By Sarah Metcalf

While actions have been taken by the university to cope with the string of unfortunate events Northeastern has faced this year, it is now the students’ turn.

To help in restoring the sense of community at NU, the Leadership Education Growth Opportunities (LEGO) program has changed its agenda to allow this Saturday’s forum to focus on the topic at hand.

Associate Director for Leadership Programs John Silveria said he hopes students will come together in an effort to rebuild the community.

“This is not something that can be achieved by rules, regulations and programs – there has to be a message from students to their peers that their behavior isn’t right,” Silveria said.

The conference, titled “Rebuilding the Community,” will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in afterHOURS. It is free and open to all members of the Northeastern community. It will discuss topics such as whether students feel disenfranchised from the university, if this sentiment contributes to student behavior, how the campus climate can be changed and if the community can be rebuilt, among other issues.

“[The conference] came about as a combination of things,” Silveria said. “It’s about whether or not our students believe they’re part of a community, and it gives students the opportunity to question whether there really is a solid Northeastern community.”

According to the LEGO Web site, the conference invites students to “come explore the resources and opportunities that can make us all better members of our community, and improve relations with those that live around us.”

Silveria said he hopes students question what their role in improving the community is, and what they need to do in order to accomplish their goal.

“Students need to feel like they have a real tie to this institution on a variety of levels,” Silveria said. “It’s not just about going to classes and living in the residence halls. It’s important for students to voice their opinion on campus.”

Resident Student Association (RSA) President Scott Minkin said the conference came about not only in response to the Super Bowl, but also to counter the constant sense of disconnection students may feel in regard to the university.

“[Students feeling disconnected] is sort of a constant, and I think it’s something the university at large has not made enough of an effort to combat,” Minkin said. “In polls, students have complained about a lack of tradition, a lack of support and the lack of accessibility of upper administration, and the administration hasn’t done anything about it.”

Vice President for Student Affairs Ed Klotzbier will be on hand at the conference, Minkin said, providing an opportunity for students who don’t normally interact with him to get to know their direct line to the president.

The day will begin with registration and introduction, after which Director of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society Peter Roby will provide the keynote speech. Participants will then break up into small groups facilitated by other students to initiate discussion, and later convene back into the large group to continue discussion and give feedback. The last segment of the program will feature campus leadership, including prominent figures in Curry Student Center life and a student involvement panel.

Minkin said the university has been in need of a program like this since long before the post-Super Bowl riots.

“It’s really sort of a long time coming. We needed to enhance the relationship with ourselves on this campus and in the community,” he said. “We need to open up dialogue and improve relationships on our own campus with the university and ourselves.”

Student Government Association President Michael Romano also feels the need for a program addressing student concerns is essential.

“I think the lost sense of community on campus runs much deeper than the Super Bowl, and I think a lot of it revolves around a lack of school spirit, a lack of feeling like a part of a student community,” Romano said. “[The conference] is also about examining why events like the Super Bowl happened, and more importantly, discussing why students often feel like a mere digit rather than a distinct student on campus.”

Silveria said having a better sense of community could lead to positive peer influence in situations such as the Super Bowl riots.

“Students should be able to take a more active role in promoting civility on campus,” he said. “They should feel empowered to question negative actions by other students. Why should a student feel afraid to ask another student why they participated in something like what happened after the Super Bowl?”

Silveria also said he hopes students walk away from the conference feeling motivated to initiate change in their community.

“I would like for some students to walk out of there feeling like there is a way to make a difference, there is a vehicle with which to do it, and there are people who are absolutely willing to help them do that.”

Students may register for the event at www.lego.neu.edu or by filling out an application in the Leadership Office, 222 Curry Student Center.