Dean of students monthly forum

by Ashley Kurz, Managing Editor

Each month, Dean Mike Yates holds a monthly forum for students on campus to sit down and have a casual conversation about their experiences. The first of the semester was reported in the Oct. 3 edition of The Griffin. On Nov. 20, he held his third session of the semester in the Student Life conference room. 

Yates is the Dean of Students at Canisius University and he has been in the position for over a year. He got his undergraduate degree at SUNY Brockport in physics and mathematics, where he also worked as a resident assistant and advocated for student mental health. His time there solidified his “student-first mentality,” which he uses during his work as the dean of students. A Jesuit school like Canisius aligned with Yates’ values, as he connected with the care for student aspects. Yates explained that he views Canisius as an “intangible community” – he feels connected to others in a direct and unique way. The main projects and goals he is working towards are student-driven leadership experiences and student opportunities for exploration. He wants to get commuters more engaged on campus while giving all students a place to enjoy the little moments the school has to offer. 

According to GriffConnect, “The Dean of Students Monthly Forum is a dedicated hour with Dean Yates, designed to foster open dialogue and build community. These forums provide space to share updates, address student concerns, explore ways to enhance campus life, and occasionally feature guest speakers.” This meeting delivered on its promises. The attending students listened as Yates discussed struggles he has had and things he has been working on, one example being the fact that they have to think differently about student leader positions and opportunities – what can draw students to Canisius? He and many other administrators have been working on GriffConnect and the CampusGroups app, both of which are new additions. 

Other topics included the sustainability of administration workloads and the representation of students on campus, as well as the new orientation model implemented in July. As for new news, there will be a new housing software that will be implemented in the next year. He commended the Resident Hall Association and the Commuter Student Association executive boards for their hard work. A student in attendance voiced his concerns about honors courses being offered at inconvenient times, as he is a commuter. Dean Yates took this into consideration and will meet again with the student to talk more about it. The opportunity for students to have time with him is the main goal of these forums. 

The next forum will be held on Monday, Dec. 8 from 3:30-5 p.m. Check GriffConnect for more updates.