Reclassifying marijuana would not legalize the drug for recreational purposes nationwide. Instead, marijuana would become a controlled substance similar to ketamine or acetaminophen-codeine combinations. These Schedule III drugs can be prescribed medically, but also have serious federal criminal repercussions to anyone who traffics the drugs without permission. Currently a Schedule I drug, marijuana sits alongside other drugs in the category, such heroin, LSD and ecstasy.

The reclassification would allow for significant advancements in research surrounding marijuana. Instead of scientists relying on reports from cannabis users, formal clinical studies could administer the drug to subjects. This could open the door for scientists to answer decades-long questions and myths surrounding marijuana. 

Like any large political movement, there are opponents to the reclassification of marijuana. Those opposed are concerned the reclassification would create further confusion regarding the drug’s legality, as marijuana would still remain federally illegal. Others support the removal of marijuana from the list of controlled substances, similar to that of alcohol and tobacco. Substances that have been taken off the list are still federally regulated, but done so in different ways.

Michigan, one of 24 states in America, passed landmark legislation in 2018 that legalized recreational marijuana usage for those over 21. Although it has been legalized in Michigan, it is illegal to use or possess marijuana on federal property. This includes federally funded college campuses like Grand Valley State University.

“If the government can still regulate (cannabis) like they do alcohol, I don’t really see the point in making it a controlled substance, especially if people can still be put in jail for it,” said GVSU senior Max Klumper. 

GVSU senior Oliver Geroux agrees with Klumper, and feels the reclassification would not make a large difference if marijuana is still federally illegal.

“I understand making (cannabis) a less serious drug, but I feel like it’s kind of pointless to go through that whole process (reclassification of marijuana) if it would still be technically illegal,” said Geroux.

Alcohol and Other Drugs Services (AOD) at GVSU recently hosted a webinar designed to educate students on marijuana-related issues and the substance’s impacts. The presentation focused largely on marijuana abuse, highlighting that cannabis is both physically and psychologically addictive. 

According to AOD’s presentation, about 9% of cannabis users become addicted. Cannabis use disorder, an addiction to the substance, is characterized by increased tolerance, cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The disorder can disrupt a user’s daily life.

With the Nov. 5 election approaching, it is important that college students be familiar with cannabis-related policies on the ballot. Michigan voters will see several local marijuana policy proposals in November. Specific communities, including Pontiac, Caro, and Algonac, will be voting on regulations relating to cannabis businesses and grow licenses. These local initiatives are part of Michigan’s ongoing adjustments to cannabis regulations, although no statewide changes are being proposed.

Quinten Proctor, the president of Student Senate, is serving his second term. Proctor noted that student feedback prompted the Senate’s goals moving forward this semester. 

“The biggest goal this semester is the broad idea of ensuring that all students have the resources and support they need to succeed at Grand Valley,” Proctor said. “That reflects on the town halls that were hosted in the spring, and concerns from students that there weren’t enough resources.”

Proctor highlighted the University Counseling Center as an area of focus for the Senate, as he believes on-campus resources in high demand could use extra support. Other locations on campus the Senate hopes to support include the GVSU Tutoring and Reading Center and the Mary Idema Pew Library’s Knowledge Market.

Proctor said enhancing various resources for students ties into another focal point of the Senate– building a more vibrant campus culture. 

Following the pandemic, Proctor said GVSU experienced a downtrend in student participation at campus events and student organization membership. Similarly, Proctor noted many students have voiced that a lack of weekend activities leads many to leave campus and return home for the weekend.

“We are finding a way to either partner with Campus Activities Board (CAB), or host events ourselves that try to keep students more engaged,” Proctor said.

The Student Senate hosts general assembly meetings on Thursdays, where senators gather to discuss current issues and new initiatives. Members of the public are welcome to attend. General assembly meetings have two designated time slots, once in the beginning and once at the end, for any attendee to share their feedback with the Senate.

Paris Lawson, the Student Senate vice president, said Senate meetings are a place where students and faculty are encouraged to bring their ideas. 

“As we look to the future, I envision this year’s Senate leaving a legacy of inclusivity and advocacy,” Lawson said. “I hope that the initiatives we are working on today will create a stronger foundation for future students, one where their voices are heard, their needs are met and the campus continues to evolve.”

Proctor said Student Senate allows the University community to be involved in change, and encourages student engagement, even if they are not interested in joining the Senate.

“At the end of the day, the University is here to serve the students,” Proctor said.

In October, representatives from the University Counseling Center will be attending the general assembly meeting to talk about mental health advocacy. This will be an opportunity for the GVSU community to be informed on the state of the Counseling Center, and the needs of the GVSU community.

The Just Baked vending machine was brought to the library to accommodate students during long study sessions. As student schedules vary, the new machine is an attempt to fill the demand for accessible, round-the-clock dining options. The Just Baked machine is accessible to students and library patrons during all open hours, and provides more meal options for students while studying.

The new machine offers a number of hot meals like potstickers, mac and cheese and cheese-filled soft pretzels. 

“The decision was based on feedback from students and staff requesting more food options, especially during late hours,” said Glen Behan, the food service director for GVSU’s Laker Food Co. “The library is a central hub for studying, and we wanted to offer a way for students to access hot food without having to leave the building.”

Prior to the new installation, the only option for fresh food service at the library was the coffee and tea shop GV Brew. GV Brew primarily offers different beverage options and a small selection of light snacks, but has very specific and limited hours.

Some students expressed that previously, they didn’t eat in the library due to the lack of food options.

“I normally get the sushi from the dining area in Kindschi Hall, but I’ll try any food on campus,” said GVSU senior Ian Rant. “I normally don’t eat inside the library, but I like the idea of having food and snack options there so when I’m studying, I don’t have to leave my spot to find food.” 

However, some students have questioned the quality of the vending machine’s meals, as a handful of the meals are made with perishable ingredients like meat and eggs. Since the machine is able to serve hot food, many students speculate the meals must be pre-made, and have questioned their freshness. Behan said students shouldn’t worry because the food is properly managed and prepared in a made to order fashion. The new machine also sends real-time data to the machine’s supplier, Day One Vending, to allow for accurate and efficient restocking.

“The meals are sealed and stored in temperature-controlled compartments within the machine,” Behan said. “The machine uses smart technology to heat the meals to the ideal temperature when selected, ensuring freshness and optimal taste.”

Behan assured that each meal has an expiration date that is followed strictly, and that food is removed from the machine prior to its expiration. 

“Inventory is monitored closely to minimize food waste, (and we) adjust the supply based on consumption patterns,” Behan said.

According to Behan, more popular locations on campus are being considered for the addition of even more machines. GVSU’s Pew Campus downtown Grand Rapids is expecting to welcome three Just Baked machines in the near future.

The study, published by Washington Monthly, compared the amount of state-funded money spent on schools to the amount of alumni that remained in Michigan after graduation. The Upjohn Institute’s study concluded that students from GVSU continue to stay in Michigan for their careers after graduation at a much higher rate than that of other state universities. For every $100,000 spent, GVSU produces about 5 graduates that stay in Michigan. Not only does GVSU lead the ranking in Michigan and retain double the average amount in the state, but GVSU’s success rate is over three times the average of colleges across the United States. 

“When I was a student here, I loved Grand Valley because it gave me the opportunity to get practical experience, so I I tried to get involved in everything I could,” said G. Bradley Back, a GVSU alumni and professor in the School of Communications. “It benefited me, and it was easier to get an internship, and it definitely helped me get a job, (having) that practical experience.”

For Back’s students, this practical experience comes in different forms. Back said he is an advocate of student involvement in learning.

“I try to keep my experience in mind, so I can encourage students to take advantage of those practical hands-on opportunities,” Back said. “I’m the biggest advocate for on-campus programs.”

GVSU has over 400 student organizations that undergraduates can be involved in. As Back described, each organization has opportunities for students to gain experience in their field and move one step closer to a career. 

Networking within the GVSU community also contributes to students’ retention to Michigan. 

“I am also very involved given the relationships that I’ve developed over the years that help students obtain internships and job opportunities upon graduation,” Back said. 

Many GVSU professors like Back help their students find internships or on-the-job experiences, which may also factor into graduating seniors’ decision to stay in Michigan. 

A LinkedIn post by GVSU’s College of Computing Dean Marouane Kessentini acknowledges a team of alumni that are dedicated to work in West Michigan, and provide opportunities for Laker graduates.

“Brian McKeiver and Mark Schmidt, founders of the successful digital company BizStream, are leading by example,” said Kessentini. “Half of their employees are fellow GVSU graduates, showcasing the impact of University alumni in job creation and economic development. Their commitment to giving back and supporting the community in West Michigan is truly inspiring,”

However, for some out-of-state GVSU students, post-graduation plans look different. 

GVSU senior Sara Tripi is originally from Illinois, and will be graduating in May 2025.

“I don’t want to live in Michigan after I graduate because moving back home will save me money on rent and groceries, and I like being close to my family,” Tripi said. “Although I enjoy being in Michigan because I’m close to my college friends and Grand Rapids has lots of opportunities, saving money is more important to me.” 

While some opt to return to their home states, due to the large number of graduates that choose to plant their roots in Michigan, GVSU solidifies itself as a key player in driving the future of Michigan. With strong support from professors, hands-on opportunities and a thriving alumni network, GVSU certainly encourages students to stay local. The University’s contributions to Michigan’s job market is a testament to its commitment to student success and the state’s growth.

The Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital is a joint effort between the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital. It will be the first rehabilitation center dedicated to pediatric care in Michigan and is set to open in 2026, according to MLive.

“Attendees at the groundbreaking thoroughly enjoyed the experience, as they became immersed (and were) able to see the exterior and interior of the hospital,” said IT Innovation and Research Senior Director Eric Kunnen.

Although the hospital’s construction has yet to begin, attendees got to experience what it will be like to walk through the building. The experience was brought to life using 10 Meta Quest headsets and 10 Apple iPads, and was made possible by GVSU alumni Ben Stenglein, Shane Belofsky and Andrew Schreur. The group created the 360-degree video with narration and animation. Executive Associate for Presidential Initiatives Elizabeth Doyle, as well as GVSU’s Office of Inclusion and Equity, Office of the President and the IT Innovation and Research team supported the group of alumni in their execution of the project.

For architects and designers, applying VR technology allows them to truly envision their enterprises. Belofsky graduated in 2024 with a degree in film and video. He said he was honored that architects shared their blueprints for the health facility with the group, and that it changed the game when it came down to actually creating the animation.

“It meant a lot that the architects trusted us with the CAD files for the hospital,” Belofsky said. “It made our jobs a whole lot easier when implementing the architectural blueprint into an environment and bringing it to life in a virtual experience.”

The alumni involved in creating the VR experience produced the animation remotely, with each of them working separately. Belofsky said this posed specific challenges when developing the final product.

“One of the most challenging parts was that we created this (the VR digital experience) all remote, and on our own separate systems,” Belofsky said. “Communication was crucial to our success on this project. We also were all working other (additional) jobs, so it was definitely a grind.”

According to Mary Free Bed, roughly 60% of Michigan children who require inpatient care receive treatment at the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids. The new pediatric center will be substantial for these children and the Michigan community. 

GVSU’s contribution to the hospital’s groundbreaking is a display of the advancements the University is taking to keep up with the evolving world of technology. Kunnen said GVSU is making efforts to explore emerging technologies beyond this project, as well. 

“The Atomic Object Technology Showcase in the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons offers a variety of virtual and augmented reality headsets that students, faculty and staff can experience, including Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest 2 and 3, Valve Index, Microsoft HoloLens and Magic Leap,” Kunnen said. 

Belofsky said he found the process of creating the VR hospital experience inspiring, and it meant a lot to him to use his education for the betterment of the city in which he received it.

“It was very fulfilling to help show off the Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital,” Belofsky said. “It is amazing to see how technology is beginning to shape the future of Grand Rapids.”

The new program addresses an emerging area of interest for students in MTD. Traditionally, these students earn a degree in either performing arts or education of the arts, and other knowledge and skills are learned on-the-job. The new degree will focus on the business aspect of performing arts and teach the skill set students need before starting a career in the field. 

“There are many other professions within the performing arts world that don’t quite fit either of those (existing) degree names,” said MTD Associate Department Chair Dan Graser. “Enough people have gotten interested in these careers that a genuine degree is a good idea and will provide more specific training for students who may not want to be a performer or educator.” 

Students in the program would pursue work with the components that make the performing arts possible. Jobs such as arts presenter or exhibition director encompass the positions the degree is made for. 

Performance arts industry students will still be required to go through many of the same courses as other students in the MTD department. Prospective students will have to audition for the program and undergo a similar process as other MTD majors, so a background in performing arts is still relevant to the degree. 

According to Graser, students in the past have achieved a similar education at GVSU by double majoring or pursuing a minor, and specifically  through taking courses in GVSU’s School of Community Leadership and Development. Graser said the new program is a way to bridge the path many students were already taking.

Adding a program like performance arts industry has circulated the MTD department for nearly a decade. On July 12, the Board of Trustees approved the proposal to add the program at their annual meeting. Though the program passed through curriculum committees, the University’s dean and the provost, it is still not quite ready to be part of GVSU’s course offerings officially.

“The degree is not yet approved by the National Association of Schools of Music,” said MTD Department Chair Kevin Tutt. 

While awaiting approval, the University will spend time preparing the details and communicating with prospective students about the new course offering.

“When you’re waiting on an accrediting body to approve a program, you never know the timeline,” Graser said. “The earliest we would aim for is Fall 2025.”

Through the development of the performance arts industry program, GVSU is adapting to evolving industry trends, and creating a more direct pathway for students interested in the broader world of performing.

Michigan legislators approved an over $80 million dollar budget for the state on June 27. According to the State of Michigan FY 2025 budget, the money invested in education “ensures every graduating (high school) senior can receive an associate degree or skilled certificate for free.” 

This is a substantial movement for graduating high school students who are unsure of their path after graduation. However, offering free access to community college has sparked conversation around how this could affect larger schools and universities in the state.

A recent survey reported by CBS News found that Americans are “increasingly skeptical about the value and cost of college.” These opinions have been reflected in steadily declining enrollment in higher education, according to the survey, as well as in the rising student debt crisis.

While there isn’t an accurate way to predict if Michigan’s budget could impact enrollment at the state’s universities, some GVSU students, such as incoming freshman Edwin Colomo, feel they might have considered their higher education choices differently if they’d had access to free community college.

“I don’t think (free community college) would have a huge impact on my choice to go to college, but I definitely would have thought about it more,” said Colomo.

Colomo said his decision to enroll at GVSU involved different factors beyond the price of tuition. In addition to being a student, Colomo is also part of the Michigan Army National Guard. He said factors including the school’s size and the physical campus were what made GVSU a more appealing option to him.

“Grand Valley is very helpful when it comes to the Army, so that was a nice amenity for me,” Colomo said. “I feel like Grand Valley has much more to offer than a community college would.” 

Universities often have stronger social and experiential opportunities because of their added size, funding, backgrounds and student body. Colomo said that school spirit, athletic events and living on campus are components that he is looking forward to as a part of his college experience. 

Senior student Lindsay Chisholm is studying nursing at GVSU. She said that free community college would not have changed her decision to attend GVSU in pursuit of a degree, because of her field of study.

“Everything I wanted to do requires a Bachelor’s degree, so (free community college) probably wouldn’t have changed my mind,” Chisholm said. 

Having spent three years at GVSU already, Chisholm said some of her experiences are exclusive to attending a larger university.

“I feel like social life is bigger at universities, like there’s no Greek life at community college or things like that,” said Chisholm. “There are still clubs you can join, so it would be similar and different at the same time.”

Colomo and Chisholm mentioned their high schools had programs for students that were interested in pursuing an associate degree through their local community colleges. Many high schools in the state offer such Early College programs.

Colomo said his high school, East Kentwood High School, is joined with Grand Rapids Community College to offer high school students the opportunity to attend college classes while still in high school. This way, students could graduate from high school with their diploma and an associate degree. He said he felt the Early College program at his school had pushed students towards bigger universities. 

“(East Kentwood High School) was more focused on the Early College program, and then encouraged those students to go to bigger schools like Michigan State University or Grand Valley,” Colomo said. 

Chisholm said the high school she attended, Dakota High School, had similar opportunities. 

“(Dakota High School) didn’t talk about community college a ton,” Chisholm said. “Not everyone knows what they want to do after high school, but for kids who knew they would use an associate degree, they would just do dual enrollment or Early College.” 

With existing programs that make community college free to high school students, it is difficult to say how Michigan’s new efforts will impact graduates’ steps after graduation. However, the new educational support in Michigan’s budget does allow for more freedom, career opportunity choices and access to higher education after high school graduation, especially for lower-income students.

Despite the economic climate, many students seem inclined to attend a four-year institution as opposed to the alternative options. This could be telling of the value of resources and connections inherent to larger institutions, or, perhaps, the value students find in their college experience outside of the classroom.

Alexander Jones, Ph.D., the Leon Levy Director and Professor of History of the Exact Sciences in Antiquity at New York University, gave the keynote presentation on April 5 in the Mary Idema Pew Library. The presentation explored Greek history, focusing on one ancient artifact in particular: the Antikythera Mechanism.

Jones examined not only the history of science, but also the history of human innovation and creativity within the presentation. Jones is one of the nation’s leading researchers of the Antikythera Mechanism, the real ancient artifact which inspired the device in the 2023 film “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” 

While the Antikythera Mechanism isn’t exactly a tool for time travel as depicted in the movie, it does provide a glimpse of the ancient human past. 

The Antikythera Mechanism is a Greek analog computer that dates back to the 2nd century BCE. It was discovered in 1901 by sponge divers off the coast of the Greek island, Antikythera. It is widely accepted as the first device used to track cycles of the solar system. The outside control dial allowed the operator to fast-forward or rewind time to illustrate the future or past positioning of the planets. 

Jones said the mechanism inspired a more fantastical storyline in the Indiana Jones movie.

“In the film, (the Antikythera Mechanism) is turned into something more fantasy-like that leads to time travel,” Jones said. “It can lead to a kind of ‘mental time travel’ in the sense that you can see what was going on in the sky 50 years ago, but it’s not actually taking you there.” 

Despite its dramatized portrayal in popular culture, the artifact maintains its significance to modern understandings.

The Mechanism appeals largely to GVSU’s Department of Classics, which looks closely at Greek history, however there is crossover into other academic subjects as well. The device can offer insight to historians, astronomers, physicists and mathematicians alike. 

The presentation encouraged this multidisciplinary approach. The event aimed to showcase that history is more than dates and events, but that it’s also important to understanding the evolution of human thought and technology. 

English student Eliana Burgess was interested in attending the presentation by Jones when she learned about it in her Latin course. 

“We tend to have this habit of kind of mythicizing the past and humans that came before us,” Burgess said. “We kind of interpret a lot of their math and science as being very mythical. It is science, and it’s what we came from.”

Beyond its educational applications, the artifact has served as a testament to advancements made in the 2nd century BCE. 

The object indicates that the ancient world was significantly more advanced in their scientific understandings than what was previously accepted. Jones said how the Mechanism challenged this perspective. 

“We’ve been able to get a focused idea about things (about technology) we would not know if we were depending only on books that were passed through the tradition of copying manuscripts in the middle ages,” Jones said.

He described the discovery of the device as “accidental archaeology,” which has provided an entirely different picture of things that were happening over 2,000 years ago. 

The recovery of any additional fragments of the Mechanism is unlikely. According to Jones, researchers have uncovered all there is to learn about the computational device with the resources available at the present. The remains of the Antikythera Mechanism are now on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece. 

This ancient artifact serves a reminder that exploration has roots that stretch back centuries, and ancient technology continues to have relevance in the modern scientific environment.

GVSU SDS is a chapter of the national group New Students for a Democratic Society, which defines itself as a “national, student and youth led, action-oriented, multi-issue activist organization.”

Owen Frassetto, the club’s vice president and risk manager, was inspired by the case of the “Tampa 5,” in which national SDS organized around dropping the charges of five protesters from the University of South Florida’s SDS chapter. In September 2023, Frassetto raised the vote to change GVSU YDSA’s affiliation, in which the chapter settled on having two affiliations, with both SDS and YDSA.

The club’s president, Jessica Koerkel, raised the vote a second time in March 2024. 80% of the chapter was in favor of ending affiliation with YDSA, solely becoming associated with SDS and changing their name from YDSA to SDS.

“Part of it (the vote in March) was that in the future, we were going to have to pay dues again to the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America),” Frassetto said. “But, members who liked to pay dues were graduating out, and there weren’t enough people that really wanted to because they didn’t see the value in the DSA affiliation as compared to the SDS one.” 

SDS is focused on uniting its chapters to build national movements, while national YDSA fights for democratic socialism.

According to GVSU SDS’s statement, “Many of our members and leadership remain dedicated to socialism, but we are trying to build a mass progressive student movement to win gains at GVSU.”

Although SDS and YDSA are structured differently and hold distinct sentiments, the GVSU student organization’s mission remains the same. 

“We have no intention of changing how we actually conduct our work or interact with other groups,” Koerkel said.

This shift is not just about changing a club name, but aligning with a mass organization that can mobilize on a national scale, while still addressing local campus issues. 

 Frassetto said the approach of SDS aligns with their campaign values more than YDSA. For instance, members of SDS at GVSU remain focused on making changes on campus, such as organizing around GVSU housing overflow.

“Say someone in the housing issue comes to us and they really like what we’re working on, but they’re not a socialist,” Frassetto said. “SDS says, ‘That’s okay.’ We’re trying to build a movement to win gains on campus, so you organize with us.’” 

GVSU’s SDS chapter is not the first college organization to change their title from YDSA to SDS. Loyola University New Orleans has a chapter of SDS that was also formerly affiliated with YDSA.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if more YDSA (chapters) become aware of SDS (and) eventually switch that affiliation,” Frassetto said. 

The trend of chapters shifting from YDSA to SDS may gain momentum as more student activists recognize the broader, “more inclusive” approach of SDS. The cases of GVSU and Loyola University New Orleans may indicate a growing preference for an organization that focuses on mass progressive movements and the role of SDS in these movements. 

GVSU’s goals to address educational equity include lowering the student-to-advisor ratio and restructuring the system in an attempt to give students more face-to-face time with their advisors.  Lowering the student-to-advisor ratio aims to reduce any disconnect between students and their academic advisor. A totally new advising initiative is taking place in the upcoming 2024 fall semester that, in theory, would give students a more consistent connection with an academic advisor.

GVSU is taking on a “case management” approach to advising. Incoming students will be paired with an academic advisor that will stay with them for the entirety of their time at GVSU. Advisors will be responsible for 300-350 students. This will replace the current advising system, where students may schedule appointments with any advisor based on their major. As another part of the advising reform, GVSU is establishing a new advising center. Instead of being associated with one of the colleges, this pool of advisors will cater specifically to exploratory students. 

Many students feel more secure in their academic endeavors and more supported by the University when they are able to meet with the same advisor on multiple occasions and have their meetings in a face-to-face setting.

First year student Zachariah Trevino said he has had mainly positive experiences with academic advising.

“(My advisor) was super helpful and explained what my next years here are going to look like,” Trevino said. “My meeting was on Zoom because he only meets freshmen in-person downtown. I like talking face-to-face, so it felt a little less personal.”

Each college at GVSU has its own advising center, like the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and the Seidman College of Business. High numbers of students and low numbers of advisors available makes it very difficult for some students to get in touch with an advisor. The current student-to-advisor ratio differs between colleges based on enrollment. 

“(Some) centers have higher ratios, which can mean there is a longer wait time to get an appointment,” said Jennifer Getting Jameslyn, the director of the Brooks Advising Center. “Advisors may have less time to build relationships with students and get to know their goals, strengths and needs.” 

Some upperclassmen have expressed their frustration regarding the lack of appointment availability with their advisors. This is another complication contributing to low student satisfaction with the current advising system in place.

“One time when I was registering for classes, Banner blocked me and I had to meet with an advisor,” said third year student Zoey Barman. “I couldn’t get an appointment until the next week (after registration had opened), so I couldn’t get into the classes I wanted. It was just annoying.” 

The demand for advising across all colleges has prompted the University to look into alternative ways to best support students.

Vice Provost for Advising and Student Success Catherine Buyarski said the lower student-advisor ratio will allow advisors more time to understand the complexity of their students. 

“I concentrate on that group of students and I’m reaching out to them, I’m checking their grades, and I’m seeing if you were logging into Blackboard and then all of a sudden you’re not,” Buyarksi said. “That would make me send you an email and say, ‘Hey, something happened. What’s going on?’”

To implement this new advising system, the University needs to hire additional advisors. Currently, the school is recruiting 15 additional advisors for the upcoming academic year. These new advisors will be assigned to the colleges where the demand for advising support is higher. 

This center will also have services for students who are on probation with the school, or those who are facing potential dismissal. A portion of the incoming 15 advisors will be located here. 

GVSU hopes these plans will reduce feelings of disconnect between students and their academic advisor and enhance the overall student experience. It is unclear if the shift will be more effective than the current system, as some current advisors may be shifted from their original roles as academic advisors to student “mentors.” 

After reaching out to several academic advisors regarding the advising reform, all refused to comment.