LIVE: Student Speak Out 2009

Writing on the Mall is LIVE from Student Speak Out 2009.  We’ll be live blogging from the event, and updating Twitter @WriteOnTheMall.  Refresh this post to see new updates.  Photos and video will be posted later this week.

Attendence for the night: 94…beat goal of 50 students.

9:04 PM – We’re Done!  Thanks for reading guys!!

9:02 PM – Casey – I’ve found three hairs in my food this week.  Came from inside pizza or other various foods.  Walter – ask for a manager and we’ll figure out where the hair came from.  Try to figure out what’s going on.  Ask to see a supervisor or go to Walter if things are not getting any help.

8:59 PM – Several students complaining about Rickey being locked all weekend.  CPS – Sometimes buildings get missed.  Give us a call and we will open doors for people.  Physical Plant – We can get card access through the existing card reader on the Selby door.

8:58 PM – Terry Plant, Junior – To CPS:  Can the Mass Media Building be locked later at night?  Or a system developed to let majors into the building?  CPS – We’ll look into it and get back to you.

8:55 PM – Rapid fire questions now.  Can GoPrint system be tiered depending on major, with those requiring more prints getting them, those that require less losing some.  IT – 500 was the average we came up with from last semester according to studies.  90% of students did not use all their prints.  Tried to make it a fair amount, but cannot increase prints based on major. 20% of paper has been saved due to not being printed.

8:55 PM – Russel Dorm doors don’t re-lock automatically.  Takes some time to re-lock Physical Plant – We’ll look at it

8:53 PM -Vincent Hendershot (sorry for the spelling) – Wondering if the breaker box in Gilman could be re-painted or fixed in some way to make it more visible and so that nobody hits their head on it? Physical Plant – We’ll look at it

8:49 PM – Alex Edelbrock, Junior – Another curriculum question.  Wondering if 300 level language course could be removed if the focus is more on the national level?  Kipp – faculty within programs decide courses that majors/minors should take.  McManus – we’re looking into the issue.  Want a proficiency in language that you might use in International Studies.  Gallery – knowing other languages are crucial to international business.

8:47 PM – Carm, Sophomore – Another question about caps on classes required for majors.  Can proportions on caps be changed?  Kipp – We’ll look into overcrowding in the Bio major, considering this is the second question regarding that program.  Adding courses is an option, but will take a look at it.

8:44 PM – Missed their name, SORRY! – Asking about whether CPS could patrol residence halls. CPS – Lots of safety improvements have been done over the past year.  The campus walk will be happening Monday.  Looking for CPS to engage in new programs.  Will be purchasing bikes, racently had an officer approved to be a bike cop.  Self-defense programs will continue to be offered.  Looking to have more of a presence in the residence halls, more programs to help improve safety.  Doubling up patrols, also.

8:43 PM – Kristen – Used to have lots of variety, but it now feels like sandwiches, sandwiches, and more sandwiches.  Walter – send me an e-mail with suggestions.

8:38 PM – Caitlin Cornell (spelling? sorry!), Senior – What can be done about off-campus housing policies?  Bruce responds – what we do, about this time every year.  With the projections that come in from admissions, we try to guess how many people will be on campus.  Goal is to fill up all residence halls first.  Used to let everybody on campus, no off-campus.  Amount of off-campus varies from year to year.  High retention rate caused problems.  More students were projected to not come back than did.  Things should be a lot more comfortable next semester.  Upperclassmen will be moved out of Freshmen housing.  Housing will continue to be tight.

8:36 PM – Charlie Philpot – Could we see more condiments offered at Izzy’s?  Walter – Yep, we’ll put them back.  Just a lot were not used and expired.

8:35 PM – Ryan Ellis – Are there plans to turn the vending machines into declining balance-elgible?  Walter – yes, the problem is being worked on.

8:33 PM – Hope Supernault, Junior – I’ve received several financial aid packages without any explanation of changes.  Lamb – There are supposed to be cover letters that go out to explain changes to fin aid, but it didn’t go out.  Guesstimates of financial aid and actual amounts change, and the changes in fin aid numbers show those changes.

8:29 PM – Tim Crandall, Junior – His father is an IT director at another school (Gannon).  Students can use ID cards there as credit cards.  Declining Balance could be used off campus?  IT – Long-term plan in place to move towards off-campus use of college ID cards.  The size of Marietta is not cost-effective for other area businesses to use the system.  Vending machines will all have card readers eventually.  Gallery – We’ll look at Gannon’s implementation to see how they did it.

8:25 PM – Question from the Gilman Box – What is the point of Web CT? Kipp Responds – After August 2010, it won’t exist anymore.  Very expensive program.  Moving to Moodle, an open-source system.  Seamless transition to the new system.

8:23 PM – Ian Boley (sorry about spelling) – Question on scholarships.  Phi Beta Kappa scholarships and Pioneer Scholarships clash?  Lamb – Lots of rules for scholarships and eligibility based on how many credit hours you come in with.

8:16 PM – Kelly Querry, Junior – I was informed that there was a stain on my bed after the RA had already cleared me.  Why am I being fined a month and a half later.  Bruce responds – Should have gotten a letter, not an e-mail.  Point is valid.  Paragraph on room check-out card says that RD’s review RA’s work.  Mattresses are numbered and marked to be in each room.  We can investigate back to previous room condition reports to see if the stain had been there previously.  There is no orderly historical system that makes it easy to review room condition histories.  Anybody can e-mail me with questions and concerns about room concerns.  Students can write on the Room Condition Report themselves.

8:15 PM – Allison Matas, Junior – The more scholarships I win, the less fin aid I get from the College.  Am I being penalized? Kevin Lamb responds – We’ll take a look at your file and see if other factors are causing that to happen.  Not policy to reduce scholarships because of winning other scholarships.

8:13 PM – Samantha Rementer, Junior – Are trips publicized?  Christie responds – We could help promote better, but there are a lot of posters up for trips already.  The promotion is there.  Better ideas for better promoting trips would be appreciated.

8:07 PM – Laura, Senior – Wondering if more faculty-led trips could be increased, and if J-Term could be brought back.  Also wondering if trips could be subsidized.  Kipp responds – J-Term was a great idea, but was not taken advantage of fully by students.  Trips are lower in price than students expect.  College cannot subsidize trips, but fundraising could be started to help pay.

8:06 PM – Writing on the Mall Question – Can diced fruit cups be offered with meal plans?  Walter responds – Yes, we can look into that (and then runs off for a bathroom break).

8:03 PM – Dave Hood, Junior, Junior Rep to Student Senate – Wondering if Campus Police can be armed?  Gallery responds – not a quick process.  Takes time to get that approved by trustees.  Hasn’t gone away, won’t happen overnight.

8:02 PM – Question from the Gilman Box – Why does the power go out so much here?  Physical Plant responds – AEP supplies power to the college…not sure what the reason is.

8:01 PM – Tim Crandall, Junior – He’s been fined for scratches, moved back into the same room, scratches had not been fixed.  Bruce responds – There is a process to report and repair damage.  They’ll look into it.

8:01 PM – Peter, Sophomore – Very thankful for the new rehearsal space at the Moose Lodge.

7:59 PM – Crystal, Sophomore – Any plans to fix cold shower problems? Bruce responds – Problem was supposedly fixed.  Will follow up on that.

7:58 PM – Crystal, Sophomore – Another Izzy’s point.  It’s really dirty.  Gunk on the tables.  Anything that can be done?  Walter – Just a matter of getting more people out there to clean. Will talk to them about that.

7:54 PM – Megan, Junior – Wondering if the Pre-Vet advisement could be improved.  Great for applying for med school, having to do a lot of leg work to learn about applying to vet school.  Kipp responds – Have you gone to the career center?  Gallery responds – Career center works with faculty and due the leg work for you to help you get to vet school.

7:54 PM – Missed her name again, drat.  SORRY – Wondering if students could get meal back if they miss one.  Walter – would like to do this, could happen next year with the new contract.  HUGE APPLAUSE!

7:53 PM – Lots of people getting thanks.  THANKS WALTER!!

7:52 PM – Crap, missed her name SORRY! – Wanted to thank the Career Center for all their hard work.

7:49 PM – Jamie Taylor, Sophomore – Couldn’t sign up for a class needed for her major, wanted to know if spots could be offered for upperclassmen, less spots reserved for Freshmen.  Kipp responds – The College is playing with the caps to create a better balance.  There’s always going to be this problem.

7:48 PM – Jamie Taylor, Sophomore – Wondering if lighting could be installed at the Tennis Court complex.  AD responds – Will look into the cost, no guarantees though.

7:45 PM – Question from the Gilman Box – Anti-Hazing activities should be expanded to include athletic teams.  AD responds – Teams discuss hazing at the beginning of each season.  Could look at increasing anti-hazing education.  If someone is being hazed, please come to us and bring the issue to light so we can handle it properly.  Allison Toney adds that collaboration and communication about anti-hazing events could be improved.

7:42 PM – Question from Writing on the Mall – Could Health Center hours be expanded? Lon Vickers responds –  Would love to expand hours at the Health Center, but it takes money to expland hours.  Looking to find out ptential costs.  Cost would be passed to students if it happens.  He is not happy with the current Health Center set-up.  Hoping to expand hours and/or bring health services back on campus.

7:40 PM – Tim Crandall again – Cleaning services are not up to par.  Showers were cleaned for first time recently, still smell of mildew, low amount of soap and supplies.  Gallery – Standards are in place, will meet with cleaning staff

7:35 PM – Chandler Wittel, Junior, Treasurer of Student Senate – Speaking about Fine Arts woes.  Wonders if information on website/brochures could be updated or listed on the College’s website.  Admin gallery responds – Never an intent to remove Fine Arts, trying to promote Fine Arts at Marietta College in different ways.  Links were not doing a whole lot on the old site.  Could be re-added to the site.

7:33 PM – Blakely Dye, Junior, International Affiars Representative for Student Senate – Wants to see a Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach.  AD responds – shouldn’t be pushed aside.  Formerly a part-time employee coached.  We have a great tennis facility.  Has ideas, cannot say anything about them at the moment, but should be beneficial when announced.

7:32 PM – Ryan Ellis, Commuter Chair for Student Senate – Creating a shelter for commuter students in case of inclement weather/emergency that is card protected?  Admin Gallery – Something that should be taken into consideration and promoted.

7:30 PM – Justin, Sophomore – Library question.  Could hours be extended during mid-term and finals periods?  Kipp responds – Extended hours will be offered, but not available as long as students would like.  They will open the Library earlier and close later on Saturday and Sunday of Finals.

7:26 PM – Jackie Adamescue (sorry for spelling), Senior – Another question about the Honors Program.  Question about whether higher level classes could be substituted for other Honors Program classes.  Kipp responds – Sometimes hard to get all ducks in a row.  There should be a set of predictable classes in Honors Program.  Also needs a system of additions/substitutions.  Changes in leadership in the Honors Program does not help.  Very sorry for frustration.

7:26 PM – Unnamed student – Wanted to thank Walter for donating foood to a catered event without really asking.

7:24 PM – Directed at Bruce – Can RD’s be re-evaluated due to mis-conduct?  Bruce welcomes any student to set up a meeting with him to discuss potential problems with him at any time.  RD’s used to be evaluated, but no longer.  Would love to discus problems.

7:20 PM – Kaitlin Lee, Casey Mercer – Speaking on Fine Arts Program, representing 8% of campus student body.  Their concert tour is lacking funding, no proper concert facility for performances, links from fine arts sites were removed from website in the re-design, only one brochure about Fine Arts.  They are looking for more consistent scheduling at Dyson-Baudo Recreation Center so they can better plan times.  Feel they represent and recruit for the college, but get little representation back.  The admin gallery – Questions are valid concerns.  Administration is aware of need for fine arts facility.  Master Plan done several years ago called for Fine Arts center, but no chance of happening while students at Marietta College are here.  Huge fundraising project that can’t be accomplished immediately.  Financing of choir tour cannot be done entirely from the school, unless more money is found.  Maybe a re-allocation of funds could fix financing problems.

7:16 PM – Laura, Senior – Would like to see more faculty/staff in other languages, like Spanish.  Kipp – would like to hire new staff, but no resources to do that in that area.  To add faculty/staff, would have to add students.

7:15 PM – Laura Finck, Freshman – Izzy’s runs out of paper supplies, smaller cups than their supposed to have for meal plans.  Walter – Feels frustration.  Pepsi cups come from Pepsi, have been out of stock for a while.  Don’t want to bring in styrofoam because or polluting concerns.  Lack of supplies will be addressed.

7:14 PM – Alex Edelbrock, Junior – Wondering if Honors Program class schedule could be more set, less random.  Kipp responds – working on creating set class schedule that would be much more predictable.

7:12 PM – Amber Davis, Junior – For Walter, Izzy’s…Frustrated about Izzy’s being out of everything after 5:30 PM, but them being closed already.  Walter – Will look into it

7:11 PM – Tim Crandall, Junior – Why is there no Major/Minor in Chinese Language.  Thinks there are enough classes to accomplish this, but is not sure.  Kipp responds – Would love to see it happen, but only one faculty member, few enrollees in Chinese.  New hires in Asian Studies could lead to a program in that area.

7:10 PM – Introductions…President Jean Scott, VP of Administration and Finance Dan Bryant, Director of Dining Services Walter Miller, Director of Career Center Hilles Hughes, Director of Residence Life Bruce Peterson, Assistant Director of Student Activities and Greek Life Allison Toney, Director of Athletics Larry Hiser, Director of Physical Plant Fred Smith, Chief Information Officer Administrative Computing John Davis, Director of Student Financial Services Kevin Lamb, Provost and Dean of the College Dr. Rita Kipp, and Chief of Campus Police Dave Valkinburg.

7:09 PM – Doesn’t look like these changes will reach final approval by College Trustees sometime next October.

7:06 PM – Provost takes the stage to discuss the strategic planning committee.  Mission statement and Nine Core Values are being re-evaluated and changed to make more modern without changing College’s direction.  Committee not done working on them yet, but will be presented as soon as approved by committee.  Students, faculty, and staff will have input on their final product.

7:04 PM – Campus Safety walk-through Monday at 7 PM.  Meet outside of Andrews if you have a safety concern on campus and want it addressed.

7:03 PM – Kyle takes the podium…and the crowd goes silent.

7:00 PM – Large crowd for this year’s Student Speak Out.  More than half the McDonough Auditorium is full.