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THE CHQ@!tJCLE 0 f COLUM5 C A C 0 September 30, 1996 New dorm director, new outlook New Residence Hall Director Daniel Betts wants to make more than mere cosmetic changes in his domain--he's calling for a whole new attitude By Leon Tripplett Senior Writer New Residence Hall Director Daniel Betts strode briskly into his new position with confidence, a rigorously trained staff of resident fioor Daniel Betts, leaders and a commitment to Col umbia 's ensure change, reshaping new Columbia's dorms from a build­ Residence ing of vi rtual strangers to a Hall Director, community of citizens. stands in front There is one undeniable fact, of a dor m though: Betts will be scruti­ mural painted nized, analyzed and challenged, by students much like most new ad ministra­ from tors. Columbia and And he knows that. the University Although Columbia's dormi­ of tories, as they are traditionally Guadalajara. called, Jay secluded behind the college's main campuses on Pho:o h)• Pl ymouth Court, the problems Natalie filtering from the obscure build­ Bauaglia ing two years ago hardly went unnoticed. From false fire alarms being pulled by giddy students to alcohol and drugs, problems were running rampant. The rumblings of discord in tant at Roosevelt. Dean of Students, Jean Lee, of among others. the dorms reverberated When questions emerge Betts and his assistant Kristin The biggest change is more throughout the college, calling about chaos in residence halls, Fourroux. obvious, though. No longer for prompt snorting and Other residents share the will residents refer to their lloor action by t hi g h-s l ap­ same sentiment. ''They are try­ leaders as Resident Assistants, administra­ ping usually ing to change things from previ­ as they arc typically called at tor s ­ follow-no ous years," said Sophomore most colleges and universities, problems one wants to Dennis Rodgers, who returned but Community Assistants, said t h a t , talk about it. to the dorms aft er a rocky last Betts. according But that year with roommates who "We have definitely changed to resi­ was the past, couldn't adjust, and ult imately the focus by creating an envi­ d e n c e according to opting to move out. ronment where students can directors, sources with­ Rodgers is hoping for a feel connected to a community happens all in Columbia's smoother ride this year. "It's a based program," he added. the time. Student Life matter of what are you going to Community Assistant "You' re a ri d do to get to know people and Symon Ogctho took the com­ alway s Development, get involved I've learned a Jot munity idea literally, calling his going to the office since last year," he added. sixth lloor "Sixth Avenue." find prob­ assigned to Already, some of the "For residents to gel along they lems at any oversee the changes arc evident. Students must get to know each other institution, school's resi­ get acclimated to living with personally and become neigh­ you just dence hall. strangers by holding topic-rang­ bors, even if they're in different have to be prepared to deal with "I think that the new team ing discussions, or " lee rooms," Ogetho told residents it and act accordingly," says will work out great, they both Breakers," on street safety, date Lynette Phillips, resident assis- bring so much to the table, said rape, and nutrition and health, See Dorm, next page Putting ColuiDbia's new students to the test: Is itiair or is something .. .fishy? By Robert Stevenson Besides getting the data to update the Some students like the idea while oth­ who come here excited about an area of Senior Writer math and reading areas of your college ers don't. "I think it's a good idea because the arts have the basic skills necessary to education, these tests will help students it's going to Jet you know what level succeed in that area of the arts," said Dr. In last week's issue, some of you may receive better counseling, something stu­ you're on and what class you need to go Withrow. have noticed a letter from Academic Dean dents want, according to the Student to," said freshman Agcla Arnold. "Artistic talent alone isn't going to Caroline Latta and Provost Bert Gall about Satisfaction Inventory issued last year "No [I don't li ke the idea] because then ensure a student with a degree from the new testing for freshmen and new transfer "These exam­ you have all the college or a future in an area of the arts students. The test wi ll not chang~ the cur­ inations will give students com­ that's brought them here," continued rent open admission policy of the school. the college, espe­ peting against Withrow. "So we want to make sure that It is, however, a first step in a college-wide cially those of us each other," said we're servi ng not only students artistic effort to do a better job of assessing stu­ in general educa­ Gary Schultz. ambitions, but to also make sure that stu­ dents skills and deficiencies so the school tion departments, ''I'm pretty dents are leaving here with a sound, well­ can meet the needs of students. a profile of the lousy at math." rounded, liberal arts education. " "It's a big undertaking," explained incoming fresh­ Accordi ng to The test is expected to take about two Latta. "In order to get valid data, we need men class of Dean Latta, and a half hours and will be proctored in to have about 2,000 people take this." I 996-97's read­ these tests are classes like English Composition I. During the week of Oct. I 4 through 19, ing and mathe­ designed to help If you arc a first semester freshmen or a reading and math skill s tests will be given. matics skills," those students in transfer student who is not in a class that The tests are designed to find out what said Dr. Mark Withrow, Director of math and reading. will get tested, the test will also be offered areas of the curriculum need improvement. Composition for the English Department. "Everybody has strengths and weak­ at the Blackstone Hotel. A letter will be "I think the big thing for students is it's "It's an instrument to help placement of nesses, and it's going to identi fy your sent out soon to tell eligible students the not supposed to be some kind of awful a student and is Jetting us know what the strengths and weaknesses," added Dean dates and times for testing. If you have experience," said Latta. "It's supposed to background is of the student," said John Latta. questions about these tests, you can call be an experience that will, in the long run, Meyer of the Science and Math But what is the goal of these tests? the Academic Dean's office at (3 I 2) 663- pay off for you, the student." Department. "We want to make sure that students 1600, Ext. 5493. 2 NEWS September · 3o, 1996 THE CHQONICL Will the govt. pay your tuition? Journalism Department 623 S. Wabash Ave., Suite John Olino, Columbia's Director of Financial Aid, addresses the most­ 802 asked questions about his department--the promised land, to many students Chicago, Illinois 60605 By Allison Martin dent expects, he said, but the through several channels before contribute to a student's educa­ News desk: Assistant News Editor advisors exist to paint an honest, finalization. Submiu ing the tion even if they are fi nancially 312-663-1600 ext. 5343 realistic picture. "Honesty some- application right before the dead­ able. At this point, Olino speaks Photo desk: If you arc not exactly sure times frustrates students." line is "selling yourself up for with the parents on the advan­ 312-663-1600 ext. 5732 where your next tuition payment Once the availability of funds failure," he said. tages of aiding the student, but will come from, do not fret: is determined, students need to When students are not eligible generally only one out of five are Advertising desk: Approximately 4,000 Columbia know when they will receive for financial aid, there are several persuaded. A believer in 312-663-1600 ext. 5432 students arc in the same boat. them. According to Olino, the options. The unpaid balance . Maslov's basic human needs the­ FAX: Accordi ng to the Director of partner- must be ory, Olino said it hurts to see stu­ 312-427-3920 dents distracted with money con­ Financial Aid, John Olino, 5 1% s h i P ""'0.d ·dtiaU co n s i d - e-mail: of Columbia students receive be tween " '~ . ques· t1"ons ered criti- cerns when there are available Chron96@ interacess.com some type of financial aid.