The Student Trustee Exchange

Welcome to a new semester at GSU! This is sure to be an exciting academic year with the many changes and developments around campus. For those of you who are unfamiliar or new to GSU, I'm Kayla Randolph-Clark, the student representative on the university's Board of Trustees. In every issue of the Phoenix, I will write this piece to inform the academic community on some of the happenings around GSU's campus, and to encourage involvement and participation from GSU students.

Although this may be old news for some, I want to be sure that some of our newer students are aware of some of the upcoming changes. In the fall of 2014, Governors State University will be accepting its very first class of freshman. This will increase GSU's visibility, make the university more competitive, and offer quality education at an affordable price to a broader range of students. Also, as you approach the campus via University Drive, you can see construction on your right before you reach the parking lots. That is where GSU is building Prairie Place, on-campus University Housing for future students, which is expected to be complete in 2014. If you would like to see what it will look like once it is completed, you can check it out the virtual tour on YouTube under Governors State University Residence Hall - Prairie Place Virtual Tour.

What some of you may not know is that these upcoming changes have started numerous conversations about additional programs and improvements at GSU. It is possible that in the future, GSU will have competitive sports and upgraded recreational areas around campus. As more of these programs gain momentum, I will be sure to keep you all up to date in this column.

So what do you think? How do you feel about freshman being on campus next year? Do you think that on-campus housing will change the dynamic of our campus community? Are you excited about the possibility of competitive sports at GSU?  I would love to hear the opinions of students, faculty, and other GSU community members about the changes and developments at GSU. Please email me your questions, comments, and concerns at KRandolph-Clark@govst.edu. I look forward to another semester serving you!