As the dust settles following the inauguration of new University of Idaho president Chuck Staben, many are eager to acquaint themselves with the man who now runs the university.
According to ASUI Vice President Taylor Williams, it is important to build a relationship with Staben early in his presidency. That’s why ASUI senate invited Staben to an informal meet and greet in their office Wednesday before their weekly session.
“It was an informal and formal event mostly introducing President Staben to student leaders, but at the same time letting him meet students on a more personal level,” Williams said. “We’re hoping that this event will promote future collaboration.”
With the passage of a resolution addressing student involvement and the Student Voice Petition still circulating campus, there’s no doubt student involvement is a hot-button issue on campus, according to Sen. Michael Lowe. Lowe said Staben seems eager to listen to student opinions and input, a quality Lowe is sure will resonate positively among students.
Falling enrollment was also an issue discussed with Staben. Lowe said, Staben was quick to instill confidence in the senate regarding the issue.
“He also had a lot of success at his last university getting enrollment back up, and he has really strong ideas about that,” Lowe said.
Both Lowe and Williams said they were impressed by his knowledge and understanding of the issues facing UI, despite how little time he’s been in Moscow. While Wednesday’s pre-session was Staben’s first interaction with all of ASUI, he has already met several times with ASUI President Max Cowan regarding guns on campus, student voice and tuition increases.
ASUI extended the invitation to Staben in hopes of forming a personal connection and getting to know their president early on, and for members of ASUI senate, the meeting was successful. Lowe and Williams agreed they found Staben to be personable, intelligent, open to student questions and concerns and passionate about his job.
“I think he’s a really nice guy,” Williams said. “He’s going to put the university’s best interests first … I would say that I think from what it seems that he is a good pick for UI president … he is willing to take time out of his day with students, which I think is really important. He’s just starting, but he has a good idea what problems are facing UI as far as things like enrollment. And I think he’ll do a really good job, and I think we’ll be able to tell more once things settle down and he kind of knows the ropes.”
Hannah Shirley can be reached at [email protected]