Along with the typical student academic and extracurricular responsibilities, some University students also bear financial responsibilities. About 45 percent of the undergraduate class uses some of the services provided by Student Financial Services, director Yvonne Hubbard said.
So, I find that it may finally be spring. This is a good time of year -- the best time of year, I think.
The month of March means many things to the average college student -- spring break, midterms and the end all, be all NCAA basketball tournament. "It's March Madness, baby," said third-year College student Katie Ergen.
For many students, nothing can compare to the crisp, natural exhilaration of a stroll around Grounds.
Between sketches, problem sets and papers, students in the Architecture School, Engineering School, and College of Arts & Sciences each have their own uniquely challenging workloads and schedules every semester.
As May rapidly approaches, fourth years are scrambling to find jobs, places to live or graduate schools to attend next year.
Coach Bayless" -- from now until my final departure in May, that is what you can call me. I won't answer to anything else. For the third year in a row, Central Little League has provided me with a three-month license of authority, and I intend to squeeze out every last drop. Back when I was playing third instead of coaching it, I swore to myself that when I grew up, I would never become "that guy" who lives vicariously through his kids -- and technically, I've stayed true to my vow. All that means is that I have become "that guy" who lives vicariously through other people's kids. At this age, I'm lucky that I can still spin my behavior off as "youthful enthusiasm." If I acted like this and had a child of my own on the team, people would probably worry that I had fallen prey to the classic delusion of the Little League dad: That the size of your member varies in direct proportion with your son's batting average. Coaching 8-to-11 year olds these past few years has done wonders for my ego.
In May, local children will experience University life -- brought to them by the Drama department, that is.
As I am sure many of you have noticed, there is a multitude of staircases around Grounds that transport us from place to place and allow us to get to class or simply explore the beautiful and unique architecture of the University.
Tired of forking over big bucks to the University Bookstore for textbooks in addition to tuition? The Virginia General Assembly seems to be on your side: Legislators passed a bill March 8 requiring colleges to brainstorm guidelines to help cut the costs for college textbooks statewide. Some suggested guidelines include continuing to use older editions of books when the newer editions do not change radically, advance notification from professors if they decide to use the same edition again and separating textbooks from supplementary materials like workbooks and CD-ROMs, according to The Washington Post. When third-year College student Rory Schmidt first heard about the bill, she said she was enthusiastic about the lowered costs. "It's a great idea," Schmidt said.
It is called the silent killer. It is something that affects students at the University every day.
As April approaches, most of us see the end of the school year and begin making plans for when we're away from the University.
Spring break ended over a week ago, but considering all I've done since returning to the drudgery of school is cry myself to sleep every night, I think I deserve a pardon for reaching back a bit. Break was very relaxing, which was great, but the best part was I learned a couple of things: First of all, I learned what it feels like to be Greg Focker.
College kids are infamous members of society. We are stuck between our pending adulthood and recent adolescence, wanting our opinions to be heard on one hand, while shying away from the consequences on the other.
"Give about two hours every day to exercise; for health must not be sacrificed to learning. A strong body makes the mind strong." This quote from Thomas Jefferson greets all those that walk into the Aquatic & Fitness Center, causing some to cringe with guilt. At Mr. Jefferson's University rated "Hottest for Fitness" by the Kaplan Newsweek College Guide in 2005, the student body here does give a fair amount of time to exercise -- even if it's not quite the two hours that the University's founder recommended. Opportunities to exercise abound: short courses in dance, working out in the gym, jogging, intramurals, club sports, walking to class -- the list seems never-ending.
When most Americans hear the word "Islam," chances are good that they immediately think of several strong images and phrases.
Last week, I saw dozens of little kids, no more than 5 or 6 years old, walking around Grounds. Surely, the University is no place for small children, so why would so many of them be at the University?
Change is upon us. Last week, representatives from the Student System Project said they expect to replace the Integrated Student Information System (ISIS) within the next four years. For better or for worse, virtually all students at the University are acquainted with ISIS and many have developed strong opinions about it. While a common complaint may be the frequency of error messages regarding too many users, students have a number of other ideas on what the replacement team should address. Many students would like to see improvements to an interface that can be "pretty unwieldy at times," according to second-year Engineering student Robert Carlisle. Describing why the interface is uncomfortable, first-year College student Alex Friedman said, "Some of the stuff with grades or checking credits ... is a little confusing or hard to understand." Carlisle said he once lost a class because he got stuck navigating the registration interface for 10 minutes. However, this is not necessarily a universal experience. "Even though you can't all get on at the same time, I think the registration aspect is pretty clear and pretty easy to use," third-year College student Ariel Alberti said. One aspect of the interface that Jim Russell, second-year College student, said he has had trouble with is remembering to put in the right academic term at the top of the page. He said he also has difficulties with the financial features. "I had no idea what was going on, and I consider myself savvy with that sort of thing," Russell said. Alberti agreed that those functions are often unclear. Sometimes, she said, "I'm not sure which is a positive or negative balance." Despite these issues, students praised other parts of the system. Carlisle said the system is pretty fast once he is logged in.
The March 16 Life article "Diversity?" incorrectly reported that University Media Relations was a sponsor of the diversity forum held March 1, when it was in fact University Mediation Services.
Spring weather is not the only thing right around the corner. Just beyond Grounds, the Virginia countryside is filled with roads University students enjoy traveling on for pleasure. "Spring is the best time of year, and driving around is a great way to avoid work and have a good time," third-year Engineering student Mike Pilat said. Second-year College student Matt Watson said driving is a method for stress relief. "It's an easy way to make a quick getaway from the school environment," Watson said. He added -- while a blaring ambulance rolled by -- that it is an opportunity to avoid the noise of the downtown and University areas. "It's great for anyone interested in the outdoors and not being shut up inside," Watson said.
