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(10/28/10 4:00am)
I am afraid of the unknown, of what I can't control. I've always feared this void, but the terror appeared its darkest when I was staring at the ultrasound screen of a biopsy. The lump in my throat wasn't nearly as paralyzing as the lump I'd found in my left breast two months earlier. The utter shock of feeling something the size of a marble in the place that women fear most is overwhelming. Admit it: you never think it can happen to you. I certainly never did. The guides I collected gathered dust instead of hanging from the shower or on a door; they simply seemed redundant because, of course, "It's not going to happen to me." Yet, there I was. Some think it's just repetitive. Pink, pink, pink. Pink shirts, pink key chains and pink accessories, all complemented by pink ribbons. Shades of pink dominate the month of October and flow delicately through the next 11 months, until pink can reign once more. Despite the frequency, a majority of women (and men) still abandon self breast exams. At this point, it is not too late to check your breasts. I wish I could say "It's never too late," but the fact is, the longer you wait, the further the cancer spreads, and the lower the chances of survival become. At stage four, the last stage of breast cancer, less than 3 percent of patients have long-term survival or complete remission. By this point, the cancer spreads to other organs and tissues, and is considered incurable. Breast cancer takes less than five years to reach this stage. At stage zero, the cancer has not spread and it is highly treatable. There's a reason for all of the pink. It's to support the 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, to fight alongside the 209,060 women and men who were recently diagnosed, and to honor the 40,230 voices lost to breast cancer so far this year. The days following my biopsy appointment were long and painful. The pain in my breast felt like I had been stabbed with a skewer. I didn't realize that I would be wearing a sports bra for three weeks or that I would bruise like a banana. I also didn't realize that it would still hurt. I couldn't eat or sleep. I couldn't go to school or work. I simply felt ill all of the time. The idea of cancer consumed my state of mind, whether I had cancer or not. Luckily, the lump in my breast was benign. No, I didn't have cancer. And no, I don't know what it's like to have cancer. But I do know that it's a horror story which remains a mystery. There is no cure, no miracle and no answer. Here I am, with a scar and a story. However insignificant they each may seem, they are not, because both are reminders of the lives lost in this relentless battle. People go through this fear every day. People are certain they have cancer, but are not certain how long they will live in this world. I went through this for two weeks and was impaired beyond all belief, but they fight through this daily. That idea in itself is strong enough to make mountains move. But the people are stronger. So when you see the swarm of pink next year, embrace it. Recognize its familiar face and accept its purpose. Until then, keep a bit of pink around to remind you to check your breasts and to inspire you to encourage your family and friends to do the same. t&c;
(05/20/10 4:00am)
There is no time to stop, no time to take a breather and certainly no time to question what it is we want to do for the rest of our lives. With a struggling economy and stiff competition in the job market, it is crucial for every single one of us mindless robots to bring our "A" game and do what we do best. For years, our parents, teachers, relatives and coaches begged us not to grow up too fast. In fact, when I was 12 or 13, I started getting grounded for wearing makeup without permission. And that was just the beginning. There were so many times when I wore clothing that was definitely not age-appropriate or laughed at jokes that I wasn't supposed to understand. Years later, when I was 15, a neighbor told me that I would miss high school after I left. I laughed at the idea, and still wished those four years away. I got a job as soon as I legally could and started driving soon after. My parents never understood it. They told me I was growing up too fast and needed to slow down. Where is that advice now? Well, it wouldn't be relevant anyway. We can't slow down. There are still as many hours in the day as there were before, right? That's just it. College is like a clock on Speed. We are making decisions that will affect the rest of our lives. What we do now determines how we will contribute to society from here on out. Between the ample amount of questionable essays, barely-passed exams, stressful late nights at work and exhausting all-nighters, when are we supposed to ask ourselves if what we're doing is really what we want to do? Realization of this uncertainty is a long time coming, but we will all think about it eventually. Are we doing what we actually want to do? Even if we absolutely adore the field we are studying, isn't it healthy to challenge that adoration? So why aren't we granted the time to question and evaluate these choices thoroughly without penalization? Sure, colleges — Otterbein included — offer classes that are supposed to allow time for reflection and justification. In theory, these classes seem like a hidden treasure. But in actuality, they are another hindrance. The classes are just another bump in the road to that tranquility we were acquainted with once upon a time. Frankly, there is no time to waste, because in our free time, there are multiple assignments we should probably be doing instead of second-guessing our current path. My question is this: Why did we wait so long to hurry? Now that we are old enough and wise enough to understand our parents' advice, we can't take it. The world desperately needs our sharp, perfectly-molded minds to fix all of the problems we currently face, and they need them now. Are you walking? You should probably pick up those running shoes, because according to the myriad of due dates and clock-in times, there isn't time to take it slow. Write that résumé. Turn in that report. Go to that dreadful interview for that job you really don't even want. We have to keep up with the pace. We have to keep going, and we have to keep a positive head on top of our burdened shoulders. We are all running the same race. The end result is the same: to become a college graduate with as little debt as possible. t&c;
(01/06/10 5:00am)
The Otterbein Health Center is now prepared to vaccinate the Otterbein community. The first two clinics, held on Dec. 10 and 11, were for adults between the ages of 19-64 with underlying health conditions. The third clinic was held on Dec. 14 but included all students, faculty, staff and families, regardless of underlying health conditions. According to Ann Pryfogle, director of Student Health Services, the Health Center immunized over 250 people during the three clinics. Travis Matson, junior music business major, received the vaccine in December. "I'll be going to China next year with the concert choir, so I might as well get protected, plus my mom kept harping me about it," Matson said. "The whole routine was quick and painless. No harm, no foul. It's a typical shot." "Right now we have more vaccines available, so we are holding another clinic today between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m," Pryfogle said. There is also another clinic on Tuesday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m. The vaccines are free and available to all students, faculty, staff and family members. Although the Health Center offers these clinics, "students can come in anytime," Pryfogle said. Pryfogle said the health department had a list of priority groups who received the vaccines first. "We had to go with when we could get it, which happened to fall during break," Pryfogle said. She said that the health department is preparing for a third wave of the H1N1 virus. During 2009, two waves of the virus hit. The first was in April, the second in the fall. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the number of H1N1 cases has decreased countrywide. However, the CDC also said that during the next few months of the season, the flu will come and go, whether it is caused by H1N1 or regular seasonal flu viruses. The CDC says that along with a seasonal flu vaccine, people should also get the H1N1 vaccine, which is the best way to protect against the virus. "During fall quarter there were over 100 cases (of the H1N1 virus) that I'm aware of (at Otterbein)." Pryfogle said. Whereas the Health Center cannot test for H1N1, they advise any student with flu-like symptoms to either stay in their dorm room, or go home if they live within a 200-mile radius. "We have to make sure the hall directors do things like make sure the sick people are getting food. There are people with meal plans that normally eat at the dining hall, so we are trying to get them help with that. If there is a roommate situation, we try to decide which roommate could move out, the sick one or the healthy one," Pryfogle said. Pryfogle advises any student with symptoms to either visit the health center or go to an urgent care center. The Health Center takes students during two-hour periods daily. "If a student gets in before the two hours are up when the doctor is in, they will be seen," Pryfogle said. t&c;
(11/11/09 5:00am)
1. 11/6 During a walk-through of Garst Hall, an officer smelled burning marijuana. At 2:15 a.m., two students were charged through the Westerville Mayor's Court with possession of drug paraphernalia. One was also charged with drug abuse for having 2.45 g of marijuana.2. 11/6 Attempted identity fraud was reported at 11:52 a.m. at the Business Office. An unknown suspect(s) attempted to change direct deposit information of an Otterbein employee.3. 11/7 Harassment and assault were reported between a student and a non-student at Clements Hall at 4 a.m.4. 11/7 A student reported a missing or stolen purse at Eta Phi Mu fraternity house at 10:30 p.m.5. 11/8 Anti-gay vandalism was reported at 12:30 a.m. at 25 W. Home St.6. 11/8 At 12:30 a.m., a student was charged through the Westerville Mayor's Court for underage consumption, disorderly conduct and obstructing official business at the Eta Phi Mu fraternity house.7. 11/10 A criminal trespass warning was issued to a non-Otterbein-affiliated male subject at the Campus Center. t&c;Information compiled by Rae Reed
(11/05/09 5:00am)
Through mass texts, e-mails, phone calls and voicemail messages, the Otterbein community was notified of an assault reported by a student. Three days later, another notification was sent claiming the crime did not occur. The police report said that the student was loading her books into her car in the Courtright Memorial Library parking lot, when she felt someone grab her wrist and cut her arm with "an object that felt like a knife." After visiting her boyfriend in Ada, Ohio, they filed a report with Otterbein Security and WPD when her boyfriend asked about her cut. Around 7:30 p.m., the Otterbein community was alerted of the reported assault. Some students, like senior English education major Meagan Gimbrone, think the messages are incessant. She was sent a notification through a phone message and an e-mail. "I think it's kind of redundant. If they call a phone and there's no answer, they leave a voicemail then call again. Then there are the text messages and e-mails. It's kind of overkill," Gimbrone said. According to the director of Security, Larry Banaszak, colleges are required by federal law to notify the community about a possible suspect that hasn't been attained. "We assume that there is a crime, and it's necessary to alert the public," Banaszak said. "I understand they have to let people know, but at the same time, they could not call. If we're in class, it's not like we can answer," Gimbrone said. "They did take the proper steps, so people will probably feel encouraged (to report similar incidents in the future)." During an interview between the Westerville Police Department (WPD) and the woman who filed the report, she admitted that the incident didn't occur at all, according to the police report. Chief of Police for WPD Joseph Morbitzer, said the officers "started to notice discrepancies in her story." According to the police report, the female student started retracting statements of where the incident occurred, and then admitted that it didn't happen at all. "In situations like this, we try to make sure people get the help they need. We work behind the scenes to assist them. That doesn't alleviate their actions, and they are still held accountable, but we try to help them," Morbitzer said. According to Morbitzer, she could be facing felony or misdemeanor charges, which could lead to fines, jail time or extended jail time, but any ruling will take place in court. Morbitzer also said that false reports are infrequent. "What happens when you falsify a report is you're taking up one or more officer's time. They're dedicating their time to the report, removing them from the streets and taking them out of serving the public," Morbitzer said. t&c;
(10/01/09 4:00am)
The transition from CardinalWeb to Self-Service Banner happened what seemed to be overnight. And Otterbein's campus has mixed feelings on the subject. Some students, like junior public relations major Brittany Edwards, are experiencing difficulties in registering for classes. "Getting signed on took forever. Then I had problems getting registered for classes when Banner said I didn't have a prerequisite I needed," Edwards said. Because of the mix-up, Edwards registered for a class she already took. According to Michael Boehm, interim chief information officer for the IT department, however, Banner is the "number one highest-ranked system." "Banner implements the best practices. It allows a single point of entry, and it's accessible," Boehm said. When Boehm began at Otterbein on Aug. 17, he already had experience in data migration under his belt. Boehm said the IT department is taking "great pains to convert historical data. If you're having problems, you should call the Help Desk." Sophomore theatre design/technology major, Lizzi Angelone also had trouble scheduling classes. "First I couldn't get signed on to Banner. So I went to the Registrar's Office to get signed on, but they couldn't register me either. By the time I got on, which was the week before school, I had to be waitlisted for all my INST classes. After they switched me to Banner, I couldn't sign on to CardinalWeb either. So, I couldn't check what I needed or anything," Angelone said. "I got an email saying ‘you have been added to the classes you were waitlisted,' so I thought that meant all of them. I went and bought all of my books for my classes, went to class the first day of school, then found out later that day that I wasn't actually in any of those classes. "I had to go to my adviser and just pick out an INST class, which was astronomy. So I had all of my books that I already paid for, then I had to buy the astronomy book that I didn't have the money for," Angelone said. "Any time you bring significant change, in many cases, it's uncomfortable," Boehm said. Like many others, Edwards said that the new Banner system was "thrown" at Otterbein. "There should have been more of a heads up to let us know, and they should have said why we're switching," Edwards said. Because Boehm was not an employee at Otterbein at the time the switch was decided, he could not comment on specific reasons Otterbein would switch. Boehm said that communication is one area that the IT department is trying to improve. "We're working to improve communication from the IT department to campus. We're planning town hall meetings that will address specific topics like Banner," Boehm said. "From our perspective, our number one customers are students." Whether there was enough notice or not, Anne Sillato receptionist of Student Affairs, found it easy to transition. Sillato, who worked with the Student Information System (SIS) for 12 years, began using Banner the day she returned from summer break. "There are still some things I need to learn, but I am very comfortable with it and feel it is very user friendly. I can get a student's complete schedule for the quarter I am seeking. The professors' names are available immediately, and I don't have to go to another screen to get them." Although Edwards had some difficulty with Banner, she said that "Banner was better in showing the amount of classes that were being offered and were available." In some cases, like Edwards', Banner is not fully updated. The Registrar's Office advises students to check their degree audit in CardinalWeb and check off any classes they are currently taking or registered for. t&c;
(09/23/09 4:00am)
CampusBreak's over for DeVore It's clear that C. Brent Devore's passion lies in being a part of the education and growth of college students through his past years of service as well as his future. C. Brent Devore takes position as interim president of Greensboro College in North Carolina until they employ a new president. It had been thought that when Devore left he would be looking for work as a consultant or temporary leader for a business or nonprofit group. In an interview with the T&C; last June, former President Devore had described Otterbein as "well grounded" and having "great options to develop new programs" and said that he needed to find "where the next chapter begins." Beginning his next chapter at Greensboro, he tells the Columbus Dispatch, "Visiting the campus on two occasions, I found it to be a school of substance, a community with a mission, and I felt it would be an opportunity to set the stage for helping build the future of the institution and preparing for the next president." Though only planning to be there short-term, Devore hopes to work with the community in order to strengthen its bonds with the college and to create a good establishment for the next president. Otterbein granted $280,000 Otterbein received over $280,000 in grants for three programs. Two of the grants are going to the nursing program. One is from The Ohio Board of Nursing. The grant of $199,806 will fund the Fostering Leaders, Advocates, Mentors, and Educators (FLAME) program, which helps nursing students complete a master's degree in nursing and a nursing education certificate. The second grant for the nursing program is from The Health Resources and Services Administration, which gave $49,159 to fund the fifth year of the Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship Grant. The Honors program at Otterbein received a grant of $1,000 to support the new Kneading Minds: Integrative Service in the Otterbein College Honors Program. This series brings Honors residents together every other week to bake bread. A portion of the bread will be donated to local food pantries, and the rest will be sold after local church services, with the profits used to cover baking supplies and cost. The last of the grants came from The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which granted $30,942 to fund the Freshwater Mussel Survey of Lake Erie Refugia. Preachers back on prowl Tom Short, a street preacher that travels to schools and campuses nationwide, came to Otterbein campus last week. Short is known for his in depth discussions over interpretations of the bible with students. Short can be seen preaching on Ohio State's campus and handing out signed copies of 5 Crucial Questions about Christianity.
(09/23/09 4:00am)
1. 9/17 At 2:30 a.m., a passerby witnessed a male student stumbling down the Towers Hall stairs and falling onto the grass. The student was later arrested for public intoxication at N. Grove Street.2. 9/18 A student attempted to register for a parking decal for both his and his friend's vehicle under the same name.3. 9/22 Two non-students stole a TV and other electronics from the lobby of Dunlap-King Hall.4. 9/22 On W. Main Street at West Street, a student struck a parked WPD cruiser and was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (OVI). t&c;
(09/23/09 4:00am)
CampusBreak's over for DeVore It's clear that C. Brent Devore's passion lies in being a part of the education and growth of college students through his past years of service as well as his future. C. Brent Devore takes position as interim president of Greensboro College in North Carolina until they employ a new president. It had been thought that when Devore left he would be looking for work as a consultant or temporary leader for a business or nonprofit group. In an interview with the T&C; last June, former President Devore had described Otterbein as "well grounded" and having "great options to develop new programs" and said that he needed to find "where the next chapter begins." Beginning his next chapter at Greensboro, he tells the Columbus Dispatch, "Visiting the campus on two occasions, I found it to be a school of substance, a community with a mission, and I felt it would be an opportunity to set the stage for helping build the future of the institution and preparing for the next president." Though only planning to be there short-term, Devore hopes to work with the community in order to strengthen its bonds with the college and to create a good establishment for the next president. t&c; Otterbein granted $280,000 Otterbein received over $280,000 in grants for three programs. Two of the grants are going to the nursing program. One is from The Ohio Board of Nursing. The grant of $199,806 will fund the Fostering Leaders, Advocates, Mentors, and Educators (FLAME) program, which helps nursing students complete a master's degree in nursing and a nursing education certificate. The second grant for the nursing program is from The Health Resources and Services Administration, which gave $49,159 to fund the fifth year of the Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship Grant. The Honors program at Otterbein received a grant of $1,000 to support the new Kneading Minds: Integrative Service in the Otterbein College Honors Program. This series brings Honors residents together every other week to bake bread. A portion of the bread will be donated to local food pantries, and the rest will be sold after local church services, with the profits used to cover baking supplies and cost. The last of the grants came from The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which granted $30,942 to fund the Freshwater Mussel Survey of Lake Erie Refugia. t&c; Preachers back on prowl Tom Short, a street preacher that travels to schools and campuses nationwide, came to Otterbein campus last week. Short is known for his in depth discussions over interpretations of the bible with students. Short can be seen preaching on Ohio State's campus and handing out signed copies of 5 Crucial Questions about Christianity. t&c;
(06/03/09 4:00am)
An Otterbein professor and student were selected to travel to the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Summer Workshop in Genomics this August. The course is offered by the NHGRI in Maryland at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from Aug. 2-7. According to the NHGRI Web site, the workshop is an intensive, six-day course that will update instructors on genomic science. It focuses on finding the genetic basis of diseases and disorders. The course also focuses on the current topics of ethics, legality and social implications of genomics. Nursing professor Joan Pryor-McCann said she is "just over the moon to go to the National Institute of Health." "I think I was chosen because, I'm assuming, two things. I stressed big changes–the change to semesters and accrediting body for nursing. Also, I have a Ph.D. in philosophy, so I'm interested in other things. I'm assuming they want a well-rounded group," Pryor-McCann said. "I hope to have updated information on genetics and genomics and be more familiar with research priorities. I also want to make contacts with future networking possibilities," Pryor-McCann said. After being chosen to go to the workshop, Pryor-McCann was allowed to choose one student to participate in the NIH Genome Scholars Program, which is designed to provide a "close-up view of careers in genetic research while providing an enhanced mentoring experience," according to the Web site. To be selected, the student had to meet certain requirements. Students had to have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, be enrolled at the selected teacher's college in a science-related major and complete the application process. Pryor-McCann chose junior nursing major, Lauren Shoemaker. "One of the professors had told her that I was going to do an independent study on maternity. So she knew that I had a special interest in a genetic field, and that I'm academically sound," Shoemaker said. "[Shoemaker is] going to be a senior. She is very interested in maternity and genetics in maternity. She just worked out. She had the interest, and she had the time. A lot of other students had the interest, but had other plans and couldn't commit to the time," Pryor-McCann said. "I'm most excited about meeting new people who have a different perspective," Shoemaker said. Shoemaker hopes to bring Otterbein "a new knowledge of different things out there. Being in the nursing field, you just assume you'll work in a hospital. We need to know that we have more options to pursue. I want to experience something new that Otterbein hasn't been exposed to." There are personal reasons why Shoemaker wants to attend the workshop as well. "My mom has a genetic disorder that is under-researched. I want to see how things work and gain insight on her disorder," she said. t&c;
(04/04/09 4:00am)
Stacks of cardboard boxes and piles of equipment are all that's left from the upgrade the Business Office and Human Resources made over spring break. The new location of the two offices is 25 W. Home St. "Everybody's really happy," said Lynne Schneider, Business Office controller. A number of options were explored for the available space, said Robert Gatti, vice president of Student Affairs. According to Gatti, part of the newly renovated offices could have been a small café, similar to the Otterbean and The Roost. "The restaurant wasn't going to generate enough money to sustain itself," Gatti said. Since the café would be "off the beaten path," Gatti didn't think students would walk across campus for it.The space was selected to become the new home for the Business Office and Human Resources. "The plans were considered at the same time as the residence hall, but [the office relocation] wasn't the priority. After the dorms opened in fall quarter, work began for the offices," Schneider said. Despite packing and organizing items, staff opened their doors for business during the move. "All of the contents of the boxes had to be in order as well as the boxes themselves, so it was a constant struggle trying to maintain some sort of order when packing and unpacking," said Margaret Murray, a sophomore sociology and political science major and work-study student for the Business Office. Human Resources Director Kathie Gibb said the new building gives a better first impression. "We love it. People said they simply felt sorry for us. Now people can walk in here and say ‘This is a place where I would like to work,'" Gibb said. According to Murray, there was never enough storage space or work areas in the old office. "The business office contains a lot of confidential records and information, and the old office had very little barriers between the general public and these records. It was so cramped it was hard to accomplish tasks without getting in everyone else's way," said Murray.
"The other building is old. When we moved something, we would say ‘oh, so that was the color of the carpet,'" Schneider said. t&c;
(04/02/09 4:00am)
Stacks of cardboard boxes and piles of equipment are all that's left from the upgrade the Business Office and Human Resources made over spring break. The new location of the two offices is 25 W. Home St. "Everybody's really happy," said Lynne Schneider, Business Office controller. A number of options were explored for the available space, said Robert Gatti, vice president of Student Affairs. According to Gatti, part of the newly renovated offices could have been a small café, similar to the Otterbean and The Roost. "The restaurant wasn't going to generate enough money to sustain itself," Gatti said. Since the café would be "off the beaten path," Gatti didn't think students would walk across campus for it. The space was selected to become the new home for the Business Office and Human Resources. "The plans were considered at the same time as the residence hall, but [the office relocation] wasn't the priority. After the dorms opened in fall quarter, work began for the offices," Schneider said. Despite packing and organizing items, staff opened their doors for business during the move. "All of the contents of the boxes had to be in order as well as the boxes themselves, so it was a constant struggle trying to maintain some sort of order when packing and unpacking," said Margaret Murray, a sophomore sociology and political science major and work-study student for the Business Office. Human Resources Director Kathie Gibb said the new building gives a better first impression. "We love it. People said they simply felt sorry for us. Now people can walk in here and say 'This is a place where I would like to work,'" Gibb said. According to Murray, there was never enough storage space or work areas in the old office. "The business office contains a lot of confidential records and information, and the old office had very little barriers between the general public and these records. It was so cramped it was hard to accomplish tasks without getting in everyone else's way," said Murray. "The other building is old. When we moved something, we would say 'oh, so that was the color of the carpet,'" Schneider said. t&c;
(03/12/09 4:00am)
When it comes to looking for a place to live, students are more resourceful than ever. At the beginning of fall quarter, there were 165 vacancies in on-campus housing. There are vacancies in the Commons, and due to the decrease in interest, Residence Life has made two major changes to the selection process. Previously, students applying for the Commons had to have junior status, completing 85 credit hours by the end of spring quarter. Now, students who are entering their third year and are in good academic and judicial standing are eligible for a Commons apartment. "Students who failed or dropped classes, we didn't allow them [allow residency at the Commons]. After seeing how many vacancies, we decided to allow them into the Commons," Tracy Benner, director of Residence Life said. The faculty of Residence Life blames the lack of interest in campus housing on several factors. Jeff Akers, assistant director of Residence Life, said, "It could be because of a number of issues. With the economy, students are trying to get the best deal. Some apartment complexes aren't posting rental availability until March, and a lot of students might be waiting for that." Akers also blames their advertising techniques. "We are not advertising for this generation. Students now aren't really checking their e-mail or campus bulletin boards." Residence Life turned to a Facebook advertisement to try to reach out to students. "Since I've had it up, I've had about 30 students click on the link, which is a lot better than I anticipated," said Akers. The link brings students to the Residence Life and Housing Web site, which gives more detail about the Commons. "Students should know that there is no extra security deposit just to move in, and if someone you live with graduates or decides to study abroad, the other students are not required to pay for that person's share, they only have to pay for their own," Akers said. Based on the 2008-09 rates, students choosing to live in a traditional hall or Suites hall will pay anywhere from $1,238 to $1,622 per quarter, and students choosing to reside in a Commons apartment will pay $1,410 per quarter. Instead of paying monthly rent, bills for both choices are directly sent to the student's account and are included in financial aid. Students who live in the Commons apartments don't have to pay gas, water or electric bills, according to Akers. John Seals, senior music education major, lives in a residence on Cochran Alley, an alternative to Otterbein housing. "This is much cheaper," Seals said. "People are trying to do whatever they can to save money, which is not easy during college." Students also find other benefits from living off campus. "You don't have to live by college rules. Since I am over the legal drinking age of 21, I am allowed to have alcohol without security coming to bust the door down," said Seals. Seals pays $350 a month, utilities included. "It's real life," Seals said. "I have rent and I have to pay it." t&c;
(02/26/09 5:00am)
Although official announcements will not be made until approval in the spring by the Board of Trustees, some Otterbein professors can breathe easier about earning tenure. According to the Otterbein College Faculty Manual, a tenure position is the right of the faculty member to be offered successive contracts for the renewal of employment by the president of the college until retirement. "I hope my tenure signals to Otterbein, to my students and my colleagues, that I'm here, I'm with you and I'm in it, elbow deep," English professor Suzanne Ashworth said. "Unless something is horribly wrong, essentially they get a job for life. It's a long process to establish, but it gives professors freedom to teach without anyone telling them what to do," said Vice President of Academic Affairs, Abíódún G
(02/26/09 5:00am)
With 10 courses added, three student organizations accepted and two Otterbein calendar years approved, yesterday's Senate meeting was a busy one. The first calendar with the new semester system was approved for the 2011-2012 school year. Although the 2011-2012 year is a long way away, the calendar needed to be approved as soon as possible to allow students and staff to plan accordingly. The school year will begin Aug. 29, 2011, and continue with two, 14-week semesters and a 15-day January term. There will be a day off on Sept. 5 for Labor Day, and an additional a day off in October for Columbus Day. Instead of ending the semester in November before Thanksgiving, there will be a traditional break consisting of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving week. The first semester will end on Dec. 9, with exams the following week. Otterbein students who are not participating in the January term will return Jan. 30 for the second semester. Spring break will begin March 10 and end March 18. Good Friday will be the last day off until the school year ends, which will be May 11 with exams the week after. Also at the meeting, Heritage of Latino Americans (HOLA), Up Til Dawn and the Health & Physical Education Club were all approved to be official student organizations of Otterbein. HOLA is an organization for Otterbein students to support the academic advancement and appreciation of Latino students and cultures. Up Til Dawn works to raise money and bring awareness to the Otterbein community for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "Our main fundraiser is the letter-sending party in fall quarter, and we also have other fundraisers all throughout the year, " said senior sociology major Kayla Sechler. The purpose of The Health & Physical Education Club is to help with professional development, provide opportunities for networking and provide community service, all in the areas of health, fitness and physical education. "These groups are seeking recognition as organizations that want to function for the long run," said Julie Saker, chair of the student life committee. "Becoming an official Otterbein student organization gives them opportunities to use Otterbein facilities and provides a certain respect for the organization." Eight education courses were approved for the curriculum; three of which will focus on special topics. Two sociology courses were also added. t&c;
(02/05/09 5:00am)
The possibility of a name alignment was one of many subjects covered at last night's Senate meeting, along with proposals to offer a new Masters of Business Administration program (MBA), add four new religion and philosophy courses and a black studies course. Abíódún G
(02/02/09 5:00am)
Face book revealed the excitement on campus today as a rare occasion swept Ohio colleges by surprise-a full snow day. To cancel school, "the deciding factors relate to the safety of travel for students, faculty and staff to and from and across campus," President C. Brent DeVore said. "The downside of an occasional closure is that the educational process is interrupted. The upside is that you can take a walk in the snow and enjoy nature," he added. Students spent their unexpected day off in numerous fashions. Comparing campus to a "frozen tundra with mounds of glorious snow," Tyler Dendler, who is on crutches after tearing his ACL and meniscus while pole vaulting at Friday's track meet, said he was just going to relax indoors during the day off. "I did attempt to go outside, but once I got out there and took a couple steps I realized if I tried to go any further I would probably fall, so I went back inside," he said. Megan Studebaker, who would've had three classes and a nursing test, said she was "ready to catch up with homework, then maybe go sledding and enjoy the snow a little bit." Franklin County was under a Winter Storm Warning until 6 p.m. yesterday, which caused a Level 2 snow advisory for the county. According to the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA), a Level 2 advisory means the roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow, and only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. As a result of the storm, north of Interstate 70 received snow, along with a mix of sleet and freezing rain, and accumulated anywhere from four to eight inches of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. Jason Schilling, sergeant for Otterbein Security, said that schools consider the snow level and the roadways before deciding to cancel. In yesterday's case, students received phone calls and text messages from the Cardinal Red Alert system as early as 5:40 a.m. notifying them of the cancellation. "I have the alert system, so they sent me a text message at a quarter 'til this morning, so I didn't even have to get out of bed," said Studebaker. Others, like Dendler, woke up to the white wonderland, and immediately checked their e-mail looking for the cancellation. Otterbein was among many other colleges and universities to close, including Capital University, The Ohio State University and Ohio Dominican University, along with Ohio University, in Athens, who was under a Level 3 snow emergency. t&c;
(09/25/08 4:00am)
It's something disguised as a harmless e-mail that could cost you money, a secure identity or even accessible e-mail. It's called phishing-and it's serious. Phishing e-mails are designed to fool users into submitting personal, financial or password information. Recently, Otterbein students and faculty have been receiving such e-mails, which request a username and password. At least 10 students and 10 faculty have responded so far. The e-mail came from another college, but was signed as Otterbein's Student HelpDesk. It stated that the inbox was full, and by submitting the username and password, the "HelpDesk" would reset the inbox. Once the information is acquired, multiple problems could arise. The most common, however is spam attacks. Hundreds of e-mails can be sent from the affected address, and even more can be received, disabling the service. If enough spam is sent, Otterbein could be blacklisted. Jeff Kasson, director of networking and PC support, called the problem "an electronic version of old con jobs." Because phishing is not a new concept, Information and Technology Services (IT) already has Otterbein College Clean Mail, an anti-spam server which filters out e-mails that the software considers spam. Kasson believes this program has "reduced spam by probably 99 percent. It stops tens of thousands each day." t&c;