President Knapp Holds Office Hours

On Tuesday, October 19^th, President Steven Knapp held a second session of office hours this year at his office in Rice Hall. Several students arranged a ten-minute appointment with the Office of the Dean of Students in order to address general, as well as personal, concerns from a student or group of students.

President Knapp has several objectives to holding the office hours.

“[Office hours] offer an opportunity to talk to students one-on-one in ways that are very different from a setting where I’m meeting with a large group or at a reception,” Knapp said. Knapp called the office hours a “two-way streak,” saying they give him “feedback and guidance” on the university’s operations and additionally allow a student’s specific questions or concerns to be resolved quickly. Since taking the position of president of the university, Knapp has increased the number of office hours he has held during the academic year by holding office hours during the summer season.

Students offered suggestions and concerns about 4-Ride, EMeRG, the undergraduate law review and a student-run Haiti project. Knapp recalls hearing concerns about student art programs during office hours in his early years at the university, which later evolved into an entire arts center in West Hall. Knapp also hears about concerns through the Student Association (SA) by meeting with SA President Jason Lifton and SA Vice President Rob Maxim on a “regular basis.”

“Office hours have been a real resource [to my office], and expanding the number of office hours was a good decision,” Knapp said.

President Knapp will be holding office hours Wednesday, November 10^th from 3:30pm to 4:30pm and Wednesday, December 8^th from 10:00am to 11:00am. Students can sign up at the Office of the Dean of Students in Rice Hall, Suite 401. For more information, call the Office of the Dean of Students at (202) 994-6710.