She's, well, distinctive

Dominican University offers two special options for students who wish to go through their college career with a little more, well, work. These, of course, would be receiving a degree with distinction.

Oh, well, distinction sounds nice! And yes, maybe it is. But it is also a heck of a lot of work with a questionable outcome. To receive a degree with distinction, students are required to complete a project in their field of study. This project is intended to be BIG. It can be anything from a research paper to a series of photographs, depending on your major. A proposal is due by the end of your first semester junior year.

The intention, then, is that you would spend the remainder of that year, your summer, and all of senior year conquering this project. Besides nearly two years of planning and headaches, what does this little asterisk next to your name really mean? It provides the student with more experience in their field, but you have the rest of your life to do that.

As a student struggling on whether or not to take on this challenge, are there any suggestions of why one would put themselves through this?

Update on the Scholarship Letter

As those of you who read this post know, I had a little confusion with the Alumni Office about a scholarship letter this past week. I later received another email which explained that I should have received prior emails the office had sent and that my letter was due last Friday.

So I went in to clarify the matter.

Apparently , there was a snafu in their email lists. The office did not have current email addresses for a good majority of the names on their list of individuals who were to submit scholarship thank you letters. I was informed I was one of these people.

It turned out to be a simple mistake after all. 'No matter,' they said, 'Get us a letter whenever you can, preferably by Monday.'

Now although I have prepared my letter, I forgot to submit on Monday. 'No matter,' I said, 'I'll get it in tomorrow.'

Many in my same situation may not have had this luxury, or may not even know about the whole thing. For those people, wait for it, there's more: according to an anonymous source in the office, if students do not turn in their letters by October 6, they apparently lose their scholarship. Fair enough, but how will everyone who didn't receive an email in the first place find out about this deadline? Will they lose their scholarship as a result of the University's error?

Brennan School of Business Offering GMAT Prep Course

The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is a huge deal when it comes to making the decision about attending Graduate School. Luckily, Dominican's Brennan School of Business is offering a course that will help prepare you for this challenge.

According to a post on myDU, the course will last for eight weeks, and will consist of instruction on the quantitative, analytical and verbal sections. The class kicked off today, September 30 at 6:30pm, and continues every week on Tuesdays from 6:30-9:30pm, with a final session concluding the course on November 18. Total cost for enrollment is $450, which includes a textbook for the class.

More information on the GMAT and the Brennan School of Business:
More Information on the GMAT
Register for the Prep Course
Brennan School of Business

Study Abroad...At Home!

DU is all about studying abroad. Many of the values this school was founded upon involve having an open mind to those of other cultures and religions. Because of this, we have many programs that can take student to Milan, London, Ghana, and......Montana?

Yes, even those who have a fear of flying can share in study abroad opportunities, well, perhaps study domestically would be more appropriate. As well as our over seas trips, Dominican also offers several service learning programs in the good ol' U.S. of A. Next semester, yours truly will be headed to Montana is conjunction with Theology 381, a Native American religion course. During the 15 day trip, we will be camping and helping out at several Native American reservations. At around $200 per student, this two week domestic study is a shorter, and cheaper, alternative to some of its foreign counterparts. Plus, it fufills both a theology and multicultural requirement. Not bad, huh?

So if you are moy malo at a foreign language or just can't seem to rack up the cash, look into a study abroad that may not be so abroad. It's bound to be just as educational and awesome as anything you can get by plane.

Library Workshops

For students new to college, the ways of research or Dominican University, the ever-helpful library workshop might just be your key to academic success on those long research papers or even if you're just looking to learn more about the research process. The Library Workshops have been nothing but helpful in my experience, and the librarians are always willing to help you out on even the smallest of problems when it comes to using the databases, searching the online catalog or ordering a book from IShare.

Although students looking to attend the workshop need to sign up with the Registar's Office, the hassle is worth it. The next workshop will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, September 30, from 2 to 3:20pm.

Contact the Registrar at 708.524.6774 for more information.

Lund Gill Chair

Stephan Kinzer, journalist and historian, is Dominican's Lund Gill Chair this year.

Don't worry, no one else knows what that means either. This year, Kinzer is teaching a course titled "American Empire" as well as giving lectures throughout the semester. But how did he get picked for this position? And more importantly, who picked him?

According to the Dominican Website, "The chair is named for former Dominican University President Sr. Candida Lund, OP, and former English professor, Sr. Cyrille Gill, OP." But there is really no mention of who is eligible for this position or how the final individual is chosen.

Freshman Blues

Many freshman enter college bright eyed and bushy tailed. Eager to start a new section of their lives, they can only imagine the good times and friends that wait just beyond the reach of their parents.

What they may not imagine, however, is the college work load. As the school year gains momentum and classes begin to pick up, are freshman prepared to handle the academic pressures of school? Several new students have spoken to me about the pressure to perform with little guidance from their professors or advisors. Many workshops and even courses had been created in the past to help assist with this transition, but those tools seem to be a thing of the past. In particular, the university previously offered a course called ID 101, or the Dominican Experience. This 1 credit course featured different college survival tips and an introduction to the school.

Unfortunately, this course is no longer offered. What is the school doing now to help the freshman succeed in the college world?

New Exhibit at O'Connor

The Art Department welcomes its newest exhibit by artists Bill Guy and Ulrike Muller titled "Public Spaces, Private Moments". This work takes a look at people having very intimate moments with themselves in wide open spaces. The exhibit is in the O'Connor Art Gallery through October 18. Take a look at one of the photographs.

Image courtesy of the O'Connor Art Gallery

Choose Your Own Major: Interdepartmental Major Option

When choosing Dominican, new students often select the one or two single majors they feel best serve their needs or desires for the construction of a successful and fulfilling career post-graduation.

However, one particular course of study most incoming students ignore is the interdepartmental option.

Page 18 of the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Bulletin for the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences lists the interdepartmental option, which essentially gives students the freedom to create their own major.

The process begins with a student submitting a plan of study for review. This plan, according to Dean of Rosary College of Arts and Sciences Jeffrey Carlson, should consist of a title for the major, a rationale, and a list of courses, complete with an outline of how the courses will fit together to create the customized major.

Upon completion of a plan of study, the plan is then submitted for review first to the Dean of the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences. The Dean consults the draft, deciding which courses would work and which courses would not, then points the student in the right direction on revising and completing a draft of the plan.

Faculty members who teach the majority of the classes from which the plan is composed then review the draft and decide individually and informally amongst themselves whether or not the program would feasibly work. Individual decisions help to shape the final rationale and list of courses and requirements before faculty members eventually sign off on a final product the student can then call his or her own.

Students pursuing this option are typically advised by faculty members within the selected discipline or those faculty members who instruct the majority of the student’s courses while pursuing the custom major.

With seemingly carte-blanche access to classes and options when building one’s own major, it’s surprising how little, if anything, Dominican students know about the interdepartmental option.

Senior Alina Markova had never heard of the plan.

”I didn’t know about it,” she said of the option. “But I think it’s awesome, and I would do it if I weren’t trying to graduate this year.”

”If I had known about [the interdepartmental option], I would have combined things. I think majors are too general; plus, most of my classes I feel relate to each other anyway, so it would be a good decision for me,” she said.

An idea this unknown and revolutionary would have to be new, right?

”The interdepartmental option goes back at least 20 years,” says Carlson. “In my six years at Dominican, fewer than five students have done this. In most cases, it’s not the student’s only major; it’s often added as a second major or minor.”

”We’ve been trying to promote it more, and as a result, we’d had more interest [recently]. The idea of creating your own major is introduced to every freshman and transfer student.”

Peter Taylor, chair of the history department at Dominican, believed the option was a good idea, but also saw some flaws to the idea.

"One problem that I have seen with such majors as students propose them is that they turn out to be collections of classes, often too many," said Taylor.

"An academic concentration needs to have a rationale, a plan, and some kind of course which can function as an integrating experience for the courses in the major. There is always the danger that students do not appreciate the importance of the methods courses many majors offer and use this option to avoid them since they really are difficult."

Senior Eric Florance thought that while the program sounded interesting, it has its limitations.

”I think it's definitely suited towards certain majors. I’m a biology-chemistry major, and personally, I think it would be very difficult for a science major to make good use of the interdepartmental option, since Dominican might not offer some necessary courses I would need to create a major that would suit my own needs,” he said.

Florance suggested offering the option as a sort of partnership plan between a faculty member advisor to a student creating his or her own major.

”I think as a student it would be hard to program everything needed for a major by yourself,” said Florance.

So why do very few students style their own major using the option?

”I think on the one hand students just don’t know about it,” says Carlson. “They’re apprehensive about the idea. They ask: will it count? Will I be marketable?”

”Some people might be afraid to do it; afraid it won’t be acknowledged.”

Florance also agrees with the question of marketability, saying it is the only factor that would have held him back from making the decision to create his own major three years ago.

In the end, Carlson believes that while it may not be a popular option among Dominican students, the interdepartmental option represents the spirit of education.

”We have it as a symbolic statement that says: ‘take charge of your own education’,” said Carlson. “This is a statement about finding your own authentic voice.”

”If I had it my way, I’d abolish every course, so everyone would be forced to do this option. It’s a fragile, slender placeholder of hope that students will think for themselves; it stands for students’ capacity to be self-directing and take charge of their education.”

Links:
Office of the Registrar
Rosary College of Arts and Sciences Majors Page

Scholarship Letter?

Last year, I received a scholarship from a very generous couple to support my education in journalism at Dominican. In return for their kind favor, the university had me prepare a letter thanking them for their donation and I attended a scholarship brunch, during which I met with the couple and had a great time.

This year, I received the same scholarship again. However, instead of contacting me directly to attend a "letter writing session" to prepare a letter to my generous donors, and notifying me that I even had the scholarship in the first place, they notify my parents.

I received a phone call last night from a family member, who informed me the University wants me to attend this letter writing session (which apparently is mandatory) and the brunch in October. This letter writing session takes place this week (tomorrow and Wednesday, to be exact). When were they going to notify ME? I would have had no idea had my parents neglected to mention the letters coming in from the University. On top of all this, I have prior commitments to other organizations and classes during these information sessions. Maybe if I had been notified ahead of time, I would be able to make it to the sessions, let alone be aware I had these obligations.

I'm 21 years old. The least the university could do at this point is trust me to take care of my financial obligations and send me a letter notifying me that I have to be somewhere at a certain time, especially if it's mandatory. I don't have a problem writing a letter to my donors, or going to a scholarship brunch. However, I feel like my independence has been called into question. Or perhaps there was a mix up in the bureaucracy?

This isn't really a huge issue, but I'm a little annoyed.

I'm also curious if this has happened to anyone else?

Art Exhibit

An interesting new art exhibit is currently housed in the O'Connor Gallery on the fourth floor of Lewis Hall. The artwork of Bill Guy and Ulrike Muller, entitled "Public Spaces, Private Meoments," will be on display in the gallery until October 18. All art students or fans of art are sure to find this exhibit intriguing.

For more information on art exhibits by students and outside artists, be sure to check myDU or wander up to the O'Connor Gallery and have a look.

Attention Seniors!

The Registrar began holding Graduation Audits for the classes of 2008-2009 on Monday, September 15. Students should be registered for all coursework and classes before scheduling an audit. Remeber, you NEED an audit in order to graduate!

Audits can be scheduled with the Registrar in Lewis 115, or by calling 708-524-6774.

Online Tutor

According to Bob Greewald from Learning Resources, a tutor is available for online chat on Sunday nights. This student worker would there to help answer last minute questions about grammar or another specific writing issue. As of now, the hours of this service are unclear and may be changing soon. This could be a unique resource for students to use.

Academic Success

Robbi Byrdsong-Wright is no longer the Director of Multicultural Affairs. She was named the Associate Dean of Academic Success. As of now, there is no one filling her position and no efforts to change that. What will happen to the office of multicultural affairs without Robbi?

Life After DU

Career Development wants to make sure you are ready for what lies beyond Dominican. To help, on Saturday, October 11, they are offering the opportunity to take the practice LSAT, GMAT, GRE and MCAT tests. It is completely free, but you do need to sign up in advance. These tests can costs hundreds of dollars for the real thing, so it couldn't hurt to see how you might do for free. Contact Career Development if you have any questions.

Literary London

According to a post on myDU, the Literary London program will have its first info session on Tuesday, September 16 at 2:15pm in the Rebecca Crown Library's Springer Suite, room 002. The program consists of a class (English 247) and an optional study tour of London over spring break in March for a fourth credit for the class.

Additional information can be found here.

El Salvador

Students who studied abroad in El Salvador last May will be sharing their experiences and observations in the Lewis Longue on Wednesday, September 17 from 6:30-8:30pm. The event is sponsored by Study Abroad, OLA and the Sociology Department.

In addition, there will be information sessions for the Election Observation and Democratic Participation class (STA 299), to discuss this year's spring break trip to El Salvador. Sessions will be held Tuesday, September 23 at 2:30pm and Wednesday, September 24 at 3:30pm. Both sessions will be held in Parmer 018.

These sessions should provide an interesting glimpse into a unique study abroad program.

Major websites

Did you know there are websites for each individual major offered by the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences? Most of these sites either link to a main department (such as communications or psychology for example) or are simply informative pages detailing requirements and contacts for each major.

But one site cuts above the rest: The Art department. Aside from having a beautifully designed site with links to contact information, a gallery and a study abroad link for their European programs, the site also prominently features beautiful artwork by a Dominican student on the homepage. There are even links to individual pages on art department faculty members where visitors can learn about the professors and catch up on their recent work. It is by far the best site for any program at Dominican I've seen thus far. Perhaps other majors should follow their example and spruce up their websites a bit?

Department of Art, Art History and Design website

Graduate/Proffesional School Fair

Graduating this year and not quite ready to leave school? Check out the Chicago Graduate and Professional School Fair on Thursday, October 2nd at the UIC Forum. This fair is free and will have information from hundreds of schools from all over the country. Check out Career Development for more information.

Who?

When was the last time you walked down the crowded halls of the first floor of Lewis and noticed the lonely registrar's office? Unless you are a senior in need of an audit, it's probably been quite some time since you thought about this office. With technology taking the lead as the main form of class registration and communication, what else does the registrars office provide for students? Need more information for your opinion? Visit the Registrar's website.

Learning Resources

Learning Resources, located in the lower level of Parmer Hall, may offer more than you think. The center has expanded over the last year to include more than just writing help. Tutors are available for math, reading, business, science, and more. Check them out to start this year off on the right foot.

A Reminder!

Today, Wednesday, September 10, is the last day for undergraduates to declare satisfactory/fail option for a course or drop courses for Fall 2008! Courses can be dropped online via MyDU or at the Office of the Registrar. Make sure you're ready to go for Fall 2008!

Environmental Science Major rumor addressed

I recently heard a rumor that Dominican's Environmental Science major had been cut from the curriculum. According to the 2008-2009 Undergraduate Bulletin, this is not the case. Dean of Rosary College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Jeffrey Carlson directed me to page 82, which indicates the major is still part of the curriculum. Environmental Sciences professor Dr. John Tandarich also claimed to have heard nothing of the major being cut.

Has anyone else heard anything concerning this strange rumor?

Rosary College of Arts and Sciences website

The Mystery of the Major

This school year, like many others, has come all too quickly. Many freshman, sophomores, and maybe even juniors have been struggling with the thought of committing to a major all summer. Some will end up changing their minds next semester or end up in a career that has nothing to do with what they studied. Most work places only require a college degree, without much care of what its for. What can DU do to help students pick a major without anxiety or regrets?

Greetings!

Greetings and here is your second welcome from the Dominincan University Academic Affairs blog. If it is academically related, we will be talking about it. This can be anything from our core curriculum to the honors program to our grades. Academic Affairs may be the unforgotten department on campus, but we'll be sure to shed some light on something that affects us all.

First Official Post

Hello everyone, and welcome to the Dominican University Academic Affairs blog! This is a brand-new way to look at academic news on campus, with updates being posted regularly. Feel free to comment on posts and suggest things you'd like to see covered, and also feel free to suggest ideas, address rumors you might have heard, and any other burning questions about Academics at Dominican.