Subscribe | Español 中文
The Cavalier Daily
Serving the University Community Since 1890
Opinion

Respecting Casteen

N OTHING is more embarrass ing than speaking about the things most important to you in an auditorium that's half-empty.

That was the case in University President John T. Casteen III's State of the University speech. Because he is president of the University, that turnout was entirely unacceptable.

It was a sad scene last Wednesday. Old Cabell Hall was sparse, with faculty and rich benefactors unable to fill the 900-seatauditorium. Stragglers congregated around both exits as if ready to bolt at any minute during the speech. Graduate students were protesting right outside, hoping Casteen would hear and guarantee them health care, but they never came in.

It should be disconcerting that students and faculty weren't interested enough in the University's status to attend the president's address. After all, over 18,000 students pay tuition to the University, receive their education here and will call this place their alma mater. What Casteen had to say during that one-hour speech should have been a big deal. But most students could have cared less.

Compare this to a few weeks ago, when 1988 presidential candidate Michael Dukakis was greeted by a packed Chemistry Auditorium. He entertained the audience with a rousing speech about the presidential selection process at the Center for Governmental Studies' National Symposium on Presidential Selection. Flyers were posted for weeks to announce his arrival.

Yet it's also a bit disheartening to realize that Dukakis - a political has-been who was never affiliated with the University - was met with more enthusiasm than the University's president. This fact shouldn't sit easy with students. If a has-been presidential candidate could find a receptive audience, Casteen should have been able to, too.

Much of what Casteen said was just as inspiring, and even more relevant to our community than what Dukakis had to say. Casteen updated the audience on the University's financial standing, noting that the University still receives paltry state funding as compared to peer state institutions. But he also noted the financial success of the Capital Campaign, praising them for their efforts to raise $1.43 billion.

Casteen also took the time to mention many of the honors bestowed in the last year upon the College, scientific advances in the Medical School and technological innovations from Engineering.

Despite being successful at wowing the audience, something either should have been done about the interest or timing for the event. Faculty Chairwoman Patricia Werhane said Casteen's speech was one of his best because he emphasized the positives and not the legislative proceedings in Richmond.But his speech would have been even better if people actually were there to hear it.

Any State of the University address should be able to inform the community on its institution's standing, and any changes that may affect members. But if no one attends, Casteen never served his purpose. Werhane, who has attended five of Casteen's State of the University addresses, has yet to see one that was well-attended.

University Relations director Louise Dudley said the date and time of the annual address is based on Casteen's schedule and the availability of Old Cabell Hall. The tradition is to hold the speech on an afternoon in the spring - apparently for the convenience of faculty and students. But judging from the meager audience, a warm Wednesday afternoon wasn't such a good idea.

The University should instead make it a custom to hold the important speech at a more accessible time - possibly in the early spring, when students are not as overwhelmed with looming final deadlines or exams, or in the evening, when classes are over and workdays have long finished.

The burden also should fall on President Casteen, who tailored his speech more toward faculty and workers than to students. With nebulous terms like "strategic planning" and "central budget" littering his speech, it easily could have confused students who simply wanted to know how the University was doing financially. Students should be entitled to know this information without having to struggle to decipher it.

This is not to say that President Casteen should dumb down his speeches, or that all his speaking events are poorly attended. On the contrary, his annual speeches during Parents' Weekend and Reunion Weekend have brought capacity crowds and been met with rave reviews. But with all his mention of balancing budgets, accomplishing goals that extend past a typical student's four-year stay and forming committees composed solely of deans, it makes current students feel almost powerless to change anything.

If the University can capitalize on these suggestions, Casteen won't have to face another pathetic showing at next year's State of the University address.

(Juliana Chan is a Cavalier Daily viewpoint writer.)

Read More

Comments

Latest Podcast

From her love of Taylor Swift to a late-night Yik Yak post, Olivia Beam describes how Swifties at U.Va. was born. In this week's episode, Olivia details the thin line Swifties at U.Va. successfully walk to share their love of Taylor Swift while also fostering an inclusive and welcoming community.


Print Edition


Print Archive | Download Latest Edition