Students at Grand Rapids Community College feel the president of any collegiate institution should be present on campus and many students displayed disappointment upon learning their president, Charles Lepper, is on paid administrative leave, as well as a finalist for the presidency at Madison Area Technical College in Wisconsin.
The Collegiate talked to students at GRCC to see what they thought of this situation. Of those surveyed, not one person could name who the president of the college was, and some thought that was a problem.
Computer science major Nicolas Lukey, said “It’s kind of suspicious, a little bit.”
Saydy Bravo, 22, agreed and brought up involvement, saying “I feel like if you’re the president you should get to know everyone and be involved with the school and try to help most students in some way. Maybe bring change that students want.”
While many GRCC students may not be closely following the latest developments with the administration, student leaders are more engaged.
President of the Black Africana Student Union, Evodie Djunga, brings up an example of a positive change that Lepper did bring.
“I remember discussing whether student workers could receive discounts at the bookstore,” she stated in an email to the Collegiate. “He listened and said would see what we could do…”
Djunga also stated she hopes the current situation with Lepper is “resolved quickly so we can preserve the school’s image.”
Mike Light, President of the Faculty Association declined to comment.
As for Lepper’s potential new position at MATC, Eldin Causevic, 19, said “It kind of just seems like he’s finding a way out and leaving the college.”
Nhi Ngyuen, 24, from Vietnam, said she doesn’t have much of an opinion, saying “I don’t think that it will affect much of my studies.”
Nancy Mancaboosh, a 19-year-old from Allendale, is in support of Lepper’s decision.
“If he is finding a better opportunity in his opinion, I think he should definitely go for it,” she said.
Jessica Galvan, 23, of Grand Rapids, brought up wanting to be informed about Lepper’s absence.
“I just feel like we often get emails so like if this is about the president, then we should know,” she said.
Brayden Smith, president of the Campus Activities Board, brought up the timing of the situation, stating, “The biggest question that came up among students was who would be presenting diplomas at graduation, since this seems like a surprising time for the president to go on leave.”
He also talked about his experience working with Lepper.
“He never really engaged with CAB or took an interest in what we do. Early on, he would attend Involvement Day each semester, and I once went to see him at lunch with Lepper,” he stated in an email. “But every time I spoke with him, it felt like he was meeting me for the first time—which didn’t feel great, especially considering the major events we organize for campus.”
Maria Choi, President of Student Government could not be reached for comment.
Collegiate Staffers Alexa Cheaney, Grace Howard, Rosalia Jimenez and Mackenzie Davis contributed to this report.
