University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

Page 29 text:

parents or other adult mem¬ bers available to them as do traditional students. Unfortunately, data that identifies non-traditional students in terms other than age isn’t readily available at the University, said Fran Butler, assistant dean of students. However, of the 14,351 students enrolled during the fall semester, 4,586 — 32 percent — are at least 25 vears old. Many students who begin their collegiate careers as traditional students find that they have become non- traditional students without realizing it. Circumstances change, and what was once a part-time job for extra money has become a necessity for rent and groceries, for tuition and books. Some students marry and have children before graduation. One of the challenges faced by the University is that of identifying the non-traditional students population; without knowing who they are and what special needs they may have, such as child care, administrators find it difficult to plan for those needs. For parents, child care is an issue that can’t wait. Other non-traditional concerns include more class times for those whose work schedules don’t conform to traditional class times, credit for life experiences and academic bankruptcy. Academic bankruptcy, also known as academic clemency, recognizes that school work done in years past may not be representative of a student’s current academic achieve¬ ments. Many students who did poorly their first time around at the University would like to have their academic pasts erased or at least not included in their current grade-point averages. “I find myself in the awkward situation of being haunted by mistakes I made two decades ago,” writes Larry Stapleton. “The problem I am having is with the stigma attached to a cumulative grade-point beginning with these grades from two decades in the past. My concern is that when I graduate, my cumula¬ tive grade-point will not accurately reflect my abilities or efforts.” According to Butler, many institutions across the country offer some form of academic bankruptcy. The Academic Standards Committee at the University has proposed guidelines and drafted proce¬ dures to the Campus Council for consideration. For many non-traditional Entire families made sacrifices as student parents attended college. John Wichscr and his children Greg, Paul, Brian and Patricia adjusted as their wife and mother pursued a degree and worked as a Student Publications photogra¬ pher. M. WICHSER PHOTO financially, academically and emotionally. The Office for Non-Traditional Students provides services that were not available a year ago. Most non-traditional students are eligible for financial aid but find themselves in a crunch until it arrives. The office can help by contacting creditors such as the electric company and explaining the situation. Usually, the office is able to arrange for an extension on a late bill. The Office for Non- Traditional Students addresses more specific needs of non- traditional students by hosting brown-bag sessions where seminars are given to examine topics such as balancing school, family and employ¬ ment; time management; building self-esteem; and contemporary issues for women. In addition, the Office for Non-Traditional Students has developed strong relationships with the faculty and the colleges. “We have liaisons in all of the colleges and departmental offices,” Kunetka said. “When we call to explain one of the student’s problems, they listen. They are very support¬ ive.” Often, non-traditional students are faced with either caring for a sick child or taking a test that cannot be made up. Work is another serious consideration. If an employer makes a demand that interferes with classes, it may become a choice between paychecks and grades. But once the grades are tallied and the graduation parties are over, most non- traditional students re-enter the job market in search of a meaningful career. Leigh Turner, director of Career Services said: “In my experience, employers have a very positive response when an older graduate applies for a position. “They tend to be more mature and have a better sense of what they want from a job and what their goals and needs are. Younger graduates have a very tough time knowing what career path to take because they haven’t fully decided what they want to do with their lives. Non-traditional students bring a lot of life experiences and savvy with them that makes them attrac¬ tive to an employer,” Turner said. Turner said many returning students use Career Services for career counseling before jumping into courses that may not be appropriate. Non-traditional students know what they want from their experience at the Univer¬ sity. It may be to move ahead in their careers or to change careers altogether. For some non-traditional students, attending school is an expres¬ sion of the human need to think and to reflect and to exchange ideas. Whatever their reasons for attending, the challenges are varied and tough, and most will tell you it’s well worth it. Still, it’s not easy balancing adult responsibilities and a school experience that has been designed with someone else in mind. ■ By Steve Wilkes and Monica Phillips with Donna Starr Former education professor Ruth Blake has audited COURSES FOR 19 CONSECUTIVE YEARS. Although many STUDENTS ARE IN A HURRY TO FINISH school, Blake says SHE KEEPS TAKING CLASSES FOR THE PURE JOY OF LEARNING. NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS 25

Page 28 text:

F AMILY time is important to Kevin and Tiffany Byers who enjoy spending time with son Jordan at the Carlson Terrace playground. Both full-time students and parents, Tiffany worked part-time as a receptionist while Kevin was a residence assistant for Carlson Terrace, the photography editor of The Arkansas Traveler and a National Guardsman. K. PAIGE PHOTO w W W ORKING on a graduate degree and spending time with his children is often demanding, however, Sixte Ntamatungiro manages to find time to spend time with his son Martial and daughter Mariella. M. WICHSER PHOTO UT for a stroll, Jennifer Edmonson takes her daughter, Katie, outside to relax in the sun . Although taking care of children proved to be very demanding, students said spending time with their families sometimes allowed them to escape from their academic demands. M. WICHSER PHOTO CAMPUS LIFE 24

Page 30 text:

INSECURITY As security was beefed-up in the residence halls, students became insecure about losing their freedom By Kim Tracey It’s late, and most bars have closed for the night. The last draft has been consumed, and it is time to head home. Three girls had been out partying after a stress¬ ful week at school. On their way into the dorm, a Fulbright security guard stopped them and asked for their keys. Realizing they were intoxicated because of their loud behavior, he detained them and called the police. A policy that prevents intoxicated students from entering their own dorm rooms and could cause them to spend the night in jail and pay an $80 fine stirred up controversy. According to the director of Residence Life and Services, Pat Newland, the “walk and talk” policy is not for people w ho are tipsy, it is for those who are in trouble. “It would not be responsible to leave them alone,” Newland said. “Our two concerns are them getting into their room where they could lay down and die. It happened at a Florida university.” One Fulbright resident and a visitor from her home town were almost arrested. U I was sober, but my friend wasn’t, so we ran,” the freshman said. “I live there and I was being responsible for my friend. It wasn’t fair. We had no other place to stay. “I’ve heard of people who have slept in their cars, and I know of people who walked to a friend’s apartment because they were too messed- up to drive. The policy that is supposed to make people more safe was really not,” she said. Created because 70-80 percent of all problems in residence halls, including vandalism, assaults and date rapes were alcohol related, the policy was not meant to ban the students from doing what they wanted. “We were trying to keep people from hurting other residents and stealing their property,” Newland said. “This policy really was the only big change. A lot of halls had done this on their own last year.” As a result of other campuses being held liable for the lack of security and the 500 reported crimes and incidents, Reggie Houser, Residence Life and Services security coordinator, was hired to address the problem. “The residence halls became a playground,” Houser said. “Furniture was stolen, TVs were broken, and we just wanted the halls to be a better place to live.” As a result of the strict policies, approximately 75 dormitory residents gathered in Yocum Hall Sept. 4 to voice concern. Cindy Adams, a sophomore, argued that the policy was not helping. “We knew that Residence Life and Services was going to make the policy more stringent, but not to this extent,” Adams said. “It’s driving people away, at least I know I’m not going to live on campus next year.” Houser said that from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. was when most incidents occurred and Residence Life and Services just wanted to keep people out of the buildings who had no business there. “It is not impossible for crooks and criminals to get in, but they will have to try a lot harder now to get in our halls,” Houser said. Realizing that the policy had it’s problems, Houser argued that it just needed a chance. “When the changes came, students objected, but as time went on, they got used to it. In three or four weeks, students realized that it was quieter, cleaner, and they began to support the policy,” Houser said. Freshman Deb Lee said that the policies created a better environment. “I feel real safe,” Lee said. “I was glad that they checked our keys and that the guys had to leave a picture ID at the desk to come in.” Residence Life and Services hoped that the new card readers, which are activated by ID number so people who live in the halls do not have to bother with the security guards, will help eliminate some of the invasion of privacy complaints. The ID card readers, which will be installed by Fall 1992, cost approximately $90,000 and will keep strangers out of the building. A chance is what Residence Life and Services took and according to Houser, the result was a 51 percent decrease in incidents reported through November. “Whether the students realize it or not, Residence Life really does care about the students and just wanted the dorms to be safe,” Houser concluded. 66 “Whether the students realize it or not, Residence Life really does care about the students and just wanted the dorms to be safe” ■ Reggie Houser Security Coordinator CAMPUS LIFE 26