The first in a series of events called “Coffee with Crutcher” took place at the newly renovated Hanging Lounge in Tyler Haynes Commons on Dec. 1.
Through Coffee with Crutcher, members of the Richmond College Student Government Association sought to provide an open opportunity for students to meet with the university president, Ronald A. Crutcher, in order to share their thoughts on campus related issues. The president's wife, Betty Neal Crutcher, was also in attendance and speaking with students.
“The intention was to start an increased dialogue between the administration and the student body,” said Jonathan Hayes, an RCSGA senator who helped plan and organize the gathering. “With new administrations, they always have to break that barrier between the people they serve and the position they are now in. I thought this could be one way to do that.”
Hayes came up with the idea after noticing the success of a similar event held by a congressman from his home state, Pennsylvania. When he introduced the idea to the president’s office, planning started right away.
“It’s important for me to hear the students’ perspectives,” Crutcher said. “I wanted to find a regular way to have an opportunity to meet as many students as possible.”
The RCSGA plans to host Coffee with Crutcher once a month during the spring semester. If the event continues to be successful, the event could occur periodically in future years.
“It’s a student initiative, which is great to see,” said senior Luis Davila, RCSGA Vice President of Finance. “The students have actually requested that the president come out, and the president being willing — that’s the type of collaboration you want in the future.”
Crutcher also encouraged students to respond to an upcoming email about institutional planning as an additional way to provide feedback to the university administration.
Contact managing operations editor Adam Gibson at adam.gibson@richmond.edu
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