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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 1999)
Force looks at freshman retention I By Kimberly Sweet Senior staff writer For the typical freshman at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the first weekend at school is reserved for getting used to residence hall life and learning to navigate around campus. But if Ted Pardy, a professor of bio logical sciences, could have his way, students new to UNL would spend the first weekend at school on a camping trip, learning about biology or meeting new people. Pardy, along with 22 other UNL faculty members, staff and students on the Freshman Experience Task Force spent last year coming up with recom mendations on how to successfully assimilate freshman students into col lege life. Camping trips are not on the list yet, but an optional overnight New Student Enrollment, first-year charter seminars, more learning communities and an interactive Web site are. The task force, which was appoint ed by Richard Edwards, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, was chaiged with the task of making recom mendations that would increase the freshman retention rate. Pardy said the group looked to make recommendations that would be realistic without requiring an onslaught of new funding. “One of the things we decided was that this cannot be heavily resource dependent,” he said. “We decided to use the expertise we have available and to piggy-back on existing programs.” Nancy Stara, associate to the vice chancellor for academic affairs, said Edwards was impressed with the rec ommendations the group presented. “I would say he is supportive,” Stara said. “I think the recommendations are realistic and can be done.” In order to make recommendations, the task force first had to gather infor mation about incoming freshman, Pardy said. “It became apparent that we were losing a disproportionate amount of freshman who were intellectually well prepared,” Pardy said. After getting information on fresh man, the task force concluded that those who belonged to an identifiable com munity had better success rates than those who were loners. By creating more learning commu nities, freshmen who aren’t connected to groups such as fraternities, sororities or band would have a chance to be a part of an identifiable group, Pardy said. The task force also saw an opportu nity for a more intensive orientation period during the first few days of school. Providing some kind of struc tured activity during the first hours they are on campus could make the transition from high school to college a little easi er, Pardy said. “There are 72 golden hours where we could work to help make the transi tion easier,” he said. Another way to help freshmen stay after their first year is to establish first year charter seminars. These classes would provide small, interactive class environments where new students could establish relationships with professors and other students, Pardy said. Other recommendations include an overnight New Student Enrollment and creating a Web site to communicate what it takes to succeed at j5NL. The recommendations, which were presented to Edwards in June, are now up for review by the entire campus. The task force is looking for feedback from faculty, staff and students from a variety of disciplines to comment and make suggestions on the feasibility of the rec ommendations. Along with receiving feedback from around campus, the next step in the process is forming subcommittees with special expertise. The subcommit tees will work on developing programs and freshmen seminars for next year, Pardy said. Pardy said he wants to see concrete evidence of the group’s work outside of the report by next year. “It’s up to the campus as a whole,” he said. “Our goal is to have some tangi ble pilot programs on line next year.” Two forums will be sponsored by ASUN and the Academic Senate to gather feedback on the recommenda tions. They will be on Sept. 16 in the Nebraska Union and Sept. 17 on the East Nebraska Union. Part One of the task force’s recom mendations are available on the Web at http:ZZwww. uni edu/svcaa/Activities/TF ZFreport.html. ASUN needs students’ opinions on parking vote From staff reports ASUN is opening its doors to the campus community on Wednesday. At an open house scheduled 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., members of the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska hope to spread the word about student government. Second vice president Trisha Meuret said the open house has two pur poses: to inform students about ASUN and to gather student opinions about the proposed parking garage. ASUN receives one vote on the parking garage issue, Meuret said, and student input will dictate how they vote. ASUN wants to know how all stu dents feel, but would especially like to s hear from new students, Meuret said. The three executive members and most ASUN senators will be in and out of the office all day to answer questions and talk with students. Meuret said it will be a fun atmos phere complete with music, food and drink. There will be information and com mittee applications to pick up, as well, she said. Students are encouraged to attend to learn more about ASUN and give their opinions. “This is one of the surefire ways of letting us help them out,” Meuret said. Rest Assured. ^ ^ Be Insured. Enrollment deadline is 9/20/99! NOW is the time to review your current medical insurance and/ or consider a plan to assist you with your health care needs! Your University Health Center, together with GM Southwest of Dallas,TX, offers UNL students a comprehensive and affordable medical insurance plan, specifically designed to suit the needs of undergraduate and graduate students. The plan offers students: * An annual premium of only $399! * The convenient location and services of the University Health Center (located at 15th & U) for initial treatment! * Dependent coverage is also available! (see policy brochure for dependent premiums and specific details) Brochures arid applications are available at the University Health Center, International Affairs Office or by mail. Have any questions? Call our 24-hour information line at 472-7437. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS- PLEASE NOTE: 1 IJNL requires mandatory insurance coverage to comply with immigra tion regulations. International students are required to show proof of insurance or they will be billed for the UNL student insurance on their tuition statements, ^charge of $207.00 per semester will be added m the tuition bills unless a waiver is obtained from the Student Insurance Coordinator at.the University,Health Center- (Coverage for International Students began 8/7/99)__ Egyptian president survives yet another assassination attempt PORT SAID, Egypt (AP) - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has survived a series of assassi nation plots and attempts, brushed off an attack Monday that left him grazed and the assailant dead. The afternoon attack came as hundreds of people chanting Mubarak’s name and carrying his photograph thronged the streets of Port Said to welcome the presidential motorcade. Mubarak, riding in a black luxury car, was visiting the northern city to tour industrial projects and deliver a speech ahead of a presidential refer endum in Egypt. “While the president was waving ... through the car’s window, a person approached the motorcade holding a sharp tool and inflicted a light wound,” said a statement from the president’s office. It indicated Mubarak was wounded on the arm. The special security guards immediately killed the assailant, the statement said. The statement did not explain how the assailant was killed, but witnesses said he was shot several times by Mubarak’s guards. The attacker was identified as Said Hassan Suleiman, 40, a clothing vendor who “has been known for impulsive behavior and recklessness.” The police statement added that he had “no political affiliations.” Suleiman was a common crimi nal, police sources said without elabo rating. Later Monday, Suleiman’s neigh bors, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they believed he was an Islamic fundamentalist. They said he was arrested nearly two months ago for suspicion of belonging to a militant group but was released three days later. He always carried a pocket knife, they added. Mubarak’s wound was treated with a disinfectant. Appearing com posed, he spoke as scheduled about an hour after the attack and made no mention of it. He had changed from a brown suit to a dark blue one. Sources said Mubarak then went to spend the night at the coastal resort of Sharm el-Sheik, where a day before he had presided over the signing of a new Israeli-Palestinian peace accord. 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