Pace Press

Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Features

Being the face of an organization is no small task. Often the president or CEO of a group is the first person to blame when something goes wrong. As an easy target for a firm's shortcomings, the amount of pressure on the person in a leadership capacity is astounding. When customers or constituents want results, it is the person in charge they want to speak to. However, contacting the president of a major institution or organization is not as simple as calling them up on their cell phone.

President Stephen J. Friedman is also a very busy man. Students who are having problems at the University and have had no success in solving them by going through the proper channels may turn to Friedman's office for assistance.

Cindy Heilberger, chief of staff at the Office of the President said, "Students often call or e-mail the President because they need assistance with getting a problem resolved and need guidance on which University office can best help." Heilberger also said, "The President's office staff is happy to provide that information and put you in contact with the appropriate office. We will also contact the office for you, explain the issue or concern, have the appropriate staff person contact you directly and follow up to be sure your issue has been resolved."

Being able to contact the President's office directly would be a boon to strained students who are having difficulties with housing or educational issues. However, a problem exists in the fact that some students don't even know that it is possible to contact the President's office. There are also those who would make it a point to contact someone higher up but do not know how to go about it.

When asked whom she would turn to if she was having a relatively serious problem with housing or education, Sarah Stuart, a transfer student said, "I assume I would have to go to the housing office or advisement." Stuart also said that she had no idea what to do if contacting those offices did not alleviate her problem.

Other students may not see the benefit in seeking out other ways to help themselves. Sarah Jerhada, a third year transfer said, "I haven't made an effort to find out [how to contact the President]."

The President's office isn't just a place to handle stressful issues though; the President has a bevy of other responsibilities that involve interaction with students. "Student groups often contact the President because they want him to attend one of their meetings or events. They can easily invite the President by calling Magda Ghali in the President's office and giving her information about the event: where and when it will take place, whether they want the President to speak, etc. We then consult the President and review the calendar to see if he can attend. In addition to attending student events, President Friedman also makes himself available at receptions to welcome back students at the beginning of the academic year and to students and others at U-Fest and other University-wide events. The President also meets with Student Government representatives and members of the student press," Heilberger said.

Continued...

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