By Donald Osmond
President Samuelson fielded candid questions about campus issues, such as housing, campus clubs and the BYU Bookstore, before a body of more than 150 students in the Wilkinson Student Center Garden Court Thursday morning.
?We can?t do everything everyone would like us to do here at BYU,? President Samuelson said.
But President Samuelson said he is open to suggestions.
Before addressing questions, President Samuelson commented on the privilege to interact here on BYU campus and said he would be willing to answer all questions.
?Any question is fair as long as any of my answers are fair,? President Samuelson said.
The Q-and-A began with a question regarding whether The Daily Universe should act as a watchdog for campus issues.
Even though it is wonderful to have a student newspaper on campus, President Samuelson said it should not act as a muckraker.
?Journalistic integrity is very important,? he said.
Changing paces, one student asked a question regarding the aesthetics of the campus.
President Samuelson said it is appropriate for students to be on the grass to study or relax, but not for traffic reasons.
Another student was concerned with the Bookstore prices. He said students can find better prices for textbooks elsewhere.
A drastic approach to solving the problem was offered by President Samuelson.
?We could get rid of the Bookstore,? he said. ?But then one of the first questions I would get would be, ?can we have a bookstore???
President Samuelson said the Bookstore is still open for suggestions.
Another concerned student wanted to know if BYU would be more receptive to athletic clubs.
President Samuelson said he has many people who send him e-mails about starting collegiate wrestling and other athletic clubs.
?Occasionally, I get e-mails about mud wrestling for women,? President Samuelson said in a joking manner. ?Interestingly, those are anonymous.?
One of the reasons he said BYU would not have certain athletic clubs is due to the lack of expertise and liability. BYU is not able to accept possible risks associated with other sports.
President Samuelson said it is wonderful for students to stay involved with BYU, even after they finish school.
?We do want money, but that is not all,? President Samuelson said. ?We want input, and we want your support.?
A student, who had recently returned after an educational hiatus of 30 years, said she is concerned about student advisement. She said she has not experienced much help with direction in her major.
President Samuelson said this is an issue for BYU.
?As we improve the advisement, we will be able to help people to move through in a more efficient manner,? he said.
On a lighter note, President Samuelson was asked if he has any pet peeves about students? mannerisms. He said he sees a lot of students that are electronically wired into the world.
?MP3s are okay,? President Samuelson said. ?But they are reminding me that I am getting pretty old.?