Governors State University OPUS Open Portal to University Scholarship Phoenix Student Newspapers 9-21-2011 Phoenix, 2011-09-21 Student Life Follow this and additional works at: http://opus.govst.edu/phoenix Recommended Citation Governors State University Student Life, Phoenix (2011, September 21). http://opus.govst.edu/phoenix/137 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Newspapers at OPUS Open Portal to University Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Phoenix by an authorized administrator of OPUS Open Portal to University Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. White House nod for GSU's dual enrollment program By Tolulope Afolabi received Pell grants in college and today, 9.6 million Contributing Writer have received so far." GSU has taken a major step in responding to New online Governor State University's new Dual Degree President Barack Obama's 2020 college completion program, a partnership with community colleges, goal, challenging American institutions of higher journal earned praise from Dr. Martha Kanter, Under learning to increase the national college graduation Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, dur­ rate by 50 percent by 2020. Studies have shown that showcases ing her appearance on campus many community college students Sept. 9. are not going on to earn a bache­ student literary Kanter spoke at GSU's lor's degree. "Success by Dual Degree: The Dual Degree program is work Meeting the President's 2020 already helping 43 community col­ College Completion Goal" event lege students take the steps to See Pg. 6 hosted by GSU's president Elaine graduate with a four-year degree. P. Maimon. "We are going to shine a spotlight Hundreds filled the Center for on the Dual Degree Program," Performing Arts auditorium to Kanter added. "This is absolutely standing room only to hear guest the right direction in which to go." speakers including Kanter, Dr. Kanter further praised GSU President and Chief Operating saying, "If we invest in education, Officer of CornEd Anne and do the kinds of things you are Pramaggiore and Rafiah doing here today, we will benefit Muhammed, a Prairie State Dr. Martha Kanter from those investments a thousand College student who is enrolled in UnderSecretaryofthe U.S. Dept. of Education folds because we would have a the Dual Degree Program. future for this country, in which we will all take Earn extra Dr Kanter told the crowd, "It is important for us pride." to do everything we can in order for students to Rafiah Muhammed is a good example of how the money for think critically ... We are trying to preserve educa­ new program will help students achieve their goals. • tional opportunities for the top 100 percent that want communtty to go to college. In 2008, six million students Continued on Pg. 3 servtce• See Pg. 6 By Corrie Gray nizes that many students are in the 2nd floor pedway for dona­ Staff Writer need of assistance to afford even tions of nonperishable food items the basic necessities for their fam­ and toiletries (soap, toothpaste, Looking for a volunteer activity ilies. "Our goal is to provide tem­ deodorant, etc.). Organizers ask that is self-fulfilling and will have porary assistance to students who that contributors check expiration a positive, meaningful impact on are struggling to make ends meet dates before making a donation. the campus community? If so, I during these hard econorriic In recent years, food pantries have the perfect opportunity for times," said senate member across the nation have seen a sig­ you. Denise Hill. nificant increase in the number of GSU's Student Senate, in con­ Participation in the food pantry patrons they service. High gas junction with the Wellness Club, is anonymous, with no financial prices combined with high unem­ is looking for volunteers to help information being collected and ployment and underemployment out with the university's new stu­ no names being recorded. are believed to be key factors in SUPERHEAVY dent food pantry. The new food Students will need to show their the rising numbers. GSU's stu­ pantry is a student sponsored GSU ID to prove that they are a dent pantry hopes to address a New supergroup initiative designed to provide student. need on campus that has been features relief for GSU students who could The pantry is located in the stu­ growing across the country. Mick Jagger, Damian use a little extra help during these dent lounge/kitchen area (across For more information on how tough times. from the student senate) and will to volunteer, make a donation, or Marley, Joss Stone Volunteers will work one day be open on Mondays, starting visit the student food pantry per month packing, sorting, November 7 from 2-6 p.m. please contact Sheree Sanderson See Pg. 7 checking expiration dates, and dis­ Collection boxes will be set up at 708-534-4552, Betty Campbell tributing groceries. near the main entrance, outside of at 708-969-0760, or Erin Fletcher "GSU's Student Senate recog- the student senate office and on at 708-534-4550. =================~~================= 2 09121 111 Alright, alright, alright Let the kids in....... but they had better behave By knowledge. Students enjoy the comradery of fel­ Danyale A. Lucado low students with similar interests and goals. We Editor-in-Chief inspire each other, we hold each other account­ able, and we cheer each other on in times of tri­ The GSU campus is all a buzz with President umphs. Maimon's discussion of freshmen being admitted Many of the freshmen students we've encoun­ to the university. In this year's convocation tered are not yet serious about education and are address, Maimon said that GSU will soon be the not willing to listen to older students who may only university in the nation admitting only try to encourage a more serious approach to their upper class students, a tradition she feels should academic pursuits. be revisited as the university looks to further In addition to the class distractions, this new develop and enhance its overall program. addition to the student body will mean more While I do understand the university's line of administrative staff and more faculty, which thinking on this issue, there are a few concerns means more costs that will be passed down to among the student body here at GSU. students in hikes in tuition and fees. I mean real­ Admitting freshment to the university will cer­ ly, I think we might want to rethink this thing. tainly bring in additional revenue and more Now, having said all this, I know that fresh­ closely align our programs with that of other uni­ men classes will inevitably be admitted to GSU versities, however there is a uniqueness to GSU at some point in the future. While my ranting that draws the crowd of adult returning students and raving may resonate with many of my class­ to the campus in particular. Coupled with the mates, I doubt the administration is going to use flexibility of class schedules and the low cost it as a basis to keep the little boogers out. So, tution, the maturity of the student body at GSU here's what I propose. is certainly a identifying characteristic of the uni­ Upon admitting the new students, the orienta­ versity. tion process must include a serious, and I mean Many of the students now attending GSU SERIOUS lecture on the value of the education have recently graduated from local community process and the level of maturity and committ­ colleges, having shared classrooms with fresh­ ment expected while on the GSU campus. men students, and I must say it was no picnic. There will be times for fun and socializing, College students fresh out of high school tend (I'm sure their admittance will be followed by a to be less focused on studies and can be quite a slew of new social clubs and sports activities to distraction in the classroom. Most of them have keep them busy) but that time is not in the class­ not matured enough to have grown out of their room, while an instructor is speaking. Open dis­ typical high school behavior. Many of them talk cussions in class are great, and most students in class, ALOT, even when the instructor is try­ enjoy this kind of teaching style. However, I ing to speak. Often times, these students are really don't want to hear you talking to your girl­ very lax in pulling their weight for group proj­ friend about what happened last night, while the ects, and they very seldom offer any meaningful class is discussing research theories. insight in class discussions. Having freshmen on campus can actually have I know, I know. Someone somewhere is say­ some positive notes. The university will have ing "yes, but this is an institute of learning and new energy, more activities, possibly sports we all have to mature to that level". I know, and teams and more. I understand. However, many students at GSU So I'm not TOTALLY against admitting the value the uniqueness of the GSU culture, which youngens, but for everyone's sake, please make includes students with a great appreciation for sure they behave themselves! Catch preview of MJ show A free preview of Thriller, GSU students can attend Thriller, The Legend the Legend Continues will Continues for the special price of $25 per ticket. rock the Hall of Governors Tickets are available at the Center box office. on Thursday, Sept. 22 at Student ID's are required. 12:15 p.m. Thriller, the Legend Continues, takes place The show's lead singer Saturday, October 1 at 8 p.m.