The past several weeks have been trying for all of us in the university community. Monday’s announcement that Jennifer Jones-Hall was resigning to “pursue other opportunities” came as a complete shock to me. Anyone who has spent five minutes in a room with Jones-Hall realizes this is unbecoming of her character and I’m confident was not unwarranted.
Now I feel like it’s my responsibility to speak up on her behalf, especially when she has spoken up for me so many times before. I’m a leader because she helped make me a leader. I have the strength to write an open letter like this because she’s helped put my first-year student organization, Active Minds, on the map. In our most trying moments as a new student organization, Jennifer stood by, felt for me, listened to me and gave me the strength and courage to press on.
I’m releasing an open letter now because, although President Ferguson was referred to as having an “open door policy” at last night’s beneficence discussion, I have found all attempts to communicate with him to reflect anything but that.
I was baffled to hear Joan Todd’s statement that she took immediate action like this to “pursue other opportunities.”
She is unlike any university official I have ever worked with. From my interactions with her, I recognized the fact that she was willing to go the extra mile to ensure her students not only enjoy this university, but reach their full potential. She is always flexible, hard-working and most knowledgeable of the Office of Student Life.
She maintains a consistent environment where graduate assistants and this university's emerging leaders stay focused on reaching their full leadership potential. Her interaction with students is especially positive.
I have worked with Jennifer in many capacities; she was actively involved in the development of Ball State's Active Minds chapter, my involvement with Greek Life, the Student Government Association and Excellence in Leadership. As a result of my involvement, I have had the pleasure of meeting with her on a regular basis. She helped me realize that excellence is a journey, not a destination.
I’ve found Jennifer Jones-Hall (widely known across campus as JJH), to be professional in every sense of the word. She works well with OSL staff, graduate assistants and beautifully with students. She is always very pleasant, cheerful and full of energy.
The bottom line is: Jennifer Jones-Hall was (is) a very positive force in this university. I consider myself fortunate to have gained from her professional dedication. She has touched countless lives and made me and other student leaders look forward to our interactions with the Office of Student Life.
I urge university administrators to do whatever it takes to remedy any issues/concerns that have in turn led to her sudden resignation. If they do not take immediate action, they will be doing this university and student body a huge disservice.
It seems to me that when the university's top administrators failed to adequately address questions about the Outstanding Senior Award in a timely manner, Jones-Hall did, and it resulted in her immediate resignation. It saddens me to see her displayed in such a negative light for feedback that she shouldn’t even have had to give in the first place. I believe this university's administrators should stop and take note of how shameful it is that our students have more sense to do the right thing (address controversy and safety issues) than they do.
Jacob M. Griffin
jgriffin@bsu.edu
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