By Josiah Stewart
Critic Staff
Several acts of vandalism involving paint that had been stored in ACT 210 have plagued Lyndon State College over the past two weeks.
The room that was used to store the paint has seen the worst from the vandals.
“Those rooms are usually locked, and it wasn’t locked, and the paint that the students were using to do their ‘illegal’ artwork was in that room, and it is my responsibility because I thought that it was secure and it wasn’t,” Elizabeth Norris, department chair of music and performing arts, said.
Norris received a report on Dec. 2, and believes that it was a janitor who discovered the first bit of vandalism: yellow paint that had been dumped into the chalk board tray in ACT 210.
“That afternoon a student from my class said ‘oh look someone dumped paint into the heating vent’ so someone had taken the yellow paint and poured it down the heater, and it dripped through to the ground below,” Norris said, “I thought that I better also check the piano, so I opened the top of the piano looking for yellow paint and did not see any. I thought that it looked a little bit odd but I didn’t register what I was seeing because I was looking for yellow and I just looked real quick.”
On Monday Dec. 8, while Norris was having her departmental recital, she discovered that the piano she had checked earlier had been a victim of the vandals as well,
“I went to use the piano and it felt like I was playing on a table, and when I opened it I realized the whole inside was filled with brown paint so it blended in right over the hammers. So they lifted the top and poured brown paint all over the inner workings. I don’t yet know if the piano is salvageable. I still have to talk to someone about that,” Norris said.
Norris explained that although the Shelter Showcase was not greatly attended, people from off campus were free to come in, “so it could have been anyone.”
Another bit of vandalism on campus occurred on the bottom floor of the Vail building in the same spot that previously held three pieces of artwork that had only recently been painted over. “Someone took a black marker and wrote ‘Erase lies, not art,’ which I thought was very interesting, and it looks like someone tried to scrub it off and it isn’t coming off,” Norris said.
Norris also explained the reason behind the three paintings in Vail being painted over, “I found out that it was on account of supposed hidden drug messages in the paintings, because the one that said ‘Keep Lyndon Green’ had mushrooms in it and apparently someone from administration thought that it had to do with hallucinogens, and the other was an image of spray cans and this was thought to deal with inhalants.”
“Tenure or no tenure, I still would have done this project because in my brain it doesn’t really hold a connection to the project,” Norris said, “but I am on the other side of tenure now so I can’t say for sure, but the bottom line is that we are here for the students and for student education and I will do whatever it takes to teach my students something important.”
Showing posts with label top. Show all posts
Showing posts with label top. Show all posts
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
LSC whites out student expression
By Josiah Stewart
Critic Staff
An assortment of creative expression has been popping up on walls all over Lyndon State College’s campus in the form of painted murals that are the product of many hours of planning and inspiration.
So far the artwork has appeared in five different locations around campus.
Elizabeth Norris, Department Chair of Music and Performing Arts, explained that the project required students to come up with art ideas based on guerrilla, street, and graffiti art of the current century.
“The students had to draw it out and then stand in front of the class and explain what they wanted to do, and then we took all 22 ideas and then voted on them, and picked the top five, and then divided the class into teams,” Norris said.
The artwork can be seen in the stairwell going up to ACT 210 and 212, at the bottom of the spiral stairwell across from the library, right outside the library doors high up on the wall, and until recently by the elevator on the bottom floor of Vail.
Norris showed disappointment to find that three of the pieces of art have already been painted over.
Norris also explained that the students were given certain conditions when the project was first started.
“First the students were told that the art was ethereal, which means that it could very well go away, they could do no harm, it also had to respect diversity, and they had to keep it clean,” Norris said, “they also knew that I purposely did not ask for permission, because if you ask permission it destroys what it is you’re doing as graffiti artists.”
Although precautions were used to ensure that paint would not get everywhere using drop cloths and news papers, some of the paint managed to seep through and got on a carpet.
“I think part of the schools reaction is that we can’t let people paint things because they will make a mess. Life is messy and noisy, art is messy and noisy, and one of the things I discovered is that we are not used to that here,” Norris said.
The art that was painted over was of a covered bridge and two other abstract pieces that were by the elevator on the bottom floor of the Vail building.
“I don’t know who made the decision to paint over those pieces, I don’t even know if the president saw any of the art,” Norris said, “but I can tell you that at the end of her state of the college address, one of the things she said in her 'let's dream big' part of the speech, was ‘I picture artwork on every single wall,’ well how are we going to do that if there is someone on campus who makes the call about what is acceptable forms of art and what is junk…”
In the spirit of unity and artistic expression, students have placed their mark on LSC’s campus, an example of this being the U.N. symbol painted outside of the Library’s entrance.
It is not yet clear whether the rest of the artwork will be allowed to remain.
Critic Staff
An assortment of creative expression has been popping up on walls all over Lyndon State College’s campus in the form of painted murals that are the product of many hours of planning and inspiration.
So far the artwork has appeared in five different locations around campus.
Elizabeth Norris, Department Chair of Music and Performing Arts, explained that the project required students to come up with art ideas based on guerrilla, street, and graffiti art of the current century.
“The students had to draw it out and then stand in front of the class and explain what they wanted to do, and then we took all 22 ideas and then voted on them, and picked the top five, and then divided the class into teams,” Norris said.
The artwork can be seen in the stairwell going up to ACT 210 and 212, at the bottom of the spiral stairwell across from the library, right outside the library doors high up on the wall, and until recently by the elevator on the bottom floor of Vail.
Norris showed disappointment to find that three of the pieces of art have already been painted over.
Norris also explained that the students were given certain conditions when the project was first started.
“First the students were told that the art was ethereal, which means that it could very well go away, they could do no harm, it also had to respect diversity, and they had to keep it clean,” Norris said, “they also knew that I purposely did not ask for permission, because if you ask permission it destroys what it is you’re doing as graffiti artists.”
Although precautions were used to ensure that paint would not get everywhere using drop cloths and news papers, some of the paint managed to seep through and got on a carpet.
“I think part of the schools reaction is that we can’t let people paint things because they will make a mess. Life is messy and noisy, art is messy and noisy, and one of the things I discovered is that we are not used to that here,” Norris said.
The art that was painted over was of a covered bridge and two other abstract pieces that were by the elevator on the bottom floor of the Vail building.
“I don’t know who made the decision to paint over those pieces, I don’t even know if the president saw any of the art,” Norris said, “but I can tell you that at the end of her state of the college address, one of the things she said in her 'let's dream big' part of the speech, was ‘I picture artwork on every single wall,’ well how are we going to do that if there is someone on campus who makes the call about what is acceptable forms of art and what is junk…”
In the spirit of unity and artistic expression, students have placed their mark on LSC’s campus, an example of this being the U.N. symbol painted outside of the Library’s entrance.
It is not yet clear whether the rest of the artwork will be allowed to remain.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Future budget repeal likely
Benjamin Holbrook
Critic Staff
Carol Moore says that there's no reason to celebrate, but no bad news--yet.
More budgeting shortfalls may become reality soon and the Burke Mountain Room was filled to capacity on Thursday to here Lyndon State College’s administration discuss.
President Carol Moore and Dean of Administration Wayne Hamilton spoke before faculty, staff and students assembled to hear news on what the college can expect, especially after dealing with a 100,000 dollar deficit earlier this semester.
Moore says the college and the administration are awaiting budgeting action on the part of the Vermont General Assembly which is due to convene next Tuesday.
“There is no dramatic budget news,” Moore said, “but there is nothing to cheer about either.”
To an audible gasp from those assembled, Moore said Governor James Douglas informed Vermont State Colleges Chancellor Robert Clarke to project a five percent decrease in current budgeting operations.
According to Hamilton Gov. Douglas said that it is pretty definite that the state will see another repeal.
“Certainly if we get another rescission we’ll look at structural changes – personnel,” Moore said. The administration will also be looking at academic and non-academic programs in terms of viability.
Hamilton says that for now all adjustments have been made in response to the $100,000 “hit” taken earlier this semester, which included the termination of a library job, and expenses are on target for the year.
An issue that has been brought up in meetings before is why a new building is being built since LSC has to deal with budget problems. “That (building) money was generated through bond sales so it is safe and secure,” Hamilton said. “I think it is very fortunate for Lyndon that we secured the money when we did with the economy the way it is now.” Hamilton also said the new building allows LSC to remain competitive and to draw in new students.
In terms of closing budgeting gaps in the future Hamilton says that the college will need to increase full time enrollment by 120 students on top of where they are currently. Tuition will also need to be increased by 6.5 percent annually.
“We would like to include more people in closing the gap,” said Bob Whittaker, dean of institutional advancement. Whitaker says that in turning to fundraising and asking alumni, friends, staff and parents for contributions it would infringe less upon the students.
Still, with Tuesday’s meeting of legislators in Montpelier and the possibility of a thrid budget reduction next spring people are worried. “We need to be planning for the worst,” Hamilton said. Higher education tends to get cut more often by the legislature because, “they believe that raising tuition will off-set any cuts made,” Hamilton said.
Moore told the audience at the end of the meeting that if there is another recession another open budget meeting will be planned. Asked if the gathered group could come together before any structural changes were decided Moore said she didn’t want to discuss an individual’s position in an open setting.
Critic Staff
Carol Moore says that there's no reason to celebrate, but no bad news--yet.
More budgeting shortfalls may become reality soon and the Burke Mountain Room was filled to capacity on Thursday to here Lyndon State College’s administration discuss.
President Carol Moore and Dean of Administration Wayne Hamilton spoke before faculty, staff and students assembled to hear news on what the college can expect, especially after dealing with a 100,000 dollar deficit earlier this semester.
Moore says the college and the administration are awaiting budgeting action on the part of the Vermont General Assembly which is due to convene next Tuesday.
“There is no dramatic budget news,” Moore said, “but there is nothing to cheer about either.”
To an audible gasp from those assembled, Moore said Governor James Douglas informed Vermont State Colleges Chancellor Robert Clarke to project a five percent decrease in current budgeting operations.
According to Hamilton Gov. Douglas said that it is pretty definite that the state will see another repeal.
“Certainly if we get another rescission we’ll look at structural changes – personnel,” Moore said. The administration will also be looking at academic and non-academic programs in terms of viability.
Hamilton says that for now all adjustments have been made in response to the $100,000 “hit” taken earlier this semester, which included the termination of a library job, and expenses are on target for the year.
An issue that has been brought up in meetings before is why a new building is being built since LSC has to deal with budget problems. “That (building) money was generated through bond sales so it is safe and secure,” Hamilton said. “I think it is very fortunate for Lyndon that we secured the money when we did with the economy the way it is now.” Hamilton also said the new building allows LSC to remain competitive and to draw in new students.
In terms of closing budgeting gaps in the future Hamilton says that the college will need to increase full time enrollment by 120 students on top of where they are currently. Tuition will also need to be increased by 6.5 percent annually.
“We would like to include more people in closing the gap,” said Bob Whittaker, dean of institutional advancement. Whitaker says that in turning to fundraising and asking alumni, friends, staff and parents for contributions it would infringe less upon the students.
Still, with Tuesday’s meeting of legislators in Montpelier and the possibility of a thrid budget reduction next spring people are worried. “We need to be planning for the worst,” Hamilton said. Higher education tends to get cut more often by the legislature because, “they believe that raising tuition will off-set any cuts made,” Hamilton said.
Moore told the audience at the end of the meeting that if there is another recession another open budget meeting will be planned. Asked if the gathered group could come together before any structural changes were decided Moore said she didn’t want to discuss an individual’s position in an open setting.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Disaster drill prepares LSC students for the unexpected
Ben Holbrook
Critic Editor
Lyndon State College experienced a school shooting Saturday morning.
Dan Williams, professor of English, and Peggy Sherrer, professor of Psychology, ran their simulated disaster drill early Saturday. The disaster drill is part of a class, Responding to Psychological Trauma, that allows students the opportunity to experience what happens during a real emergency.
“I expanded my class to three credits this year to give students more training,” Sherrer said. “I wanted to give them a dynamic experience where there is chaos, unpredictability and make the students have to think on their feet.”
This year’s scenario involved a school shooting and a hostage situation. Students from both the human services and journalism majors were involved. The journalism students were required to leave campus in order to simulate how journalists would respond to such an emergency.
“I wanted to give them (journalism students) exposure to people who are suffering from trauma and dealing with officials who would be at a scene like that,” Williams said.
The whole scenario began around 9:30 a.m. with the shooter walking into a classroom in HAC where he shot the professor and a number of students before taking another student hostage. Soon after the shooting took place, emergency responders including state and local police and ambulance crews, began arriving on scene.
The simulation proceeded with emergency crews treating the wounded students, police began a search of the area to find the shooter, and the human service majors began evaluating and counseling the victims. The journalists who took part in the drill were scrambling around trying to get as much information from officials and victims as they could.
The entire drill lasted until about 1:30 p.m. before everybody was gathered to discuss the events of the day.
Although the drill was a success, there were still aspects of the drill that Sherrer and Williams want to change.
“I would love to involve professional, semi-professional and theater majors as actors,” Sherrer said. “They (professional actors) could help to psychologically prepare the volunteer actors.”
Williams also wants to make changes to the journalism portion of the drill.
“I’d like to involve professional journalists in the class,” Williams said, “because it’s the type of training that professionals need and often don’t get.”
Besides preparing for a real life emergency, the disaster drill also gave students the opportunity to interact with each other in a professional role.
“There’s a lot that happens when you put our students together,” Sherrer said. “I think the students gained a mutual respect towards each other’s role, my students learned that journalists aren’t just there to harass a victim, they are just doing their job.”
Responding to Psychological Trauma is offered during the fall semester.
Critic Editor
Lyndon State College experienced a school shooting Saturday morning.
Dan Williams, professor of English, and Peggy Sherrer, professor of Psychology, ran their simulated disaster drill early Saturday. The disaster drill is part of a class, Responding to Psychological Trauma, that allows students the opportunity to experience what happens during a real emergency.
“I expanded my class to three credits this year to give students more training,” Sherrer said. “I wanted to give them a dynamic experience where there is chaos, unpredictability and make the students have to think on their feet.”
This year’s scenario involved a school shooting and a hostage situation. Students from both the human services and journalism majors were involved. The journalism students were required to leave campus in order to simulate how journalists would respond to such an emergency.
“I wanted to give them (journalism students) exposure to people who are suffering from trauma and dealing with officials who would be at a scene like that,” Williams said.
The whole scenario began around 9:30 a.m. with the shooter walking into a classroom in HAC where he shot the professor and a number of students before taking another student hostage. Soon after the shooting took place, emergency responders including state and local police and ambulance crews, began arriving on scene.
The simulation proceeded with emergency crews treating the wounded students, police began a search of the area to find the shooter, and the human service majors began evaluating and counseling the victims. The journalists who took part in the drill were scrambling around trying to get as much information from officials and victims as they could.
The entire drill lasted until about 1:30 p.m. before everybody was gathered to discuss the events of the day.
Although the drill was a success, there were still aspects of the drill that Sherrer and Williams want to change.
“I would love to involve professional, semi-professional and theater majors as actors,” Sherrer said. “They (professional actors) could help to psychologically prepare the volunteer actors.”
Williams also wants to make changes to the journalism portion of the drill.
“I’d like to involve professional journalists in the class,” Williams said, “because it’s the type of training that professionals need and often don’t get.”
Besides preparing for a real life emergency, the disaster drill also gave students the opportunity to interact with each other in a professional role.
“There’s a lot that happens when you put our students together,” Sherrer said. “I think the students gained a mutual respect towards each other’s role, my students learned that journalists aren’t just there to harass a victim, they are just doing their job.”
Responding to Psychological Trauma is offered during the fall semester.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Faculty more than reluctant to let go
Steve Cormier
Critic Staff
Cut of library employee galvanizes LSC faculty to demand address of the termination.
Hard financial times at Lyndon State College have become personal with the administration’s decision to cut the Director of Library Instructional Technology position.
Vicki Litzinger, an employee of the college since 2001, will be let go later this semester. The termination of her position is a result of the administration’s response to the budget deficit facing LSC this fall.
Stating in an e-mail that the situation was “very problematic,” Litzinger declined to be interviewed for this article.
A common face in the library, Litzinger is the person behind integrating class information with Blackboard to help both faculty and students. Her removal from LSC is weighing on the minds and in the actions of those who know her.
“It is always a difficult thing to deal with when a colleague is let go,” said David Johnston, Professor of Philosophy and Faculty Federation Chapter Chair.
An emergency meeting of the Faculty Assembly, the union representing faculty at LSC, convened Tuesday in the Burke Mountain Room with the only item on the agenda being the layoff.
“The faculty wants to show support for the staff… who keep LSC functioning,” Johnston said.
“When difficult things happen in a community it’s important to continue to communicate to help in knowing how decisions were made,” said Patricia Shine, Professor of Human Services.
A letter asking President Carol Moore to address the layoff at the next Faculty Assembly meeting is being circulated by Shine and is being signed by full and part-time faculty.
“The letter explains why the position is important and why Vicki is good for it,” Johnston said.
Litzinger’s termination has brought into question the way financial matters have been handled here at LSC, especially during the current deficit crises.
“Many people would have liked a more open deliberation process to work out the budget shortfall,” Johnston said.
The decision to eliminate Litzinger’s position occurred following the state government in Montpelier deciding to pull back previously approved appropriations. Cutting the library position reduced the deficit by $34,000. “We do not get a lot of money here as we are tuition driven,” said Bob McCabe, director of student support services and Chapter Chair for VSC-UP, the staff union at LSC.
Along with Litzinger two part-time housing employees will be removed and two 12 month employees will have their positions reduced to 10 months. In addition money is to be cut from the staff development, equipment and library acquisitions budgets.
The Vermont General Assembly will be reconvening in November to focus on budgeting again. McCabe worries about what decisions could be made even though last week President Moore said, “we have not targeted any positions, we will wait and see what happens.”
“I don’t think it is over yet,” McCabe said. One of the few other choices is charging more in terms of tuition and he worries that would drive students further into loan debt.
Photo by Eric Wayne
Critic Staff
Cut of library employee galvanizes LSC faculty to demand address of the termination.
Hard financial times at Lyndon State College have become personal with the administration’s decision to cut the Director of Library Instructional Technology position.
Vicki Litzinger, an employee of the college since 2001, will be let go later this semester. The termination of her position is a result of the administration’s response to the budget deficit facing LSC this fall.
Stating in an e-mail that the situation was “very problematic,” Litzinger declined to be interviewed for this article.
A common face in the library, Litzinger is the person behind integrating class information with Blackboard to help both faculty and students. Her removal from LSC is weighing on the minds and in the actions of those who know her.
“It is always a difficult thing to deal with when a colleague is let go,” said David Johnston, Professor of Philosophy and Faculty Federation Chapter Chair.
An emergency meeting of the Faculty Assembly, the union representing faculty at LSC, convened Tuesday in the Burke Mountain Room with the only item on the agenda being the layoff.
“The faculty wants to show support for the staff… who keep LSC functioning,” Johnston said.
“When difficult things happen in a community it’s important to continue to communicate to help in knowing how decisions were made,” said Patricia Shine, Professor of Human Services.
A letter asking President Carol Moore to address the layoff at the next Faculty Assembly meeting is being circulated by Shine and is being signed by full and part-time faculty.
“The letter explains why the position is important and why Vicki is good for it,” Johnston said.
Litzinger’s termination has brought into question the way financial matters have been handled here at LSC, especially during the current deficit crises.
“Many people would have liked a more open deliberation process to work out the budget shortfall,” Johnston said.
The decision to eliminate Litzinger’s position occurred following the state government in Montpelier deciding to pull back previously approved appropriations. Cutting the library position reduced the deficit by $34,000. “We do not get a lot of money here as we are tuition driven,” said Bob McCabe, director of student support services and Chapter Chair for VSC-UP, the staff union at LSC.
Along with Litzinger two part-time housing employees will be removed and two 12 month employees will have their positions reduced to 10 months. In addition money is to be cut from the staff development, equipment and library acquisitions budgets.
The Vermont General Assembly will be reconvening in November to focus on budgeting again. McCabe worries about what decisions could be made even though last week President Moore said, “we have not targeted any positions, we will wait and see what happens.”
“I don’t think it is over yet,” McCabe said. One of the few other choices is charging more in terms of tuition and he worries that would drive students further into loan debt.
Photo by Eric Wayne
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Deficit woes continue to grow
By Ben Holbrook
Critic Editor
Exclusive interview with Carol Moore sheds more light on the crisis.
Lyndon State College continues to face budget challenges due to a loss of state appropriations.
At the end of the 2007-2008 academic year, LSC was attempting to balance a budget that was in the red between $500,000 and $1 million. Fortunately, the school was able to balance the budget only to have the state take back about $200,000 of the state appropriations that each Vermont school receives, Wayne Hamilton, Dean of administration, said.
LSC has to eliminate only about $100,000 from the budget in order to have everything be balanced. One of the biggest challenges with cutting money from the budget is to, “focus primarily on areas that least impact student services,” President Carol Moore said. The choice to eliminate a position in the library was made based on this strategy since it would impact the students the least, Moore said.
The decision to cut the library position was a strategic decision because, “rather than across the board cuts we used strategic cuts because across the board cuts never pay off,” Moore said.
Eliminating the library position saves the school $34,000 but other cuts were also necessary in order to balance the budget. Those cuts included some temporary custodial positions and equipment cuts.
Moore said staff and faculty had asked why the school couldn’t stop the construction project in order to use that money to balance the budget. The school cannot use the bond money for anything besides the building and renovations Moore said. This is because additional student fees pay for the bond.
Faculty and staff members reacted strongly to eliminating a position and offered ideas for other alternatives such as giving up salary increases. However, Moore said all salary increases are contractual and therefore, employees cannot voluntarily give them up. Patricia Shine, Professor of Psychology, spoke out against the position cut, “it is a nightmare up here to lose your job,” she said.
Making personnel cuts is never easy but it was necessary in order to come up with the $100,000, Moore said. “Anybody is welcome to look at the budget but ultimately the decision is the dean’s and mine,” Moore said. Even with the current deficit relieved, the problems may not be over for LSC. In November, LSC may again be asked to come up with more money, which could result in more cuts, Moore said. If it becomes necessary to once again make cuts in November then, “we have not targeted any positions, we will wait and see what happens,” Moore said.
The employee who was laid off from the library will receive severance pay, and will get help with being relocated, Moore said.
Recruitment and retention have always been important to the growth of LSC and this year retention rates were higher than in previous years, although recruitment was down, Hamilton said however, Castleton and Johnson are both having record enrollment years.
Not all is bad news though for LSC because Project Compass will put into place nine different student success interventions to help needy students, Moore said.
The meeting concluded with Moore calling on faculty and staff to, “Focus on the good things going on at Lyndon and at our students being successful.”
Critic Editor
Exclusive interview with Carol Moore sheds more light on the crisis.
Lyndon State College continues to face budget challenges due to a loss of state appropriations.
At the end of the 2007-2008 academic year, LSC was attempting to balance a budget that was in the red between $500,000 and $1 million. Fortunately, the school was able to balance the budget only to have the state take back about $200,000 of the state appropriations that each Vermont school receives, Wayne Hamilton, Dean of administration, said.
LSC has to eliminate only about $100,000 from the budget in order to have everything be balanced. One of the biggest challenges with cutting money from the budget is to, “focus primarily on areas that least impact student services,” President Carol Moore said. The choice to eliminate a position in the library was made based on this strategy since it would impact the students the least, Moore said.
The decision to cut the library position was a strategic decision because, “rather than across the board cuts we used strategic cuts because across the board cuts never pay off,” Moore said.
Eliminating the library position saves the school $34,000 but other cuts were also necessary in order to balance the budget. Those cuts included some temporary custodial positions and equipment cuts.
Moore said staff and faculty had asked why the school couldn’t stop the construction project in order to use that money to balance the budget. The school cannot use the bond money for anything besides the building and renovations Moore said. This is because additional student fees pay for the bond.
Faculty and staff members reacted strongly to eliminating a position and offered ideas for other alternatives such as giving up salary increases. However, Moore said all salary increases are contractual and therefore, employees cannot voluntarily give them up. Patricia Shine, Professor of Psychology, spoke out against the position cut, “it is a nightmare up here to lose your job,” she said.
Making personnel cuts is never easy but it was necessary in order to come up with the $100,000, Moore said. “Anybody is welcome to look at the budget but ultimately the decision is the dean’s and mine,” Moore said. Even with the current deficit relieved, the problems may not be over for LSC. In November, LSC may again be asked to come up with more money, which could result in more cuts, Moore said. If it becomes necessary to once again make cuts in November then, “we have not targeted any positions, we will wait and see what happens,” Moore said.
The employee who was laid off from the library will receive severance pay, and will get help with being relocated, Moore said.
Recruitment and retention have always been important to the growth of LSC and this year retention rates were higher than in previous years, although recruitment was down, Hamilton said however, Castleton and Johnson are both having record enrollment years.
Not all is bad news though for LSC because Project Compass will put into place nine different student success interventions to help needy students, Moore said.
The meeting concluded with Moore calling on faculty and staff to, “Focus on the good things going on at Lyndon and at our students being successful.”
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Building Update
By Heather Poginy
Critic Staff
Work continues on the new building in front of Vail Hall
Construction of the new academic and student activities building is well on its way at Lyndon State College.
Started this summer after the Vail parking lot was repaved, the building is expected to be finished after one year. It will house the Exercise Science, Meteorology, and Business departments, which will allow other programs to expand into the existing buildings. Also, according to President Carol Moore, there will be “a multipurpose Student Activities room that can host presentations, poetry readings, and club activities; anything really.”
With the start of the new school year came the very first stages of the building’s construction. Within the first week of school, many students, faculty members and staff were asked to move, for safety precautions, from the side of Vail closest to the parking lot while the construction workers blasted rock out of their way for digging.
Over the summer, there were many renovations put into effect in the residence halls in Stonehenge. These renovations included new floor tiles and new windows in Arnold & Bayley. According to Moore, the remaining windows in the Stonehenge residence halls will be changed this upcoming Winter Break.
Across from the Stonehenge parking lot, the rugby field was also improved over the summer. It was leveled and reseeded to meet regulation standards and official play. Another field was also added for intramural sports hosted by Lyndon State.
Many students across campus question the way the school is gaining the money for this building Many students believe this added money is for the addition of the building. President Moore explains that the school’s deficit has nothing to do with the building. “The money we have for the building we attained through bonds last year,” Moore said.
Moore also commented about the improvements on Lyndon’s horizon. “We’ve had a good start this year. The college is outlined to grow modestly and enhance academic programs as well as student activities.”
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Parking Woes
Blurb: Students are finding that finding a parking space has gotten very difficult this year.
Section: Campus News
9/12/08
By Abbey Heimlich
Critic Staff
Commuter students, faculty and staff may have noticed a decrease in available parking spaces in the Vail parking lot recently due to construction.
“Give it an extra 10 to 15 minutes,” George Hacking, director of public safety said. “Driving from one lot to another takes time.”
“If you give yourself time you will find a space,” Hacking said. Residential students are reminded to park only where their sticker designates, and not to park on the lawn or in visitors’ spaces.
“It can be very difficult to find a spot to park depending on what time you show up,” Joseph Pasquence, a sophomore Computer Science major said.
In total, the main Vail lot and the lower Vail lot have 214 parking spaces. Thirty-five of these spaces are currently blocked off by construction in Vail, and a construction trailer in the lower Vail lot also blocks off spaces. There are four admissions parking spaces, and seven handicap spaces. The Stonehenge parking lot is also a commuter overflow lot.
So far Hacking says that 480 commuter stickers have been passed out this semester. An estimated 200 faculty and staff also use the commuter parking lots. He has no concern about having enough room.
“The first day was the worst, everyone was here, but we still had room,” Hacking said.
Some commuters may not agree.
“I feel like there want enough parking last semester and this semester is worse. I think they need to expand the commuter parking lot, or make a whole commuter lot,” Gwen Goehring, a sophomore Business Administration major said,
Spaces were added in the main Vail lot this summer. Hacking said the lot was redone this summer “to correct deficiencies in the underground infrastructure,” such as pipes and wiring.
The lot was repaved and repainted. The repainting added parking spaces at the end closest to the soccer field.
Hacking said there is no concern for winter parking either. While the snow tends to shorten the lots, the maintenance crew is efficient with plowing, sanding and salting.
Hacking hopes that the new yellow lines in the lots will stand out more against the salt, making it easier to see what is and what is not a parking space.
Public Safety got tougher on parking violators in the spring and that seems to have sent the message not to park illegally. Hacking also notes that there has not been an increase in illegal parking.
“We will be tolerant,” Hacking said, “If for some reason we find no parking spaces available, we will understand why people will deviate.”
The Vail lot is expected to reopen in Fall 2009, after the construction is complete.
Section: Campus News
9/12/08
By Abbey Heimlich
Critic Staff
Commuter students, faculty and staff may have noticed a decrease in available parking spaces in the Vail parking lot recently due to construction.
“Give it an extra 10 to 15 minutes,” George Hacking, director of public safety said. “Driving from one lot to another takes time.”
“If you give yourself time you will find a space,” Hacking said. Residential students are reminded to park only where their sticker designates, and not to park on the lawn or in visitors’ spaces.
“It can be very difficult to find a spot to park depending on what time you show up,” Joseph Pasquence, a sophomore Computer Science major said.
In total, the main Vail lot and the lower Vail lot have 214 parking spaces. Thirty-five of these spaces are currently blocked off by construction in Vail, and a construction trailer in the lower Vail lot also blocks off spaces. There are four admissions parking spaces, and seven handicap spaces. The Stonehenge parking lot is also a commuter overflow lot.
So far Hacking says that 480 commuter stickers have been passed out this semester. An estimated 200 faculty and staff also use the commuter parking lots. He has no concern about having enough room.
“The first day was the worst, everyone was here, but we still had room,” Hacking said.
Some commuters may not agree.
“I feel like there want enough parking last semester and this semester is worse. I think they need to expand the commuter parking lot, or make a whole commuter lot,” Gwen Goehring, a sophomore Business Administration major said,
Spaces were added in the main Vail lot this summer. Hacking said the lot was redone this summer “to correct deficiencies in the underground infrastructure,” such as pipes and wiring.
The lot was repaved and repainted. The repainting added parking spaces at the end closest to the soccer field.
Hacking said there is no concern for winter parking either. While the snow tends to shorten the lots, the maintenance crew is efficient with plowing, sanding and salting.
Hacking hopes that the new yellow lines in the lots will stand out more against the salt, making it easier to see what is and what is not a parking space.
Public Safety got tougher on parking violators in the spring and that seems to have sent the message not to park illegally. Hacking also notes that there has not been an increase in illegal parking.
“We will be tolerant,” Hacking said, “If for some reason we find no parking spaces available, we will understand why people will deviate.”
The Vail lot is expected to reopen in Fall 2009, after the construction is complete.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Don't fear the freeze
5/8/08
By Keith Whitcomb Jr.
Critic Editor
To make sure the budget is balanced by the end of the fiscal year, the college has taken measures to control spending.
“Effective immediately, all spending for supplies, services, travel, and equipment will be frozen until the end of the fiscal year,” Wayne Hamilton, dean of administration, said in a memo.
The freeze affects departments, such as Digital and Graphic Arts, which have not completed their purchases yet. Some members of the LSC community, who did not wish to be named, were concerned that the fees paid by students as part of lab and course fees would go to paying the college’s bills and not course supplies.
“Our first priority is to balance the budget,” Hamilton said.
“Academic departments anticipating equipment and supply purchases from course fees and lab fees should submit their requests to Dean Dalton,” Hamilton also said in the memo. “If departmental funds are currently available, purchase requests for items may be considered prior to June 30, 2008. Essential purchases relating to summer 2008 courses should be specifically identified. Departments currently without available funds in their budget will not be able to purchase items until fiscal 2009 (July 1, 2008).”
“I don’t think the message was clear when it first came out,” Sheilah Ladd, LSC Controller, said. Ladd also said that the freeze only affects the timing of a department’s purchasing.
“I respect very much that fees paid to a department should go to that department,” Hamilton said. If money comes out of a department to help pay for something else, that department will get its money back as soon as possible, Hamilton said.
“I hope that come June 30, all of this will be moot,” Hamilton said. June 30 is when the fiscal year ends.
Students looking for work at the college this summer may end up being affected in a much more direct way, however. “Direct hire of student workers is being curtailed for summer 2008. Departments that will have funding have already been notified and no additional funding is available. This does not affect students with federal CWS funding,” Hamilton said later in the memo.
The freeze comes as the result of a $500,000-$900,000 budget deficit announced by the LSC administration April 21. Many factors contributed to the deficit, including energy costs rising 50 percent. This also affects travel.
“All travel must be pre-approved by the appropriate dean. Employees should confirm approval by email prior to traveling. Faculty travel reimbursed under the professional development provision in the contract is excluded from this requirement. Employees traveling from the LSC campus should use college vehicles whenever possible,” Hamilton said in his memo.
By Keith Whitcomb Jr.
Critic Editor
To make sure the budget is balanced by the end of the fiscal year, the college has taken measures to control spending.
“Effective immediately, all spending for supplies, services, travel, and equipment will be frozen until the end of the fiscal year,” Wayne Hamilton, dean of administration, said in a memo.
The freeze affects departments, such as Digital and Graphic Arts, which have not completed their purchases yet. Some members of the LSC community, who did not wish to be named, were concerned that the fees paid by students as part of lab and course fees would go to paying the college’s bills and not course supplies.
“Our first priority is to balance the budget,” Hamilton said.
“Academic departments anticipating equipment and supply purchases from course fees and lab fees should submit their requests to Dean Dalton,” Hamilton also said in the memo. “If departmental funds are currently available, purchase requests for items may be considered prior to June 30, 2008. Essential purchases relating to summer 2008 courses should be specifically identified. Departments currently without available funds in their budget will not be able to purchase items until fiscal 2009 (July 1, 2008).”
“I don’t think the message was clear when it first came out,” Sheilah Ladd, LSC Controller, said. Ladd also said that the freeze only affects the timing of a department’s purchasing.
“I respect very much that fees paid to a department should go to that department,” Hamilton said. If money comes out of a department to help pay for something else, that department will get its money back as soon as possible, Hamilton said.
“I hope that come June 30, all of this will be moot,” Hamilton said. June 30 is when the fiscal year ends.
Students looking for work at the college this summer may end up being affected in a much more direct way, however. “Direct hire of student workers is being curtailed for summer 2008. Departments that will have funding have already been notified and no additional funding is available. This does not affect students with federal CWS funding,” Hamilton said later in the memo.
The freeze comes as the result of a $500,000-$900,000 budget deficit announced by the LSC administration April 21. Many factors contributed to the deficit, including energy costs rising 50 percent. This also affects travel.
“All travel must be pre-approved by the appropriate dean. Employees should confirm approval by email prior to traveling. Faculty travel reimbursed under the professional development provision in the contract is excluded from this requirement. Employees traveling from the LSC campus should use college vehicles whenever possible,” Hamilton said in his memo.
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