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In the news …
February 12, 2007
Pratt Institute: Curator Robert C. Morgan and Internationally Known Artists Ryszard Wasko, Soonja Han, Jon Groom, and Sanford Wurmfeld To Discuss This Unique Artistic Movement in Conjunction with the Gallery's Exhibition "The Optical Edge"
Pratt Manhattan Gallery continues its thought provoking "In Conversation" series with an informal talk led by Dr. Robert C. Morgan, curator of the "The Optical Edge" exhibition, who will be joined by world-renowned artists represented in the groundbreaking show, including Ryszard Wasko (Poland), Soonja Han (Korea), Jon Groom (Wales/Germany), and Sanford Wurmfeld (New York). The panel will explore the diversity of concepts, materials, subject matter, and content employed by optical artists in more recent years. The talk and the exhibition are free and open to the public. Pratt's stimulating and provocative "In Conversation" artist talk is being held in conjunction with its exhibition, "The Optical Edge," which opens to the public on Friday, March 9 and runs through April 14, 2007. The exhibition surveys four decades and three generations of painters whose experimentations with color, light, and form have helped shape the influential Optical Art Movement since its orgins in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Previous "In Conversation" speakers at Pratt have included such notable individuals as Vito Acconci and Yun-Fei Ji, artists; Hubertus von Amelunxen, architecture curator; Jaime Hernandez and Seth, comic artists; Adam D. Weinberg, Director of the Whitney Museum of American Art, and artist Terry Winters.
Source: Pratt Institute, New York
February 2, 2007
Elizabethtown College's Campus Wellness Network ensures student success
Every other week a group representing both academics and student life at Elizabethtown College gathers to discuss how to help students who might be experiencing some difficulty. More than a safety net, the goal of the Campus Wellness Network (CWN) is to identify at-risk students before they fall. The idea for the Network surfaced several years ago as a recommendation by a committee looking at improving retention. "Members of that committee realized that issues were popping up all over campus that involved the same student," said Stephanie Rankin, chair of the CWN and director of the Center for Student Success. "They wanted a system that was proactive rather than reactive . . . one that was built around a wellness model that dealt with the whole student experience." Because of this approach, the Network is made up of student life administrators, faculty representatives and the dean of students. (Counseling and health services employees are resources, but because of confidentiality issues they don't bring student names to the table.) Students are referred by staff, faculty or often by peers who are members of mentoring groups or residence hall assistants. Some referrals are anonymous. There are any number of issues that lead to a CWN referral, including academic or financial problems, relationship issues and home stressors. The campus community is continuously being encouraged to identify and recognize the signs - physical, emotional and classroom behaviors - of students who are struggling with these issues. After a student has been identified, his or her situation is presented to the CWN. Those sitting around the table work through a number of possible interventions before deciding on how best to attack the situation and provide the student with the tools he/she needs. A member of the Network is then identified to spearhead the intervention efforts and work with the student. That leader may also notify the person who made the referral that measures have been taken and provide updates on the student's progress at future meetings. The actions recommended by the Network are not punitive in nature, and parents are usually not contacted, according to Rankin. Interventions might include reviewing the student's schedule and lightening his/her academic load, referring the student to an outside agency for drug or alcohol assessment, seeking an organization that provides financial planning and advice for debt management, working with faculty to address any conflicts occurring in the classroom or working with roommates to resolve conflicts. "The student is at the center of the discussion," Rankin said. "He or she is the main player, because a lot of it boils down to helping the student realize there are choices and options. The Network gives them information and pathways they may not have recognized before." During the past three years, the Network has helped more than 300 students who were referred. While no formal assessment is in place, positive feedback comes in the form of notes of appreciation and thanks from students and their families. "We often hear back from students that they've learned what we hoped they would: how to effectively solve problems," Rankin said. The key to the success of the CWN is the different perspective each person brings to the table to help a student resolve an issue, according to Rankin. Dean of Students Marianne Calenda believes the Network's value also lies in it being proactive and identifying students early. "This allows students to develop a plan with key resource people," she said, "but it keeps them at the center of decision-making." And gathering as a group also helps prevent the "silo approach," whereby each office on campus deals only with students issues that fall under their purview, she added. While many other colleges or universities have similar student assistance programs in place, it is the holistic approach that sets Elizabethtown's apart, according to Rankin. "Many schools have retention and enrollment committees that work to help students, but ours is one of the most comprehensive," she said. "Many have either an academic or a student life focus. Elizabethtown's Campus Wellness Network bridges the two."
Source: Elizabethtown College, Pennsylvania
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The American Language Institute (ALI) at San Diego State University (SDSU) offers internationally respected English language programs. Since 1974, the ... [read more]
