September 9, 2004
Waiting for the On-Duty Electrician Since 1920
Volume 84, Number 1
Longwood Opens with Highest Tuition Costs,
Student Walter Gray talks with Debra Nystrom after a presentation Monday night. Nystrom was the first reader for this year's Author's Series.
Freshman Enrollment Ever Shawn Garrett
aid, facilities maintenance, faculty initiatives and marketing efforts. Also, the new General Funds and Total costs at I.ongwood the tuition increase will enable us University increased by 6.2 perto better handle the increased cent for in-state undergraduate enrollment." residential students and 7.1 perThe proposed state budget cent • for undergraduate out-of. provides an additional $1,864,535 state residential students for the in General Funds for I.ongwood 2004-2005 school year. Freshman for fiscal year 2005, an increase enrollment also rose 12 percent of 10.9 percent over fiscal 2004. over last year. "However, with the $4.6 milOverall charges, including lion in cuts in base operating room and board, increased by funds and additional cuts in $690, to $11,865 for an underequipment trust fund and maingraduate from Virginia living on tenance reserve over the past campus, and $1,224, to $18,375 three years, this does not bring us for an out-of-state undergrad. back to where we were three The tuition hike represents an years ago, especially with a much overall increase of 9 percent for larger student population today all undergraduates. than we had then," Worster said. "The combination of General The tuition increases came Funds (from the state) and the after an unprecedented series of tuition increase will enable I-ongwood to move forward on tense and delayed budget negotiits strategic initiatives," said Kathy ations in the General Assembly Worster, vice president for in Richmond. The uncertainty administration and finance. surrounding Virginia's two-year forecast forced "Those initiatives include safety budget Longwood's Board of Visitors in and security, increased financial Sews i.ditor
March to take unusual measures, approving a range of tuition and fee increases of between 5 and 9 percent. It was the First time tuition and fees for an upcoming school year were not set at the March Board meeting. Funding issues in the form of state-mandated tuition rollbacks and consecutive years of tuition freezes have dogged higher education in Virginia for much of the past decade. This, in addition to a statewide $617 million cut in taxpayer support over the current two-year budget cycle (20022004), and rising operating costs, contributed to the hikes. Comparatively, Longwood's tuition rate increases stand as a average barometer for similar tuition increases at state-supported institutions across Virginia. The University of Virginia's Board of Visitors in April announced an overall tuition and fees increase of 12.6 percent
See TUTION p. 4
Picture taken by Shown darrctt
Autkor s Series Returns for 21st Year Leslie Smith Style- Editor
A little after 8 o'clock in the Wygal auditorium last night. Dr. Craig Challender introduced the first reader of the 2004-2005 Author Series, Debra Nystrom. A poet who has been featured in many prominent literary magazines, including the Yale
Wtview
and
Crasghorse,
Nystrom grew up in South Dakoda, and came to Charlottesville, VA, for UVA's creative writing MFA. She ended up joining the creative writing faculty after graduating. She's won prizes such as the Heart Borders Books Poetry
Prize, and the UVA Postgraduate Fellowship in Poetry. She has two books of poetry out: A Quarter Turn and Torn Sky. Many of her poems related much of her high school and college experiences, such as the first poem she read, 'To Keif", which was based on an old high school boyfriend. Many of her poems are also based on her experiences with the plight of the Native Americans, both personal and political. "Half Time, Oglala High, 1970" is a good example of a this relationship. Nystrom's poetry is full of beautiful language and thoughtprovoking syntax. It is sure to please any learning poet.
Lancer Gum Floor Ruined Bvj Hooding Shawn Garrett News Editor
On Sunday, August 1st, Longwood officials discovered the severe buckling of the Lancer Gym floor in Willet Hall. Following a heavy storm the night before, a Brock Commons storm drain just off the main entrance overflowed and leaked into the building, university officials have determined. "No one really saw how much water there was," said Richard Bratcher, Director of Facilities Management, though water marks indicated as much as two inches stood in the 2,522 seat gymnasium, causing an irreparable warping of the hardwood floor. The flooding stemmed from the storm drain's inability to deal with the heavy rains. The inadequate capacity led excess water to
seep into the building, and eventually the gym, causing a severe buckling, rendering the entire floor unusable. The replacement of the floor was declared an emergency project and provisions were made to begin the work immediately. A group of faculty members and administration officials representing Campus Recreation, the Department of Health, Recreation, and Kinesiology, Facilities Management and the athletic teams were also hurriedly assembled to make emergency provisions for classes and other events that require use of the floor. "Classes were moved and recreation activities were put elsewhere," said Bratcher. "So far, all immediate needs have been taken care of." Mr. Bratcher praised the group
responsible for the emergency changes and all involved for their quick action. "They really need to be commended. It really was indicative of the Longwood way. Everyone came together to solve a major problem and really came through for the students." To combat the problem, a larger main drain has been installed, as well as a second, smaller drain. The University has also been in contact with Brock Commons' architects to find a long-term solution. Inside, the floor has been completely dismanded, removed and new replacement materials have already arrived on campus. At the time of this article, work was being done to sand and level the concrete floor below, and the relaying is expected to be completed by mid-semester.
When asked about responsibility for the flooding, Mr. Bratcher declined to implicate either the architects or engineers responsible for the drains' installation, but confirmed that an investigation was ongoing. "We are not calling this an act of God," he said. Formerly Lancer Hall, Henry I. Willett, Jr. Hall is home to Longwood Basketball and the Department of Health, Recreation, and Kinesiology. The center of Longwood athletics, the facility includes a weight-training laboratory, a human performance lab, a dance studio, an Olympic-size pool, and a 500-seat natatorium as well as other facilities for the University's 14 sports. It was completed in 1980 at a cost of $4.5 million. Over the summer, Longwood,
which has been actively seeking NCAA Division I reclassification, was held off from joining the Division I Big South conference. The Big South delayed in sending Longwood an invitation to join the conference in June, citing the need for better assurances that Longwood would upgrade its athletic facilities by 2007-2008, when it is expected to become a full Division I member. President Patricia Cormier has committed to the upgrades, and to building a new multi-purpose gym with a capacity of about 4,000, which will cost an estimated $25$30 million. Though construction is not expected to begin for at least two years, sources familiar with the proposal say the new gym is expected to be located on the current site of Wynne Hall.
Editorial
PAGE 2
September 9, 2004
Words From tke Editor: A Little Something Different Wclco m c back! I hope everyone had a stellar summer. It sure was something different. Different good or different bad, I haven't decided yet. I spent the summer asking solid post modern questions like: what is the meaning of life? Is there happiness? Is Jane Pauley a sell-out for taking a day-time talk show? All I can offer you is that the jury is still out on the last one. Her voice is a litde too journalistic to sound like, well, Ellen? Oprah? It's a touch unnerving. But I do so love you, Jane. Don't fret But, regardless of day-time middle-age-women talk shows, here it is: senior year. Who knew? I've got so much cheesy stuff to say, and I'm not sure if I want to say it. I decided to give in and have an oh-my-god-it's-senior-yearand-do-I-really-want-to-do-what-
I'm-studying-to-do-and-doesany-of- this -mean -any thingrescmbling-anvthing crisis. Most of this started when I finally got around to reading Jeanne Marie I.askas's new book. The Exact Same Moon: lift)' Acres and a Family. Beautifully
written, I.askas shares finding and accomplishing life dreams. And even when you think you've tound it all, finding more. I ..i'-k.i- was one of my writing heroes in high school. She has a regular column in The Washington Post Magazine called "Significant Others." This book and her previous one (Fifty Acres and a Poodle) are fleshed out versions of her essays. Every Sunday, I used to grab the magazine out of the plastic package of comics and advertisements and Parade and whatever else gets shoved in there. Every week, I would skim through (or actually read, if they were interesting enough) the cover stories. Then I'd read Liza
The Rotunda Box 2901 Longwood University Farmville.VA 23909 Editor-in-Chief Asst. Editor PR Manager Copy Editor Copy Editor News Editor Opinion Editor Style Editor Features Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Cartoonist Webmaster Faculty Advisor
Phone: 434-395-2120 Fax: 434-395-2237 rotunda@longwood.edu Amy Whipple Bobbi Thibo Patrick Trate Janet Jones Shawn Garrett Tanner Keith Leslie Smith • Amanda Segni Patrick Sullivan Scott Dill Ellie Woodruff Lucinda Sinclair
The Rotunda, the student newspaper at Longwood University, is published weekly during the academic year (except holidays and exam periods) and is printed in the offices of the Farmnl/e Herald, Farmville, VA. All articles, advertisements, letters to the editor, and pictures must be received by nine p.m. the Sunday prior to the next Thursday's publication. All letters to the editor must be typed and include name and telephone number. Any person wishing to have his/her name not appear on the published letter must request so in writing. All letters are subject to editing. The Rotunda is an equal opportunity volunteer organization and is looking for people who are interested in writing or layout. We currendy have positions available and ask anyone who is interested to come to our meetings, Mondays at 9:15 p.m.
Mundy and Gene Weingarten in the front of the magazine. Then I'd flip to the last page and read Dave Barry. Finally, I'd turn to the backside of Barry and indulge in a smart, witty, and poingant look at friends, family, strangers, and tinrelationships that bring us all together. When 1 was first really finding my voice, I took a lot of it from I.askas. While you wouldn't really be able to tell by what I write here, my more creaitve writings and journal entries still echo some of what I took from her all those years ago. But the thing about reading Laskas now, at twenty-one and a senior in college, is that I'm forced to look at what my dreams used to be, and why I've dismissed them. And, more importandy, am I willing to take them back? Am I willing to put in the work and the tears and the frustration that is involved in finding one's dream? I tried to ignore these nagging gut feelings, but then I reread some work by Truman Capote, another one of my literary heroes that I left behind in high school.
And then I saw my idol (Carole King) in concert. And then I spent time at three different Dar concerts. And then I read some new favorites, namely Virginia Woolf. And then I remembered how much I used to love Jane Pauley when she was on Dateline. And then I realized that all of these people, at one time or another, had to make the decision to go after what they really wanted. The sacrifices and the blind leaps of faith that either left them successful and alive, or successful and at the bottom of a river. Either way, they all got (or all have, depending on the person) what they wanted. It helps to know that I'm not alone in this crisis. I see it in other seniors around me. In freshmen. Even in some of the professors. The future is just one big mess that leaves us grappling at the air.
quickly growing staff, but this is also a quicklv growing school. We try our best to find out the interesting things this school has to offer, but we need your help. If your organization is doing something exciting, we would love you forever if you just dropped us a line (rotunda(a>longwood.edu) and let us know. Then we can send a reporter or a photographer and you will be in the paper! Fabulous, eh? Also, we'd like to have a classified section. As with all advertising, this will be free to everyone at Longwood. This includes students, faculty, staff, and organizations. Anything is up for grabs. Need a ride? Offering a ride? Got something to sell? A love note? Seriously, anything. This is a paper for you, and this is what we've been hearing that you want. So have at it!
On a Rotunda note, as we start a new year, I have a few requests of you (the students, faculty, staff, concerned readers, etc). We're a
Amy Whipple Editor-in-Chief
Twice tke Product, Half tke Advertising Shawn Garrett News Editor
Longwood is growing. It can be seen in the final completion of Brock Commons, the move to Division I, the largest freshman class in the history of the University, and more dollars being spent everywhere you look than ever before. Upon arrival for my second year, I was astonished to see and hear all that had gone on while I was away. But, therein lies the problem. I didn't know what was happening until I arrived. The solution? A better website. Our litde university is on the move, garnering widespread surprise and congratulations from state officials and regular citizens alike. New initiatives and programs, coupled with a heightened sense of ambition and possibility make Longwood every day a more appealing choice for higher learning, but we just aren't selling it. Compared to similarly-sized University of Mary Washington
and the much smaller Virginia Military Institute, Longwood's lack of imagination, style, and, well, content in its website, is disappointing. From a meager basic information page to many dead or outdated links to department pages that have the amateurish feel of a high school project, the site is lacking in many respects. A recent review by a friend of mine who attends City College of New York drew audible laughs when he directed his browser to the prospective student page. "Listen to this," he said over the phone, " 'At Longwood University, you'll graduate with a degree that means something in the world beyond the campus.' What does that mean exacdy?" he asked. "Trust us, Longwood degrees aren't worthless?" To be fair, the site does have its high points. Shining examples of professionalism can be found in such diverse places as the Art Department's pages, the College of Business and Economics' pages, and the recently revamped
Greenwood Library page, which, perhaps the best one yet, could be used as a unifying template for the rest of the site. Of course, such problems can be easily understood. It might be an issue of too few dollars for too big a job, not enough technical hands on staff to handle it, or something similar. Because of this, who I would look to for a solution is not the IT department, or the overworked folks at the Help Desk, but the administration as a whole. As it stands now, longwood.edu gives the impression of inconsistency, of a loose academic confederation, all working under the umbrella of I-ongwood University. The administration is quick to praise its wireless buildings and undergraduate laptop program, but few will take us seriously as a technological powerhouse if our site doesn't prove it In today's world, the website is the face we present to the public; our first and perhaps most important impression. Why not make it a good one?
Opinion
September 9, 2004
I ■■■HH <fc
"If you're not mad, you're not paying attention!"
PAGE 3
props and drops Props:
The-"Acti»tit" i* your outlet for battling- *>cialin4utfu& and-tkiryp that yucb. rhiyi*your y<w<}ww to-dc-xynusthing-about ioc^^ So. ipeah up and, act up. Because-, if you're, not mad-, you're- not paying attention. l-mail ActVsdtidea* to- rotunda@lorigMiood-.ediv.
Longwood Is Changing; I'm Complaining Opinion Editor
For those of you returning to campus this fall, you may have noticed some differences between the Longwood you knew and loved last year and the diabolical longwood of now. Perhaps diabolical is the wrong word. The word tyrannical doesn't seem quite right either. Nonetheless, I-ongwood surely is different. For example, Madison street doesn't sever the campus in half anymore, it now serves as a seemingly addition to the Brock Commons. While this idea isn't that bad, it apparendy gives the pizza delivery guys one heck of an adventure trying to find The Cunninghams. When I order a pizza, I want puncuality and persistance. I don't want some third-rate pizza guy who can't find the right building in an hour. The small section of Pine Street remaining between The Cunninghams and Hiner has extended the nice sidewalk and 24/7 sprinkler saturated roped-off grass sections of Madison Street. Other projects around Longwood seem to be moving along. The sections of construction on the Ruffners now have windows, and the project is starting to closely resemble a usable building. The progress on the huge science building beside Wheeler also seems to be moving along nicely. But then, of course, we have the gym floor that is currendy being replaced because of water damage and the rising
price of parking tickets. I-ongwood University is growing; as you can surely tell by the masses of people everywhere. With the large freshman class and I.ongwood's status of a "University," progress toward a better establishment seems to be the goal. However, I didn't come to longwood for the experience of I-ongwood, the little college that could. I came to I-ongwood because I liked the simple settings, the personal interaction with the professors, and the true feeling of a small campus. I was attracted by these qualities, and now they seem to be disappearing one by one. One of my classes is now double it's normal size, and because, as the professor announced, "I-ongwood is a University now," he "might not get to know all of your (the students] names." The class size was doubled as they combined two sections into one, and placed it into a large lecture room. At times during class, I try to see to the other side of the room, but fail. My twenty-twenty vision is no match for the wall on the other side of the world. I can remember hearing countless times, "you're not a number here, you're a name, and all of your professors will know you." I no longer believe that I am not a number, seeing how Ix>ngwood University sent me my new number this summer. They sure didn't send me a new name, as the card was not a Campus-Wide Surname, but a Campus-Wide ID number. Of course, the reason for the number is Longwood's conversion from personal service, to cold, heardess, automated technological systems. Perhaps the computer systems are horrendously evil, set out to
+ To the enforcement of no smoking on Brock Commons.
DufHS
Wkat else new? Tanner S. Keith
+ To Earl Swink and Officer Dove. + To Milkshake Man on Reno 911, may he rest in peace. + To Doctor Cook. + To apartment living.
destroy the hearts of students. Once again, that might be a little harsh. While it seems as though our simple campus could have an easy way to go through this conversion, the sad reality is that there doesn't seem to be one. Every student received a new ID number, as well as a surprise password change. After I went to the student services desk and got my new password, I was filled with excitement from the possibility that I could change my password. Logic told me that I could change it back to my original one to guarantee easy e-mail access, but, of course, the illogical option prevailed. Not only did I have to wait untill five that, day, I was not able to change back to my original password, which caused me much distress. So now, Longwood is changing into a so-called University. It is bursting at its seams with students and professors complaining about the size of classes. Huge projects are planned and in various stages it's symbol fThe Rotunda) is soon to be unveiled, and we can't forget the new gym floor. The change may be good in some cases such as Brock Commons creating a center for the campus, and a nice, new, tide. While other changes, such as carnival lines and the fact that almost all of the systems being entirely based on web mail, aren't quite so good. With the good and the bad also comes hope, like the hope that surely some other changes are going on now. Including changes for better classrooms, better funding, and a great college experience. These great changes are going on right now. Right? Right?
- To boys who start fights and cower in the corner. - To overloaded circuits. - To people living in lounges. - To coming to campus thirty minutes early to get a parking spot. - To 50 dollar parking tickets.
Speak Out Did you check your web mail this summer? "Yes, I did." Rebecca Senior
"Only while looking for something in particular." Jason junior
"It didn't concern me, over the summer." Jacob Sophomore
"The web mail helped us keep up with the billing." Kelsie and Anna Sophomores Ml pictures in Ned Olden
News
PAGE 4
September 9, 2004
Students Find Longwood s Online Pusk Botk Efficient and Frustrating Charlyn Hudson Slgff Writer
Gone are the days of snail mail and Registrar slumber parties. Longwood also seems to have turned to the World Wide Web as it's main avenue of communication between the institution and and the student body. Registration and financial aid business is all handled online using the WIN system, and Longwood has said that e-mail will be it's main form of communications with students. According to Mark Kendrick the Director of Longwood's Communications and Technology department, Longwood decided to make web-mail its main form of communication with students because of the increasingly high number of students who use the Internet for e-commerce services. "It's faster and more convenient." said Kendrick. "It's also web
TUTION cont'd p.l compared to longwood's 9. At <he similarly sized University of Mary Washington, overall tuition rose only 7.1 percent for the coming year. The number of admitted freshman also rose this year to an estimated 980 students, an 11 percent increase over last year's 880. "We actually have the biggest class we've ever enlisted and enrolled" Longwood president Patricia Cormier reported in her annual "State of The University" speech last month, according to the Farmville Herald. The university's dorms will be 100 percent occupied this
based which means you can access your e-mail from anywhere you can get on the Internet." he added. Although the sole reliance on web-mail is new to I^ongwood, this is the third year that Longwood has required students to register for classes online. Before implementing the current registration system, students were required to stand outside the registrar's office and wait in line. "Kids used to camp out in sleeping bags, just to get the classes they wanted." said Longwood Registrar Alicia Knox. When the University first purchased the software from SunGard SCT Corporation four years ago, a pilot test was run on some Longwood student employees who responded well to the system. The system was then opened to business students to register for their classes online. year, Dr. Cormier said, with 2,509 students living on campus. Although such a high occupancy rate requires the imposing of "triples"-rooms which hold three students, as opposed to the usual two-Dr. Cormier insisted every effort to had been made to house that those students in "some of our bigger rooms." Longwood's strategic plan calls for the raising of enrolled students from its present number to 5,000 by 2007. For the 2004-2005 school year, undergrad enrollment is expected to reach 3,700, with total enrollment reaching 4,300. longwood's dramatic growth is outpacing the rest of the state.
They too responded well but suggested that the system give better instructions to those using in order to make it easier to navigate. Knox also said that there haven't been any major complaints from Longwood students besides the daily hours that the system doesn't operate for batch processing. SunGard also responded to the same complaint from other schools using this same system and will soon be offering an upgraded version of WIN system available for use in the Spring of 2005 at an estimated cost of $6 million. Not only does the WIN system deal with registration, it also conducts the majority of financial aid business and student account information. It allows students to review any hold flags that may restrict them from registration without going to the registrar's office and student cashiering. Yet students still don't seem to be able to keep up with their financial aid information by
simply using this system. Because of limited access to the Internet and numerous other reasons some students are having trouble with scholarship and loan information. Student web-mail and the WIN system go hand in hand, in that WIN alerts are sent to students via web-mail notifying them of any billing or registration business that has or needs to be conducted. Freshman Kathryn Brann, a physical education major, lost a portion of money won in scholarships due to a late response to an e-mail sent to her from financial aid because she had limited Internet access over the summer months. "I think it's very important to be personal with students when it comes to things like financial aid, especially when many of us do not know the ends and outs of such things," said Brann. Sophomore transfer student and Liberal Studies major, Lauren Gilkey had trouble accepting
some of her financial aid awards. "I accepted [my financial aid awards] on the WIN system then a week later it said I still hadn't accepted them," said Gilkey. Although she had trouble correcting these problems through the WIN system or over the phone, once she visited the financial aid office, her problems were quickly corrected. "They did a great job handling it once I went in and talked to them." she added. "There are always problems in such cases, there is a learning curve," said Knox. Although the communication and WIN system have their apparent problems it appears that they offer just as many conveniences as well. Being able to check grades, drop or add classes, get an unofficial transcript, and handle financial aid issues, to name a few, at the click of a button has, when used correcdy, become quite valuable to many Longwood students.
Education Receives NCATE Accreditation for 50tn Year Brette Lawrence Asst. News Editor
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) has awarded Longwood University's Education program its accreditation for the 50th consecutive year. The council has awarded Longwood this accreditation every year that it has been in existence, making it one of the charter members of the organization. NCATE is a professional organi-
zation that is designed to help teachers obtain and maintain the highest standards. They review all teachers who will work in the preschool through 12th grade level in hopes that ever)' student will have a knowledgeable, proficient teacher. Attending a University that has an accredited education program is important for several reasons. Many school districts look much more favorably on hiring teachers that attended an accredited university. Additionally, it means that they
have received all of the training that the organization deems necessary to be a successful classroom teacher, who is well able to manage and teach a class. Another benefit of attending an accredited school is that Virginia has a program of "license reciprocity" with 40 other states in the country. To a teacher, this means that they will not need to have training to receive a new license should they move to a state that is involved in this agreement.
See EDUCATION p.6
Calendar of Workshops & Events for September 2004 Spring Break 2005 To attend workshops/programs with the Career Center in person (Lancaster
Travel with STS, America's #1 Student Tour Operator to Jamaica, Cancun, Acapulco, Bahamas and Florida. Now hiring on-campus reps.
139), by phone (395.2063) or email (careerfg.longwood.edu) SIGN UP IS REQUIRED Please call x 2063 or email career@longwood.edu to reserve your spot!
Call for group discounts. All events will be held in the Career Center unless otherwise noted
Information/ Reservations: 1-800-648- 4849 or www.ststravel.com
SEE CALENDER (PAGE 5) FOR ALL DATES AND EVENTS
September 10-16, 2004
Ttidaythe I Oth LP Movie: Shrek 2 ABC Rooms 7:30 p.m. Karaoke Lancer Cafe 9:30 p.m.
Calendar
Page 5
Saturday the I Ith
Sunday the 12th
Monday the /3th
Comics: Tammy Pescatelli & John Heffron
WMLU Meeting
'Resume & Cover Letter Writing
Jarman Auditorium 9:00 p.m. Wednesday the 15th
Hiner Auditorium 9:00 p.m. Thursday the 16th
Information Table: U.S. Marine Corps
Information Table: Virginia State Police
Dining Hall Lobby 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dining Hall Lobby 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Hiner 101 4 p.m. Indicates that the workshops, resume reviews or mock interviews are facilitated by employers.
"Tuesday the 14th Information Table: U.S. Marine Corps Dining Hall Lobby 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Did you work on your high school newspaper? Do you want the freedom to write your mind about Longwood or the world around you?
Resume & Cover Letter Writing
The Rotunda is an awesome place to help build your skills and even possibly get credit while doing it!
Hiner 101 7 p.m.
To find out more about about how you can join, come to the Rotunda office in the basement of the Student Union, 9:15 p.m., Monday nights
TO*:
Where you belong
cCbeck it out: Thursday 7:30 p.m. in the jftmelia ^om
Lancer Productions Presents Last Comic Standing Tour featuring
Winner John Heffron A Finalist Tammy Pescatelli Saturday, September 11 @ 9:00pm Jarman Auditorium FREE for Longwood Students (w/student ID)!! $5 for Faculty/Staff A Non-LU students; **
$10 for General Public Tickets available at the Jarman Box Office (395-2474) LU students can pick up tickets beginning Friday, Sept. 10 from 2-4pm. You must have your student ID to pick up tickets AND have at the night of event*** For more information, contact Lancer Productions @ 395-2110, or www.lonowood.edu/lp
News
PAGE 4
September 9, 2004
Students Find Longwood s Online Push Both Efficient and Frustrating Charlyn Hudson SUff Writer
Gone are the days of snail mail and Registrar slumber parties. Longwood also seems to have turned to the World Wide Web as it's main avenue of communication between the institution and and the student body. Registration and financial aid business is all handled online using the WIN system, and longwood has said that e-mail will be it's main form of communications with students. According to Mark Kendrick the Director of Longwood's Communications and Technology department, Longwood decided to make web-mail its main form of communication with students because of the increasingly high number of students who use the Internet for e-commerce services. "It's faster and more convenient." said Kendrick. "It's also web
TUTION cont'd p.l compared to Longwood's 9. At •the similarly sized University of Mary Washington, overall tuition rose only 7.1 percent for the coming year. The number of admitted freshman also rose this year to an estimated 980 students, an 11 percent increase over last year's 880. "We actually have the biggest class we've ever enlisted and enrolled" Longwood president Patricia Cormier reported in her annual "State of The University" speech last month, according to the Farmville Herald. The university's dorms will be 100 percent occupied this
based which means you can access your e-mail from anywhere you can get on the Internet." he added. Although the sole reliance on web-mail is new to Longwood, this is the third year that Longwood has required students to register for classes online. Before implementing the current registration system, students were required to stand outside the registrar's office and wait in line. "Kids used to camp out in sleeping bags, just to get the classes they wanted." said I>ongwood Registrar Alicia Knox. When the University first purchased the software from SunGard SCT Corporation four years ago, a pilot test was run on some Longwood student employees who responded well to the system. The system was then opened to business students to register for their classes online. year, Dr. Cormier said, with 2,509 students living on campus. Although such a high occupancy rate requires the imposing of "triples"-rooms which hold three students, as opposed to the usual two-Dr. Cormier insisted every effort to had been made to house that those students in "some of our bigger rooms." Longwood's strategic plan calls for the raising of enrolled students from its present number to 5,000 by 2007. For the 2004-2005 school year, undergrad enrollment is expected to reach 3,700, with total enrollment reaching 4,300. longwood's dramatic growth is outpacing the rest of the state.
They too responded well but suggested that the system give better instructions to those using in order to make it easier to navigate. Knox also said that there haven't been any major complaints from Ix>ngwood students besides the daily hours that the system doesn't operate for batch processing. SunGard also responded to the same complaint from other schools using this same system and will soon be offering an upgraded version of WIN system available for use in the Spring of 2005 at an estimated cost of $6 million. . Not only does the WIN system deal with registration, it also conducts the majority of financial aid business and student account information. It allows students to review any hold flags that may restrict them from registration without going to the registrar's office and student cashiering. Yet students still don't seem to be able to keep up with their financial aid information by
simply using this system. Because of limited access to the Internet and numerous other reasons some students are having trouble with scholarship and loan information. Student web-mail and the WIN system go hand in hand, in that WIN alerts are sent to students via web-mail notifying them of any billing or registration business that has or needs to be conducted. Freshman Kathryn Brann, a physical education major, lost a portion of money won in scholarships due to a late response to an e-mail sent to her from financial aid because she had limited Internet access over the summer months. "I think it's very important to be personal with students when it comes to things like financial aid, especially when many of us do not know the ends and outs of such things," said Brann. Sophomore transfer student and Liberal Studies major, Lauren Gilkey had trouble accepting
some of her financial aid awards. "I accepted [my financial aid awards] on the WIN system then a week later it said I still hadn't accepted them," said Gilkey. Although she had trouble correcting these problems through the WIN system or over the phone, once she visited the financial aid office, her problems were quickly corrected. "They did a great job handling it once I went in and talked to them." she added. "There are always problems in such cases, there is a learning curve," said Knox. Although the communication and WIN system have their apparent problems it appears that they offer just as many conveniences as well. Being able to check grades, drop or add classes, get an unofficial transcript, and handle financial aid issues, to name a few, at the click of a button has, when used correcdy, become quite valuable to many Longwood students.
Education Receives NCATE Accreditation lor 50th Year Brette Lawrence Assl. News Editor
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) has awarded Longwood University's Education program its accreditation for the 50th consecutive year. The council has awarded longwood this accreditation every year that it has been in existence, making it one of the charter members of the organization. NCATE is a professional organi-
zation that is designed to help teachers obtain and maintain the highest standards. They review all teachers who will work in the preschool through 12th grade level in hopes that every student will have a knowledgeable, proficient teacher. Attending a University that has an accredited education program is important for several reasons. Many school districts look much more favorably on hiring teachers that attended an accredited university. Additionally, it means that they
have received all of the training that the organization deems necessary to be a successful classroom teacher, who is well able to manage and teach a class. Another benefit of attending an accredited school is that Virginia has a program of "license reciprocity" with 40 other states in the country. To a teacher, this means that they will not need to have training to receive a new license should they move to a state that is involved in this agreement.
See EDUCATION p.6
Calendar of Workshops & Events for September 2004 Spring Break 2005 To attend workshops/programs with the Career Center in person (Lancaster
Travel with STS, America's #1 Student Tour Operator to Jamaica, Cancun, Acapulco, Bahamas and Florida. Now hiring on-campus reps.
139), by phone (395.2063) or email (career@longwood.edu) SIGN UP IS REQUIRED
Please call x 2063 or email career@longwood.edu to reserve your spot!
Call for group discounts. All events will be held in the Career Center unless otherwise noted
Information/ Reservations: 1-800-648- 4849 or www.ststravel.com
SEE CALENDER (PAGE 5) FOR ALL DATES AND EVENTS
September 10-16, 2004
Ttiday the I Oth LP Movie: Shrek 2 ABC Rooms 7:30 p.m. Karaoke
Calendar Saturday the 11 tit
Sunday the 12th
Monday the 13th
Comics: Tammy Pescatelli & John Heffron
WMLU Meeting
* Resume & Cover Letter Writing
Jarman Auditorium 9:00 p.m. Wednesday the 15th
Lancer Cafe 9:30 p.m.
Pa&5
Hiner Auditorium 9:00 p.m. "Thursday the 16th
Information Table: U.S. Marine Corps
Information Table: Virginia State Police
Dining Hall Lobby 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dining Hall Lobby 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Hiner 101 4 p.m. Indicates that the workshops, resume reviews or mock interviews are facilitated by employers.
"Tuesday the 14th Information Table: U.S. Marine Corps Dining Hail Lobby 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Did you work on your high school newspaper? Do you want the freedom to write your mind about Longwood or the world around you?
Resume & Cover Letter Writing
The Rotunda is an awesome place to help build your skills and even possibly get credit while doing it!
Hiner 101 7 p.m.
To find out more about about how you can join, come to the Rotunda office in the basement of the Student Union, 9:15 p.m., Monday nights
TO:
Where you belong
cQbeck it out:
Thursday 7:30 p.m. in the jftmelia ^gom
Lancer Productions Presents Last Comic Standing Tour featuring
Winner John Heffron <& Finalist Tammy Pescatelli Saturday, September 11 @ 9:00pm Jarman Auditorium FREE for Longwood Students (w/student ID)!! $5 for Faculty/Staff A Non-LU students; $10 for General Public Tickets available at the Jarman Box Office (395-2474) **
LU students can pick up tickets beginning Friday, Sept. 10 from 2-4pm. You must have your student ID to pick up tickets AND have at the night of event*** For more information, contact Lancer Productions @ 395-2110, or www.longwood.edu/lp
Style
PAGE 6
September 9, 2004
Irritating Vocals Wreck Second Earshot Album Joe Amaral LW'm When it comes to alternative metal, most bands in the genre sing about the same cliche material: getting over drug abuse, recovering from a hard relationship and living a difficult life. The style is depressing and has been done to death. Earshot, which released its second album "Two," is another example of a band trying to express its sorrowful feelings. Earshot is made up of Wil Martin (vocals/ guitar), Scott Kohler (guitar), Mike Callahan (guitar), Johnny Sprague (bass) and Chas Stumbo (drums). The band likes to express its feeling by playing hard metal to vent its anger. This venting of frustration does nothing for the band. Martin's lyrics are weak and he sings about the same depressing material on almost every track. Martin should have livened up the album by singing about something positive, but instead he ruins the songs with his depressing lyrics. On "Nice to Feel the Sun," Earshot has a cool guitar feedback sound in the background, but the effort is ruined with Martin's weak lyrics and off-beat vocals. This is unfortunate because this song is one of the few Earshot songs that have uplifting lyrics. "Fall Apart" is another example of the cliche lyrics that have been heard dozens of times. Martin whines, "All my life, I've done nothing but hide from myself." These lyrics are typical on most of the album and can be annoying after a while. Martin's vocals are decent at best and Earshot stinks at playing its instruments. The band's three guitarists should not be needed on any of the songs when one guitarist is capable of doing all guitar parts.
"Tongue-Tied" is awful and it sounds like someone is trying to clear his throat in the background when the band sings the chorus. What does work for the band is its good vocal harmonies, especially on "Down." Once again, the effort is killed with Martin's mediocre vocals and repetitive, dark lyrics. Martin is downright irritating on "Again," when he extends the lyrics by singing, "Need to find my way back home agaaaaaaaaiiiinnn." "Control" is by far the worst song and it portrays Earshot at its most annoying. Martin screams his hardest on the chorus, and the only redeeming quality of the song is that it ends. The one good song on the album is the ballad "Should've Been There." The song is pleasant because it actually has positive lyrics and one does not have to listen to Stumbo's putrid drumming. Martin's vocals are also very controlled, which makes the listen easier. Earshot's "Two" is a mediocre to poor effort because it offers nothing new lyrically or musically. "Two" is boring and is not recommended listening for someone in a depressed mood. Let's just say that one will feel even worse after listening to Earshot. Earshot's name should be a warning alone to a listener, because anyone listening will definitely take a "shot" in the "ear.
Transitional Housing and Overcrowding: Telling Signs of Longwood's "Hope and Cope" Housing
~7~onÂŁue in (_,neei<. By: Ellie Woodruff
EDUCATION cont'd p.l NCATE wants to ensure that teachers have all the necessary training and licensures that are required before they are able to teach in a classroom. The accreditation process requires substantial internal and external review on the University's program. First the University must show that their "graduates are meeting the highest standards for best practice in education," according to Dr. Betty Jo Simmons, who is co-coordinating the celebration with Dr. Frank Howe. In addition to that, a team of reviewers must oversee what each of the programs are doing and come to check the school out in person. On September 17th, Longwood will commence the celebration of reaching the 50 year mark of having an NCATE accredited program.
Only four universities in Virginia have this honor. The festivities will commence with a reception held for individuals who have played an important role in Longwood obtaining this honor. On Saturday, September 18th, the Secretary of Education, the Honorable Belle & Wheelen will speak at symposium to be held in the Orr Auditorium in Hull. Other events that will be held that day include discussions with current students in the department as well as Longwood University alumni who have completed the Liberal Studies program. Also, there will be a ceremony at the end of the day at which time a plaque will be presented by the current president of NCATE, Art Wise, to celebrate the 50 years of accreditation that Longwood has obtained.
The Orientation Leaders and members of S.E.A.L. welcome the Class of 2008 to Longwood University!
Features
September 9, 2004
PAGE 7
Longwood Alum Serve as Peace Corps Volunteers Sara Johnston Peace Corp Representative
Sara Johnston Peace Corp Representative
ARLINGTON, Va., August 1, 2004- Susan "Sue" Hart, the daughter of Olney residents Ken and Sandy Hart, has been accepted into the Peace Corps. She departed for the Kingdom of Tonga on July 8 to train and serve as a youth development volunteer. A substantial part of her service will include coordinating and facilitating activities with community youth groups and building environmental awareness. A 2000 graduate of Magruder High School in Rockville, Hart continued her education at I^ongwood University in Farmville, Va. There she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in therapeutic recreation with minors in psychology and outdoor education in 2004. No stranger to outdoor education, Hart has worked with S.O.A.R. (Success Oriented Achievement Realized) in North Carolina, attended National Outdoor Leadership School, and shared her love for the outdoors and environment as Longwood
University's Outdoors Club president. She hopes Peace Corps will allow her share her love of nature with young people while feeding her sense of adventure and desire to help others. A photograph of Sue Hart is available upon request; please contact Sara Johnston at (202)692-1050 or at sjohnston@peacecorps.gov. for more information. Sue Hart joins the 40 Longwood College graduates who have served in the Peace Corps since the agency was established in 1961. Today 5 graduates of I-ongwood, including Hart, are working in places such as El Salvador, Fiji, Thailand and Dominican Republic. James Mayers (Class of 1989) and two other graduates of the college will soon be departing for Peace Corps assignments overseas. Peace Corps volunteers must be US. citizens, at least 18 years of age, and be able to commit to two years of service. For more information on the Peace Corps, you can visit their official website at www.peacecorps.gov.
ARLINGTON, Va., July 28, 2004- After 13 years working with the military as a civilian engineer, James Mayers is preparing to serve in a different way. Mayers, the son of Fredericksburg residents Leo and Shirley Mayers, has been accepted into the Peace Corps. He will depart for Bulgaria on August 8 to train and serve as an environmental, non-governmental organization (NGO) volunteer. In his assignment, Mayers will work with community members on a range of environmental efforts. A 1985 graduate of Bishop Dennis J. O'Connell High School in Arlington, Mayers earned a bachelor's degree in" physics from Longwood College in Farmville, Va. in 1989. He then went on to Old Dominion University in Norfolk where he earned a second bachelor's in electrical engineering in
1991. For the past 8 years, Mayers has worked as a civilian engineer for the U.S. Marine Corps in Quantico where he received the Superior Civilian Service award during 2000-2002. Prior to that, he spent five years with the Department of the Navy in Arlington. Mayers has always maintained a volunteer spirit. For the past tour years, he worked as a volunteer and mentor at Wide Water Elementary School in Stafford and more recendy as a volunteer, ESL (English as a Second Language) tutor at Regional Adult Education Planning, District 16 in Spotsylvania. He was attracted to Peace Corps because it provides an opportunity to serve and fully experience another culture while still providing the security of an organized agency. He hopes his service will make a difference among Americans as well, "I [will] share my experience with other Americans
thereby providing them with another perspective." For more information, contact James Mayers direcdy at (703)371-4956 before he departs in August. A photograph is also available upon request, please contact sjohnstonfo; peacecorps.gov. Mayers joins the more than 5,400 Virginia residents, of all ages, who have served in the Peace Corps since the agency was established in 1961. Today 278 Virginians are working in places such as Kenya, Belize, Uzbekistan and Nepal. Fifty-five more have accepted assignments are planning to depart this summer and fall. Over 170,000 volunteers have served in 137 countries since the Peace Corps was established in 1961. Today, over 7,500 volunteers serve in programs to address business development, health and HIV/AIDS, the environment, education, agriculture and information technology.
The 2004 Orientation Leaders would like to thank the following faculty members for serving as 2004 Faculty Orientation Leaders. We really enjoyed working with you, and thank you for helping to inspiring the Class of 2008!: Dr. Pam Tracy Dr. Larissa Smith Dr. Sharon Gaunt Dr. Frank Howe Dr. Anthony Palombella Mr. Guillermo Gray Dr. Wade Edwards
Dr. Melissa Zwick Dr. Greg Salyer Dr. Pam Arkin Dr. Scott Cole Dr. Lucinda Sinclair Dr. David Coles
Sports
PAGE 8
TkeNFLPreview
September 9, 2004
Take Me Out To tne Ball Game
Patrick Sullivan
Kyle Martin year. If they are wrong they Staff Writer might have to fight off the elderly Raiders for the number one When is it possible to travel to a Today marks the filling of a void pick next year. ()n the other side Major League Baseball game left in many sports fans ever since of the division. Champ Bailey for under 20 bucks? On the Patriots second breath-taking shutting off half of Mile High September 11, the Lankford Super Bowl Victory. Kickoff Stadium and a new 1,000 yard Student Union will sponsor the begins at nine on ABC with a rusher the Broncos might just first off-campus trip of the AFC Championship rematch as might challenge the Chiefs. If school year: a visit to Baltimore, the Colts travel to take on the not expect Trent Green to finally Maryland. Students participatPatriots. be recognized a top quarterback ing in the trip will get to see the AFC East: Obviously the in the NFL. Baltimore Orioles play against Patriots are the favorite to repeat NFC East: If the Eagles fail the New York Yankees at , but the Ravens are the only to reach the Super Bowl with the Camden Yards, as well as a Super Bowl Champions in the last addition of Jevon Kearse and chance to see the harbor, the three years to make the playoffs Terrell Owens and the return of aquarium, and the ESPN Zone. the next year. The addition of Hugh Douglas and Jeremiah The only charge for the trip Cory Dillon puts a great player in Trotter the city of Philadelphia is $15 to cover the price of the New England's worst position just might spontanously combaseball game ticket. The while their biggest competition in bust. After many years of patient Student Union made the trip Miami lost their running game waiting those Redskins-Cowboys affordable by covering the when Ricky Williams retired, games will finally mean someexpense of an Abbott Trailways sending them to the cellar of the thing again as both teams will east. With the talent in Buffalo compete for second place in the and the additions of Justin division and a playoff spot. The find themselves in the Super Bowl McCareins and Jonathan Vilma in only reason to watch Giants , but in reality they will edge out New York, the Jets and Bills will football this year is to see when the Buccanners who only have batde it out for second place. Eli Manning gets handed the nine full-time starters returning AFC North: The Ravens are starring job. from last season. the only team in this division to NFC North: As long as Brett NFC West: Remember years finish with a winning record and Favre has a green and yellow uni- ago when Jerry Rice went to if Jamal Lewis can make every form on the Packers are always Oakland and Steve Young called game they are the most likely going to be the favorite to win it quits? How quickly the Niners repeat division champs. The the division. The Vikings should came back with a CFL refugee Browns have improved on easily fit into second place, but it and a brash new young receiver? offense with Jeff Garcia and wouldn't be uncharacteristic for No, Tim Rattay and Brandon Kellen Winslow enough to move them underachieve themselves to Lloyd aren't Jeff Garcia and TO up to challenge the now Carson the bottom of the NFL. The but they will make them better Palmer led Bengals. Meanwhile Lions should break their away than Denny Green's Cardinals. the lack-luster Steelers will be losing streak this year after draft- And even though on the decline, moving in the Bengals old spot in ing Kevin Jones and Roy the explosive yet sometime blunthe division's basement. Williams and could find them- dering Rams offense just might AFC South: Ever since this selves out of the basement only put them in position to challenge division formed it's been Titans due to how horrific the Bears are. the Seahawks. versus Colts for the top spot, and Chicago can only go as far as Dark-Horse: Even if you're things don't look like they are their defense takes them after not a Gibbs fan, an improved going to change much this year. trading the only respectable backfield and upgraded front But with teams losing playmakers offensive skill player, receiver seven definitely have Washington like Eddie George, Jevon Kearse, Marty Booker for Miami's defen- fans dreaming of the Gibbster and Marcus Washington the gap sive end Adewale Ogunleye. raising another Lombard!. between these two giants and the NFC South: Carolina has all Bust: The Jaguars are the most up-and-coming David Carr the talent and strategy needed for over-hyped team this season makmanned Texans is beginning to another division ride but expect ing everyone's dark-horse list, but close. If Byron Leftwich contin- the run to be a litde tighter this too much depends on Byron ues to improve, this quarterback year. Michael Vick is undoubted- Leftwich and a new look defense. heavy division could become one ly the NFL's best athlete as well Breakthrough Player: Phillip of the strongest air divisions in as one of its most inaccurate Rivers hold-out gave the Drew recent memory. quarterbacks. However if he Brees the starting job in San AFC West: As long as you've finds success in Jim Mora's new Diego. If he continues his pregot LaDainian Tomlinson you West Coast offense he could season form Brees could turn this don't need an offensive line, solidify himself as true MVP franchise around. right? That's what the Chargers material. If his cousin, Aaron Super Bowl: Kansas City over are betting starting the season Brooks, and the rest of the Saints Philadelphia. Both cities erupt in with only one player that started can actually play as good as they riots as Dick Vermeil quiedy more than half the season last really are for 16 games they could weeps like a litde girl. Sports liditor
bus for participants. Due to the low price, the Student Union quickly sold out the 47 spaces available for the trip with 25 candidates on a waiting list. Jeff Gore, Operations Manager for Student Union and Involvement, was impressed with the interest for the trip. "Judging from the response, it's something we would like to make an annual event, possibly a tradition at Longwood," Gore said. He also notes that the New York Yankees' success and popularity added to the draw of the game. Gore mentioned the possibility of a trip later this fall to Washington, DC. to visit the Smithsonian. Museum and the zoo at an estimated cost of S6..50 for students.
Due to the response for the baseball trip, Susan Sullivan. The Director of Student Union and Activities, stated. "We've been able to plan a trip for April and allow anybody on the wait list that wasn't able to go first dibs on the April Trip. We won't know about the spring trip until Major I-eague Baseball publishes their 2005 season schedule." Sullivan does have advice for students interested in future trips. "It is important for students to tell us what they w< mid like to do," Sullivan said. Those who have suggestions for future off-campus trips can email the lankford Student Union at the address: lankford@longwood.edu.
Field Hockey Earns Win #1 Sports Information
The Longwood University field hockey team got a goal and an assist from freshman Cristin Newbold/Norfolk, Va. (Maury) to help propel the Lancers to a 2-0 victory over Georgetown University (0-3) at Crenshaw Field in Richmond this afternoon. Longwood (12), who earned its first victory of the season, will be back in action Sunday September 12 when they travel to play Virginia Commonwealth. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m. The Lancers got on board sixteen minutes into the contest when junior Alexis Ramey/Westminster, Calif. (Marina) found Newbold on the left wing Newbold con-
QUICK HITS
trolled the ball and beat Hoya goalkeeper sophomore Abby Winer to give Longwood the 1-0 advantage. The Lancers held strong for the rest of the first half and were able to get an insurance goal at the 63:18 mark of the second half when Newbold slipped a pass to freshman Mary Freeman/Fredericksburg, Va. (Stafford) who then scored her first collegiate goaL Longwood finished with 22 shots, including 10 on goal, while Georgetown was limited to five shots on goal. Senior goalkeeperjulie Patterson/Esmont, Va. (Monticello) finished the day with five saves, while Winer made eight saves for Georgetown.
Players of tke
Week Field Hockey 1 - 2 Field Hockey Christin Newbold, 1 Men's Soccer 0-3 Women's Soccer 0-4 Goal,1 Assist Men's Soccer Alex Lubinsky, 1 goal Home Games Tkis Women's Soccer Anne Whitmore, 10 Week saves None
Records: