Fewer than 10 students stood waiting on the ground floor of VCU’s Broad and Belvidere Apartments, as Jane Firer, the complex manager, walked in with four-dozen doughnuts.
All that was needed for the university’s “doughnuts with the dean” discussion was Reuban Rodriguez, dean of students and associate vice provost for student affairs. As he walked in displaying his school pride by wearing a black suit and gold tie, he greeted the students and talked with them for the next 45 minutes.
“I enjoy and look forward to it because students feel more comfortable in their home, so to speak,” Rodriguez said, adding that he wants to interact more with VCU students. “It’s something very important to do.”
During the informal meeting, the group sat in a circle and munched on the free snacks, while talking with Rodriguez about topics ranging from racism to the feasibility of a VCU football team.
Taryn Laster, a senior English major, asked multiple questions and pressured Rodriguez with a question about her perception of how the university displays racism in dealing with protests.
“Why are students of color treated with such hostility?” she asked.
“I don’t have that perspective,” Rodriguez replied. “The people that I work with in my department don’t have that perspective…I feel badly that you and other students have that perception…If there’s away you’d like me to communicate to combat that, I’d like to be able to do it.”
On the prospect of a VCU football team, Rodriguez pointed out the added cost there would be for the students.
“Are you willing to pay $500 more a year for a football team?” One student responded, “Yeah, if they’re good!”
As for university improvements, Shola Martyn, a senior fashion-merchandising major, asked if the library would be open 24 hours a day following its trial success last semester.
“It all comes down to money, and we just don’t have the resources,” Rodriguez said, then quickly added, “In the strategic plan, there is an upgrade for libraries.”
“How does VCU not have enough money?” Laster asked contrasting the library to the money allocated to athletics and basketball in particular. She reminded the dean that everybody goes to the library.
“The priorities don’t make any sense,” she said.
In explaining the budget system, Rodriguez told the students that VCU bases its budget on the number of students expected to enroll in the fall semester. Then, he noted it’s not always an easy task to determine how to spend it.
“It’s an ongoing process trying to allocate funds,” he said.
After almost an hour of discussion and a couple glasses of orange juice, Rodriguez headed off to yet another school event. The students seemed to appreciate the time he spent with them.
“I think it was nice he came out and interacted with the students,” Laster said. “I don’t know him personally, so I guess it was a new ‘let me hear what he has to say’ kind of thing.”