By From The Editors

The University has people talking. Scholars, historians, major newspapers and even “Saturday Night Live” have all weighed in on the 11th presidential conference and the University received impressive grades.

Newsday wrapped up its coverage of the Clinton Conference in an editorial on Monday applauding the University for offering “fresh insights to enrich the learning experience for students and faculty.”

While the most anticipated (and most attended) session of the conference was the speech delivered by former President Bill Clinton last Thursday night, panels hosted over the three days presented opportunities for students to listen to and network with accomplished researchers, reporters and politicians. The experts not only scrutinized Clinton’s presidency, but also analyzed his administration’s influence on today’s major social issues, from health care to foreign relations.

Clinton’s presidential address attracted more than 2,000 students, who swarmed the stage at the Hofstra Arena at the end of the speech to snap photos, steal handshakes and speak one-on-one with the “New Democrat.” They were all drawn to the glitz and glamour of Clinton’s presence, but how many of these students actually understood the policies behind the celebrity- aside from his sexual escapade with Monica Lewinsky? The discussion panels were resourceful tools for acquiring this knowledge, but the student attendance at these other Clinton-related events was pathetic. The seats at the Student Center Theater, Adams Playhouse and other venues throughout campus were mostly filled by outsiders – seniors and professors who traveled from all over the country for an event 13 years in the making.

On any given day at the University, the event calendar is filled with lectures, meetings and club activities, which many students would participate in if the events were better publicized. This excuse could not be used in regard to the Clinton Conference.

The University started advertising the program on its Web site and throughout campus over a year ago. To encourage students to attend the event, the University’s provost, Herman Berliner, sent an e-mail to all professors urging them to excuse students who wish to attend discussion panels during the time their classes meet, according to many faculty. Many professors even canceled classes completely. However, few students took advantage of these opportunities.

The lack of student participation was not the only void in the conference. Missing from the critical and intellectual evaluation of Clinton’s presidency were the opinions of his adversaries. While the college environment tends to be inundated with liberal minds, many of the panels resembled rallies for the Democratic Party or the Clinton fan club. Clinton was a great president, but even he admitted that there were failures in his two-term presidency, however, few panelists were willing to make statements nearly as bold and critical against Clinton.

Hands down, the recent presidential conference marked a milestone for the University and the Clinton administration. The conferences continue to offer opportunities for the entire community to engage in political discussions and catch a behind-the-scenes look at the democratic process, while elevating the University’s reputation in academic circles.

Taking a page from Clinton’s grading policy, the University deserves an “A” for its efforts – if only the same could be said for the student body.