News & Features vnvw.thencwsargns.coin Tuesday, Scptcnilx'r 21, 2010 Tlic News Argiis Page 7 Social work program moving closer to accreditation Natalie D. Davis Assistant Editor ndavisW7@wssu.edu The Social Work program at Winston-Salem State is closer to being an accredited program. Isiah Marshall, an associate professor and coordinator of social work, said that the Council on Social Work Education visited in February. The results were reported to the program in June. Representative James Adams, a commissioner from the CSWE, conducted the site visit. Based on the program's documents and a review brief, he recommended a second view of candidacy. During the visit, Adams met with the social work faculty to discuss the curriculum and the administrators regarding accreditation. He also met with the majors to get their opinion about the program. Adams gave a preliminary report to the social work program to continue candidacy. Marshall said that everyone is pleased with the outcome of the visit. "The students reacted very positively to Dr. Adams," Marshall said. "They were very excited and felt comfortable in letting him know what the program was doing." Lauren Pointer, a junior social work major from Burlington, said that she was excited about the commissioner's visit. "I, personally, am not worried about accredi tation," Pointer said. "They [faculty and administrators] are doing what needs to be done to ensure that our pro gram gets their accreditation," The next visit will be between November and February 2011. The outcome of this visit decides whether they will be scheduled for the full initial accreditation site visit next fall. If so, they will have to prepare for another visit in four years. Site visits must be conducted every eight years. Marshall said that graduates of the now unac credited program are working in the field, and attending graduate schools of Wake Forest Law School, and UNC-Charlotte. WSSU does not have a graduate program for social work. Marshall said that it would be a good idea to catch students on their off years because most schools take graduate applications for social work every two years. "Yes, it [a graduate social work program] seems to be an area to be explored," Marshall said. RAMS WALK: A way to stay fit at WSSU Brittany McEachirn Argus Contributor Winston-Salem State is offering a campus-wide initia tive called "Rams Walk" to bring awareness to the stu dents about the importance of physical activity and its rel evance to overall health. The new program, created by Cynthia Williams-Brown, began Sept. 20. "Rams Walk is designed with all people in mind, something simple yet a great way to get in shape and stay healthy," said Williams- Brown, chair and associate professor of secondary educa tion. "Some main areas the pro gram is targeting are weight loss, high blood pressure pre vention and control, increased levels of good cholesterol, and reduction in the risk factors for type 2 diabetes." It is a walking program that works with all schedules and accommodates every fitness ability. Rams Walk will include a nine-month walking series in which participants will be asked to log their daily steps. A pedometer will be provided to all student participants. "At first, when I read the fli ers, I thought it was going to be easy and something I would get bored with very fast," said Arthur Mclllwain, a junior education major from Charlotte. "Then when I logged on the web site on the flier I saw it had more to offer the partici pants." The program offers two types of walking groups. There are walking groups for participants who want to take part in a struchired program; these groups meet twice a week. There is also a program for participants who do not want to walk with a group. All walkers will be asked to log their daily steps and weekly sessions. All partici pants will be encouraged to walk at least 10,000 steps per day. "Physical fitness is a huge part of band, if I had more time I would definitely join this program," said Leigh Taylor, a junior management information systems major from Greensboro. "When I heard about Rams Walk, I told my mom to come join, and with no hesitation she said 'yes.'" Along with the walking program, there will be two seminars focusing on the importance of physical activi ties and nutrition. Registration is required and is available online, or in person at the Department of Secondary Education in Anderson C131 . OaOBER 21^^2010 mxi Students, faculty offer different viewpoints for online classes Dawn Swinnie Argus Contributor Returning students are find- mg ways to decrease their work load, increase their GPA, and make more time for study ing. They have turned to taking online classes, but not every one is taking them. "Online classes cause more stress," said Steven Logan, a junior business management major from Forest City, N.C. Online classes give students the ability to work at their own pace without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by the work load. Students who have cho sen online classes are trying to find a new method to pass classes, but for others, it has turned out to be the contrary. "I have heard a lot of bad things about online classes, most of my friends have failed them," said Kelsey Mobley, a junior mass communications major from Gastonia. Instructors of online classes are as available to the students taking their course online just as they are for students taking classroom courses. "Some are more determined to understand the informa tion since they do not have a classroom to attend. If I had to estimate the percentage of online students that I actually COME PERFORMING LIVE @ WSSU HOMECOMING have contact with it would be approximately 8 percent," said Jeremy Lane, a mathematics professor. "I like online classes, but I would rather be in a classroom for classes like math," said Tiffany Walls, a junior biology major from Shelby, N.C. Others have different opin ions about online classes. "Online classes would be great; 1 won't have to walk up all these hills every day," said Blanca Smith, a junior molecular biology and biol ogy technology major from Fayetteville. Lynette Wood, an account ing professor, does not con duct any online classes and does not plan to in the future. She said she believes that stu dents learn better in a class room. "They [online classes] are manageable for any student, non-traditional students as well," said Aisha Martin, a junior health care manage ment major from Lexington. MarHn has two online classes this semester. "Most online students tend to be non-traditional students. Older students often take a different interest in their work than traditional aged stu dents," said Sonya Miller, an English professor. Cd C/3 S G9 QC 4 C/3 MCEBOOKS Press the LIKE button ^ On our website I All New Mattress Sets In Manufacturer’s Plastic & With Warranty Twin Sets Start at $89 Full Sets Start at $99 Queen Sets Start at $109 King Sets Start at $191 25% Student Discounts off list prices, Delivery, and Free Layaway Available upon request. Mattress Outlet: 336-992-0025 Located only minutes from WSSU campus.