GRADUATE IN FOUR- CAN GAYLORD STUDENTS DO IT?

Gaylord students are finding it difficult graduate on time, especially those needing to work or those taking advantage of the study abroad program, because of flaws in the online advisement system.

“I have always wanted to study abroad but never thought my major allowed the time,” Public Relations Junior Claire West said. “When I got the advisement e-mail last semester, I just enrolled in the classes that my advisor sent me, but by doing so, my four year degree plan didn’t allow me to study in Italy like I had always dreamed."

West, like many students, does not like the e-mail advisement system because it is impersonal and does not allow a chance for human interaction. With the e-mail system, the recommendations are targeted to the specific major rather than the specific individual.

THE GAYLORD COLLEGE ADVISEMENT SYSTEM

All OU freshmen are advised through the University College for their first two semesters, University College Advisor Connie Divine said. When students leave University College and begin getting advised through Gaylord, they go through a degree orientation to get them familiar with their advisors, college, and courses, Gaylord Advertising Advisor Melanie Adams said.

During the degree orientation, sophomore students who have been accepted into Gaylord are introduced to the degree navigator tool, Adams said. Degree navigator is a great resource that allows students to check if they are on track with the requirements for their major.

“When I sit down with students and explain how the degree navigator fits with the degree check sheet, it’s like a light bulb goes off,” said Dr. Joyce Allman, the associate provost for academic advising. “However, when students try to use the tool on their own, they find it confusing and end up wasting money on courses that they have already met the requirements for. We are trying to encourage more students to use degree navigator and want to make sure students leave orientation confident that they can use the tool on their own.”

The next, and most important area of advisement is during the sophomore and junior years, when personal recommendations are most important, Adams said.

Advisors at the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication switched from a personal one on one meeting to an e-mail advisement system in Spring 2008, Adams said. The e-mail advisement is a general e-mail sent to students prior to enrollment that lists the courses that the student still needs to complete in their degree plan, and which specific courses the student should take the upcoming semester.

Students then select the courses on their own without any personal interaction with the advisors, unless they have questions and choose to schedule an appointment, Gaylord Public Relations Advisor Kathy Sawyer said. With the e-mail advisement system students do not get the benefit of personal recommendations on minors, internships, or study abroad; the e-mail is mainly just used to clear all enrollment stops.

“I think we are missing a connection between the material and goal, and we need to figure out how to build a bridge to fix the gap,” Adams said.

“The middle area of the advisement process is the missing bridge, what we need to ultimately fix,” Adams said. “Once our students reach 60 hours, it is our job to hand design a career path for them. The e-mail advisement gives students the perception that we are putting them off, and this is not our intention.”

At the end of the advisement journey seniors meet one-on-one with their advisor for a graduation check, Adams said. This is an easy process that runs efficiently without student complaints. The advisor looks at the student’s hours, GPA, and makes sure their grades are in.

OU STUDENTS STAY LONGER THAN 4 YEARS

In 1990, the 4-year graduation rate was 16.3%, 5-year was 37.2%, and 6-year was 44%, according to a Report on Findings about Undergraduate Student Graduation and Retention.

As a comparison, in 2002, the 4-year graduation rate was 27.7%, 5-year was 54.5%, and 6-year was 61.7%, according to the University of Oklahoma 2009 Factbook.

The statistics show that the University of Oklahoma is improving its graduation rates. Even though Gaylord College has the highest graduation rate compared to other colleges on campus, there are still improvements that can be made, Adams said.

In 2007, the 4-year graduation rate at the University of Oklahoma was 24.7% compared to higher rates at similar public universities, according to the Education Trust Graduation Rates.

The 4-year graduation rate at Florida State University was 47.6%, Colorado State University 34.9%, and University of Arizona 32.7%, according to the Education Trust Graduation Rates.

Florida State University has an excellent graduation rate, and the OU academic advising board is looking into what makes their rate higher than OU, Dr. Allman said. One thing Florida State has is threshold courses. If a student is not getting the grades that they need in order to excel in their major, they need someone that they can come and talk to about switching majors, rather than just giving up.

Students who do not meet the requirements, 24 semester credit hours with a 2.75 retention grade point, and are not accepted into the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication need someone to talk to about other options, Dr. Allman said.

Counseling must be offered for students who fail their classes and are told by their college that they can no longer enroll in that major, according to a Report on Findings about Undergraduate Student Graduation and Retention.

“Now, when a student is told he [or] she can no longer enroll in a certain major, there is currently no adviser who will give that student help in finding another major,” according to a Report on Findings about Undergraduate Student Graduation and Retention. As a result, the student must come up with a new major and career plan on his or her own, which contributes to the low graduation rate of OU students.

Dr. Allman wants students to come to her if they are struggling or don’t like their major, but don’t know who to talk to about switching to another major. “I am thinking about inviting myself to sit at student tables in the Union and ask students what can be done to improve advising, because I need to find out what students want,” Dr. Allman said. “I would even set up an Ask Allman booth in the Union because I am determined to help students succeed at OU.”

WHY STUDENTS STAY LONGER

At University College advisors understand that most students, even the ones who come to college with a specific major in mind, change majors three or more times, Divine said. If a student comes with an undecided major, advisors recommend the Gateway course, which gives students a career assessment test, and freshman seminars to help students choose a major quicker.

University College advisors recommend that students have chosen a major after their first two semesters, so they still have time to take all of their courses within the four year mark, Divine said. There are certain circumstances where students could be held back from graduating in four years. If a student chooses a major that has rigid degree requirements with little room for elective courses, taking electives as a freshman could hold the student back from graduating on time.

The advisors at Gaylord College understand that some students still won’t know their major when they first visit Gaylord as sophomores, Sawyer said. “But it is difficult for us when students come in without taking JMC 1013 or 2033 and we have to backpedal to see what we can do with what they have taken,” Sawyer said.

The Gaylord advisors are asking University College advisors to push students interested in Gaylord majors to take JMC 1013 and 2033 in their first two semesters at OU. Also, instead of allowing students to take random electives, students need to be pushed to find a passion and take related classes like different intro courses, Sawyer said. That way, students can figure out what they are interested in without losing credits.

The more journalism credits a student has when they enter Gaylord, the more opportunity they will have for study abroad and internships, because they will be ahead of schedule on their degree plan, Adams said.

The economy is also a large factor in why students are staying longer at OU to earn their degrees, Dr. Allman said.

With parents losing jobs or refusing to accept financial aid, it is harder for students to afford school, and many students take a semester off to work full time, Dr. Allman said. The Gaylord advisors try to help students with financial problems by encouraging them to take full advantage of scholarships and courses that can be taken at home at a community college, said Sawyer.

Gaylord advisors are constantly looking for opportunities that help students pay for college, one example being the OU Food Services opportunity, Sawyer said. Housing and food have created great opportunities for students. If students work 18 hours in OU Food Services each week, they will be offered free housing at either the standard dormitories or OU apartments, Traditions East and West.

Academic advisors encourage students who have to work to take advantage of on-campus job opportunities because those jobs are designed to accommodate students, Dr. Allman said. On-campus jobs are flexible and bosses understand if a student has a test or scholastic commitment.

WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?

“We are looking for student input on ways to improve the advisement system,” Adams said.

Gaylord College changed to the e-mail advisement system because when advisors assessed how students like to get their information, they took into consideration the popularity of Facebook and the Internet, Sawyer said. From this data, the advisors decided that the e-mail system would be easiest for both students and advisors.

However, there has been a lot of negative feedback about the e-mail system because even though some students like the freedom, others need individual guidance, Sawyer said.

“Some of my students come in and want me to hold their hand and say take class A, B, C, and D, and even want me to pick out their electives,” Sawyer said.

The system needs to have a balance where students receive personal guidance and are exposed to opportunities, but still have the ability to select classes on their own, Adams said.

“My suggestion is to have a PR class create a kit to find out what students like and dislike about the current advisement system,” Sawyer said. “The students will be put into a focus group where they will answer specific questions about what they like and dislike about advisement in the Gaylord College, giving more feedback than just saying I don’t like it, or she’s never in her office.”

Students are the ones who have the power to change the system, Adams said. With feedback from the study body, Gaylord advisors are working to change the advisement process from an e-mail system to a system that caters to the needs of students.

“I am looking forward to finally meeting face to face with my advisor,” West said. “If she gets to know about me personally, maybe she can work with me and suggest some options that will allow me to study abroad in Italy and still graduate on time.”

Check out what a face-to-face advisement appointment would look like:

Two student's opinions on the Gaylord e-mail advisement system:

Koofers.com adds OU to database

Koofers.com, an interactive student information-sharing site, recently added the University of Oklahoma to its database, giving students access to professor and course profiles, study notes, and previous exams.

Koofers.com allows students to interact with other students in their classes by providing discussion boards and opportunities to upload notes and old exams.

“I just signed up and it’s really cool because I have found test files for classes that I didn’t think had any,” said junior Claire West. “I think this site is better than myedu.com because in addition to professor ratings, we have access to previous tests and notes that really help”.

Koofers.com has been advertised on Facebook and Twitter to encourage more students to join. By entering an e-mail address and password at koofers.com students can create an account in minutes and begin enjoying the benefits of the site.

Listen to what OU sophomore Amanda Gerards has to say about Koofers:

Check out more about Koofers from OU sophomore Allison Harris:

Fiji Olympics Begins Tonight

Fiji Olympics, a competition where sororities compete in a variety of sporting events, will be held tonight with the goal of raising money for the American Cancer Society.

“It’s so funny watching the girls attempt to play sports,” said Hudson Seidel, Phi Gamma Delta member. “We make our pledges dress up in embarrassing costumes for entertainment and some of us referee. There are a lot of ways for everyone to get involved and we appreciate the sororities donations and help in us raising money for the American Cancer Society”.

The Olympics will begin tonight at 6:00 p.m. and continue until Thursday, November 19, until one sorority is deemed the winner. Each sorority will participate in football, dodgeball, kickball, and an Olympic relay. This year the Olympics will be held at Lions Park north of Boyd Street on Flood Street due to current constriction of the Phi Gamma Delta house.

Next year the men of Phi Gamma Delta will be able to hold the annual fundraiser at their new house on the corner of Chautauqua Street and Elmwood Street.

Check out what a bystander who came to watch and support her team had to say:

Listen to what a Fiji referee had to say about the Olympics:

Shack-a-thon fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity on South Oval

OU will hold the annual event Shack-a-thon today on the South Oval of campus from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. where students raise money for the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity.

Each sorority teams up with a fraternity and builds a shack out of cardboard boxes and tape. Greek students will rotate working shifts on their shack and will be collecting loose change from students on the South Oval during the day.

“It’s fun getting donations from people walking on South Oval,” said Shack-a-thon volunteer Keely Line. “Everyone is curious what’s going on when they see us building shacks and usually end up giving some spare change”.

Last year students stayed overnight in the shacks. This year the Greek community hopes to earn more money for Habitat for Humanity by remaining on campus during the day to collect change as students pass the shacks on their way to and from classes.

Check out what student volunteer Adam Grable has to say about Shack-a-thon:

Students have trouble with spring 2010 enrollment

Many students were not able to enroll in the recommended 12-15 hours because of the lack of classes available for the spring 2010 semester.

Classes are smaller and offered at fewer times for the spring 2010 semester, said human relations junior Jackie Yoken. Students are having to email their advisors and teachers to ask for special permission to get into full classes.

"Most of the classes I was advised to take are already full," said interior design junior Ivy Poye. "It's frustrating because my alternatives have time conflicts with the few classes I was able to enroll in".

So far, no changes have been made to accommodate more students. However, if the class sizes and times become large enough of a problem, the university may have to change its policy to accommodate more students, said professor Kathy Johnson.

Check out what students have to say about the new enrollment system:

OU student Chandler Shockey logs on to ou.edu/green to make her commitment to go green.  She is able to make a contribution without leaving her own home. 

Students Help OU "Go Green"

Students can not only improve recycling on campus but also help the nation go green by logging on to ou.edu/green and making a “commitment” to the environment.  

Until December 18, 2009 for every student who makes a commitment to the environment by checking a few boxes regarding ways to improve conservation, OU will match with a two-dollar contribution for a campus project.  OU is trying to expand its recycling program and better the environment by encouraging students to go green. 

“It only took me like sixty seconds to log on and make my contribution,” said junior Chandler Shockey.   “It was weird, I felt like I was helping and I didn’t even do anything, if everyone took the time to make a commitment OU would raise so much money”.

Students can log on to ou.edu/green and learn about ways to preserve Earth’s resources and keep OU beautiful by making a commit to go green. 

Individual Fitness Encourages Students to Utilize the Huff

Every semester the university provides students with the opportunity to enroll in Individual Fitness, a class that motivates students to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Many students have trouble finding time to exercise, but with the Individual Fitness class, students are forced to sign in and work out for one hour twice a week.  With about thirty students in each class, students are free to workout as they choose but are also encouraged to ask the instructor for guidance to maximize the benefits of their workout. 

“It’s hard for me to get going in the mornings but with Individual Fitness I know that I have to go, and I always leave with more energy and a better attitude,” elementary education junior Amy Austin said.

Students are able to enroll for the spring 2010 semester starting in November and the Individual Fitness class counts as a one credit hour elective.  It is offered either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday at several different times during the day.  

The student parking lot on the north side of the Huston Huffman Center is closed due to construction. The surrounding lots fill up quickly during school hours and students are forced to park illegally or elsewhere.

Parking Lot Construction Limits Student Parking Spaces

The multipurpose student parking lot located on the north side of the Huston Huffman Center is closed due to construction, leaving fewer parking spaces for commuter students. 

Many students utilize the multipurpose parking lot off Lindsey and Jenkins when visiting the huff or going to classes on the south oval.  With the construction limiting the number of spaces, students are forced to park elsewhere or illegally.

“I have a class at the huff, and since the construction started last week, I have had to circle the parking lot for fifteen minutes to find a spot, said Chandler Shockey psychology junior.  “Now I park across from Jenkins, which is a pretty far walk, but it’s worth it to avoid circling the parking lot.”

Construction will continue throughout the week and students need to be aware that the lot is closed so they can plan accordingly in order to be on time for class.  

Morgan McMahan, public relations junior, working at the Student Art Gallery in the Oklahoma Memorial Union. McMahan sells student art displayed in the gallery, earning a an hourly wage and twenty percent commission on the items she sells.

On-Campus Job Opportunities for Students

Due to yearly tuition increases and college expenses, many students get on-campus jobs to pay for their college costs.

The Student Union, Housing and Food Services, and Human Resources offer many flexible part time jobs to students looking for some extra cash. An easy to use website makes searching for jobs efficient and allows students to search for jobs that match their individual interests.

“Working at the Student Art Gallery is great because the hours are so flexible,” said Katie Blaine, photography junior. "I am interested in photography and art so working here earns me some extra money and experience in handling art".

For more information about on-campus and off-campus jobs visit jobs.ou.edu and follow the search instructions.

Students at Goddard Health Center are sent to an isolated waiting room if they have flu like symptoms. Protective masks are distributed by nurses to keep germs contained.

Influenza and the Greek Community

OU Texas weekend is supposed to be one of the highlights of the school year, but this year students returned to Norman with more than just a football defeat. 

“Three nights of partying in Dallas was not worth the week I’m spending in bed with the flu now,” said Caroline Prueitt, business junior. 

At the time, Prueitt didn’t think that sharing drinks with her sorority sisters would spread germs so easily.

According the American College Health Association Guidelines, “Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. However, fomite or direct contact are also possible modes of transmission.”

INFLUENZA ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES

H1N1 is a growing concern on college campuses, and with close living quarters and weekend activities, the Greek community may be especially susceptible to the flu virus. 

According to the Center for Disease Control Guidebook, events that bring large groups of people together, such as Greek parties or football games may pose a high risk of exposure and transmission of the flu.

It is the responsibility of the university to “discourage people with flu-like illness from attending these events until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours,” according to the Center for Disease Control Guidebook. 

The seasonal flu and H1N1 flu share common symptoms that students should look out for and seek medical care if symptoms are severe or if a fever is present,” said Maggie Pool OU Health Services Registered Nurse.

Pool said H1N1 symptoms are less severe than the seasonal flu, but both are very contagious and can leave students out of commission for several days to a week.

Symptoms to watch out for include headache, severe body aches, dry cough, fatigue, chills and sweats, congestion, loss of appetite, and fever.

“We have seen an increase in patients with these symptoms earlier than usual and we believe it has been due to the early arrival of the circulating H1N1 virus,” said Pool.

According to the American College Health Association weekly data, for the week of Oct. 10- 16, 2009, “A total of 7,099 new Influenza Like Illness cases were reported (and thirteen hospitalizations) among campus populations totaling nearly 3.4 million.”

"Among these 3.4 million students, we have observed over 47,000 cases of ILI,” said Dr. James C. Turner, president of the American College Health Association. “But there have been only 78 hospitalizations and no deaths, indicating this disease remains generally mild," said Turner. 

INFLUENZA AND THE GREEK COMMUNITY

If influenza rises severely, the University of Oklahoma may have to suspend Greek events due to the risk of spreading the virus, said Jill Tran Panhellenic advisor.

“Since large numbers of students attend Greek events, the spread of germs is more likely, especially during flu season,” said Tran.

With high amounts of daily contact amongst students, and the close proximity in which this contact occurs, the rapid spread to high numbers is the most threatening aspect of the illness according to the American College Health Association.

“Panhellenic has taken the issue very seriously,” said Tran. 

“We have invited Goddard Health Department to speak to all of our chapter presidents.  Also, we have made sure to provide each chapter with hand sanitizer, one-time thermometers and brochures on how to properly wash hands,” said Tran.

With 80 plus students living together under one roof, contagious illnesses are a big concern, said Kevin Estep Interfraternity advisor. 

“The close proximity of the residents of fraternity and sorority chapter houses increases the likelihood of contracting any illness, including H1N1,” said Estep.

The Greek organizations have been advised by Health Services on prevention and procedures to follow if a student living in a fraternity or sorority house is diagnosed with H1N1.

Greek members living in the house must take great caution when another member is diagnosed with a contagious illness.  

“As house mom, I feel it is my responsibility to take care of my Kappa girls,” said Pam O’Neill Kappa Kappa Gamma house mom. 

“Kappa has provided hand sanitizer throughout the house.  Also, signs have been posted on appropriate doors advising the girls that any door they can open with their shoulder or hip, and not touch with their hands, will cut down on the spread of germs,” said O’Neill. 

If a student begins to develop flu like symptoms, the student is encouraged to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. 

“If one of my girls at Kappa is diagnosed with H1N1 or any form of influenza, she would stay in the guest room and avoid contact with others,” said O’Neill. 

O’Neill said that Kappa has had one case of H1N1 confirmed by Integris Minor Emergency.  The student was isolated in the guest room and avoided common areas like the kitchen, dining room and restrooms to keep the other girls from getting sick.

HEALTH SERVICES H1N1 PREVENTION

The American College Health Association has provided university health centers with information on how to minimize the spread of influenza. 

According to the American College Health Association Guidelines, everyday actions to stay healthy include: washing hands with antibacterial soap especially after person-to-person contact, covering mouth and nose after a sneeze or cough, avoiding the touch of mouth, nose, and eyes, and staying home from class if one feels ill.

“Those with flu-like illness should stay away from classes and limit interactions with other people, except to seek medical care, for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever,” according to the Center for Disease Control Guidebook.

Overall, universities need to be educated on how to treat students with influenza and H1N1 and provide information to students and faculty on how to stay healthy.

According to the American College Health Association Guidelines, “the primary focus is for colleges and universities to plan and coordinate responses to protect and improve the mental health and psychosocial well- being of individuals in the midst of an influenza pandemic outbreak.”

By following these measures to keep germs to a minimum, students can increase their chances of staying healthy this flu season. 

Check out McKenzie Cate, a Greek junior's, personal story regarding the flu in her sorority house:

Kappa Alpha Theta Taco Cabana Night

Students who eat at Taco Cabana on 1-35 and Main Wednesday night will help the women of Kappa Alpha Theta raise money for their annual Kats Making Tracks 5K Run.

Wednesday Oct. 21 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. twenty percent of the proceeds of all orders will support Court Appointed Special Advocates for the 5K run, said Jen Lempges, Theta philanthropy representative.

“Taco Cabana night is so much fun and there are always a ton of people who show up,” said Abbey Dempsey business junior. “We really appreciate all of the support for the 5K, which is our biggest philanthropy all year.”

Kappa Alpha Theta members hope the event will help jump start the fundraising for Kats Making Tracks 5K Run in the spring.

Listen to Emily Payne talk about Taco Cabana Night:

OU students taking tickets at the Fourth Kind Premiere. Each ticket admits two students for the 9:00 p.m. showing at Meacham Auditorium.

The Fourth Kind Movie Premiere

The CAC Film Series at the Meacham Auditorium Tuesday Oct. 13 at 9:00 p.m. is predicted to be the biggest premiere of a movie at OU said Kelsey Pennell, organizer of the CAC Film Series event.

The movie is titled The Fourth Kind and is released in theaters Nov. 6, 2009. The film is a provocative thriller that brings to life the fourth kind of alien encounter, abduction. It is set in a small town in Alaska that has been reported to experience alien encounters. The real life encounters are documented and investigated throughout the film, incorporating actual case studies and dramatic effects.

“Me and my friends are going tonight and I’m already scared,” said Madeleine Rady human relations junior. “I found out about the event on Facebook and there were a lot of people who said they were attending.”

Students can pick up free admission passes at the Student Life Office, Room 370 of the Oklahoma Memorial Union, and watch the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVRHOhLP-aA.

Students at Pre Dally Rally waiting for Eli Young Band to play. The concert is expected to be a huge success for the Phi Delta Theta and Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternities.

Pre Dally Rally Kicks Off OU Texas Weekend

The members of Phi Delta Theta and Kappa Kappa Gamma are hosting an Eli Young Band concert with free food and giveaways to get students pumped up for OU Texas weekend.

The event is named Pre Dally Rally and will be held Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. Eli Young Band will be playing on the front lawn of Phi Delta Theta and Seven47 will be catering the event. Tickets are 15 dollars ahead of time and 20 dollars at the door.

“OU Texas weekend is my favorite weekend of the semester,” said Emily Payne journalism junior. “I love Eli Young Band and the concert is a fun way to end a stressful week of midterms and get me excited for the game.”

Fraternity members will be selling tickets all week. Mary Rexroat, Kappa Kappa Gamma president, said she is proud to be hosting the event and expects to see a great turnout.

I am a member of the greek community and am supporting the event.

A girl wearing rain boots in Dale Hall.

Rain Boots: Functional or Fashion Statement?

Female students are facing the dilemma to follow the trend and spend excessive amounts on fashionable rain boots to wear around campus as the weather forecast begins to predict rain.

Many students question why girls are spending hundreds of dollars on rain boots when cheaper functional footwear is available.

“I don’t understand why girls even wear rain boots. They’re so ugly and half of the time it’s not even raining when they wear them. I think it’s stupid that they pay so much for a trend,” said Andrew Swann energy management junior.

Trends continue to drive girls to pay more for what is in style according to their peers. Whatever the next trend may be, it is a sure fact that students will follow.

Check out the rain boot trend: