Last October, a certain event was hosted by the Student Association at SSU Park. ST discusses this event, ‘SSUL ’ ................ Ed
On October 31, at 4:30 P.M., the 59th Student Association, SSUTINGSTAR, held a student forum, “Our Unspeakable Story, SSUL.” It lasted for about an hour at SSU Park, with the participation of about 150 Soongsilians. The forum began with the distribution of snacks to participants, discussion on the topic, and reading students’ stories anonymously and answering the questions.
The topics of the student forum were largely divided into four categories: revision of the course retake system (improvement of standards), improvement of professor evaluations (compensation for the quality of lectures), realization of the direct election system (securing of students’ voting rights in the SSU president's election), and improvement in the use of experimental fees (for students’ use).
ST talked to 59th Student Association President Woo Je-won to learn more about the forum. On the background of hosting the forum, he said, “Based on the joint educational action that began in the second semester, we are trying to show the students’ commitment to enhancements through the forum.” The joint educational action began when students claimed that they did not enjoy sufficient rights in their schools, and to that end, the 59th SSUTINGSTAR conducted research through many meetings. By hosting the forum, he said that he expected the school to pay attention to students’ requests for improvements through democratic measures. Through this opportunity, he was able to convey the Soongsilian will to improve on the agenda that he set as the goals of the joint educational action.
In particular, the expected enhanced measures in the lecture retake system this year was being discussed positively by the Undergraduate Department (as of November). The forum's name, “SSUL,” was determined as not being about someone else's story, but about trying and solving our story. So far, many Soongsilians have suffered inconveniences, but it is time to talk about them because they did not have the means to address them. He said he had no plans for the next forum within his term. He added, “I hope that the movement will have the same effect and continue in the future, albeit in different forms, to address specific issues.” The subtitle of the joint educational action is still only the beginning, as if it were a prolog. Finally, he thanked the students who participated in the forum, and also stressed that the driving force for change is the Soongsilian, asking the party to remain highly involved.
Jeong Dong-il (Information Sociology student, 16), who participated in the forum, said, “It has been a good time for ordinary students to hear explanations on information they may have not known before, and we are looking forward to changes in the lecture retake system, including the improvements.” He also responded positively by adding, “The intent was good, but I hope more students will participate and that the forum will continue.”
Although the number of participants fell short of expectation, many Soongsilians were still able to witness SSU’s improvements after participating in the forum. There are many other matters that require improvement in many schools other than the lecture retake system. That’s why the shareholders of SSU, the Soongsilians, must persevere and speak out. If the interest remains, schools will also have to introduce positive changes and improvements later thorough discussions. The 59th SSUTINGSTAR’s term of office is over, but the Student Association is in charge of the communication channels for change, so attention is still needed to its future moves.
Yeom Da-yeon (ST Reporter)
ydy1213@soongsil.ac.kr
