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4 North Carolina Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 April 18, 2008 CAMPUS LIFE Many Students Balance School, Work By Kyaire Daniels Decree Staff Writer Almost every year Wesleyan’s tuition rises and with a limited number of on-campus jobs paying only minimum wage, many students are forced to look elsewhere to gain work experi ence, network, build a resume, have money to pay bills and have leisure money. Junior Joyce Collins takes pleasure in working off campus. “I like having my own money,” said Collins. “Having an off-campus job gives me the freedom to buy what 1 want, when 1 want, and I don’t have to beg my parents for the money.” Many students find themselves using their extra money to pay bills and other expenses like gas, food, clothing and partying. “1 work to pay bills,” said Wade Beale, a junior and elementary education major. “I just brought a motorcycle so most of my check goes towards that and gas.” But students can find more than monetary satisfaction in their off campus jobs. Sopho more Jenny Hernandez likes her job at Champs Sports in Gold East Crossing Mall. “I like my job because I get to meet new people every day and I’m learning great people interaction skills.” Hernandez, a business administration major, finds practical applications between her job and her course work here at Wesleyan. “My managers give me first-hand experience with some of the office administrative duties,” she said. “I get to see how the company works from a store level all the w,ay to corporate.” Michele Ricciardi works at a local day care center, Play Date. A sophomore majoring in elementary education, Ricciardi says she also values her job. “I love my job becau.se 1 get to interact with little kids. It’s fun. Not only is it an escape from campus, I get to practice the concepts I’m learning in my education courses and I get to work on sharpening my people skills interacting not only with my co-workers but al.so the parents.” Amber Long, a junior who has been working at Foot Action in Gold East Crossing mall for the last eight months, enjoys her job for a different reason. “1 like my job because of the hours,” Long said. “Most nights I’m off by 9:30 and I never work past 6 o’clock on Sundays.” Students will argue the various reasons they like their off campus jobs, but for many students having an off campus job is not all that it’s cracked up to be. Most students find it challenging to work 20-plus hours a week and find time to be academically successful. Jessie Warren, coordinator of internships and career services, offers helpful tips for students with off-campus jobs struggling with time man agement. Warren suggests that students keep a calendar for important date and events (i.e. test, papers, projects and doctor appointments), develop a consistent work schedule, schedule time to study and also have fun. Warren notes that, to be successful in school, students should limit their work to 20 hours a week. Junior Reggie Washington finds that time management can be a struggle. “I work until midnight some nights,” said Washington. “I have to find time to squeeze in homework and still make sure I’m available so that my job can schedule enough hours for me to have a decent pay check.” Beale echoes Washington’s thoughts. “It sometimes can be a stiiiggle because I get overwhelmed with all my projects and lesson plans,” said Beale, a former Bishop athlete. “By playing baseball I learned how to manage my time. So I’m better at it now.” Ricciardi says tiiat time management is not an issue for her. “I have all my classes scheduled for tiie early morning, and 1 don’t go to work until four,” she said. “That leaves me three to four hours in the afternoon to get my homework done.” Sophomore Chali Cooke works for the financial aid department on campus. She finds several benefits of having an on-campus job. “I get to make my own schedule most of the time,” said Cooke. “1 don’t work long hours and my job is just across the stt'eet from everywhere on campus.” The only downside is that Cooke only gets paid once a month. For many Wesleyan stiidents, off-campus work is not a possibihty. Because of the school’s location, stiidents without rehable transportation are limited in the places they can work. While Wesleyan offers many on-campus Is Wesleyan’s Campus Safe? By Meghan Herd Decree Staff Writer In the aftermath of the shootings at Vuginia Tech and Northern Illinois, and the recent events on our campus, the question is posed: Do stiidents at North Carolina Wesleyan College feel safe? In today’s society campus safety is becoming a more prominent issue thM it has been in the past. Cinpuses have increased security and taken measures to alert and notiiy students of security risks. When asking students and faculty of the Wesleyan community, we received mixed opinions. Freshman Katanya Hall debates whether she feels safe on campus. “Sometimes I feel safe when there are people around,” said Hall. Hall also expressed a fear about the campus being open and the possibility that anyone can come in at any hour of the night Hall is not the only student who has negative feelings toward having an open campus. Jessica Pollard shares the same feelings as Hall, saying that she does not feel safe. “No, I do not feel sde because we don’t have front gates closing off the campus like other private colleges do,” she said, adding, “There are not enough security guards securing the campus.” Other Wesleyan students also harbor the feeling that Wesleyan is too open. “I don’t feel safe on campus b^use I see random people on campus all the time especially at night,” said sq)homore Carmera Thomas. “This campus is very open; many people can have access to the dorms, Hart- ness Center, and Taylor center if they want to.” A female faculty member expressed similar concerns. “I do not feel completely safe on campus because of the security officers here are not very intimidating and if something was to happen 1 don’t feel as if they could do anything about it,” said the professor who asked that her name not be used. Dr. Vivienne Anderson, an English professor, teaches night classes for the adult degree program at Wesleyan. She said that she does not feel safe at all times. “I used to feel safe at all times until recentiy,” said Dr. Anderson. Other students believe that campus is safe and that there is nothing to fear. “I feel safe on campus,” said freshman Mike Young. ‘The only thing that really makes me think that it might not be s^e is the fact that we have an open campus, but there is nothing going on for me to feel unsafe.” Junior Cliff Edmundson agreed with Young. “Yes, I feel safe on campus baause I usually stay with a group of people and knowing most of the students on campus helps out” he said. Wesleyan Basketball Coach John Thompson says that he feels safe on campus because there hasn’t been anything happen for him to feel unsafe. Thompson, who spends time at many different athletic events, feels that security in attendance at all games is a good thing. “Athletic events have an intensity about them for not only the players but also for the spectators and having jobs that do not fall under the category of woric-study, the only off-campus jobs that are in a reasonable walking distance are at Food Lion, Dollar General, and McfX)nald’s. Stiidents without their own tiansportation must rely on on-campus jobs and their parents for money. Freshman Hassan Adams does not have a car on campus. “I have a work-study job, but I don’t get many hours and the pay isn’t that great” said Adans. “If I had a car I would love to work off campus. I would be able to make more money and meet new people.” Some students just elect not to work. “I have too much to juggle during the school year to work,” said freshman Dionne Luckett. Luckett, who had a starring role in the spring production of “Once upon This Island,” says her parents don’t want her to work. “My parents want me to focus on my school work and get my degree. That’s why they sent me to school.” Students participate in "Wild N Out" event during the recent week-long Spring Fling festivities organized by Student Activities. Among the other events were an Easter egg hunt, a poetry slam, a show by BET comedians, and the spring formal. Photo by Kyaire Daniels security present is good,” said Thompson Many students take extia measures for added security. So^omore Jennifer Hemandez said that there are a lot of preautions every student should take in order to stay safe. She suggests locking your doors and making sure that you don’t let ‘just anyone’ walk in behind you when entering the dorms is important “Most people tend to just let anyone in to the dorms,” said Hemandez. Following guidelines that are given to everyone is wtat helps Dr. Anderson remain safe. “I’m always aware of my surroundings,” said Dr. Anderson, noting that security will usually walk her to her car after her night courses. Coach Thompson is one who does not lake any extra precaution other than to remain observant of his surroundings. “I’m not looking for suspicious behavior, but if you see something that doMn’t look right, you can avoid putting yourself in a position that might become unsSe,” he said. Edmundson said that he does not take ex traordinary precautions. “I would recommend not walking around by yourself not only on campus but off,” he said. “And always letting someone know where you are going is a good idea.” Senior Timothy Holt echoed Edmundson, saying that he does not take special precautions for himself but that being aware is important “Making sure you know your surrouiiidings and the people who you are around is an important preautiontotake.” Thomas describes herself as a very visual person. “I notice a lot and think that being aware of your surroundings is very important.” Thomas, a supplemental instructor who often walks back to the dotm late at night, feels that the smart thing to do is call someone to walk with you. “1 never hesitate to call a fiiend when I finish SI late and need someone to walk with me,” she said. Cell phones are very helpfiil, those interviewed said. “I bring mine to class because if anything were to happen 1 can contact someone,” said ttie female professor who asked for anonymity, adding that she tries to leave campus before it gets daik. “I lock myself into my office when I stay late.” Due to the high level of stiidents not feeling safe on college grounds, Wesleyan campus security has been working around the clock, often putting three officers on duty, according to security staff member Jack Crociata. The idea tiiat some students don’t feel protected on campus does not sit well with Crociata. “It doesn’t make us feel good knowing tiiat the stiidents have mixed feelings about feeling safe because we are doing our best,” said Crociata. Crociata and other campus officers agree that calling security right away when you see something is die first step in remaining safe. “Especially if you’re a female, call us immediately and please do not put yourself in harm’s way,” he said. FINNEY from pg 1 Upon Dr. Finney’s arrival at Wesleyan, he immediately had an effect on the school and his students. “Dr. Finney broadened, deepened, and enriched the history department with his personal experience,” Dr Jones said. According to many of Dr Finney’s colleagues including Dr Jones, Dr Watson, and recently retired English Professor, Dr Terry Smith, Dr Finney has always found unique ways to teach his students. Dr Smith stated that Dr Finney was “always advising ways to make [his students] understand the lessons.” One way he did this was how he organized his Western Civilization course. For example, Dr Finney spent a lot of time teaching his students how to write essays. He has a formula that works for his students and he is always available to them for help. Cliff Sullivan, NCWC registrar and former Wesleyan student, stated that he’ll always remember Dr Finney’s teaching style. “Dr Finney always taught outside the box before there was such a term for thinking outside the box,” SuUivan said. According to Dr Jones, Dr Finney “invested himself in his students’ well-being.” He also stated that Dr Finney is a great one-on-one mentor and that it Was very apparent to him as Dr Finney’s colleague. “Students have always felt comfortable talking with Finney. He was even a religious counselor to them.” Sullivan also stated that Dr Finney would always give him books on topics he found interesting, and in the long run, “even though I took my last class with him 30 years ago, he helped guide my lifelong learning process.” Besides being a successful teacher in Latin American studies. Dr. Finney also did several “J-terms” and worked in the education department. A “J-term” was originally required by Wesleyan for all students; they would take an entire course or symposium just in the month of January. Dr Finney helped Dr. Jones with a film course and even taught several “J-terms” of his own. One year Dr. Finney did a symposium on the automobile and gave a speech on how technology was ruining the environment. At the end of the speech Dr Watson vividly remembers Dr. Finney smashing a plastic car. Over Dr. Finney’s 35 years at Wesleyan, not only has he taught a full load of classes, worked closely with his stadents, and been active in his church. Dr Finney has also made time to write and publish. One book he wrote was for a course he still teaches now called Technology and Society. It was a course he invented that he has taught for many years, and it will leave the pages of Wesleyan’s catalog upon his retirement. The course covered technology’s effects on today’s society, and the idea came out of his background in studying mining in Central America. However his most impressive writing adventure is what he is currently working on now, a narrative history of Honduras. The idea for doing this narrative started out as a doctoral thesis idea dur ing graduate school. Over the past 40 years, though. Dr Finney has compiled data for his chronicle. Today the project consists of ten volumes and over 6,000 pages. Dr Finney said this will be his main goal after his retirement, to finish and publish his life’s work. According to Dr Jones, “He probably knows more about Honduran history than anyone in the world.” Dr Jones also stated how impressed he was that Dr Finney was able to work on his narrative history of Honduras as much as he did despite how dedicated he was to Wesleyan and its students. “Dr Finney is very disciplined, and he also demonstrated a willingness and capacity to fulfill the needs of students,” Dr Jones said. And Dr Finney has had many memorable .students and colleagues. During a recent interview, he cited several in particular: Dr Terry Smith - “for formidable scholarship and puckish humor in all things.” Cliff Sul livan - “for helping me understand the Wesleyan bureaucracy all these years.” Bob Unrue - “for the best ‘term paper’ I ever got: the painting that hangs on my office wall.” And there are many, many more, but Dr Finney’s friends have compiled a few memories and statements of their own. Dr Smith remembers when there was a gas crisis in the 1970s and Dr Finney and Dr Watson used to bike to school instead of driving. Dr. Smith stated, “I remember he eventually abandoned his bike and began running the eight-mile trek to school.” Over the past 35 years, Dr Finney has seen many changes. He stated, “When I first came to Wesleyan the college was run loosely and the busi ness office was chaos.” He also stated he almost saw the college close in 1975 due to a financial downfall, but the college was saved by the Rocky Mount community. He has seen lots of new buildings go up, including the chapel, upperclassmen dorms, the Dunn Center, and the Gateway Technology Center He stated that the curriculum was very different then, too. Wesleyan did not have the criminal justice or business administration majors, and did not have the adult degree program. Wesleyan also used to teach four foreign languages including Spanish, Russian, German, and French. It had a fully staffed music department, and fewer sports. One of the big changes Dr Finney says he has seen over the years is the racial diversity at Wesleyan. Original ly, Wesleyan was an exclusively white college until a small African American college folded and its students joined Wesleyan. After that, at one time, Wesleyan had the most diversity of all area liberal arts colleges. Despite all the changes Dr Finney has seen over the years, one change he never planned to make was to leave Wesleyan for a bigger school. He stated he never wanted to go and teach at a big university. “1 really wanted to teach and 1 loved Rocky Mount,” said Dr Finney. “It would’ve been really hard to move,” He also stated that Wesleyan was his match. Dr Finney came to Wesleyan fresh out of graduate school in January of 1973. He did his undergraduate studies at Eastern Montana University and got his Master’s and PhD in history from Tulane University. After finishing graduate school. Dr Finney joined the small history department at NC Wesleyan College which included three other professors besides himself. He immediately fit in with his col leagues. Dr Jones discussed how effec tive they were as a department: “One reason we were so effective was that we liked each other, and Finney being the fourth one, he fell right in with us.” In his first year. Dr Finney taught western civilization, European history, early modem Europe, contemporary World War II history, and various Latin American courses. During his retirehient. Dr Finney plans to work on his narrative history of Honduras and pubhsh textbooks in Central American history, colonial Latin American history, and modem Latin American history. He also plans to write a biography of his father who was a missionary in Latin America. He said he has no plans for traveling, but he “would like to catch up on 35 years of sleep deprivation.” r.. Four students have been elected officers in Wesieyan's new chapter of the math honors society Kappa Mu Epsilon. The officers are (from left): Josh Jenkins, vice president; Denise Pope, president; and Josh Allen, secretary. Not pictured is treasurer Kimberly Garrett. Dr. Bill Yankosky is faculty sponsor of the Epsilon chapter, and KME Presi- dent-elect Ron Wasserstein was on hand March 24, when a total of 12 students and three faculty members were initiated.
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