With Homecoming less than a week away, the timing of this semester’s first Chancellor’s Roundtable discussion is perfect for students, Chancellor Donald Mash said.

Mash, who also is a member of the Presidents Leadership Group on Alcohol, will get a chance to share his input on alcohol with students at 4 p.m. today in the Presidents Room in Davies Center.

“(Alcohol) is a pretty important issue right now,” Mash said. “I try to pick the issues that are hot.”

Vice Chancellor Andy Soll also believes the issue of alcohol is imperative to discussions. He said it affects many things, such as personal safety, academics and relationships between the community and students.

“The alcohol issue is something that is generating a lot of interest around campus,” Soll said.

Another issue to be discussed is the situtation of Davies Center. Last May, students voted against the construction of a new Davies Center, which was estimated to cost about $36.1 million.

Soll said the discussion would not consist of any proposals about Davies Center.

It will instead focus on educating the students about the issues surrounding the center.

“The real charge will be to develop an informational campaign to help students,” Soll said.

Other issues will be discussed at the Roundtable. However, alcohol policies and Davies Center are the two primary issues, Soll said.

The Roundtable is an open discussion with the chancellor and other members of his cabinet to inform students about issues relevant to the university and students.

The Mortar Board, an honor society, hosts the event, and Student Senate also will be in attendance.

There are usually three Roundtable discussions a semester, Mash said.

Since the time of the first chancellor of UW-Eau Claire, the Roundtable has been a part of the university, said Paula Stuettgen, senior coordinator of Student Development and Programs.

“(The chancellors) have always been good about making themselves available for students,” she said. “It’s a tradition of the chancellors.”

One setback of the Roundtable is the turnout of students, but that is not a major concern, Mash said.

“We’re not so concerned about numbers,” Mash said. “But more about the quality of the topics.”

Student Senate President Adrian Klenz said he raised the idea to the chancellor about moving the discussion to a more informal place, like the UAC Cabin in Davies Center.

Klenz emphasized the importance of the Roundtable, stating it is a good way for students to see the relationship between Senate and the administrations, along with meeting the chancellor.

“(Meeting the chancellor) empowers students and gives them an opportunity to talk to him face to face,” Klenz said. “It gives them a chance to have their voices heard.”

Mash agreed, saying, “I think it gives students the opportunity to air some of their thinking.

“I hope it conveys a sense that it shows we have interest in what students think.”