Shawnboda Mead (left), vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, welcomes students to her office during the spring 2023 Open Doors event. The Lyceum event is designed to help students get to know university leaders and find out where to turn for help or to offer ideas. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Event to include Lyceum tour, meet-and-eat with administration and staff
University of Mississippi students are invited to get to know university leaders and share their ideas as part of the 2023 Open Doors event.
The event begins at 5:30 pm Monday, November 27, in The Lyceum. All undergraduate, graduate and law students are invited.
“We hope to hear students’ thoughts on what makes our university special, where we should focus on improvements and how we might prioritize for an even better future,” said Cade Smith, assistant vice chancellor for community engagement. “Students should leave feeling better informed of the university’s priorities and more familiar with the workings of the Lyceum.
“We hope that everyone will leave Open Doors with a greater sense of connection to one another and sense of belonging at the university.”
Some tweaks have been made since last year’s Open Doors event, including new faces from different departments.
“We’ll have some conversation starters and fun little activities to make it feel like a more casual, welcoming environment for students who may be nervous about the idea of talking to a bunch of administrators,” said Eric Servatius, a graduate assistant who is leading the effort on behalf of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. “Students who participate will also be entered into a raffle for the opportunity to win a few different prizes.”
Participants get maps and follow paths to ensure they visit all 11 administrative offices spread across three floors.
“The Lyceum can seem like an intimidating place to many students,” Servatius said. “We want to change that perception and make sure every student knows the doors of the Lyceum are always open, and that the university’s senior leadership cares about them and values their perspectives.”
By Edwin Smith
