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President Fallon addresses students' questions at open forum

Eastern Michigan University students had an opportunity they have seldom experienced — a chance to ask questions, point-blank, of their president.

And they did.

Topics tossed EMU President John Fallon's way during a Feb. 15 open forum in Eastern Eateries ranged from the expected — student parking woes and the potential for tuition increases next year — to the more specific, including dance students' request for more studio space and another student query about better enforcement of the University's smoking policy.

LENDING AN EAR: EMU President John Fallon
discusses the needs of EMU's Dance Program with
(sitting, from left) Hannah Wilding, a freshman from
Buffalo, N.Y.; Amy Hanseman, a senior from Traverse
City' and Audra Larson, a senior from Livonia, during
an open forum at the Eastern Eateries Feb. 15. This
was the president's third open forum, which provides
the campus community and the public an opportunity
to discuss issues and asks questions.

But perhaps the best bit of news students heard was that Gov. Granholm has included $52 million for the renovation of Pray-Harrold in her proposed budget. While Fallon stressed that action does not guarantee EMU will receive that amount because the state budget still has to pass muster with the House and Senate, he said it's a positive sign for EMU.

"That's good news. I'm not aware if we've ever had this (Pray-Harrold) on the (state's) priority project list," Fallon told a gathering of students. "But I can say this. If you're in the budget, you've got a shot. If you're not in the budget, you don't have a shot."

In his Feb. 16 periodic update to campus, Fallon elaborated on the Pray-Harrold project.

"This project will create jobs in the local economy, protect a valuable state asset and, most importantly, enhance the teaching and learning environment," he said. "I'm very appreciative of the numerous legislators who have visited Eastern Michigan University to see first-hand the critical needs in this building and helped to move the project forward. We are going to continue to work very hard to make sure that everyone in Lansing understands the importance of this project so that it remains on the list of funded projects when the final budget is approved."