Interim University President, Lou Hencken, has spent his entire career in the area of Student Affairs. He has been working for years to give the students of EIU a better home, better access to services, and a better overall college experience.

Hencken recently identified “customer service” as one of the specific areas he would like to improve while in office. This is a great opportunity for students to take action! Hey, after all, it’s a University priority.

If you feel a University employee has mistreated you – let someone know! Here are the basics: Get the employee’s name, write down what made your experience with him/her negative, and send that note to the appropriate supervisor. If your concern is with a staff member (campus offices and student services) send the note to the director of that office. A faculty member? Send it to the department chair. A chair? Send it to the college dean. A dean? Send it to the Provost. An administrator? Send it to Hencken. It only takes five minutes. The note can be just a few sentences. But please, let someone know!

If you can’t spare a few minutes to scribble down a note – that’s fine. Just keep complaining to your friends. I’m sure that will really help. (sarcasm)

Don’t see why you should waste your time? It’s not a waste. And it’s not just your time – it’s your money. Think of it this way. The faculty at this institution are paid to provide you with an education. The staff are paid to provide you with services or access to services for which you have likely already paid. Now, we’re not talking about a professor giving you a bad grade because you never turned in an assignment, or someone in the financial aid office telling you that you can’t take out another loan. They may not always be able to give you the answers you want to hear. That’s not their job. Their job is to treat you with fairness and respect, and to help make your time here at Eastern an experience you will look back on with gratitude and pride. (*Of course, the golden rule must be applied. No employee of this University is paid even nearly enough to put up with abuse of any kind from anyone.)

So get the person’s name and drop a note in campus mail. It will be read, and it will be looked into. I know, because I’m a “note writer” myself. The vast majority of the people who work for Eastern are wonderful people who value the students of this campus. However, if you are mistreated – you are likely not alone, and you owe it to yourself, and others, to make your voice heard.

Still don’t care? Hey, it’s just your tuition and fees.

I know that Eastern employees are underpaid – but I also know that I, for one, pay more than enough for something as simple as a little respect.

To those staff members who come in everyday, ready to help make even one student’s life a little easier – a million thanks. To those faculty members whose passion lies in opening students’ minds to new concepts and ideas – thanks are not enough.

Katie M. Cox is a senior political science major, former student body president and guest columnist for The Daily Eastern News. Her e-mail address is [email protected]. Columns are her opinion.