Members of the SGA met with the university officials Monday to discuss the future of the Engaged University — a civic engagement program previously funded by the university, but the meeting turned out to be a quick review of already known facts about the program.
The Engaged University connects students with the community in service programs that teach sustainable living techniques, such as maintaining a vegetable garden and using biodiesel fuel. It’s funding is set to expire on Thursday, and the university still has not committed to refunding the grants that pay for its staff and projects.
Student Government Association members hoped the meeting would delve into the issue of refunding.
But according to SGA President Steve Glickman and Director of Environmental Affairs Joanna Calabrese, the meeting ended up being fairly pointless. The Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Mahlon Straszheim, and the Dean of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cheng-i Wei, focused solely on questions about the program instead of its future.
Glickman said he thinks another meeting will most likely be held next week about funding the Engaged University.
The Student Government Association has long supported the Engaged University, but it has been increasingly vocal, as budget cuts threaten out-of-classroom experiences like this one.
Two weeks ago, the SGA passed a resolution supporting the continued funding of the program, in the hopes that such a sign of student support might sway the university’s decision. No decisions have been made thus far about the future of the program.
— Emilie Openchowksi is The Diamondback’s SGA beat reporter. She can be reached at openchowski at umdbk dot com