Stetson Commons 1996-6-1

"^ _^* ^ Newsletter fog PamflieS^ai Stetsoff Students , Volume VI -fgMo. 1 Emily Hall Resident Advisors relax after a training session: Back row, left to right: Tom Jackson, Lakeland; Katie Saxton, Longwood; Nicki Tindell, Hollywood; Jason Paulk, Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Veronica Vucho, Jacksonville. Front Row: Michelle Ditman, Naples; Stephanie Lauen, Bonifay; Amy Pazzalia, head resident, Jacksonville; and Amanda Marder, Naples. Stetson dealing confidently with change Stetson University has a total fall semester enrollment of 2,721 students, including 1,811 undergraduates in arts and sciences, business and music, and 910 graduate students in law, business, education and other areas. Undergraduate enrollment is slighly lower than projected, President Doug Lee announced. "Over the last 10 years, we have made several landmark strategic decisions to better serve our students and community," Lee noted. "Today we are experiencing both the positive and negative impacts of these decisions. We realized that shott-term enrollment consequences would occur. Our trustees chose a courageous path, and 1 am confident we are on the right course." Stetson has redefined its mission, changed its relationship with an historic constituency — the '""lorida Baptist Convention — and established a more inclusive community. The university also ^ejected the in loco parentis approach to student life programming, focusing instead on student development and individual responsibility, Lee noted. Stetson also has felt the impact of a national trend toward increased financial aid to offset tuition costs, he said. "We offer the most affordable quality education in Florida, and we expect to maintain that position by doing everything possible to control future tuition increases," Lee said. To become more competitive, the university has begun a campaign to raise $2 million per year in merit and need-based scholarships. Stetson already puts $8 million of its own funds into financial aid each yeat to help make up for the steadily decreasing amount of aid students receive from federal and state sources. "We are allocating financial resources on the basis of academic priorities," Lee said. He also noted new initiatives that address the needs of non-traditional students and of students intetested in careers in allied health and sport/exetcise science, digital arts, environmental studies, computer information systems and journalism. "We also have committed to a three-year effort to reduce administrative costs through program consolidation and new applications of technology," Lee said. "Containment of tuition increases is the primary reason for this new effort. "A university must take risks and embrace change if it is to continue to play a leading role in meeting the needs of a society that has changed dramatically in the last 50 years and will change even more rapidly in the future," Lee said. Stetson marketing internship program will lead to better educational value The School of Business is developing a new opportunity for Stetson students to intern abroad, thanks to an innovative collaboration between the Marketing Department and the Scoula Scienze Azendali in Florence, Italy, spearheaded by Steve Barnett, chairman. Three Italian students from SSA are interning with area businesses. Tiziana Lapi is a marketing intern who will work with NASCAR in Daytona Beach. Elisa Fanciullacci and Valentina Btuni will study retail merchandising at a specialty shop, Gibbs in DeLand, and will compile an analysis of the DeLand workforce for the DeLand Economic Development Office. Barnett hopes studying the SSA model will make more internships abroad for Stetson students nossible. The internships will be open to all students, with preference to marketing majors. "SSA is supported by 250 businesses from the Tuscany and Florence areas of Italy, the chamber of commerce, and the Tuscan government," Barnett said. "It is an example of how government, business, and education are partnering to solve the problem of making education more relevant and a better value. " Alcohol Education Coordinator named by Student Life Kirsten Fogle has been named Alcohol Education Coordinator, replacing Alison Kinney who resigned last summer. Fogle earned a bachelor of science degree, health option, from Texas A&M, and interned at the University of North Texas Health Center with the Health Education Cootdinator. There she worked with students one-on-one and in groups about health issues, and with the peer education program. "I believe strongly in educating students to be responsible when using alcohol and to let them know that they have a choice when it comes to a decision about drinking or not drinking. I welcome any questions or concerns from students and parents," Fogle said. At Stetson, Fogle will concentrate on the promotion of Alcohol Awareness Week and pre- spring break safety education. She will coordinate alcohol education and monitor server workshops throughout the academic year, and provide alcohol related programming for groups on the campus. By next yeat, Fogle hopes to sttengthen the BACCHUS chapter on campus by working closely with all areas of the Stetson community, especially the Counseling Center, Health Setvices and Athletics. BACCHUS provides primary prevention efforts to help alleviate the problem of alcohol abuse on campus. f- Fogle ATTENTION ALL STETSON FAMILIES Come experience Stetson as you "Go around the World" for this year's Family Weekend: "Stetson — A Passport to Success!" Oct. 18-20, 1996. Attend classes with your student, and events including a comedy show by SAK Improv Theatre, Stover Theatre's production of Agatha Christie's "The Hollow," a reception at the President's Home, an "island picnic," and performances by the Music School. For more information, please contact the Department of Student Life at (904) 822-7222.