Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Sept. 14, 2012, edition 1 / Page 7
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F E ATU RE S 7 September 14. 2012 COLLEGES Guilford among 40 colleges that change lives; students and faculty discuss transformations Continued from Page I "(Students, faculty and staff) care about you, want you to succeed as a student, athlete, non-athlete, and as a person," Wotkyns said. "Meeting them, hearing their stories, and understanding who they are has caused me to think about how I want to live my own life." Not only do the other students generally make our college experience remarkable, but the faculty also encourages students to engage the world by thinking about their own lives as well as the lives of others around them. Jim Hood, coordinator of first year experience and professor of English, wants students to change the way they think. By the end of their time here. Hood wants students to be creative and analytical thinkers who dream about different ways of doing things in the world. He relates this to his own experience here as a student. "I came to Guilford as a biology major," Hood said. "I wanted to work for the National Park Service or the U.S. Forest Service. But by taking courses in religious studies, philosophy and literature, I realized that what I wanted to do more than anything else was to sit in rooms and talk with other people about books. Guilford provided me with the opportunity to discover what has become my life's work: teaching." It is not just the students who change. The staff and faculty are also transformed by their experiences here. "I'm a much deeper thinker than before," said Kim Burke, coordinator of disability resources. "No one did that for me in my education — taught me how to think. Working with students keeps me alive, knowing that they care so much about what's going on in the world." Burke attempts to push students to look at the bigger picture, and make them critical thinkers. Internal transformation is encouraged at this college. Max Carter, director of the Friends Center and campus ministry coordinator, believes that authentic Quakerism requires personal transformation, and the power to transform lies within us all. "I encourage students to listen to their Inner Teacher, providing times of quiet reflection and challenging study and discussion, and always urging them to follow the dictates of Romans 12: 'Be not conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,"' Carter said. The college strives to put that into practice every day, and students feel the benefit. "I don't want to change the students; I want them to change themselves," said Aaron Fetrow, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. "I push them to become involved in the community and hold them accountable." Community^ involvement is one reason Guilford was listed in "Colleges That Change Lives." The book states, "Service and community rank high among the students' and professors' values, inspired by the college's Quaker roots." President and Professor of Political Science Kent Chabotar celebrates being included in the book. According to Chabotar, the college's inclusion is important for several reasons. "It is nice to be recognized," Chabotar said. "Being listed attracts prospective students, reaffirms current students, and assists in the college's forward planning. We would love to be branded as the college that changes people's lives." Illicit companionship: all pets are off BY JUSTYN MELROSE "Three years ago, (former hall director Dennis Scott) was on duty and called me and said, 'There's a baby chicken of unusual size running around in Bryan in the lounge, and I don't know what to do about that,' and I was like, 'I don't know what to do with a chicken,"' said Associate Dean for Campus Life Jennifer Agor. At times, even the cutest of pets can cause quite a kerfuffle. Nevertheless, some students find that their company outweighs the potential dangers and charges. During her first year at Guilford College, sophomore Avery Olearczyk brought a new lady friend into Milner: Nolan the hamster, named after her resident advisor, junior Nolan Dwyer. "Everybody on our hall got really excited about Nolan, and a couple people helped me build her cage," said Olearczyk. "She was like a hall pet. Everybody loved Nolan and played wifii Nolan." However, when Olearczyk accidentally locked herself out of her room and called Public Safety, the dorm room stowaway was discovered. After the judiciary process had run its course, Nolan, along with what Olearczyk describes as her "Italian-made hamster resort," transferred to the home of a particularly caring Campus Life staff member. First-year Lea Brown had a similar experience this year. "Over the years. I've had a lot of pets, but this is the first one I've been really attached to and a lot of people find that strange, because he's a turtle, but that doesn't matter to me," said Brown. "He's so cute. He looks like a little old man." Having preemptively called the Office of Admission and been incorrectly given permission by an unknown staff member. Brown had been under the impression that Turtle, the painted turtle, would be allowed to live in her dorm room. Even so, rules are rules. Ultimately, Turtle made fo transfer; from Guilford and now resides in the home of a recently met off-campus friend. Meanwhile, Brown continues to try to discern how student and turtle can be reunited. While Guilford may not have a high retention rate for pets, there are rules that must be followed and reasons for these rules. "The only thing that is allowed is a fish," said Agor. "(The tank must be) 10 gallons or less and (the rules say) specifically 'fish,' not things that live underwater, not things that use scuba gear and live underwater. Fish." This is because pets such as cats and dogs carry allergens, and once a pet-owning student moves out of a dorm room, another student moves in. This can cause serious problems for students with pet allergies. Also, if the pet escapes and dies or has babies in the walls of a dorm, or if the pet scares or harms another student, there could be serious problems, not only for the student owner, but also for the college. However, this does not mean that having a pet is impossible. Sophomore Charlie Coates says that he shares a bond with his pet beta fish, Otto. "He's always there," said Coates. "He's just like, 'Yo, what's up?' It's fun to feed turn and to stare at him sometimes. It's nice to know that I have a fish." Junior CCE student Ben Webb also has a pet that lives with him off campus at Hod gins Retreat Apartments: Criqit the tarantula. Webb describes Criqit as "like a psychedelic poster, but it's living. ... The way it moves is kind of alien. It has hairs all over its body that kind of glow. It's like a decoration, but that's not why I bought it. I bought it to share a friendship." While friendship is always valuable, friendships with fangs or claws or "of unusual size" are better kept off campus. A word to the wise — when looking for a new roommate, a fish is your safest option. GR^hlLEAf CO-OP 1^ r. m F The Greenleaf is an experiment in an alternative business model as part of our vision of a better world. We are a non- hierarchal, member-run coffee cooperative. We strive to uphold our values of community; anti-oppression, social and economic justice, and sustainability. We attempt to do this through educating ourselves and the community, conscience purchasing, and supporting other groups that share our values. GREENLEAF COUPON BRING THIS COUPON TO THE GREENLEAF FOR A 15% DISCOUNT ON CAFE DRINKS EXPIRES 9/21/12 ONE COUPON, PER STUDENT, PER ISSUE
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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Sept. 14, 2012, edition 1
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