Every year the president of Northeastern University, along with administrators and the chair of the faculty senate, addresses the campus community.

This year was no different. President Richard Freeland, Larry Mucciolo, Ahmed Abdelal and Robert Lowndes commented on the progress that the university has made in the U.S World News and Report rankings. The four men discussed the strides and struggles facing the university.

But what about the students?

The students were not represented, and their voices were muted.

Student Government Association President Richard Schwabacher petitioned to speak at the event but was denied permission based on the fact that the event was not designed for student speakers.

This is the problem with Northeastern. The students are the glue that holds the university together. The students should be the motivation of the administrators and the students should be the focus of decisions and discussions made and conducted by the university.

This is not the case. Give the students a voice. The students are the key to higher retention rates, the students are the key to a better academic reputation and the students, soon to be alumni if retained, are the key to contributing funds and resources.

If the students are the key to the solution, then how can Northeastern lock them out?