Oswego State faculty and staff want to be a part of the students’ world, the college’s president told students Wednesday night.

Oswego State President Deborah Stanley held her first town hall meeting of the semester on Feb. 10. Stanley said she uses the meetings as an opportunity to get to know students and what issues are on their minds.

Staff from departments across the campus were also present at the meeting answering questions and concerns from students.

A student raised concerns about Oswego State’s Disability Services. She said the office’s resources were not being used well, that she wanted advisors specifically for Disability Services and wondered if expansion was in the future.

“We haven’t been talking about it lately,” Stanley said.

She directed the student to other staff and services. Associate Provost Rameen Mohammadi said the question about Disability Services is one he will follow up on.

“That’s something I can take back and talk to my people,” Mohammadi said. “We can talk about how we can ensure students’ needs are met appropriately.”

Student Erica Bentley asked Stanley if Oswego State’s campus can expect to see a dance club return. Bentley mentioned the Ozone dance club that was in the basement of Hewitt Union until 2007.

“I’m interested in bringing a place to hang out back to campus,” Bentley said.

“I’m free to DJ,” Stanley joked. She said the college is looking into renovating the Swetman Gym locker rooms to make them into a dance club and hangout area for students. According to Mitch Fields, associate vice president for facilities services, they are in the early processes of completing this project by August 2017.

Another student raised concerns about living conditions in Moreland Hall with heaters and asbestos.

Moreland Hall is the oldest residence hall on campus, Stanley said.

She said the campus has an environmental safety team that works on making the buildings safe and healthy for students.

Sophomore Marquia Williams said that question was one that intrigued her the most.

“I didn’t know that was going on. I didn’t know how old it was…that shocked me,” said Williams.

Stanley said the college debates whether to tear Moreland down or continue keeping the old building up with renovations and maintenance. There are no immediate plans to take down Moreland Hall, Stanley said.

“I never considered that maybe the school would be tearing it down,” said SA Vice President Shelby Gallaro.

Other subjects addressed ranged from bus routes, dining dollars, tuition late fees, graduate programs, trash in the parking lots and students’ safety concerns.

Mohammadi said he appreciates the candid atmosphere of town hall meetings.

“When we walk in here, we really don’t know what the students are going to say,” Mohammadi said. “But if you don’t open up yourself to the potential that somethings going to be said that you may not be happy, then you’re in the wrong business.”

Students like Williams are thankful for events that allow their voices to be heard.

“President Stanley does a great job,” Williams said after the meeting. “She shows a lot of sincere concern for the students on campus.”

However, not every question was answered to Williams’ satisfaction.

“I felt like my question was not answered very well at all…some questions were answered very poorly, not by Deborah Stanley but by other officers on campus,” Williams said.

Williams came to her first town hall meeting Wednesday to be more engaged with issues she and her friends experience.

“I understood that I’m very active in the black community and I feel like I represent a lot of students that are in the minority group on campus,” Williams said.

Gallaro has been to almost every town hall meeting since she started attending Oswego State.

“Even if you don’t have an actual question to ask, it’s so interesting to hear this information and know about things that are going on on campus,” Gallaro said. “A lot of people are not engaged and you can spread what you learn here to your friends, just in casual conversation.”

President Stanley said she has been trying to get out on campus more to talk to students since last spring. She mentioned the less planned sessions she has been holding in the Marano Campus Center activity court and said students have been taking advantage of the one on one opportunities.

“I don’t know how much more approachable a college president can be,” Mohammadi said.