Stetson Commons 1990-1-2

Commons The newsletter for parents of Stetson students Spring 1990 Vol. I, No. 2 Campus issues are under discussion by students The freshman year experience, the campus alcohol policy, allocation of funds for student life programs, and student values and attitudes are what students are talking about this year—if they ate members of the Campus Life Committee. The Committee, organized just last fall to help implement recommendations of the Task Force on Campus Life, is composed of seven student and seven faculty members appointed by Provost Louis Brakeman. They met with the Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees in February and will make a report to President Doug Lee in May. One sub-committee, headed by Cyndi Vayo (junior, Miami) and Dr. Mary Pollack, is looking at what happens to a Stetson student the first year: curriculum, orientation, Greek rush, housing, etc. A second, with Erin Jowaisas (senior, Lake Worth, Fla.) and Dr. Ted Surynt as chairs, are studying the university no-alcohol policy (options, problems, possible alternatives). The third, chaired by Liz Fedele (senior, Stuart, Fla.) and Dr. Ann Small, is concerned with university use of funds for student life programs, including provisions for a student voice in allocations. "This is the first time we have put all our cards on the table and looked at everything," Dr. Lee said. "I especially hope the allocation sub-committee will be pretty aggressive about what students want." "The committee's work has been a real eye opener, particularly for faculty who haven't given much thought to student life except as it relates to the classroom," Dean of Student Affairs Garth Jenkins said. "This is a very objective group, and they are taking their responsibilities seriously." Juniors should begin their job hunt this spring Is your student a junior now and planning to job hunt after graduation? This spring, he or she can take the fitst step toward a successful career: formally contacting the Career Planning and Placement Center at Stetson. The Center provides students with direct access to the world of work, says director George Williams. Spring semester of the junior year is the time to "get in the loop" by formally registering at the Center. A placement packet will be ready for all registrants to pick up in the fall, Williams said. The Center assists students with 1) a self assessment or evaluation to get a cleat picture of "who you are and what you have to offet"; 2) information to match careers to student strengths; and 3) exposure to possible employers through on and off campus interviews and a credential mail out service. Special events include a Career Expo for students to informally discuss opportunities with company representatives, and resume and interview workshops to help students prepare for formal contacts. Through the Counseling Center, trained career counselors help students assess and match their interests, talents, and values with potential vocations. Individual academic departments also have specialized guidance and placement assistance. For example, all education and accounting undetgtads not going on to graduate school usually are placed by spring commencement. Individual professors help with graduate school selection/placement. An annual Stetson survey of graduating seniors shows that 35-40% have jobs by commencement, another 35-40% plan to go to graduate or professional school, and 20-30% have not found a job or are undecided. New phone numbers for Stetson Stetson has a new phone system. You can dial direct to departments and residence halls. Here are some of the new numbers you use the most. The old number (904/734-4121) and extensions will be automatically switched for six more months. Univetsity Switchboard 822-7000 Admissions Office 822-7100 Arts &. Sciences 822-7515 Business Adm. 822-7405 Health Services 822-8150 Music 822-8950 Placement 822-7315 President's Office 822-7250 Provost 822-7010 Public Relations 822-8920 Registrar 822-7140 Residential Life 822-7210 Security 822-7301 Student Accounts 822-7050 Student Affairs 822-7210 Student Financial Planning 822-7120 Russian Studies Program to expand with $250,000 grant With a $250,000 grant from the Knight Foundation, matching funds and other institutional support, Stetson has made a commitment of $1.4 million to expand an already strong Russian studies program. The goal is to create a premier program, possibly one of the best, most comprehensive in the nation. "A number of schools claim to have Russian studies programs," said Dr. Paul Steeves, program director. "The interdisciplinary program at Stetson includes five professors with expertise in their chosen fields of economics, music, history, political science, and geography." In studying the Soviet Union, students are exposed to a society that challenges his or her assumptions about political, economic, and cultural values, Steeves said. "Put simply, Russian studies makes students think about the world around them. It is a program designed to enrich a liberal arts curriculum by broadening the horizons of its students as it develops academic skills," he said. Additions to the program will include a professor of Russian language and literature, more library and media resources, and an student exchange program with Moscow State University. "The goal is to create a Russian studies program that combines the breadth available at a research university with the close faculty supervision of a small, liberal arts college," Steeves said. Professor Hague wins award for commitment to American Studies "John Hague became our model of careful, thoughtful inquiry into the meaning of the American experience...how to live as Americans and as complete human beings." This is the way former student Dr. Jay Mechling describes the recipient of the 1989 Bode-Pearson Prize for outstanding contributions to American studies, Dr. John Hague, professor and director of American studies at Stetson. The national award is for life-time achievement in the field. Mechling, an American studies major at Stetson, is a professor at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Hague brought values to life for his students, Dr. Mechling said. "He was and is a great classroom teacher—friendly, compassionate and wise. But he is also a builder. John is never still. He is always creating or fixing something."