As an institution of higher education, one of Calvin's primary reasons for existence is to serve its students. As a Chrsitian college, this mission statement extends beyond academics to serve students in their spiritual lives as well and is oriented at providing a quality liberal arts education and equipping Christians for lives of service to be agents of renewal. While this vision is wonderful, the impact is lessened if there is a large disconnect between the college and the students - those who are at the very center of that vision?

This is a college for the students, and being such, the students deserve to know what happens to its community and its campus. Traditionally, as senators of yore may testify, the college has been tight-lipped when it comes to communication with the student body. While this year has not seen a complete turn around, there has certainly been a bit of a reformation. There have been instances where more communication could have been provided (i.e. a letter sent in July telling students that the walkway between KE and the main campus would be finished by the first day of classes that still hovers unfinished over campus), but the administration has certainly been more forthcoming on many occasions as of late. This summer, they were open regarding the developments in the community pertaining to the Criminal Justice Department, and the new core has been developed with the expressed purpose of communication in which one goal is to define ``responsible freedom'' instead of it being a nebulous buzzword.

The past few weeks in particular have attested to this reformed attitude. In the week surrounding the terrorist attacks, the student body saw a heightened amount of communication. Our generally distant president provided outstanding leadership. He kept us informed via e-mail updates and provided the spiritual leadership necessary in such a volatile time. He spoke from his heart and showed how he cares for the community. Following the first prayer service held for victims of the attacks, many students said his speech was the most heart-felt they had ever heard from him.

Televisions were provided in many campus gathering places to accomodate students without their own tv and to provoke discussion among students. Professors were encouraged to foster in class discussions about the events, allowing students to vocalize their fears and concerns. The provost even went so far as to send an e-mail to professors reminding them to keep the tragedies and effects on the students in mind as they adjusted the semester's schedule.

As demonstrated, the administration cares for this community deeply. They care about every person in it and around it and only want the best for it. They listen to feedback when it is offered, are always available and strive to be (and often are) approachable. And even though it is difficult to communicate with the student body for lack of an effective communication tool, they are constantly trying to be involved with students and involve students in the decision making process.

The burden of communication, however, does not lie solely with the administration. No matter how much the administration wants to provide us with what we need and want, they will not be able to do an adequate job if we do not tell them what we want or need.

For this very reason, we have an established student government - one that has, over the years, been just as frustrated with the student body as the administration. Student Senate is there to serve the student body, to be a necessary ambassador. Although we elect our senators in part to represent our needs, Student Senate elections are so loosely based on ideas and issues that one would be stretched arguing that additional feedback is not necessary.

The Student Senate office is open for any student to visit and express their opinion on current campus events, particularly when Student Senate is undertaking projects that directly affect most of the student body.

In an effort to increase direct communication between the student body and the administration, Student Senate hatched an idea: town hall meetings. On Monday, Oct. 29, Senate has invited several administrators to an open forum to discuss the events surrounding the Criminal Justice Department and Professor Butler. As members of a community, it is our duty to take part in it - including communicating with those who make decisions. Student body: allow yourself to be educated. Attend and be informed. Take interest and ownership in your community.