The Triangle

Issue date: 5/5/06 Section: News

Students were able to voice their opinions about the University and hear words of wisdom on leadership from Anthony Caneris, senior vice president for Student Life and Administrative Services, at his biannual student luncheon May 2.

The luncheon was comprised of students and administrators from Caneris's department including Rita LaRue, senior associate vice president of business operations, David Ruth, dean of students, Joseph Campbell, senior associate vice president of University Procurement and Eric Zillmer, director of athletics.

Caneris hosts these events twice a year for students to share their thoughts and have their questions answered by the University administration.

"It gives me the opportunity to meet with students eye to eye so that they can understand where the administration is coming from," Caneris said. "And two-fold, it gives the students a first-hand opportunity to present me with questions of concern. It is also a forum where students meet other students and, of course, it gives all the students in the room a chance to meet my administration."

In his opening speech, Caneris introduced his leadership tactics and his belief in the importance of managing both employees and employers. He also claimed to have transformed the University from near bankruptcy, since coming to the University in 1995.

His unique style of interviewing potential employees was stressed as well. During interviews, Caneris does not look at their resumés but rather asks questions about their life. Caneris said that he wants to "get a feel for who they are as a person and to see if they will fit my staff."

The question and answer session began upon the completion of Caneris' speech. Two students expressed their concern about the athletic facilities, specifically the fitness room and the weight room and its lack of space to accommodate a greater number of students.

Caneris directed the question to Eric Zillmer, director of athletics. Zillmer agreed with the students' concerns and claimed that there are long term plans to remedy the problem, such as the anticipated use of the Armory as a recreational building and hiring an architect to design a possible expansion to the facility. The time frame for these projects could be anywhere from one to three years.

"In the short run, though, it's going to be harder," Zillmer admitted. He said that the original hours of operation of the athletic facilities were from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. a year ago, and now it is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The only option that could be completed in the short term, Zillmer said, is a further extension of those hours.

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