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GUS provides venue for research, work and knowledge
Continued from page I
these classic monsters.
"We looked at zombies as representative
of a cultural phenomenon and how they,
can represent different cultural anxieties
we have or different issues that we have,"
said senior Kelly McGregor. "We looked
at zombies as representative of racism or
classism, or our cultural issues with having
a sense of community versus isolationism."
For those looking to find a more fantastical
side of academia, there was senior Alan
Wildfeuer's "Fairy Tales and Their Inner
Meanings," which delved into an analysis of
the purpose of fairy tales.
This presentation came from Wildfeuer's
thesis on the same topic and the role of fairy
tales in German literature. However, the
presentation's inspiration stemmed from
a childhood saturated with stories and
fantasy.
Wildfeuer encouraged the audience to
find a "different understanding of fairy
tales" and to "see that there is some meaning
and intention behind (fairy tales) and also
that they can have a role in society."
GUS also showed the more artistic side
of Guilford. Resting atop a wooden book
shelf in the Carnegie Room was box of
wood-carving tools, blocks used for printing
and, of course, artistic prints. Senior Jack
Arthur Wood Jr. presented three printed
original works of art in his presentation
"Intricacy, Religion, and Obsession in Relief
Printmaldng."
One of Wood's prints was based on
Moloch from Alan Ginsberg's poem "Howl."
"Moloch eats children or burns children
and he's an allegory of the American
nightmare of industrial hell," said Wood.
In the abstract printed in the schedule.
Wood describes his work, saying, "My
objective is to illustrate the horror of reality
through vandalism of the divine."
Beyond language and the arts, Guilford
students also presented work relating
to science. For example. Early College
shared their experiences visiting and
working with Jefferson Elementary School
and teaching children simple physics.
Guilford students introduced elementary
school children to the assembly and use
of telescopes, as well as the use of low-
Senior Courtney Mandeville explains his project to senior Yezmin Villarreal at the Guilford
Undergraduate Symposium.This was the fifth year for students to show off their work at GUS.
students Kiel Williams and Jeremy Chang powered lasers and their interaction with
explained their work in their presentation mirrors.
"Bringing Science Into The Community: This is not the first time Guilford students
Physics Department Outreach at Jefferson have shared their knowledge with these
Elementary." children, nor will it likely be the last.
In this presentation, Williams and Chang "I hope someone else will be motivated
to go out, whatever their area of expertise
is, whether they're sociologists or biologist
or historians," said Williams. "They have
something interesting they can offer to
students."
This is very similar to what Lee-Brown
and organizer and co-founder Rob Whitnell,
professor of chemistry, hoped for and have
accomplished through GUS.
Through these diverse presentations,
the hidden lives and studies of Guilford
students come out. At GUS, every student
has the opportunity to be a teacher.
"It really brings together all the different
components of the academic program on
one day and really encourages both students
and faculty to learn so much more about
what we do and what is really at the core
of the mission of the college," said Whitnell.
"It's about learning about each other
and pulling us together, giving us a venue
for somebody to present their ideas," said
Lee-Brown. "When you start to put that up
to people from other disciplines, next thing
you know you start getting different ideas
coming in or another viewpoint, and we can
continue to build on that which is really the
core for us at Guilford."
GUS has also helped stir interest in
students to become more involved.
After hearing the Guilford Chamber
Choir perform, freshman Olivia Tibbs said,
"I can't wait to try to be in there next year."
Though the Guilfordian can only feature
a few presentations, GUS was a menagerie
of academia with countless presentations
opening doors to a wide array of disciplines,
including political science, physics, English,
German, religious studies, music, art,
creative writing, and more.
Next year, even you could have your
voice heard.
Fears of student divide develop amid budget cuts
By Victor Lopez
Staff Writer
No one wants to be the proverbial "red-headed stepchild,"
including those at the Center for Continuing Education,
where there has been speculation regarding what the recent
cuts in financial aid will mean for in-state students.
Some say that CCE might be further distanced from
the college due to recent financial aid cuts, an idea which
Guilford administrators say could not be further from the
truth, even though the college will be losing around $2
million, once mostly brought in by CCE students.
A professor who wished to remain anonymous told The
Guilfordian that the there might be a shift in perception
and support for CCE at Guilford due to financial changes.
The professor said that CCE might be of lesser value to
Guilford, considering that CCE — once regarded as a "cash
cow" — will no longer bring in excess money through NC
grants.
However, President and Professor of Political Science
Kent Chabotar told The Guilfordian that recent cuts would
not devalue CCE, even in the face of financial crisis.
"Having' adults on campus is about education and
community service just as it is for other students, especially
from North Carolina," said Chabotar. "CCE enrollment
helps balance potential losses in the more price-sensitive
traditional market."
NC financial aid funds awarded to Guilford on the basis
of the number of CCE students were being redistributed to
traditional students with financial need — that was until
the state of North Carolina cut the program altogether.
Chabotar said that even before the state-funded aid cuts.
the college updated a 2004 cost study that examined the
net financial contribution of each population: traditional
on-campus, traditional off-campus, CCE, and the Early
College Program.
"Each population pays different prices on the revenue
side and uses different services on the cost side," said
Chabotar. "Because we are not 100 percent tuition
dependent, and in fact even after counting financial aid
subsidies (to) the average student due to endowment and
gifts, we 'lose' money on every student."
With financial setbacks, not even Guilford is immune
from cutting jobs or ranking departments by priority,
if necessary. The college is not impervious to fears that
accompany potential changes, either — changes are a part
of any budgetary restructuring and essential for strategic
planning, according to Guilford administrators.
Former Guilford student Starlet Tetteh said that there are
already real divides between CCE and traditional students,
so financial distress could easily add to any false perception,
especially due to the number of North Carolinians who are
enrolled through CCE.
"As a freshman, 1 thought being in classrooms with CCE
students robbed me of a true traditional experience," said
Tetteh. "As I got older, 1 realized how selfish a thought that
was. We are all the same, though I'm sure those perceptions
still remain with some traditional students."
Tetteh's thoughts may not fall far from their mark. A
recent Guilfordian poll showed that 98 percent of the 117
students who participated thought there was an apparent
social divide, indicating varying forms of separation
between the groups, which Tetteh said was commonplace.
"Though I'm sure many adult students are of a different
mind than traditionally-aged students — I don't think it
bothers CCE students that much," said Tetteh. "They want
to get their degree and move on with life I know I do."
Guilford administrators said that while there might be a
social divide between CCE and traditional students, each
group is highly valued by the college.
Vice President of Admissions Randy Doss told The
Guilfordian that his office does not foresee the value of
CCE diminishing anytime soon.
"Guilford has the oldest adult degree program in North
Carolina," said Doss. "I expect CCE will always be a part of
Guilford. I believe educating adults is still very important
to Guilford."
Associate Vice President and Dean for Continuing
Education Rita Serotkin told The Guilfordian that though
CCE students will lose financial aid, which will cause
some students not to complete their education, CCE would
thrive.
"We are finding new ways to reach out to adult students
in North Carolina," said Serotkin. "I've had nothing but
support from Kent in keeping the CCE program alive."
While the full effects of the potential financial crisis has
yet to be seen, there are some like CCE SC A Vice President
Julius Ross who don't give a whit about the perceived
CCE and traditional divide. Ross just wants what's best
for Guilford and hopes eventually politicians will help
colleges rather than harm them.
"I'd like to believe that our leaders in the North Carolina
General Assembly will see that they are going wrong by
hindering education — there are other areas that should be
cut," said Ross. "They might not admit they are mistaken,
but they may offer a solution, which I hope is the case."