Gianna Hayes
News Editor
Department offices were contacted with their results from The Wooster Voice’s fall 2024 approval ratings survey and were offered the chance to comment on the findings.
Alexa Konstantinos, vice president of marketing and communications, responded on behalf of the President’s office, who received one of the largest disapproval ratings. “The Office of the President is pleased to see that the percentage of strongly approve and approve ratings doubled since last semester, and we are trending in a positive direction,” she said in her statement. “We hope to see this continue as the work under the strategic plan gets underway and gains momentum.”
Konstantinos relayed the contents of the strategic plan, including “new academic and experiential learning opportunities.” Konstantinos also mentioned that these plans would require “input from students” to move forward.
Responding on behalf of the faculty, Dean Sarah Sobeck commented on the “student-centered approach of our Faculty,” noting the office of academic affairs’ emphasis “on inclusive pedagogy and mentoring, as well as support for faculty work with students in the classroom and research.”
New Director of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Shawn Starowesky responded to campus safety’s ratings, detailing his goals and progress during his short time as director.
“While some may look at stale disapproval ratings (33% year-over-year) as lack of progress, I’m very happy with our actual shift in approval ratings from 28% in 2023 to 38% in 2024,” he said. Starowesky detailed speaking at a number of student events to inform the student population about campus safety’s presence at Wooster. “It is important to me that our students know who I am, where I came from, and the direction I want to take this organization.”
Addressing the concern of patrolling Scheide Music Center after hours brought up by multiple students, Starowesky explained that there had been “issues with vandalism and/or theft in the past,” so officers must sometimes have students swipe in to verify that they do, in fact, have access to the space.
“I am confident that the new officers and dispatchers we’ve brought on board share my goal of developing relationships with our campus community while still enforcing the College’s policies,” he said.
Lynn Holleran, director of athletics and physical education, commented on her anticipation of the role the Athletics department will play in the Strategic Action Plan as outlined in President Anne McCall’s “Framing Our Future” campus-wide talk. “Having only been here 9 months, I’m still learning a lot and certainly can benefit from the feedback,” she responded.
Director of Campus Dining Marjorie Shamp noted a “positive movement” in campus dining ratings compared to the Voice’s previous Spring 2024 approval ratings. “Our staff and management team worked hard over the summer to address issues raised by students last academic year,” Shamp said.
Campus dining has been implementing many changes this year, such as the Reuzzi system, the new deli bar in Lowry Dining Hall and the Latin week menu. Campus dining is also working to implement Taste-Test Tuesdays, during which students can give direct feedback after sampling options at Lowry.
Shamp also noted a drop in the ratings of MacLeod’s C-Store and Knowlton Café, as well as referencing the student response to the newly reinstated Old Main Café. “Change is always difficult, but we are encouraged by a steady increase in weekly sales, which are up 15 percent since August,” she wrote in reference to Old Main.
Director of Residential Life John Reynolds responded to their ratings across the board.
“Our aim has been to simplify the housing selection process, manage concerns promptly, and ensure students feel respected and heard, even if outcomes don’t always align perfectly with expectations,” Reynolds said, emphasizing that the office wishes to keep students as informed as possible about residential life. “We are committed to taking feedback and doing our best to respond to those concerns and ensure the living experience in the hall is the best it can be.”
Makiba Foster, librarian of the College, offered comments on behalf of the Libraries system. She directly addressed some respondents’ comments regarding the hours that Andrews/Gault and Timken Libraries are open.
“While we understand the desire for extended library hours, the data from multiple use studies conducted over the last 2 years consistently show that library use significantly decreases the last two hours before closing,” she explained. The libraries will continue to lengthen the hours during exam week to be open until 2 a.m. She also responded to noise complaints some respondents left about Timken Science Library.
“Guided by the principles in Scot’s Key to be considerate and courteous campus citizens, students should feel empowered to politely remind their peers that Timken is a silent study space,” Foster said. She encouraged students to also bring complaints to the help desk should they require assistance.
Director of the Writing Center Alicia Brazeau commented on the high approval ratings of the Writing Center. “The greatest strength of our Writing Center is the staff, particularly our amazing cohort of student consultants who represent a variety of disciplines and approaches to working with writers,” she said. This year, they are hoping to expand offerings to seniors as they write I.S. through the integration of community writing spaces and potential weekend writing retreats.
Jen Bowen, dean for curriculum and academic engagement, commented on the First Year Seminar and Independent Study (I.S.) program ratings. “The faculty are currently working together to ensure that the goals of these two experiences are clear to students and to share some of the mentoring and advising practices that we find to be most efficient,” she shared. These “foundational parts of the College of Wooster experience” introduce students to fundamental academic and research practices.
Jenni Griffin, dean of Academic Planning and Experiential Learning (APEX), provided comments specific to the programs and initiatives APEX has implemented or improved upon within the past year. Among these, she noted the success of the Academic Insider program, peer tutoring, outreach and collaborations with other departments and faculty/staff on campus, the APEX Micro-Fellowships, faculty-led TREK programs and inviting potential employers to campus.
“Many of the APEX staff will be closely involved in the working groups for the initiatives outlined in the strategic plan, particularly those associated with experiential learning, career development, global partnerships, and student retention and success,” she said.
Candace Chenoweth, director of off-campus studies, responded on behalf of the GEO office. “We are passionate supporters of the study away opportunity, and I think our excitement and enthusiasm shows in how we do our job,” she emphasized. The office is working to assist students with scholarship applications and “break down the barriers that cause students to think study away isn’t for them or isn’t possible for them.” She expressed accomplishments in the availability staff have for students, the training of peer mentors within the office and the ways the office “dismantle barriers in the process.”
Becky Webb, Pathways program coordinator, addressed respondents’ ratings of the Pathways program. “Our goal is to help Wooster students take steps toward greater clarity around their career goals and increase their experience and connections to get a jumpstart on their career while they’re still in college,” she said. The program is hoping to improve the system and website to streamline the user experience.
Providing comments on behalf of Student Engagement was Julia Zimmer. She noted the department’s accomplishments and efforts, specifically the de-stress programs such as Pause for Paws and the De-Stress Fest offered before end-of-semester exams. “Our goal is providing programming which provides stress relief, opportunities to connect and socialize with peers, and have fun, all while making lasting memories at Wooster,” Zimmer said.
Another aspect of Student Engagement is working with student leaders and organizations. “Our more social programming and [ELEVATE] leadership series are 2 areas we feel we are doing well and also meeting a need on campus,” she said. Zimmer also touched on this factor of the department, emphasizing that despite the temporary suspension of the ELEVATE series, “we have received positive feedback from student org leaders that it is making a difference for them as leaders.”
She also noted the vacancy in the Student Engagement staff, explaining that “[a] fourth staff person would allow [them] to add to the quality and level of support [they] can provide students interested in getting involved and engaged at Wooster.”
Gabby Hiller, assistant director of student engagement, responded on behalf of Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL). “I have watched our FSL groups really start to prioritize community service and being positive members and role models at Wooster.”
The Rev. Erin Guzmán provided comments for Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL) as the campus chaplain. According to Guzmán, the department is working on improving its perception as a resource for only the “very religious” — the department aims to include students who may consider themselves “spiritual seeking” or “non-religious,” or who are looking for meaning and belonging.
Guzmán also spoke of RSL’s increasing efforts to collaborate with other student organizations such as Latinas Unidas, Muslim Student Union and South Asia Committee, among others.
“We want to be cheerleaders and affirm what’s already happening and [is] meaningful for students, while also creating opportunities for exploration, creativity, and connection across lines of faith, culture, identity, and belief,” Guzmán expressed.
She also highlighted the importance of the RSL student interns, a program that “balances theory with practice in order to meet a wide range of community needs.”
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Ashley Reid responded to comments directed at the dean of students office.
“The members of our Dean of Students Office are focused on implementing new engagement strategies, such as increasing the marketing of our co-sponsored programs,” said Reid on their plan to increase their visibility across campus.
The financial aid office, the Longbrake Student Wellness Center, Multicultural Student Affairs, Sexuality and Gender Inclusivity, International Student Services, Scot Council and the registrar did not respond to a request for comment. Please refer to the data visualizations for a complete breakdown of the survey’s statistics.
