Student Dylan Halpin’s speech to Miami University’s Board of Trustees at their meeting February 23, 2024:
My name is Dylan. I am a student and a native from Columbus with a few majors and minors within the College of Arts & Sciences. My experience at Miami University has been incredible, and memorable beyond my wildest imagination. I’ve worked in student organizations and with community groups. I’ve attended talks, conferences, and more. I am endlessly thankful for that.
And, In the four years I’ve spent on this campus I can confidently say I owe the vast majority of that to professors, to educators I interact with on a daily basis. To the people who put in long hours, some of whom teach four classes on top of their research, and don’t complain a second. To the people who respond after hours and who encourage students beyond their requirements. To the people who went through nine years of higher education just to work here, some of whom make less than I will the second I graduate.
“When a group of inspired, passionate professors bring their ideas to the table under the banner of FAM, of faculty unity, of positive change, the response by Miami’s Administration seems at best adverse to this progress.”
In my years here I have watched the quality of Miami University decline more dramatically than I care to admit. The university’s decisions around food services have wavered and most recently students have been subjected to the slow death of twenty majors, entirely in diverse humanities fields. And suddenly, when a group of inspired, passionate professors bring their ideas to the table under the banner of FAM, of faculty unity, of positive change, the response by Miami’s Administration seems at best adverse to this progress. The money Miami’s spending on two separate lawyers to dominate conversation against a group of professors kindly asking to be listened to should be indicative enough.
It’s for them I show up, and it’s them, it’s professors that the vast majority of students know, respect, trust, and want to support. For students, our professors hold a special place in our hearts. And, my reason for being here today, my biggest question for you is why they don’t hold a special place in yours.
Read more speeches to the Board.
Leave a Reply