N Courtney Straub & Justin Curry, News Editors ; , -=•:,‘„, Q es t . f th vv ee k by Heather Peterson, staff writer Will this count for my major? by Courtney Straub news editor Advising has always been an issue. Every year at the last minute students run to their advisors for help scheduling classes. The advisers get booked pretty far in advance and some students can not get the answers they need at the time they need them. This year the Division of Undergradu ate Studies office came up with a solution to help with the problem. "We're looking at ways of technology to ease the tension," said Patrick Smith, DUS adviser. Patrick Smith and Biddy Brookes are two DUS advisers that now have a chat room where stu dents can go to get their questions answered. This should be easier for students to get the anwers they need. Common questions include "does this count for my major" and "I am going to University Park next year, what should I do?" It is mostly geared toward first and second year students; however, any student is welcome to takoadvantage of the program. "I've been surprised at the amount of upper level students using it," said Smith. As an office, DUS serves about 475 students. It can be hard to service them all. By using the online chat room, appointments can be opened up for students who really need the time. "For the time we put in, we see more students than we would in appointments," said Smith. E-mail conversations can get confusing; by talk ing online both the adviser and student can ask questions to clarify answers. While in the chat room, the advisers have no idea who the students are. If the students do wish to reveal their name or major, they can "private" each other so the other students in the chat room will not be able to read it. "A lot of questions can be answered in minutes," ,r.:....i.00ti,.i0*:.: :: .00r - ...::! : j . 1#... -. *lth::.:000:::.,";.",00ghtoo It can be therapeutic to laugh. Studies have proven this fact, and if anyone needs a laugh it is college students. Students Will be given a chance to try Improv Night tonight in the Studio Theater. It starts at 7 p.m. At Improv Night, there are no lines, no set actors or scripts, just an opportunity for students to have a good time and enjoy some therapeutic laightin Nothing is rehearsed ittadvanc44,and arty ham who wants to give it tr, Is encouraged to come on dewh, There are few set ndes or Coidaditiert l except "have fun." "hmmey 'Night is going to be like "Who's Line Is It Anyway"?, only better," promises Steve O'Donnell, President of the Matchbox Players. "The first Improv Night was during "There are no actual actors, just those freshmen orientation week and it was a who come and enjoy participating. So huge success,". said O'Donnell. "The even though the andientie will get to yell quality of the participadon made it one out suggest 04$ they WO/i P t ll u it* t 0 attic o'4 held h e r e a k ßehren d• losithatiftheiltilhiol4 l tintheillint4" VW" Vis 40 the hiit:bnProv Night ~inatt***ll4.444*sfhc:, eest.h).— ibt October w here It It Anyivai? l ,':loiltf vithehtdeine the Oat Pi* gkeidel unfolded, but PhighigtheVatt 4 7 4l ***# o ,ovAh' agoi - the night wits very g!weeseni• sovi s ,„ by Ryan Rm*U advertising manager said Smith. "Other questions can take hours" The time that the advisers are online does not always match the time students are normally online. Right now, the advisers are working on finding a time where neither they nor the students have to go out of their way to get online. "We're trying to keep up with students by us ing technology," said Smith. "We're meeting the students where they're at". One downside to the online chat room is that there is no longer the personal contact between student and adviser. "It does take out the human factor," said Smith. There is a comfort level that exists between stu dent and advisor. The comfort level is hard to establish if they are only talking online. "I see advising as really developmental," said Smith. Traditional appointments are still recommended for any advising situation. "I like seeing my students' faces," said Smith Sometimes in the chat room Smith recommends that a student sign up for an appointment instead of talking online. The DUS advisers are not trying to take stu dents away from the other advisers. Sometimes questions are short and it is easier to answer online than to schedule an appointment and make the stu dent come in for five minutes. Also, some stu dents enjoy the anonymity factor. They may feel that their question is dumb and do not want their adviser to know they are asking it. According to Smith there is "no bad question." The advising chat is currently available at http:// www.pserie.psu.edu/academic/dus/chatroom.htm and will be until Nov. 25. The hours are on Mon days and Wednesday 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. and Thursdays 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. "I hope the students will take advantage of it," said Smith. Also, there is no admission fee, free pizza and free prizes. "Yes, entrance to Improv night is completely free to all, every, cost is placed on the Matchbox organization," said O'Donnell. "And I'm sotTy, I can't tell you what the ptizes are. My memory is a little foggy, but I believe there are some other things we may be giving away, perhaps a trip to the Bahamas for two, but I can't say for swe l " As a bonus attraction, There will also be a special sneak preview for the upcoming:Vac Acts" night, as a quick selection from the show "Sex Lives of Superheroes will be acted out. Students bre encouraged to show up early, because of an expeeted good turnout and'limited seating:in the Studio Friday, November 7, 2003 Dr. Sanders' Professional Eyecare 4600 Buffalo Road Erie, PA 16510 Call 899-6498 today! Look at what The Good Eye Doctor can offer you: - Eye Exams - Contacts - Frames - Lenses And The Doc even has some good deals you should keep your eye on: Just show your Behrend ID card for: $lO off eye exams! 25% off eyeglasses! Special Prices on contacts! *(May not be combined with any other offers or some insurance plans) Call 899-6498 for your Appointment Today! Got a prescription from home? Don't squak! The Doc can even fill outside prescriptions for you! 'WA SGA Corner so COUNCIL REPORTS Academic Council had a meeting on Wednesday to discuss budget concerns. Meetings are Thursdays at 6 p.m. IFC passed five members from each chapter participating in Mini-Thon, totalling 20 people from IFC. Meetings are Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Service and Honors Council announced that APO is having a Bingo night on Nov. 14. MCC reported that ABC is having a talent show, black expressions and rhyme off this weekend. NSBE is having a business etiquette dinner. Meetings are Mondays at 5:20 p.m. Panhellenic has been, wuNliing,,, on Gre,elc,V,Vpk, evaluation, as• wen as Greek Fair planning. Meetings are Tuesdays at 5:20 p.m. Recreation Council moved to hi-weekly meetings, and their next meeting is Nov. 15 at 5:15 p.m. No report: Arts and Student Life SGA Meetings are held every Wednesday at 5:20 p.m. in Reed 114 courtesy of Student Government Association Minutes Nov. 5, 2003 The Behrend Beacon COMMITTEE REPORTS Academic Affairs is still working on the academic workshop, as well as the possibility of SGA members scheduling early. Budget Committee Chair Jenn Sutter announced that budgets are due Friday at 5 p.m. with no execptions. Constitutional Review had a tentative change in its meeting time Diversity Affairs is reflecing on its idea of having a higher power over the Beacon and has decided that it would not work. THON turned in their SAF proposal for Mini „Thou and is working on dress down days in the local Catholic Schools. No report: Elections, Governmental Affairs, Public Relations, Student Affairs IN-HOUSE ELECTION RESULTS Justin Curry won the in-house election for the open senate vacancy. His voting powers began after Wednesday's meeting. Page
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