Student Life Archives

ST. LOUIS – Living at home while going to college-it’s the time-honored way to do a degree on the cheap.

And it seems to be on the way out.

Except for community colleges, pure commuter colleges are getting harder to find all the time. Over the past several years, many of these schools have started new campus housing or expanded or remodeled their existing supplies.

And, along with a smattering of those from out-of-town and foreign countries, many students have flocked to the new digs.

Carissa Bertels hails from the Madison County community of Dorsey, Ill., just 20 minutes away from Southern Illinois University Evansville, where she will be a junior this fall. Still, she chooses to live in a university residence hall, one of three 500-student units the university has built in the past eight years while remodeling its old stock of campus apartments.

Bertels says she likes the campus life because it affords her “more freedom” than living at home with her parents. And with no chance of an unreliable roommate stiffing her on rent, it also beats an off-campus apartment, she said.

Matthew Amsden commuted from home in Manchester, Mo., to St. Louis Community College at Meramec last semester. Now he’s moving into a residence hall at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Lindenwood has been expanding its housing stock along with its enrollment. “I have nothing against my parents, but I’d like to get out on my own,” he said.

Only a few years ago, independent-minded students like Amsden and Bartels avoided living on campus, thinking it cramped their style. Times and attitudes have changed as colleges nationwide have built new and more attractive student accommodations.

Gary Schwarzmueller, executive director of College and University Housing Officers-International, says colleges are in the middle of a spurt of housing construction. “There’s more activity now than I can remember in 30 years,” he said.

The boom stems in part from research showing that students who live on campus are more likely to stick to their studies and graduate-and that the freshman year can be the key to success. So universities with ample supplies of student housing are less likely to give students, especially freshmen, a choice.

St. Louis University merely suggests that all freshmen from beyond driving distance live in campus housing for at least their first year. Washington University and the University of Missouri at Columbia insist on it, as will Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, beginning in the fall of next year.

Students are anything but resistant. Even Washington and St. Louis universities’ townies are eager to live with their peers rather than their parents. Washington University reports that no more than a couple of dozen freshmen every year exercise their option to commute. Of the 3,509 students who have reserved rooms in St. Louis University’s residence halls for the coming semester, 531 come from within 25 miles of campus.

Once they come as freshmen, there appears to be no dislodging them. Washington University’s residence halls for upperclassmen have been filled to capacity. St. Louis University easily fills all student rooms, not just those for freshmen. Associate Provost Ned Harris says this is a big change from just a few years ago, when demand was tepid for half as many on-campus spots.

And no wonder. Today’s best college rooms feature all of the advantages of home and then some. They’re wired for reliable, at-a-click access to the Internet, with a portal for each student. Many offer cable hookups to boot.

The latest in campus accommodations are apartment-style set-ups with kitchens, living rooms and, in many cases, individual bedrooms and bathrooms. Compared with the spare, concrete dorm rooms of old with common showers down the hall, they couldn’t be more attractive, grown-up, private and, in students’ eyes, desirable.

Maryville University in St. Louis is opening its first such building this fall, its third residence hall altogether. Apartments were what University of Missouri-St. Louis and Webster opted for in adding rooms over the past several years. At Webster, the result is Webster Village _ six low-rise buildings plus a clubhouse and outdoor swimming pool, opened four years ago and looking for all the world like a suburban singles complex.

Freshman Rob Jearls, from just three miles away in south St. Louis County, is sharing a two-bedroom unit in the village this fall with Chris Weddle, who could walk to campus from a home just three blocks away.

For Jearls, living on campus is a matter of getting “the whole college experience.” His mother, Pamela Jearls, said she wanted that for him, even at a price of $505 a month for the room plus $1,260 a semester for the university’s least expensive meal plan.

Students who plan to take the graduate records examination but feel it has been a while since English 1001 may now want to brush up on their writing skills.

Chrissy Sphar, a elementary education senior, wanted to take the GRE at the end of this semester until hearing the test will be updated in October.

According to the Center for Assessment and Evaluation, the analytical portion of the test will change from an objective problem solving section to two separate analytical essays.

Beginning Oct. 1, the GRE will include writing assessment in the general test. Though students have been taking the writing assessment as a stand- alone since October 1999, it will become one of the tests’ three main sections.

The verbal and quantitative sections should remain unchanged. Sphar has decided to take the GRE this September so she still can use the resources and publications she already purchased and avoid the new essay portion.

“It’s not that I’m a slacker,” Sphar said. “I just want to be able to use the study guides for the current test. It also gave me a reason not to procrastinate.”

Robert Melson, Center for Assessment and Evaluation manager said the changes have caused many students like Sphar to take the GRE early in the semester.

“September is usually our slowest month for the GRE,” Melson said. “Right now, every spot for the last day in September is full.” Melson said he thinks many students are trying to avoid writing the essay in general because most schools, including the University, weigh the analytical portion of the test less than the other sections. However, some students such as Rachel Brown, a marketing junior, say they are not afraid.

“I would still take the test,” Brown said. “Essays give you a chance to express yourself more freely.”

Coming on the heels of the “stolen election” that still looms large over America’s political landscape and the contentious fight for control over the U.S. Senate, the 2003 political campaigns are going to be viciously fought out until the very end.

Many of the dead-heat races are here in Missouri. The 24th State Senate district, which includes Washington University, might be “the most 50-50 Republican/Democrat district” around, according to John Combest, a WU political science major who graduated in 2000 and now advises Republicans in the district.

On the other hand, WU is now also in the district of Richard Gephardt, a well-known Missourian who is looking to become the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Gephardt is considered a shoe-in by some political analysts, but two informed observers said they are certain he is also planning to run for president. If so, he will aim for a sound thrashing of his opponent to give him momentum for 2004.

As was the case when Missouri was a pivotal “swing-state” in the 2000 presidential election, campaign managers are once again looking to student voters and volunteers to mobilize the 18-25 year-old vote, which could tip the balance in favor of either party.

Recent campaign participation at WU reached fever pitch in 2000, when Missouri hosted three tight races – for the Governor’s and Senate seats and for the US Presidency. College Democrats in particular, but also College Republicans and non-partisan campus groups (such as Students for Life) organized dozens of volunteers for several different candidates.

Once again, students are out on the campaign trail in the 2003 elections.

Down in the Coal Mines

Everyone concedes that campaigning can be dissatisfying. Volunteers could “gain some understanding of the complexity of political process,” said James Davis, a political science professor at WU. “They could expand their network of friends and contacts. On the other hand, they may become gofers and not learn anything, besides drudgery.”

The usual fare for those involved in their first campaign includes “lit drop,” in which they go door-to-door, handing out brochures and asking residents to vote for their candidate; sticking yard signs into registered voters’ lawns; and lots of telemarketing-like phone calls. Sometimes, younger volunteers would be sent to graze at politicians’ wine-and-cheese meetings, largely just to bring down the stratospheric age median of those events.

In subsequent campaigns, they may assume more responsibilities. Mark Fraley, who for years has been volunteering for multiple left-wing causes, from ban on sweatshops to so-called “fair trade” coffee, now organizes other volunteers for Missouri Pro-Vote, a left-wing campaign group. Combest advises three Republican campaigns, and maintains a Web site devoted to state politics. And Jeff Smith, a WU graduate student, runs a local Democrat’s campaign, after having been Bill Bradley’s speechwriter. Smith also teaches politics at University College.

Even in their first campaigns, students can go beyond foot soldiers’ work, insists senior Ben Smilowitz. A former head of College Democrats who is organizing a youth cabinet for Governor Bob Holden this summer, Smilowitz believes that beginners should be more assertive. “They need to think about what kind of roles they want to have-and pursue them,” he said. “Campaigns involve people, and they don’t turn people away.”

What’s In It For You?

But even he admits that it’s not always like this. A lot of work, for example, is devoted to data entry-“they’re always getting more data on voters”-and working the phones. The question of how many students will be willing to do this “drudge work” hinges largely on their motives for campaigning. Here, observers are split.

Combest turns JFK’s famous sound bite on its head. “I think that most students get involved in politics for what it can do for them, and not what it can do for others,” he said. That does not bode well for this year’s campaigns, because most of the races will be local. “A lot of students don’t feel they have vested interest in local seats,” Combest said, because on the local level, there are “not as many opportunities that can advance their career.” Two exceptions might be Gephardt’s campaign, and Jim Talent’s bid to unseat Senator Jean Carnahan.

Loyal Opposition

One perennial college sentiment, however, could inspire a surge in student campaigning: opposition. On this predominantly left-of-center campus, WU liberals can sometimes stick it to the opponents. Often enough, conservative students feel besieged, even offended-and this might make them rise up and plant a few yard signs.

“If you are a conservative student at WU, you have to be willing to endure a certain amount of personal and ideological confrontation,” said Combest. He cites Dan McCarthy, a veritable conservative on campus, who co-founded the Washington Witness and was widely attacked for it. At the time Lauren Mandell, who was to become the editor in chief of Student Life a year later, called the Witness writers “well-funded extremists.”

But Combest, praising McCarthy’s stoicism, said that attacks could turn into something else – a baptism by fire. Because of the constant need to defend his position, Combest said, “I came out of WU more conservative, but also more open-minded than when I came in.”

Yet, as both Combest and McCarthy pointed out, ambitious young conservatives don’t have the same incentives as do liberals. Working on campaigns is not considered the best way to advance within the Republican Party. “There are certain people in conservative grassroots who don’t like the idea of professional politicians,” Combest said.

McCarthy suggested that for politically minded conservatives, the best path is to become a non-political professional and stand for nomination later. This is in sync with conservatives’ ideology: while liberals tend to see government as a force for good, conservatives tend to be wary of it. The spirit of rebellion, then, may not result in large turnout of conservative volunteers.

As for those who used to support third parties and independent candidates, many of them have moved to the center. A trickle of votes away from Gore to environmentalist and consumer rights advocate Ralph Nader in 2000 arguably cost Democrats the White House, and taught liberals to close ranks.

Fraley, who was once busily involved in environmentalist causes and stayed out of the College Democrats, now backs many mainstream liberal candidates. “A person should vote for whoever will have the best impact on the majority of the people,” he said.

He disagrees with a common argument on the fringes, that sacrificing a moderate candidate in the short run will bring radicals more influence in the long term. “I’m not in a position of low-income people who can’t afford for things to get worse in the short term,” he said.

They may grudgingly vote for moderate candidates, but radically minded students would be loath to spend their time campaigning for them. So it appears campaigns will have to work even harder at mobilizing the student vote, regardless of how tight or important their races.

Racial, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities persist on the SAT I, according to a report released by the College Board Tuesday.

The largest ethnic gaps were between the African American and white test-takers. There was a 106 point gap in math and a 97 point gap in verbal scores, according to information obtained by the Daily Cal.

Mexican Americans scored on average 81 points lower than whites on the verbal section and 76 points lower than whites on the math section, the documents showed.

The College Board report also stated that high school students across the nation are scoring higher in math and lower in verbal on the SAT I.

Additionally, the report stated students from suburban areas scored significantly higher than those from large cities and rural areas.

“I think that’s glaring evidence for the teachability of the test,” said Erick Munoz, co-chair of La Raza Law Students at Boalt Hall School of Law. “People who have access for tutors and test prep have a big advantage.”

Compared to the verbal section, the math section is “very predictable,” and therefore, easier to prepare for, Munoz said.

Berkeley School Board President Shirley Issel also attributed the lower verbal scores to the lack of resources for language learners and students of low socioeconomic backgrounds to enhance their vocabulary skills.

College Board Spokesperson Kristin Carnahan agreed socioeconomic status was a major factor in determining SAT I scores but also attributed the drop in verbal scores to a decline in high school grammar curriculum.

Berkeley school board members agreed more emphasis needs to be placed on reading and writing in school curriculum.

“There’s a big focus on literacy in the primary grades,” Issel said. “However that focus is not maintained (thereafter).”

Others also pointed to the higher levels of math available to students at younger grades.

Although the gender gap between male and female test-takers has steadily been decreasing, male test-takers still earned an average of 34 points more in the math section than female test-takers.

Carnahan said the gender gap is getting smaller because women today are taking more advanced math classes. Ten years ago, 31 percent of college-bound women took pre-calculus courses and now 44 percent are taking pre-calculus courses, she added.

Carnahan said the new SAT I, which will be released in 2005, may be affected by the recent score report. But the content of the new test is still being developed.

The UC Regents decided the new test will feature math as advanced as Algebra II and more reading comprehension questions. The analogies section will not appear in the new SAT I.

But don’t expect any changes in next year’s SATs, Carnahan said. For students like Santa Clara High School Senior John Vu, that news can be devastating.

“The SATs were hard,” Vu said, adding he found the verbal section difficult in last spring’s test.

Vu said the verbal section contained reading passages from historical texts dating back to the 1800s. Vu said he could have done better if he read primary sources from that time period in high school.

In the spring of 2001, UC President Richard Atkinson openly opposed the SAT I. Since last spring, UC Regents have been working with the College Board on creating a new California test for UC applicants. The exam, which will be released in 2006, will have a writing section and an additional critical reading section.

Alyssa Gregory

Students will soon begin to reacquaint themselves with Olin Library. Returning students, however, will notice that Olin is definitely not the same as it was two years ago-or even last April.

Over the summer, construction workers installed a temporary wall around the outside of Olin, and they renumbered the floors inside the library. In addition, the new level B (formerly floor 1) will soon reopen, now containing many of the books that had been housed at West Campus last year.

With the renovations to Olin come inconveniences for students. Many books will continue to be located at West Campus, and more importantly, construction noise may disturb students trying to study. Library administrators say they are working hard to minimize the noise problems, and to that extent, they are offering earplugs to students who request them.

But for students who still find the library too difficult to navigate or too noisy to study, there are other options.

Libraries

East Asian Library (January Hall): Probably the most ornate library on campus, the East Asian Library is a good location for students who are looking for a quiet, picturesque studying experience. As an added bonus, browse the narrow stacks of books in the back. You never know what you’ll find there.

Law Library (Anheuser-Busch Hall): Located on the fourth floor of the law school, the virtually silent law library has numerous law resources and plenty of space to spread out. Just be careful-you might get stares when you cough. Did we mention it’s quiet?

Earth and Planetary Sciences Library (Wilson Hall): Essentially designed for students who need to grab a book and go, the EPS library has everything you need in the way of phanerozoic biogeography, but little room to work.

Social Work Library (Brown Hall): Clean, bright, and comfortable, the stuffed chairs and hushed study rooms of the Social Work Library make it a great spot to study. The space is well lit and quiet, thanks in part to plush carpeting that keeps the noise level at a minimum. Copy machines are readily available, too.

Art and Architecture Library (Steinberg Hall): A bit off the beaten path for those who normally don’t venture past Brookings, the Art and Architecture Library nonetheless offers a quiet study area among the seemingly endless stacks of art books. Complete with undulating ceilings and globular lamps, the retro d‚cor and large collection of current art periodicals make it one of WU’s more unusual study spots.

Mathematics Library (Cupples I): Buried beneath Cupples I, the tiny Math Library is perfectly silent if lacking in character. With one large study table, a few shelves of textbooks, and a handful of chairs, the Math Library simply doesn’t offer the space to accommodate more than a few studiers at any given time.

Chemistry Library (Louderman Hall): For those who dare to endeavor past the radioactive material signs that adorn the building’s classroom doors, the Chemistry Library is a sunny, spacious room with long tables, walls of reference books, and a great view of Olin construction. For those who like to study in solitude, individual desks tucked away in the balcony offer privacy. Students with a burning desire to peruse the Journal of Organic Chemistry will probably blend in best.

Gaylord Music Library: Even if you’re not in the market for music books, this library still has one thing going for it that the rest don’t-proximity to the South 40. Plenty of table space plus quiet surroundings make the Music Library a fine spot for anyone to study, but not having to deal with the underpass makes this a perfect destination for WU’s lazier residents.

On-Campus Hangouts

Holmes Lounge (Ridgley Hall): The big leather chairs. The majestic ceiling. The palm trees. Does it get any better than Holmes Lounge? Holmes is ideal for studying, except maybe during lunchtime on weekdays, when nearly every student on Campus comes for a turkey wrap or a carvery sandwich. Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to midnight. Not open weekends.

Ursa’s Fireside (Lien House): The constantly hushed atmosphere of this study room makes for the ultimate study place on the South 40. But beware not to cough-you may get shushed. Hours: 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. every day.

The Hilltop Bakery (Mallinckrodt): This smoothie and scone shop is a great place to hit the books right before a quiz. Tuck into a back table to seclude yourself from jabbering in the monstrous smoothie lines. Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Coffee Shops

Aesop’s (6611 Clayton Road): On an average night, this hole-in-the-wall across from Schnucks is packed with close to 40 WU students. The noise level is average-not particularly quiet, but not particularly loud. Try the turtle mocha. Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight; weekends, 9 a.m. to midnight.

The Grind (56 Maryland Plaza): The sometimes mellow, sometimes hopping atmosphere of this coffee shop in the Central West End features comfy couches and pool tables good for frequent study breaks. With ample outdoor seating, it’s easy to get a breath of fresh air while sipping on your caf‚ suada or Vietnamese iced coffee. Hours: Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 3 a.m.; weekends, noon to 3 a.m.

The Coffee Cartel (2 Maryland Plaza): A mix of late teens and St. Louis college students can be found lingering in this retro caf‚ all nights of the week. The generally quiet atmosphere lends itself nicely to a relaxed place to enjoy a cup of joe and some 18th century European literature. Give the standard mocha a try. Hours: 24 hours a day, every day.

Kaldi’s (700 DeMun): This coffee shop holds between 15 and 20 WU students studying on a weekday night. The music is not catered to the studying crowd, however, so don’t let the slightly louder tunes detract from your organic chemistry. Also, make sure you don’t mind squishing up to the coffee-drinker next to you, as the tables tend to be a little tight. Outdoor seating available. Go for the turtle latte. Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., every day.

Tuesday, August 27

7:03 p.m., SEXUAL OFFENSE, EADS HALL-A suspicious person was observed by the victim as the same subject soliciting him for sex yesterday in Olin Library. Officers arrested suspect.

Wednesday, August 28

12:17 p.m., LARCENY-THEFT, ATHLETIC COMPLEX-Four lockers in men’s locker room were broken into. Credit cards and wallets were taken. No suspects.

3:10 p.m., AUTOMOBILE THEFT, PARKING LOT #2-A student stated that she parked and secured her vehicle and upon her return discovered that unknown person(s) had stolen her vehicle. Loss is estimated at $7,748.

3:12 p.m., PROPERTY DAMAGE , SNOW WAY-A employee reported that some unknown person(s) damaged the Throop Cross Walk Way. Cost of damage unknown.

4:07 p.m., LARCENY-THEFT, PARKING LOT #4-Victim stated he parked his vehicle on lot 4 on the above date. Upon his return, he discovered that unknown person(s) had broken the passenger door lock and stole property from the vehicle. No witnesses were located.

4:14 p.m., LARCENY-THEFT, ATHLETIC COMPLEX-The victim’s wallet, WU I.D., VISA card, and cash were taken from the recreational gym. The items were on the floor while the victim was playing basketball. The theft occurred August 27.

Thursday, August 29

2:14 a.m., ACCIDENT AUTO, PARKING LOT #28-Unknown vehicle struck reporting party’s ’99 Audi A4 causing minor damage to the left side of vehicle. Unknown vehicle then left the scene.

First Friday features new events, Real World

First Friday, an annual tradition that greets students at the end of their first week of classes, will feature games and a special lecture this year. Starting at 3 p.m. in the Swamp, inflatable games and food will be available. At 6 p.m., student a cappella groups will be performing in Ursa’s Caf‚. Finally, at 8 p.m., the venue will shift to Graham Chapel, where “Real World” cast members Puck and Keri will give a free lecture.

WU has more merit scholars,
raises overall expenditures

This week, The Chronicle of Higher Education released its annual survey of college and university statistics, which included several categories that mentioned Washington University. WU is 15th on the list of colleges with the most freshmen merit scholars in 2001, with 138 scholars. The university’s name also appears on the list of largest private gifts to private education since 1967, with a donation from the Danforth foundation of $100 million in stock. The school is 11th on The Chronicle’s list of top college and university endowments, and is 48th on the list of top research library holdings in the United States and Canada. The university also made the news as being one of the institutions with the largest increases of total expenditures, over a 50 percent increase.

Fraternities to host annual block party

Saturday, the Greek community will celebrate the official opening of fraternity row with the annual Block Party. The event, which will take place from 9:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. is the first official fraternity function of the year. This year’s party will feature a DJ, food and beverages. Unlike past years there will not be a third-party alcohol vender, and fraternities will not be serving alcohol, but students with proper identification may bring a six-pack of beer. According to Jeffery Turkanis of the Interfraternity Council, the focus of the event and a goal for the overall year is to, “promote more unity among the individual fraternities and the Greek system as a whole,” as well as to show that fraternities are about more than “having parties and doing the stereotypical Greek things.”

Roediger elected head of APA

Psychology department chairman and professor Henry L. “Roddy” Roediger III was elected the president of the American Psychological Society (APS) over the summer. APS, which has more than 14,000 members, represents scientific psychologists in a variety of realms. Roediger, whose research primarily takes place in the memory lab of the psychology department, is also the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor.

Tau Kappa Epsilon wins award

The Xi Chapter of TKE was awarded the Most Improved Chapter award at its annual Grand Chapter conference over the summer. The chapter will be featured on the national Web site at ww.tke.org and in The Teke magazine.

Students who procrastinate in their academic work often lag behind their peers in diet, sleep patterns and overall fitness, according to a recent study reported in The Chronicle of Higher Education.

The study attributes procrastinators’ bad habits to “avoidant coping styles.” Students try to escape potential stressors instead of facing them directly. These “avoidant styles translate not only into late term papers but also to higher rates of smoking, drinking and a tendency to postpone seeing a doctor for acute health problems,” reported The Chronicle.

The study added that procrastinators suffer not only academically, but are more likely to struggle with drinking and smoking problems.

Students at Washington University often complain about the stress that comes with waiting too long to crack the books, but changing these habits is difficult.

“[Procrastination] is easy, but it’s bad-very, very bad,” said Sophomore Chris Perkins. “You get hit like a freight train two weeks before the end of term.”

Perkins said last-minute stress does cause a significant problem during finals, but he has not used this knowledge to change his behavior. He added that this “bad” habit can often spread to other aspects of his life.

“If I procrastinate in school, I procrastinate in just about everything else,” said Perkins.

Other areas that suffer are relationships, extracurricular activities and even cleaning one’s room. Perkins said his procrastination extends to exercise-except, instead of putting off his workout sessions, Perkins often skips them altogether.

The study of procrastinators found no correlation between students’ grades and their habits of procrastination. So, while students may experience stress and discomfort days, hours or minutes before a project is due, all-nighters won’t keep them from making the Dean’s List.

“It’s clear that many procrastinators have found an antidote to their problem,” Bruce W. Tuckman, a professor of educational policy and leadership at Ohio State University told The Chronicle. “And yet they keep telling us that procrastination makes them terribly anxious, and they wish they would stop.”

Sophomore Gillette Hughes also admitted having a procrastination addiction. However, Hughes has honed her talents to make last-minute cramming sessions work to her best interest. Hughes thrives under pressure, so she said procrastination actually helps her study.

“You can end up stressing yourself out at the last minute, but at the same time, I work well under pressure, so it goes well for me,” said Hughes.

Hughes said that after she turns in a paper or bubbles in the last answer on a test, she feels a “nice relief.” And Hughes knows that her habits cause “no permanent damage.” The study cited in The Chronicle suggests that this lack of “permanent damage” may keep Hughes on a cycle of procrastination-with stress followed by relief-throughout her college career.