The Students’ Association voiced about 100 concerns over diversity, funding, visitation and other campus issues to members of the Planning Task Force in their meeting on Wednesday.

In 2008, Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, and a group of administrators authored a document titled “The 21st Century Vision” that outlined the goals the university hoped to accomplish by 2013. Because the document will expire next year, a group of faculty members have been assigned to a task force to create a new document for the next five years. This Planning Task Force is also responsible for meeting with various internal and external constituencies to gain their input as this document is authored.

Corey Patterson and Stephanie Talley, members of the Planning Task Force, met with SA members to allow them to share their opinions on a myriad of subjects regarding the university. Patterson, director of graduate recruiting, said he and Talley wanted to meet with SA before consulting other constituents.

“We are in the process of writing a new vision,” Patterson said. “We’re taking a full year to gather data, analyze that data and craft a vision.”

Congress was divided into groups and encouraged to write statements anonymously on four different topic sheets, which included ACU’s strengths, weaknesses, challenges and opportunities. Students could also place a check mark next to statements they agreed with. About 100 unique statements were written between the four topics.

One common theme among the lists was diversity. Congress members wrote that they would like to see an increased number of international and out-of-state students enrolled and integrated into the university. Several students were concerned with women’s roles at ACU. Other statements dealt with acceptance, acknowledgement or inclusion of increased religious diversity, both within and outside Christianity, pertaining to both faculty and students. Conversely, ACU’s Churches of Christ heritage and environment were also listed as strengths.

Likewise, students were also conflicted in their opinions of the Mobile Learning Initiative. Some members of Congress considered the Mobile Learning Initiative as a success, while others listed the future of the program as a challenge.

Another commonality was an issue with male-female visitation hours in residence halls. None of the statements advocated eliminating limited visitation, but an increase of hours was suggested as an opportunity.

All four lists contained unique items. Some of ACU’s weaknesses as listed by Congress included the Cornerstone course; the lack of degree flexibility; an insufficient number of bicycle racks and parking spaces for vehicles; total costs; the lack of competition with Aramark in the food court and the drainage system.

Congress said ACU could pursue opportunities in not requiring sophomores to purchase meal plans; allowing the use of Bean Bucks off campus; increasing departmental scholarships; working to improve school spirit and increasing the university’s contribution to research journals and conferences.

SA praised ACU’s teacher-to-student ratio and the quality of the faculty; Sing Song; campus aesthetics and chances for students to engage in their faith on campus.

Lastly, Congress wrote that the university is challenged by the lack of a 24-hour library; under-funding for student opportunities and organizations; the expansion of campus size and the new ticketing system for athletic events.

Talley, instructor in the department of teacher education, said the new document may incorporate more input from constituents than the previous document.

“We will make sure your voices are heard,” said Talley. “If you said it, someone’s hearing it.”

SA also addressed two proposed bills. Stephen Martin, Mabee Hall representative, introduced a bill to provide up to $400 to pay for T-shirts for participating ACU students, alumni and faculty running in the 2012 Dallas Marathon, a race being conducted on December 9. J.P. Ralston, COBA representative, introduced a bill to provide up to $1,200 for Christmas Slam 2012, an event aiming for campus-wide participation at a basketball game. Congress briefly debated the amount of money being allocated to Christmas Slam, but ultimately both bills were passed without changes.

Absent members:

Gabe Elorreaga, senior class vice president

Bryson Shake, junior class vice president

Chris Singleton, off-campus representative