Student involvement in the University-wide effort to “reimagine” Cornell has been grossly inadequate. As the administration ponders far-stretching ideas like restructuring the academic year and cutting departments, it is in everyone’s best interest to at least be informed.

We’ve certainly been quick to point out the administration’s shortcomings regarding transparency in the past; indeed, officials in Day Hall — especially those directly responsible for communication — must take an assertive stance on reaching out to students and the immediate community. Yet, this time around, the blame for a lack of open discourse falls largely upon the students themselves.

At last week’s University-hosted open forum on its strategy to close a $135-million budget gap — one of five such discussions hosted by President David Skorton to engage the community in the pivotal decisions being made — a dismal six students were in attendance, including one reporter covering the event for this newspaper.

Are students really so apathetic about what is currently unfolding on this campus? Do students not care about decisions that may affect graduation requirements? Are students not considering how today’s changes will potentially devalue their degree down the line? We find it hard to believe that students do not care about these issues.

The stakes are high right now and we believe that apathy is not the sole reason keeping students from speaking up. Rather, we believe the problem sprouts from deeper seeded issues within the culture of communication and activism at the University. Primarily, one real problem is the lack of awareness of such events in the first place.

While the dates and times of open forums have been posted on the University’s strategic planning Web site, this is clearly not the best place on the Web to reach students on a daily basis. Instead, the administration should look to alternative ways to get the word out.

One way to start improving the method of direct communication to students would be to create a committee of student outreach managers who ensure that students are aware of where and when these forums are being held, while soliciting feedback and advice on the best ways to reach the general student body. Committee members would use tools familiar to students, including Web sites like Facebook and Twitter, and old-fashioned methods such as quarter carding, posting flyers and chalking. Students will be more inclined to attend an event that their peers tell them about than an event that is publicized by the Office of Communications.

In addition, student leaders should seize this opportunity to become strong links between administrators and their peers, and spark student activism in so doing. More specifically, now is a crucial time for the undergraduate student-elected trustee to step up and take the reigns. We elected an undergraduate to the Board of Trustees for the purpose of maintaining a student voice on the University’s governing body. It is our representative’s job to attend these forums and encourage others to do so as well.

During tough times like these, concerns for how our very own tuition dollars are being spent cannot be ignored. And with a little encouragement, we believe our best interests will be considered.