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Courtney Straub & Justin Curry, News Editors ;
,
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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,"
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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
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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
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'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.
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