Dinner with the Dean, an event held by the College of the Arts, gave students an opportunity to mingle with peers and talk with dean Jeff Jarvis.
This event, held March 18 in the Gardner Student Center, gave students in the College of the Arts a chance to ask Jarvis personal questions while indulging in free pizza and drinks.
Amelia Stringham, a senior art major from Salt Lake City and a student senator for Utah Tech Student Association, held the event in hopes that students would get to know Jarvis on a personal level. UTSA student senators represent each college on campus, building a bridge between the deans and students.
“I feel like the arts need some appreciation,” Stringham said. She has been able to meet with Jarvis throughout the semester and wanted students to hear the wisdom and advice she has received from him.
One goal Jarvis had for the event was to listen to the students. He said he often doesn’t get to hear from or connect with them unless there is a problem. He is looking to change the narrative.
“There is a perception [of being a] dean I don’t like very much and I’m hoping to break some of that down,” Jarvis said.
After students were able to socialize and talk individually with Jarvis, they were encouraged to form a circle to ask him questions. These questions ranged from his academic career to what his hobbies are.
Students were not only interested in his career, but also in what music he listened to, where he had traveled and his dream car.
Laughter spread throughout the room as Jarvis often asked students questions, allowing for personal connections to form.
Jarvis said: “The sad part [of this job] is that I don’t get to see the students enough. I came here for the students.”
Throughout this event, students were able to gather insight and advice from Jarvis, specific to the College of the Arts.
One highlighted topic in the questionnaire portion of the event is the new art building, which will be the remodeled McDonald Center. Jarvis said the new building will give students a chance to learn and grow even more.
Jarvis gave the metaphor of giving someone an assignment on Microsoft Excel, but with an Atari computer. He states it is impossible to do the assignment, and this is what art students are going through. With the new building, students will have improved technology and spaces.
At the end of the night, students were vocal with Jarvis about topics on campus, like what sets the art department at Utah Tech University from other universities in the state.
Jarvis credited Utah Tech being an open enrollment institution, with setting the art department apart from other universities. He said having open enrollment allows students to learn more and to be more expansive with their work.
Blake Camacho, a sophomore exercise science major from Salt Lake City, initially came for the pizza, but stayed for the insight.
“It’s great to even ask questions to the dean, as some[one] who is the person who takes care of everything,” Camacho said.
Both Stringham and Jarvis said that if this event went well, they are hoping to plan events like Dinner with the Dean in the future.
