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U.S. Senate to vote on changing student lending practices » PAGE 28 THE COLUMBIA Korean restaurant In Lakeview serves it fast with fusion hronicle WEB-EXCLUSIVE VIDEO c ON ColumbiaChronicle.com The Of cial News Source of Columbia College Chicago March 29, 2010 Volume 45 Number 24 THEWEB Truth about online evaluations Online survey wonder where their evaluations When departments receive biology, chemistry, mathematics, create a sample large enough for responses lower than go or how they are used. results of the student evalua- Earth science and physics. faculty to get a true sense of how its paper predecessor “I don’t see the point of it,” tions, most look for trends within “Each coordinator is respon- a class progressed throughout said Daniel Hill, sophomore a certain class—if most students’ sible for keeping an eye on those the semester. by Ciara Shook music composition major. responses or comments are con- areas and other adjustments,” “We don’t get enough of [stu- Assistant Campus Editor The Chronicle contacted all sistent on a certain issue. Rasinariu said. dent evaluations] in order to do 22 Columbia departments in Many departments have coor- Department chairs have access fair evaluations,” AT THE conclusion of each semes- an effort to find the answer. dinators and program directors to these course evaluations and said Pantelis Vas- ter, students who log into their Fifteen of which responded. who oversee evaluations within many look at them to see what silakis, chair of Oasis accounts receive a notifi ca- Most departments said though their respective program when goes on in their department’s the Audio Arts tion about their course evalua- students’ opinions and com- the evaluations become available classrooms. and Acoustics tions. The few who take time to mentary that appear on the to faculty. Though most fac- Department. complete these evaluations send evaluations are vital to build- Constantin Rasinariu, chair ulty members take this “You have to have the tabulation into the great ing an e ective curriculum, not of the Science and Math Depart- simple survey seriously, at least 70 percent abyss of the Internet. enough are fi led for departments ment, uses the example of his most say not enough of the class respond Most students continue study- to know what works and what department where course coor- students complete ing for finals, but some may needs improvement. dinators work in areas such as the forms in order to » SEE EVALUATIONS, PG. 8 Konrad Biegaj & Erik Rodriguez THE CHRONICLE there is no current reason for the continuing students and fresh- di erence in credit hours.” men to have the opportunity to Photography Thall said this will not a ect take electives in addition to one- students currently enrolled credit workshops. in four-credit courses, or “We think this is a good thing, Department cuts students who have already providing more choice and completed one. better preparation for our stu- “Any student successfully dents,” Thall said. completing a four-credit Steve Kapelke, provost and credit hours course through this senior vice president of the col- summer will have that lege, agreed these credit changes Will the change from Committee for more than a class count as four cred- will not a ect students who are four to three affect year. The commitee submit- its,” Thall said. “Anyone trying to graduate. students’ degrees? ted the proposal in January to enrolled in courses “A curriculum change never Eliza Nichols, Dean of the School now will see no e ect to takes place in the semester by Benita Zepeda of Fine and Performing Arts, those courses.” which the committee is work- Campus Editor and the change was approved These changes will not ing on it,” Kapelke said. “Noth- in February. affect students graduat- ing we do is going to a ect our WHEN IT comes time for stu- Although there will no longer Erik Rodriguez THE CHRONICLE ing in May or the summer. current seniors. We would never dents to register for the fall 2010 be any four-credit courses in ments the committee suggested. They only impact students allow that.” semester, Photography Depart- the department, the course “We can see no reason why who enroll in classes starting However, junior photography ment students will fi nd that all curriculum will remain the some photography courses carry next fall. major Samantha Gold said she is four-credit courses have been same despite the change in four credits while most carry Incoming freshmen and con- upset about the change because changed to three-credit courses. credit hours. three,” Thall said. “In some cases, tinuing students will be a ected she had worked out her college The change was considered Bob Thall, chair of the Photog- there may have been a reason at by the change in credit hours. advising plan based on four and reviewed by the Photogra- raphy Department, said all the one time to designate a course The solution for making up phy Department Curriculum changes were part of improve- as four credits, but in each case the credit hours is allowing » SEE PHOTOGRAPHY, PG. 9 » SEE PG. 3 » SEE PG. 14 » SEE PG. 34 INDEX CAMPUS 2 H&F 11 A&C 17 28 Tuition spike Unspoken stories Big spending COMMENTARY raises concern on Census CAMPUS A&C of college partying H&F METRO METRO 31 2 THE CHRONICLE I MARCH 29, 2010 EDITOR’S NOTE NEWS FLASH Columbia gems to keep forever WHILE WALKING them within my column. Columbia has such through Columbia’s a plethora of wonderful teachers and courses colorful halls or sit- that it would simply be impossible to high- ting in one of the light them all. However, this week I’d like to 3/30/10 college’s C-spaces, it share my experiences with Sharon Powell; A Conversation With Audrey Niffenegger is common to hear encourage members of our student body to students grum- take her class and nudge some of Columbia’s bling about their faculty to look at Powell’s teaching method Join Columbia professor and author of “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” “Her Fearful classes. Homework and student rapport as a model for their own Symmetry” and art books “The Adventuress” and “The Three Incestuous Sis- is piling up, lectures teaching excellence. ters” as she discusses her novels and visual art. The event will be held from by Bethany Reinhart are boring, the pro- Powell has taken the broad topic of wom- 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Film Row Cinema Editor-in-Chief fessor is crazy, etc. en’s health care and made it into one of the 1104 S. Wabash Building, 8th Floor Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our most interesting topics I’ve studied during frustration about aggravating classes that my time at Columbia. The class doesn’t just 3/17/10 we forget about the excellent courses we’ve focus on health and well-being. It encom- taken and exceptional professors we’ve met. passes the cultural and political problems Exodus and Resurrection: The Religious Recently I was sitting in my boss’ office within the realm of women’s health care. In Science (Fiction) of Battlestar Galactica waxing poetically about my afternoon class. addition to focusing on such issues, Powell Since the first day, I have been unable to has made the class downright fun. She keeps stop telling people about this wonderful on target but still allows for open discus- Joe Steiff and Sara Livingston will discuss the religious and philosophical impli- course, Women’s Health Care Issues, taught sion within the class. Her passion for the cations of the SciFi series “Battlestar Galactica,” from monotheism to life after by Sharon Powell. My boss and I talked for subject is incredibly obvious and her method death to destiny and fate. The discussion will be held from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. a moment, discussing some of the hidden of teaching both informative and hilarious. Hokin Auditorium treasures at Columbia, including this course I always need a good laugh, so I will never 623 S. Wabash Ave., room 109 and its professor. He then pointed out that skip her class. when I leave Columbia and move on to future Additionally, Powell is a compassionate 4/1/10 endeavors, I won’t look back on the college professor. If a student is ill, her message is itself, but rather the people and connections to heal and get well—not to stress out about “America the Beautiful” I’ve made during my time at Columbia. missing class or homework assignments. From previous experience in my former She truly cares about the well-being of The screening of the critically acclaimed documentary that raises the question career, I knew my boss was absolutely cor- her students. of why America is obsessed with body image. The question is raised whether rect.