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What to do when administrators ignore you

By Kay Quinn

If the "Don’t call me, I’ll call you" treatment from administrators is infuriating you, cool down and have a seat—student leader will mediate. With a little behind-the-scenes investigating, you can find out why certain staffers don’t seem to be cooperating so you can work together more closely in the future.

It’s low on their list

Administrators may be fighting funding battles, dealing with campus crime, or placating unhappy faculty, all of which may be more critical to them than longer library hours. Last year at the New College of the University of South Florida, student Alliance co-president Jake Reimer was upset when the campus architect appeared to be ignoring his calls to check on progress on the new coffeehouse and removes to SG offices. After sitting down with the architect, Reimer discovered what was really going on.

"When we talked, it came out that he had obligations to projects his supervisor felt were more important," Reimer says. "He didn’t have time to do things like getting building permits or talking to contractors about the smaller, student-initiated projects. The biggest struggle was convincing him we should be realistic about what he had time to accomplish." Reimer proposed hiring a student assistant to help out the architect, an idea which was approved and is awaiting SG funding. Although relations with the administrator are still strained at times, "He thought it was as good idea," Reimer says.

They may not know what’s important

Don’t assume that just because they work on campus that administrators can keep up with every issue you care about. To help them stay up-to-date, send your newsletter or a weekly fax to key contacts or call them once a month so they’ll be familiar with the issues you’re dealing with.

You’re getting tired of waiting

If delays seem necessary, review everything you’ve recently submitted. Then send a brief, formal letter to the highest responsible administrator to request a meeting. Being persistent and showing that you’re monitoring the situation will encourage administrators to communicate with you’ll Even if the answer is "no," it’s better to have a resolution than to be left hanging.

You’re thinking only in the short-term

Failing to cultivate a relationship with influential campus officers on behalf of your group can come back to haunt you in the long run. "Colleges and universities are clearly institutions that exist over long periods of time." Says Dr. Sara Boatman, vice president of student affairs at Nebraska Wesleyan University. "A student leader is there at one quick point in the life of the college. Some of the most effective student leaders have patience and understand that often, the most important thing they can do is plant a seed that may flourish into something very significant for the college after the leader is no longer there."

They think you don’t know what you’re talking about

Years of student politicians’ campaign promises and strong-arm threats can make even the most kind-hearted administrator skeptical. To show you know intimately the opinions and needs of the student body, conduct a survey as soon as you take office and share the results with campus departments and the local media. Also, review information collected by last year’s officers and other campus departments to show how students’ needs over time have changed, if at all. Having data at your fingertips about your campus and similar institutions will show you’ve done your homework.

Past mistakes may stand in your way

Blunders made by the previous president or other visible leaders in your group may be obstructing the path between you and university staffers. "You may think that administrators will be unwilling to work with you because of your organization’s past history," says Donald Van Atta, a resident advisor and former president of the Residence Halls Advisory Council at Ohio State university. "But in the interest of students, they are often willing to overlook past mistakes." To convince staffers that your group has finally got it together, Van Atta suggests "showing how dedicated you are and being really sincere with your intentions up front."

They can wait you out

Administrators who know you’ll be out of office in a year or so can avoid your demands by simply waiting. Even if they’re sincerely interested in working with you, inevitable bureaucratic delays can waste time and build frustration on both sides. Keep your priorities uppermost in their minds by networking, ending frequent reminders, and earning spots on influential university committees.

"To avoid the waiting game, we’re going write legislative bills earlier and give them to our senators on their first day so that will give us nine months right off the bat to put the heat on administrators." Says Ward Curtin, Student Government Association president at Northeastern Oklahoma State University. "Number two I’m going to go up to the chain of command properly. If I want to do something concerning housing, I’m going straight to that staff, because they like to report that they’re doing this and that for the students, which is fine with me. Another thing is the local news media-if the administration is receiving pressure from the community, helps."

The school’s in a financial squeeze, and staffers don’t want to admit it

If you haven’t reviewed all relevant budgets, you won’t know whether the "no" you get is negotiable. Show exactly what administrators will get if they allocate funding for the requested security staff, campus shuttle, or increased parking, and point out what it may cost if the changes or improvements aren’t made.

"Do research and see where the money’s going " says Kendra Jones, a a resident assistant at Mount Olive College in North Carolina. "If students haven’t asked the right people, they might not know if funds are available or are being wasted."

Are your requests ending up in "File 13?"

See if your departmental contact is even getting your well-crafted memos and reports. If not, personally deliver duplicates to the executive secretary or top administrative assistant, cultivating a first-name relationship with him or her. Then, ask for a 20-minute appointment with the top decision-maker to get feedback on how to strengthen your proposal and answer any questions.

They’re afraid of setting a precedent

If a special-interest group demands that the college fund a new cultural center, administrators may be unwilling to even put the issue on the agenda for fear that other groups will expect support, too.

When individual students or groups focus only on what they want, what’s good for the school or for the student body overall can be forgotten. "Sometimes students are functioning from more of a consumer’s perspective," says Dr. Jane Lingua, vice president for student affairs at Mount St. Mary’s College in California. "We encourage their efforts to push the envelope but administrators would also like students to work with them to manage resources so the most students can benefit."

Maybe they’re understaffed

If a department is moving to new quarters, undergoing downsizing, or has a high-level vacancy, its priorities probably are in flux. Be sensitive to stressful transitions, and speak and act with respect whenever you contact staffers. Use the absence of a full-time department chair to your advantage-in the interim, perhaps your request can be approved by a higher-up who already is your champion.

They’re looking for a solution from you

Instead of pounding desk and demanding that your news be meet bring some realistic options to the bargaining table. "It’s important to try and anticipate what kinds of position you’re going to face," says Rich Lassiter, a former president of Student environmental Organization at Presbyterian College in South Carolina. "The best way to do that is to understand what they are trying to do as an administration. If your plans can fit into their slice of the pie, they’ll be much more inclined to agree."

Before you throw in the towel and burn your bridges with influential administrators, look at important issues from their perspective. First impressions aren’t always accurate, so dig deeper to find out why key staff members don’t seem to be on your side. If you can come up with a win-win solution that makes everybody happy, you’ll get what you want more quickly.

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It’s low on their list Administrators may be fighting funding battles, dealing with campus crime, or placating unhappy faculty, all of which may be more critical to them than longer library hours. Last year at the New College of the University of South Florida, student Alliance co-president Jake Reimer was upset when the campus architect appeared to be ignoring his calls to check on progress on the new coffeehouse and removes to SG offices. After sitting down with the architect, Reimer discovered what was really going on. "When we talked, it came out that he had obligations to projects his supervisor felt were more important," Reimer says. "He didn’t have time to do things like getting building permits or talking to contractors about the smaller, student-initiated projects. The biggest struggle was convincing him we should be realistic about what he had time to accomplish." Reimer proposed hiring a student assistant to help out the architect, an idea which was approved and is awaiting SG funding. Although relations with the administrator are still strained at times, "He thought it was as good idea," Reimer says. They may not know what’s important Don’t assume that just because they work on campus that administrators can keep up with every issue you care about. To help them stay up-to-date, send your newsletter or a weekly fax to key contacts or call them once a month so they’ll be familiar with the issues you’re dealing with. You’re getting tired of waiting If delays seem necessary, review everything you’ve recently submitted. Then send a brief, formal letter to the highest responsible administrator to request a meeting. Being persistent and showing that you’re monitoring the situation will encourage administrators to communicate with you’ll Even if the answer is "no," it’s better to have a resolution than to be left hanging. You’re thinking only in the short-term Failing to cultivate a relationship with influential campus officers on behalf of your group can come back to haunt you in the long run. "Colleges and universities are clearly institutions that exist over long periods of time." Says Dr. Sara Boatman, vice president of student affairs at Nebraska Wesleyan University. "A student leader is there at one quick point in the life of the college. Some of the most effective student leaders have patience and understand that often, the most important thing they can do is plant a seed that may flourish into something very significant for the college after the leader is no longer there." They think you don’t know what you’re talking about Years of student politicians’ campaign promises and strong-arm threats can make even the most kind-hearted administrator skeptical. To show you know intimately the opinions and needs of the student body, conduct a survey as soon as you take office and share the results with campus departments and the local media. Also, review information collected by last year’s officers and other campus departments to show how students’ needs over time have changed, if at all. Having data at your fingertips about your campus and similar institutions will show you’ve done your homework. Past mistakes may stand in your way Blunders made by the previous president or other visible leaders in your group may be obstructing the path between you and university staffers. "You may think that administrators will be unwilling to work with you because of your organization’s past history," says Donald Van Atta, a resident advisor and former president of the Residence Halls Advisory Council at Ohio State university. "But in the interest of students, they are often willing to overlook past mistakes." To convince staffers that your group has finally got it together, Van Atta suggests "showing how dedicated you are and being really sincere with your intentions up front." They can wait you out Administrators who know you’ll be out of office in a year or so can avoid your demands by simply waiting. Even if they’re sincerely interested in working with you, inevitable bureaucratic delays can waste time and build frustration on both sides. Keep your priorities uppermost in their minds by networking, ending frequent reminders, and earning spots on influential university committees. "To avoid the waiting game, we’re going write legislative bills earlier and give them to our senators on their first day so that will give us nine months right off the bat to put the heat on administrators." Says Ward Curtin, Student Government Association president at Northeastern Oklahoma State University. "Number two I’m going to go up to the chain of command properly. If I want to do something concerning housing, I’m going straight to that staff, because they like to report that they’re doing this and that for the students, which is fine with me. Another thing is the local news media-if the administration is receiving pressure from the community, helps." The school’s in a financial squeeze, and staffers don’t want to admit it If you haven’t reviewed all relevant budgets, you won’t know whether the "no" you get is negotiable. Show exactly what administrators will get if they allocate funding for the requested security staff, campus shuttle, or increased parking, and point out what it may cost if the changes or improvements aren’t made. "Do research and see where the money’s going " says Kendra Jones, a a resident assistant at Mount Olive College in North Carolina. "If students haven’t asked the right people, they might not know if funds are available or are being wasted." Are your requests ending up in "File 13?" See if your departmental contact is even getting your well-crafted memos and reports. If not, personally deliver duplicates to the executive secretary or top administrative assistant, cultivating a first-name relationship with him or her. Then, ask for a 20-minute appointment with the top decision-maker to get feedback on how to strengthen your proposal and answer any questions. They’re afraid of setting a precedent If a special-interest group demands that the college fund a new cultural center, administrators may be unwilling to even put the issue on the agenda for fear that other groups will expect support, too. When individual students or groups focus only on what they want, what’s good for the school or for the student body overall can be forgotten. "Sometimes students are functioning from more of a consumer’s perspective," says Dr. Jane Lingua, vice president for student affairs at Mount St. Mary’s College in California. "We encourage their efforts to push the envelope but administrators would also like students to work with them to manage resources so the most students can benefit." Maybe they’re understaffed If a department is moving to new quarters, undergoing downsizing, or has a high-level vacancy, its priorities probably are in flux. Be sensitive to stressful transitions, and speak and act with respect whenever you contact staffers. Use the absence of a full-time department chair to your advantage-in the interim, perhaps your request can be approved by a higher-up who already is your champion. They’re looking for a solution from you Instead of pounding desk and demanding that your news be meet bring some realistic options to the bargaining table. "It’s important to try and anticipate what kinds of position you’re going to face," says Rich Lassiter, a former president of Student environmental Organization at Presbyterian College in South Carolina. "The best way to do that is to understand what they are trying to do as an administration. If your plans can fit into their slice of the pie, they’ll be much more inclined to agree." Before you throw in the towel and burn your bridges with influential administrators, look at important issues from their perspective. First impressions aren’t always accurate, so dig deeper to find out why key staff members don’t seem to be on your side. If you can come up with a win-win solution that makes everybody happy, you’ll get what you want more quickly. back to top