ASUSU responds to student complaints

ASUSU responds to student complaints

 There are no desks in the Kent Concert Hall.

But that hasn’t stopped Utah State University leaders from scheduling the finals of thousands of students there.

Senior, Josh Anderson is trying to change that.

In response to complaints, the Associated Students of Utah State University is joining Anderson in his petition for a new testing center on campus.

“We want to address any student concerns and give students an opportunity for their voice to be heard,” said USU student president Christian Thrapp. “If it is a big enough concern the university needs to make a change.”

According to student advocate Christian Orr, many students are frustrated about taking their finals in Kent.

“Students feel because they are paying to attend a university, the university should offer proper seating,” Orr said.

An on-campus testing center would decrease academic stress and provide students with a central location to take tests, Orr said.

In addition, the testing center would allow students to take their exams at any time during finals week.

“Students have several finals during a week and sometimes they are scheduled too close together,” Orr said. “A testing center would give students a span of time to take their test.”

The Student Fee Board has previously discussed the idea, but Orr said this is the first time it has been brought to the attention of USU’s executive committee.

“The science department introduced the idea last spring but they didn’t communicate it through the proper channels,” Orr said. “The department took it to the fee board, which is a non-academic board, and since this is an issue of academics the idea was shot down.”

This time around, members of ASUSU are making sure student voices are heard by the correct officials. However, Orr questioned whether or not building a testing center will be more of a benefit or financial burden for students.

“I am hesitant because I don’t want to place a big financial commitment on the student body,” Orr said. “But if it is a genuine large-scale need and there is a way to fund it without dramatically hitting the student pockets, then I am all for it.”

Although the idea of a new testing center is ultimately an administrative decision, Thrapp believes students can have an influence.

“If student voices are heard they can help convince,” Thrapp said. “The petition currently has 323 signatures.” If we get enough students and faculty involved there is a possibly we can make it happen.”

Still, the approval process and construction of the testing center will take time.

“There is a lot that goes into this decision because the administration will decide whether it is a true need or want,” Thrapp said. “I think next fall is when they will start to really take it seriously and decide where they are going to build it and if they are going to build it.”