University leadership answers questions, concerns at SGA annual Vice Presidential Town Hall

The Liberty University Student Government Association hosted the second annual Vice Presidential Town Hall on Monday, allowing students across campus to voice questions and concerns directly to university leadership and allowing various departments to demonstrate how they are supporting and improving academics and campus life.

Panel participants included Dr. Mark Hyde, dean of students; Dr. Mark Hine, executive vice president for Student Affairs; Greg Dowell, vice president of LU One; Dan Deter, senior vice president of major construction; Marcus Tinsley, vice president of Security & Public Safety; Louis Cambeletta, vice president of Auxiliary Services; Lew Weider, executive director of LU Serve; Dustin DuBose, executive director of Student Life; and Brian Yates, vice provost for residential programs.

Each participant provided an update on current happenings from their department and what students can look forward to in the months and years to come. Initiatives such as the Champion Safe App, Liberty’s Strategic Plan, CSER 100, Serve Lynchburg (a one-day outreach event in April), new Convocation RA check-in process and attendance policies, and new commuter life initiatives were discussed. Updates were also provided on the new Residential Commons IV residence hall and new parking garage, both currently under construction, as well as a new Shake Smart location (replacing Argo Tea at the Jerry Falwell Library).

Following these updates, the town hall transitioned to a question-and-answer time in which leadership addressed questions compiled by the SGA as well as open mic questions from students present at the event. Dowell spoke on the launch of LU One, stating that the office’s goal is to bring biblical equity and unity across campus.

“All of this was a part of Dr. Falwell’s vision,” he said. “At its core, the mission hasn’t changed.”

Deter spoke briefly about the new Jerry Falwell Center currently under construction behind the Hancock Welcome Center, which will feature a “state-of-the-art meeting room.”

“The center is going to be about Liberty,” he added. “It’s going to have some cool technology in it, and it’s going to really help us portray to the world that we believe in our mission and we’re not ashamed of what we believe in.”

After this discussion, Hyde announced that there will be updates to the Liberty Way, the student honor code, in June. The document will center around the values of integrity, respect, and responsibility.

“We’ve made some changes to allow a more restorative and redemptive process,” he said, expressing his desire to help students grow and restore from their violations. “The rules aren’t changing, just how we deliver it.”

Liberty President Dondi Costin then spoke briefly about the university’s new strategic plan that could be implemented as soon as August, in time for the Fall 2024 semester.

SGA, in partnership with the Dean of Students, plans to continue holding town halls annually so that students can have their voices heard and be more involved in what is happening around campus. Students are encouraged to continue attending and participating in these events to build better relations between their peers, faculty, staff, and administration.