Teigen: ‘The state of the student is strong’
Annual address chronicles the life of the student in the past year
Diligent. Engaged. Generous. Proud. Optimistic.
Those few words are how Student President Kevin Teigen described the students at NDSU during the second annual State of the Student Address April 10.
During his speech, Teigen depicted the “life of the student,” from academic performance to volunteerism to student activism.
“ I just think there’s an inherent energy to this place, something special about being a student at this university,” he said.
Teigen spoke about students who actively learn their profession by gaining real-world experience on and off campus.
On campus, students are involved in various organizations that offer a chance to build social networks and benefit nonprofit organizations. Fifteen organizations were formed in the past year, totaling 238 organizations.
Teigen also recounted NDSU students’ philanthropy projects and volunteerism.
Mr. and Ms. NDSU, Bison Brevities and the Homecoming Show are long-standing traditions at the university that have a common denominator in their purpose — charity, Teigen said.
“ Students, (in) groups or as individuals, have raised thousands of dollars this past year alone and donated hundreds of (hours) to different causes,” he said. “It’s this spirit of giving that makes for perhaps the biggest reason that NDSU is as great as it is.”
The spirit of giving was evident in the number of students who helped sandbag or sacrificed spring break to aid in Katrina relief, he said.
Teigen mentioned the success of athletics and their contribution to school spirit.
“ It’s true that having great sports team doesn’t do anything as far as classroom excellence, but it gives us something to cheer for, something to believe in, and another reason for all us to be proud to be Bison,” Teigen said.
He also addressed the more frustrating aspects of student life: the rising cost of tuition, equity funding and ConnectND.
In past years, NDSU boasted about the value of its programs against the cost of tuition. While Teigen maintained that the programs do carry value, he expressed concern about the continuous rises in tuition.
“ Yes, our programs are improving; yes, increases in tuition will be necessary to cover inflation area and market cost; yes, we have seen an incredible spike in the cost of utilities,” he said. “But placing so much of the burden of these increased costs on the students’ shoulders will eventually catch up with us.”
Teigen moved on to ConnectND and the proposed fee cap that students were denied.
Teigen cautioned students to be wary in the upcoming years in case proponents of ConnectND attempt to disguise the true cost of the system or attempt to provide the same service at different institutions for the same cost.
Teigen proceeded to highlight proactive and positive student activism through the recent student election and the “Don’t Go Joe” rally.
Teigen commended both presidential tickets for bringing new, important issues to campus without the negativity accompanying past elections.
“ Because of this … we had the greatest turnout of student voters ever,” he said.
Students also accomplished something many considered unimaginable through the student-led “Don’t Go Joe” rally after President Joseph Chapman announced his consideration for the University of Wyoming presidency , Teigen said.
“ Dr. Chapman said from the start of the process that he wasn’t sure if he would accept the job if it was offered to him,” Teigen said. “But it was through this rally, through this coalition of students, that he didn’t even go down there for an interview.”
Teigen wrapped up his speech by recounting the changes in recent years at NDSU and the growing pains the university will inevitably face from the constant growth and expansion.
“ If the student remains active, if the student remains hard-working, those bumps will be just growing pains and nothing more,” he said. “The state of the student is strong, the state of our university is strong, and the future is bright.”