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- ^ThefPe^dulum srt.-^fN^EWS r Thursda}? March 28, 2003 • Page 5 Elon readies for Phi Beta Kappa University hopes to join the 262 prestigious PBK institutions Matt Belanger Reporter Numerous changes are being made on Elon’s campus as the university attempts to meet crite ria for a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. Meeting the requirements for Phi Beta Kappa is just one part of the NewCentury@Elon plan’s goal to raise the bar on academic pro grams. “You have to remember, the journey is as important as the goal,” said Steven House, dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences. “It’s not just about Phi Beta Kappa; it’s about enhancing academic excellence.” Currently, 262 institutions host Phi Beta Kappa chapters. Receiving a Phi Beta Kappa chapter is con sidered an indication of a superior arts and sciences institution. To reach this goal, Elon has formed a Phi Beta Kappa commit tee, which consists of a group of administra tion and faculty mem bers and a student. This team works to develop ways for the university to move forward in the application process. Their suggestions are passed on to a subcommittee that develops detailed action plans. House explained that while the university is working toward Phi Beta Kappa, the improvements being made on campus are bene fiting all areas of the university. As part of the preparation process, Elon is making extensive invest ments in library acquisitions and technology resources as well as adding scholarships and new fac ulty members. The newly created Elon College Fellows program is designed to encourage more stu dents to consider majors in the arts and sciences. House said this is a key part of preparing for Phi Beta Kappa. “You have to really have the centrality of arts and sciences,” House said. “They look for insti tutions that have a pool of quali fied Phi Beta Kappa students.” It’s not just about Phi Beta Kappa; it’s about enhancing academic excellence —Steven House, dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciencest When the best years of your life, aren’t... ...there’s help. Clare A. Stradlera, lcsw Licensed Psychotherapist 330 Holly Hill Lane - Holly Hill Executive Center Burlington, NC 27215 ^ ^ Telephone: (336) 585-0044 e-mail: ClareCounseling@msn.com The Future of Elon Series Part 2 House said applying colleges and universities must have a cer tain percentage of majors in the arts and sciences with high GPAs. Additionally, the number of stu dents attending graduate school has an impact on whether or not an institution is accepted. To meet these standards, the fellows programs was designed. The group is made up of 60 stu dents equally divided among the areas of math and science, human services and social science. These fel lows will have spe cial opportunities throughout their aca demic careers at Elon. Next year, the fellows will take a special Winter Term course titled Arts and Sciences in Action, which will include a week spent in Washington, D.C. Changes have also been made to the Honors Fellows program to encourage more double majors. House says he hopes this would encourage students to double major, with at least one of the majors falling within the arts and sciences. He says this is another way that the university can help to boost the number of arts and sci ence majors and come closer to meeting the requirements of Phi Beta Kappa. However, the number of stu dents admitted into the Honors Fellows Program was dropped from 80 to 40 to counter the development of the Elon College Fellows. According to House, these students will experience an enhanced curriculum and exten sive faculty mentoring in prepara tion for a culminating senior the sis. Nevertheless, students aren’t the only aspect that the university focusing on in order to prepare for Phi Beta Kappa. Ten percent of Elon’s faculty in the arts and sciences graduated from a Phi Beta Kappa institution. Having faculty with a background in Phi Beta Kappa is another requirement for an institution to be considered for admission. Elon’s goal is to raise that per centage to 12 percent. House explained that when interviewing new faculty members, he looks for a faculty member who has a passion for teaching and who will be a good addition to the Elon community. However, hiring more faculty with Phi Beta Kappa backgrounds will help Elon to continue its tradition of having an outstanding team of professors, so it does go into consideration. In 2000, Elon submitted an preliminary application for Phi Beta Kappa and was turned down. House explained that it is almost impossible for a university to be accepted the first time it applies. Also, because applications are only accepted every three years. House said it can take a very long time before an institution is offered admission to Phi Beta Kappa, if admission is offered at all. House recalled one university that applied repeatedly for 100 years before being offered a chance to advance in the applica tion process. “Phi Beta Kappa is a step-by- step process,” House said. “It takes time.” House said that based on the changes he has seen in the past two years, it is possible that Elon could be accepted to Phi Beta Kappa within the next six years. “Having a Phi Beta Kappa chapter speaks to the institution you are getting a degree from,” House said. “It is a recognition of academic excellence—and we’re well on our way. Contact Matt Belanger at pendu- lum@elon.edu or 278-7247. Earn $1,000 - $2,000 for your Student Graup in just 3 hours! College fundraising made Simple, Safe and Free Multiple fundraising options available. No carwashes. No raffles. Just success! Fundraising dates are filling quickly. Get with the programs that wofkl ©ssmpus Your Trusted Source for College Furtdraising. 888-923-3238 • www.campusfundraiser.com Need an Apartment? One that is convenient to campus and reasonably priced? Then...Northfield Village is the place for you!! 1110 Cook Road (off Hwy 100) in Gibsonville Only 1 mile west of campus! Call 449-4473 for more information 25 Years of Experience Representing the Elon University Coinmunity G. WAYNE ABERNATHY ATTORNEY AT LAW POST OFFICE BOX 898 (336) 222-0297 106 SOUTH MAPLE STREET, SUITE A FACSIMILE GRAHAM, NORTH CAROLINA 27253 (336) 229-7145 wayneabernathy@belJsouth.net Write for The Pendulum! For more information^ call X7247 or e-mail penaulum@elon.eau.
Elon University Student Newspaper
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March 20, 2003, edition 1
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