January 28, 1999
Campus quiz: This serene angel gazes heavenward from which campus building? Answer below.
Fitness? Here's Y
Spring semester classes at the Campus Y -- everything from Yoga and Tai Chi to aerobics and American Sign Language -- are starting up now. Classes are:
- Y Step Aerobics, two sessions, Mondays-Wednesdays at 4 p.m. and Tuesdays-Thursdays at 5 p.m.;
- Hatha Yoga, Wednesdays at 6 p.m;
- Tai Chi Chu-uan, two sessions, Tuesdays at noon and 6 p.m.;
- American Sign Language I, Wednesdays at 6 p.m., and American Sign Language II, Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
For more information or to register, call 935-5010.
Above and beyond
The University wishes to express its thanks to all of the employees who helped with snow removal during the recent storms. Six mechanics and three supervisors from the maintenance operations department volunteered to act as a quick response team, supplementing the normal snow removing efforts of Top Care Inc.
In addition to the hugs and hot coffee the team received while working 12-hour shifts, thanks go to the following: Scott Basden, Phil Gann, Tom Kirk, Dave Million, Steve Schuchardt, Jeff Todisman, and supervisors Tim Cantoni, Mike Eaton and Tom Flaker.
Call for nominations
The Office of Alumni and Development Programs is seeking nominations for persons to receive distinguished faculty and alumni awards at the 1999 Founders Day in October.
For faculty, criteria include quality of instruction, relationships with students, availability to students outside the classroom, scholarship and service to the University. For alumni, the measures are national success and achievement, significant public service and active engagement in University or alumni affairs.
Those wishing to make nominations should do so before Feb. 5. Nominations, including a letter of recommendation and a current biography, should be sent to Stephane Rebeck, associate director of alumni relations, at Campus Box 1210. For more information, call 935-6503.
Distance learning
Colleges and universities have embraced technology in a variety of ways, but distance learning faces criticism in 1999 and beyond from those concerned about the quality of online education, according to The New York Times. More than half of U.S. colleges and universities have at least part of their undergraduate applications available online, and 44 percent of courses now use e-mail. In addition, several institutions and companies now offer courses or entire degree programs online.
But some education experts predict that academe will grow increasingly skeptical of distance learning efforts. They question whether the quality of distance education matches that of the classroom, whether student attrition is higher online, and whether students feel more isolated online than in lecture halls.
"Club Ed"
While cost and academics are probably the biggest factors that students and parents consider when choosing a college, a myriad of other factors play a role as well, according to a New York Times report. Attractive eating facilities, a speedy Internet connection and a spacious workout facility are just a few of the perks that applicants might look for in what the Times calls the "Club Ed" approach to picking a college.
Did you know?
William Greenleaf Eliot, co-founder and first president of the University's Board of Trustees, was an ardent abolitionist who lobbied both in Massachusetts, where his brother was a congressman, and in Missouri for the emancipation of slaves. He was one of the first to propose the enlistment of African Americans in the Union armies and later stumped for pay equity and other benefits for them.
Answer: Our angel stands vigil above the main doors to Graham Chapel.
"News Briefs" includes short items on a wide range of subjects, typically information about resources, benefits and opportunities available to faculty and staff. Readers are invited to submit briefs, which will be used as space permits, to Betsy Rogers, Campus Box 1070, or by e-mail, Betsy_Rogers@aismail.wustl.edu. Please include your name and phone number.
