By Rory McNelley, Education and Enrichment Coordinator

The Student Government Association (SGA) was visited by President Dr. Colleen Hanycz and Chief Student Success Officer Dr. Kimberly Moore for a discussion about what students want to see improved on campus.

As Hanycz enters her fifth year at the university, she has four main priorities: fostering personalized and intimate learning, developing an elite student experience, continuing to improve athletics and supporting faith communities on campus. Hanycz also reflected on how the role of colleges in light of new AI developments is changing and how Xavier can adapt to this change. Coming in the fall, Xavier is establishing a new AI institute to provide guardrails on how AI can and cannot be used in the learning environment.

“The role of college is to underline and ensure our humanity, helping students construct, maintain and expand community and relationships, something AI can’t accomplish,” Hanycz said. 

The president shared how colleges used to be a place to receive knowledge and credentials, something society is finding less and less need for. She underlined that college is a place to foster community to learn from those around you, to be connected in a disconnected world and a place to be supported in our struggles. She asserted that our generation’s disconnection has also led to an increase in mental health challenges on campus. 

“It doesn’t matter if we have an incoming class of 1000 or 700, the need for mental health resources goes up each year. We need to show you how to be in community with each other in a healthy way, something AI can’t do,” Hanycz added. 

Regarding her four priorities, Hanycz believes that to foster a personalized and intimate learning environment we need to invest in classroom communities. She explained that using our classrooms for thoughtful discussion is a helpful outlet when AI is providing the information to us. 

The elite student experience has already taken shape during her time as president, but she hopes to expand uses of the Xavier Yard and Cintas Center for student opportunities. She also hopes to tie in on and off campus structures into student life, citing the new University Eatz and Arcade that opened this Fall. Additionally, communities like the incoming Greek life will assist in providing students more opportunities to come together. 

Continuing to support Xavier’s Division one athletics and possibly implementing a non-scholarship D1 football team in the Pioneer League are priorities for the president as well as continuing to provide funding and opportunities to the variety of campus faith communities. 

In regard to what is next in academics, the president shared ideas about a new engineering program, and that they are in the early stages of brainstorming. 

Hanycz also reiterated with the senate her chosen stance on institutional neutrality, which is why no statements have been made in regard to recent events with Immigration Custom Enforcements (ICE) officers. 

She also shared Xavier’s interest in new dining options. With new housing coming to Norwood, the community would have the opportunity to support larger scale dining options. The new medical school is a potential location for the new dining options which have not been selected or approved. 

In other news:

• During a public forum, students raised concern about immigration enforcement’s presence in Norwood and inquired about Xavier’s status as a sanctuary campus.
• Senators also continue to raise concern about the lack of options in the Caf for those with allergies.
• Two new clubs have been approved: Disc Golf Club and Rihanna Fan Club.