Northeastern Voice

Aoun: Students must take charge of destiny

Joseph Aoun said he hopes the legacy of his Northeastern presidency will be the empowerment of the university's academic units — and of the students themselves.

"I feel that people here in our community are beginning to realize that not everything starts with the president and not everything ends with the president," he told students during a question-and-answer session sponsored by the Council for University Programs.

"That's a healthy shift," said Aoun, who assumed the presidency in 2006. "You are seeing the schools, the deans, the faculty take charge of their destiny — the same way I am asking you to take charge of your destiny as students.

"We are not there yet," Aoun said, "but I see signs."

The president and his top administrators spent an hour answering student questions about relations with Northeastern's neighbors, about enhancing experiential education and about expanding the diversity of students and faculty.

"I am here to have a dialogue about the university and how to move the university forward," Aoun told hundreds of students who packed the Curry Student Center ballroom Tuesday night.

"Fifteen to 20 years from now ... you will still be associated with this university. You will be owners of this university, as alumni," he said. "It is not my university. It is not your university. It is our university."

Asked about Northeastern's place in the city, Aoun noted the "dozens and dozens and dozens" of programs in Boston that students, faculty and staff volunteer for.

Jeff Doggett, director of government relations, explained that the university has worked the city's formal processes, involving many neighbors, to build new residence halls. "Not everyone will ever be happy on any given issue," he said, but "we do a lot of very good things in the neighborhoods.

"Last academic year, Northeastern students (contributed) almost 120,000 community-service hours (in Boston)," Doggett said, in addition to the scholarships Northeastern awards, the businesses it supports and the jobs it provides to local residents. "You should all be proud of that. We're a great neighbor — not only someone who lists, but adjusts."

Aoun reminded students that, while he visits local residents when he can, "the students are in the community. The university in the neighborhoods is you."

On other issues:

• On experiential education, Aoun said Northeastern wants its students to become "citizens of the world" by taking advantage of international co-op, work-study or study-abroad possibilities, immersing themselves in other cultures, languages and traditions.
• On diversity, Aoun said, he objects to the term "tolerance." "That means positioning yourself as the center and you are telling others 'I am going to tolerate you,'" he said. "Everyone is the center." Senior Vice President Philomena Mantella said the numbers of students of color and international students are on the rise, and Susan Powers-Lee, executive vice provost, said the university "aggressively recruit(s)" for a diverse faculty.
• Vice President Vincent Lembo said an announcement will be made soon on future plans for the athletics program. "If you are really attached to athletics, we want you to go there and show your support for the athletes," Aoun said. "If you really care for the sports, and I hope you do, be there."

(Photo: President Aoun speaks to students during the CUP forum Tuesday night. / Craig Bailey)