IOP Students Want Louder Voice in Decision-Making

At Monday's once-a-semester meeting between the Institute of Politics' (IOP) Student Advisory Committee (SAC), Senior Advisory Committee and staff, student leaders gave a detailed review of the IOP's inner workings and--according to sources--voiced their concern that students should have more of a decision-making role in the organization.

One person who was present at the meeting said SAC members "emphasized the idea that students should be running things and that staff should be in a support role."

Staff members include full- and part-time personnel who work with students on the IOP's events and programs. But the source said students believe they do not have enough input into IOP decisions.

"It's hard to say who has the final authority at the IOP," the person added.

SAC Chair Hannah Choi '01, however, said that Monday's "state of the institute" student report did not emphasize staff-student relations, but covered many areas and issues within the IOP.

"That wasn't the focus of the presentation," Choi said. "The presentation covered everything."

Many other SAC members contacted also downplayed any conflict between students and IOP staff.

"[The presentation] absolutely was not a list of grievances in any way," said SAC member Lisa B. Schwartz '03. "We weren't going there in a confrontational manner."

At Monday's meeting, Senior Advisory Committee Chair John C. Culver announced that former Arkansas Senator David H. Pryor would be the next director of the IOP, giving students an opportunity to highlight their concerns as the IOP enters a transitional period.

Pryor will take over on Aug. 1, after current Director Alan K. Simpson, who has guided the IOP since January 1998, leaves the office in June.

The past year at the IOP has seen a large amount of staff turnover and a new method for students to communicate with staff members.

Last year, a consultant analyzed the institution for the first time in its history and gave several recommendations which were then enacted, including the shifting of some administrative responsibilities, said SAC member Eugenie A. Lang '00.

At the same time, many long-time staffers decided to leave, and a thorough staff change was put in place at the beginning of the academic year, Lang added.

"Almost all of the staff members now are new as of the new [academic] year, and almost all of the old people have left," Lang said.

IOP staff responsibilities were altered so administrators would have better communication with students.

Before, Kennedy School of Government Coordinator of Student Programs Anne K. Aaron was the "first line of contact for students," said SAC member Kathleen E. Campbell '00.

Recently, however, there has been an effort to "diversify" communication between staff and students. Now, communication is directed through the staff members in charge of special programs, study groups and other areas of the IOP in addition to Aaron, Campbell said.

SAC member Trevor D. Dryer '00 said he thinks the changes have not hurt student-staff relations.

"The transition happened, and I don't have any serious concerns," Dryer said.

Lang added that, while new staff members may not feel completely comfortable with the recent changes, those problems will probably be worked out over time.

SAC member Aneesh V. Raman '01 said changes will take time.

"To expect that the implementation [of the consultant's recommendations] would be done by now is ridiculous," Raman said.