first open student forum of the semester last night in the Student Multicultural Center.

Some students called for a reduction in the number of lights that are lighted each night on campus to allow visual access to the sky.

Another student wondered why he could wear sleeveless shirts to class but not to work out at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Other student concerns ranged from the prices of food at Tri-Mart to on-campus recycling to the availability of dormitory phone taps.

The well-attended forum gave students an opportunity to directly question administrative guests like Nancy Scott, vice president of enrollment management, and provost Paul Gaston along with representatives from a multitude of student organizations.

While some questions raised more laughter than thought, viable issues were addressed, like the university's proposal to require health insurance for all students, concerns surrounding the aeronautics division of the School of Technology and the renovation of Oscar Ritchie Hall.

Francisco Romero, SALSA secretary, used the opportunity to ask the administrators in attendance for a specific date when students can expect renovations on Oscar Ritchie Hall to begin. He noted the poor condition of the roof and asked whether the number of students using the building had any ramifications on the situation.

David Creamer, vice president of Business and Finance, said the roof would be repaired this spring and further repairs are dependent on the amount of money Kent State would receive from legislature. He also said the renovative needs of the campus are currently being prioritized, noting the work necessary to rejuvenate buildings like Oscar Ritchie and Franklin Halls would cost between $15 million and $20 million.

A main concern of some of the students was the university's proposal to require all students to carry health insurance. Under the university's plan, students could acquire coverage from the university for around $600 a year. Concerned students said that this cost is unnecessary and would be an unneeded obstacle in obtaining an education.

Scott said if the university makes coverage mandatory, it would be able to keep the price of an individual plan at around $612. If Kent State retains its current policy concerning student health insurance, the cost to each student needing health insurance would climb to around $800.

The most visible issue of the evening, though, was the possible involvement of sweatshop labor used in the production of certain items bearing the Kent State logo.

Several audience members sported posterboard hats reading "Sweat-Free KSU Now," which were distributed by members of Kent CHANGE, a student activist group that works with issues like child and sweatshop labor.

The group wants Kent State administration to cease operations with companies that use sweatshop labor to produce their goods.

"Most of the time we talk to administrators informally, and they're like 'oh yeah, we're taking care of it,' but they won't take a stand or say anything about it," said Oren Casdi, a senior conflict management major and member of Kent CHANGE. "They either don't know or they are avoiding it."

Scott said the university's legal counsel is looking into the issue. She said the university may face contractual responsibilities to stay with manufacturers that take advantage of sweatshop labor. She also noted the difficulty in keeping track of how each company is run.