Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Feb. 10, 2010, edition 1 / Page 5
Part of Elon University Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
THE PENDULUM NEWS WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 10. 2010 // PAGE 5 Three hopefuls seek new dean position Amanda Bender Senior Reporter The search committee charged with finding a new dean for the Elon College of Arts and Sciences has chosen three finalists, who have been invited to come to Elon University to speak and meet with various students, administrators and department chairs. The candidates survived a detailed application process, which began with the formation a 12-person committee headed by history professor Mary Jo Festle. The committee includes faculty members from various departments, the Schools of Business, Communications and Education and a student. “My role is more important as a perspective,” Molly Strayer, a junior biochemistry major and the student on the committee said. “The committee is composed of faculty of a complete range of fields and years of term at Elon. 1 add the student perspective to the committee so that together we are a diverse group that can represent those impacted by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.” This fall, the committee advertised the position in academic journals. Festle said they also wrote a 10-page profile detailing the qualifications of the dean. Leadership, management and interpersonal skills were among characteristics looked for in a new dean, as well as a record of scholarly achievement. “The big idea is that we’re looking for someone who has been a strong teacher and scholar, but who is also an experienced administrator who can juggle a lot of different roles and tasks," Festle said. “The new dean needs to be able to work well with students, faculty, other administrators and people outside Elon; have a good understanding of Elon and support, lead and represent us.” Festle said the committee received more than 135 applications for the position. Nine of those applicants were interviewed for the position and three of those interviewed were invited to visit campus. Once all of the candidates have visited, Festle said the committee would ask for input from people who have met the candidates. Provost Steven House will then discuss all of the various factors with the committee and decide who will be offered the position. Strayer said she is excited about finding a new dean for Elon College and she valued the opportunity to work closely with faculty. “I appreciate the respect I share with my fellow committee members, so that each member is of value,” Strayer said. “This respect from Elon faculty for student input, I think, is unique for our university." Crosswalk accident prompts Elon to replace street lamps Samantha King News Editor During the fall semester, sophomore Alex Trice, online editor-in-chief Elon University student was hit by an oncoming car on a Williamson Avenue crosswalk. Because of overwhelming concern, comments and safety issues, Elon University was forced to look into the lighting situation around campus and take action. PHOTO SUBMrTTED LED were added to Elon streets to illuminate areas while not distracting drivers. The accident occurred on a night saturated with heavy rainfall. The driver, Elon senior Catherine Melendez, said although she was driving below the speed limit, she could not see anyone due to low visibility. Town of Elon Police records reveal the accident was the fifth accident involving a pedestrian or bicyclist in the 2009 calendar year. It was also the second accident to occur at the Williamson Avenue crosswalk. Robert Buchholz, director of Physical Plant, said the university asked him to look into replacing the lights on both Haggard and Williamson Avenue shortly after the accident occurred. “There was a lot of concern about the darkness of the street,” Buchholz said. “The LED lights do not put off a glare when it rains and blind the drivers.” According to Buchholz, new LED lights were installed along Haggard and Williamson avenues on Feb. 4. Smith Jackson, vice president and dean of student life, confirmed the new change. “The university worked with the town to put in more lighting after the student was hit,” Jackson said. According to Buchholz, the lights on Williamson Avenue belong to the Town of Elon and the university pays for the lanterns on Haggard Avenue. The town replaced 32 lights on Thursday and the university replaced 12. “Over time the new lights will provide a more consistent illumination,” Jackson said. Although there is more lighting, Jackson said he is still not entirely happy with the pedestrian crossing situation. “We would like something different on Williamson Avenue,” Jackson said, referring to the current crosswalk. Because Williamson Avenue is a state highway, the university cannot put a raised crosswalk on the road. Can’t live without The Pendulum? PENDULUM SUBSCRIPTIONS Name Address_ City State Zip Phone CHECK ONE 1 -year subscription for $40.00 $70.00 2-year subscription for PLEASE SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO; The Pendulum 7012 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244 // Call 336-278-7247 for more Info Meet the Candidates 1. Alison Morrison-Shetlar Currently vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies and professor of tjiotogy at ttie University of Central Rorida, Dr. Morrison-Shetlar received her Ph.D. at the Dundee Cotege c Tectinology In Scotland and went on to serve as ttie found ing chair of a molacular biology department at Ivlax-Flanck Institute m Germany, She has worked as a biology professor and director of ttie Center for Excellence in Teaching at Georgia Southern Univefsity and as the director of ttie Faculty Center for Teactiing and Learning at University of Central Florida. She tias written a txxjk on teaching and numerous articles on the oeB membrane transport systems as we* as on faculty and curricular development. 2. Larry Berman Berman is cufrentty director of ffie University of Califomia - Davis Wastnngton pro gram and a professor of political science at UC - Davis. He received his Ph D, from FVinceton University, He has served as department chair for the Department of Po litical Science and as ttie founding program director for the University of Califomia Wastiington Center, He is ttie author of numerous txx)ks and essays, primarily re lated to the war in Vietnam and ttie U.S, presidency, 3. Karen R. MoranskI Currently associate vice chancellor for undergraduate education and associate pro fessor of English at the University of lllirxjis Springfield, she received her Ph,D, fnam UNC Chapel Hilt, Moranski tias served as Con\«ner of ttie English Department and associate director and director of ttie Capital Sctiolars Program at UlS, Stie is co editor of a book on medieval political prophecy, and she writes and presents on medieval literature arxJ engaged cltizenstTip, Obama striving for Increased college enrollment by 2020 Eva Hill Senior Reporter The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Council of Independent Colleges recently announced plans to bring attention to private institutions contributing to President Barack Obama’s goals for increased enrollment by 2020. The organizations hope to bring attention to participating private colleges by publicizing efforts toward the president's plans to make college more affordable. Private colleges will be encouraged to strategize, plan and organize ways to recruit new students, which will in turn boost graduation rates. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was signed in February 2009, contributed to the reformation efforts for education by dramatically expanding financial aid and boosting the efficiency, simplicity and reliability of federal programs. Students who are not U.S. citizens are not eligible for federal financial aid and will not benefit from this program. According to the College Board, tuition for private, four- year universities for 2009- 2010 increased by 6.6 percent, for an average of $26,273. Tuition for public, four-year universities increased by 8.8 percent for an average of $7,020. With tuition costs on the rise, the government is doing what it can to help students with financial aid. By attempting to stimulate the economy and establishing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the current administration is striving to make college more affordable and increase graduation rates. According to Pat Murphy, director of financial planning, one-third of Elon students qualify for need- based financial aid. This aid is comprised of funds from federal, state and institutional sources. Any increase in financial aid derived from Obama's initiatives would be at the federal level and limited to students with high financial needs. The new Ever Elon fundraising campaign is one way the university is working to increase student financial aid over the next 10 years, Murphy said. “(Ever Elon) will be a long and steady process, but the intent is to make college more affordable for students with high financial need and to assure a property diversity,” Murphy said. Murphy said he looks forward to initiatives from the federal government that would help the financial process and recognizes the importance for some students. Steven House, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said close personal interactions between faculty and students are just one of the many contributing factors to this high graduation rate. “Elon has a very good graduation rate because we have outstanding and dedicated faculty and bright students with a good heart,” House said. According to Susan Klopman, vice president of admissions and financial planning, the graduation rate is extremely important for universities. “The graduation rate measures how successful we are from entrance to completion and a critical measure of the degree to which the university is fulfilling its mission,” Klopman said. Klopman also said students might not necessarily be affected by the increase in graduation rates. “It could be a positive on food service; more meal plans may drive the cost down," Klopman said. “More graduates is a good thing; for Elon, for graduates, for society,” Klopman said. I I
Elon University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Feb. 10, 2010, edition 1
5
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75