2008 Woodie Awards
Bad timing
Griffin forum shouldn't have been scheduled on Central/Western day
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
Two major events. One night.
Sound like a bad idea?
We think so.
Last week, officials announced that the state's top legislators will come to CMU for the annual Robert and Marjorie Griffin Policy forum.
Speaker of the House Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, Majority Leader of the Senate Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, Minority Leader of the Senate Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek and Central Michigan University alum and Minority Leader of the House Craig DeRoche, R-Novi are all set to appear in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium,
But while the identities of the panel is good news, the announcement was overshadowed by another fact: This semester's Griffin Forum is the same day as the annual Central/Western football game.
What is it that is so popular about Nov. 6?
Central/Western Day (formerly known as Central/Western Weekend) is an annual highlight steeped in tradition.
On the other hand, the Griffin Forum is one of the university's best speaker events.
Because it usually deals with current issues, its tie to students has an even greater relevancy.
Just look at last year's event. Even with a couple overflow rooms, there wasn't enough space to fit all the people who attended.
Admittedly, the topic of last year's forum was one of the most decisive in this state's history - Proposal 2. Even so, with the state's ongoing budget issues, one could bet that November's Griffin forum will have a similar, if not equal, draw for students, faculty and others in the community.
But because of this scheduling snafu, students again will have to make a choice - to attend the forum or go to the game.
That's unfortunate.
If the goal of the Central/Western game is to emphasize tradition and draw the most football fans, the game should have been scheduled for a non-school night.
And if the goal of the Griffin Forum is to attract the most students, the event should have been booked for another night.
Sound like a bad idea?
We think so.
Last week, officials announced that the state's top legislators will come to CMU for the annual Robert and Marjorie Griffin Policy forum.
Speaker of the House Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, Majority Leader of the Senate Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, Minority Leader of the Senate Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek and Central Michigan University alum and Minority Leader of the House Craig DeRoche, R-Novi are all set to appear in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium,
But while the identities of the panel is good news, the announcement was overshadowed by another fact: This semester's Griffin Forum is the same day as the annual Central/Western football game.
What is it that is so popular about Nov. 6?
Central/Western Day (formerly known as Central/Western Weekend) is an annual highlight steeped in tradition.
On the other hand, the Griffin Forum is one of the university's best speaker events.
Because it usually deals with current issues, its tie to students has an even greater relevancy.
Just look at last year's event. Even with a couple overflow rooms, there wasn't enough space to fit all the people who attended.
Admittedly, the topic of last year's forum was one of the most decisive in this state's history - Proposal 2. Even so, with the state's ongoing budget issues, one could bet that November's Griffin forum will have a similar, if not equal, draw for students, faculty and others in the community.
But because of this scheduling snafu, students again will have to make a choice - to attend the forum or go to the game.
That's unfortunate.
If the goal of the Central/Western game is to emphasize tradition and draw the most football fans, the game should have been scheduled for a non-school night.
And if the goal of the Griffin Forum is to attract the most students, the event should have been booked for another night.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
benji
posted 10/08/07 @ 6:31 PM EST
Neither of last year's Griffin Forums were about Proposal 2. The first one was a panel about the elections, and the second about the question of holding a state Constitutional Convention. (Continued…)
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