Survey results call for change
Students sound off on Responsibilities of Membership
February 20, 2008
Lauren Thompson
What sets apart a Trinity Western University graduate?
There are many answers to this question: a liberal arts basis, a Christian worldview, a general knowledge of Canadian geese. But what almost always makes the list is the influence, or lack thereof, of the infamous Responsibilities of Membership (ROM).
Over the fall semester and Christmas break, a student-driven effort attempted to open up dialogue on this controversial subject and re-evaluate the standards that define behaviour at the university. This came in the form of a survey, created by the TWU Student Association and the Office of Institutional Research.
The survey, according to associate Provost Sheldon Loeppky, aimed to look at both what standards students believe should be in place and what standards they actually follow, then exploring the gap between the two.
It’s not a knowledge of the ROM that is the problem; 90 per cent of students said they are aware of them, while 60 per cent know the details. But the move to examine the ROM appears to be supported by students. Of the 722 respondents, 47 per cent said they strongly agreed the ROM needs re-evaluation. This number does not include those who somewhat agreed.
The amount of responses, which are roughly 38 per cent male, 62 per cent female, is the “most they’ve seen in a long time,” said Alison Fraser, vice president of student relations, who is on the committee reviewing the ROM.
Though the survey has not yet been analyzed demographically – comparing first years to fourth years or undergraduates to graduate students, for example – general results have been released.
According to Fraser and fellow TWUSA member Jason Brandl, who drew up the initial version of the survey, now is the perfect time to look into this topic. The ROM has changed little from when they were constructed by former president Neil Snider, over 30 years ago.
“Never have students been able to speak into it,” said Brandl.
Until now, of course, and students seem to have taken their chance to speak seriously. In addition to statistical data, over 250 pages of answers to open-ended questions were received.
Though the survey covered every aspect of the existing ROM, Brandl said that trends are easily seen, as “hot topics” emerged clearly from the results.
The top of the list? The much-debated issue of drinking alcohol, followed by smoking, then gambling, abortion and sex.
The door to discussion on these topics has been opened, but no changes have been implemented. And if they are, whose changes are to be made?
According to Loeppky, any changes need to reflect not just the opinions of the students, but of a variety of other contingencies as well.
“It’s not just a student life policy,” he said, “it’s a university policy.”
He added that changes must be made for the whole community, including donors, alumni, staff and faculty.
The survey also reveals that many current students are not upholding the ROM contract, signed either online or in person before one begins attending TWU. 25 per cent said they strongly disagreed that the ROM influenced their decision-making. This does not account for those who said they somewhat disagreed.
How does the university respond to the widespread breaking of the contract? “I think it educates us on how we work with students,” said Loeppky, who has worked at the university for 13 years, and is the former dean of students. “How can we educate our university staff and student staff to be better informed about hot issues?”
He added, in reference to the current ROM: “These are not biblical standards…but community standards that we are inviting you to choose as well. You don’t have to choose them.”
But what students choose may soon change as the task force continues to explore the issue.
“Dr. Raymond wanted this to be the main year for discussion,” said Brandl, but added that some other concerns, such as the budget and enrolment have slowed the process from the administration’s side. Loeppky agreed.
“But,” continued Brandl, “most [discussion] will take place next fall and hopefully changes will be made next spring.”
However, reminds Loeppky, no official decisions on changes have been made.
Now you go...
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