University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, October 10, 1990
11
Curriculum lacking for some grads
By Amy Zamierowski
Kansan staff writer
When Alice Capson entered the Master of Business Administration program in Fall 1989, she struggled with her homework because she did not have adequate computer skills.
Capson, Overland Park graduate student, is one of several students in the program who think expertise in computer applications is required beforehand for the present curriculum.
"I if had known before I entered the program that I needed computer knowledge to complete daily homework, I would have taken a computer class at a community college," Capson said. "I want to be taught computer skills in a fair and sensible sequence."
Capson said that because the program did not have an introductory computer course, each professor should realize that some students would not have basic computer skills.
Frank Schreiner, vice president of the Graduate Business Council, drafted a proposal July 23 stating that the present curriculum seemed erratic and inconsistent in the development of computer-
He offered possible solutions to the problem in a proposal that was sent to the dean of business and management.
Schreiner said he wanted computer training to be incorporated systematically into the first year of his career.
The program should be structured so that a particular class would provide basic computer knowledge, he said. Then each consecutive class would need to be tested, and as needed until the student was computer literate.
"In some classes, there is no direct computer instruction, but the faculty will give an assignment on the computer and expect you to know what you are doing," he said. "It can be a big shock to some students when they find out this computer literacy is necessary."
Schreiner said that some students entered the MBA program from undergraduate programs that did not provide computer training. Also, some MBA students are returning to school after working for many years and are not familiar with computers.
"People entering the MBA program are not reasonably warned that they would be better off if they learned computer skills before they entered the program." Schreiner said.
Ron Ash, director of business graduate programs, said the school informed graduate students during orientation that they would need computer skills.
Jennifer Warner/KANSAN
"We warn students they will need computer skills," he said, a question of how strong the warning needs to be.
The school also offers an optional one-day workshop to introduce students to basic computer training during orientation, he said.
Ash said the school needed to address how many resources to devote to teaching students computer skills in a formal classroom setting as compared to letting the students learn the skills elsewhere.
"We are well aware that for a non-trivial number of students, they are having to spend extra time learning how to use the computer. Ash said, since they already have some experience with it, since he extra hassle they don't need."
The recommendations will be sent to the school's masters curriculum committee to consider for approval.
Ash said the solution for students without adequate computer skills probably was not having a faculty member teach computer skills for a semester.
Ash said students could learn the computer skills they needed at workshops provided by the company.
A man braves the cold rain as he walks through the Burge Union parking lot. The high yesterday was 46 degrees. Today's high is expected to reach 57 degrees.
Freezing in the rain
Students learn to control stress
By Tatsuva Shimizu
Kansan staff writer
Students closed their eyes, took deep breaths and relaxed their bodies and minds last night. In class. Seven students attended a stress-control class in Robinson Center. It was the second class of an eight-week program offered by the department of health, physical education and recreation.
"Students have high stress situations, and some of the students choose unhealthy ways to cope with stressful situations," said Robert Walker, director of the Wellness Center in Robinson.
The class, which is not for credit, is open to
upper faculty and staff. Participants pay $20
for the course.
Walker, the facilitator of the class, taught stress-control classes for eight and a half years at the University of Arkansas before he came to the University of Kansas this semester.
"All of us need a certain amount of stress," Walker said. "But we don't need over-accumulation of stress. People need to know how much each of them can take stress before they have too much of it."
He said every university should offer a stress-control class.
The two classes he teaches had about 10 students. be said.
"Even though students are not getting credits, they still felt that they need to allocate eight hours of coursework."
The class is small enough so people feel comfort
In the class, students make a "stress inventory," in which they identify sources of stress. Being aware of physical reactions to stress also is important to cope with stress, Walker said.
able to talk about their stress problems and large enough so there are varied cases, he said.
When people have too much stress, their metabolism and muscle tension increase and digestion decreases. These reactions cause headaches or heavy feeling of muscles, he said.
Students in the program also learn the benefit of relaxation and practice various relaxing exercise.
One of the exercises, called the progressive exercise, relaxed muscles by creating tension on muscles and releasing it. Walker said. The auto-motion relaxes the mind through imagining peaceful scenes.
Arvella Frazier, Lawrence graduate student, said that she took the class because she had studied a stress-management program before but not had practiced on a daily basis.
"I think most students are in similar situations jugging many things," she said. "I'm hoping the class will help me to institute a lifestyle change so that I can change my habit."
She said that she had stress because she was taking classes and worked three jobs.
Susan Basilico, St. Louis senior, said that she often became ill because of stress caused by her busy schedule. She took the class, she said, instead of taking medicine or receiving massagees.
Do plastic cups fall on your head when you open the cabinet?
Recycle them at Packer Plastics 842-3000 (by appointment)
This workshop will present "Still Killing Chi Solly," a thirty-minute documentary exploring the ways in which stereotypes in the media affect the images of women. An informal discussion will follow.
Portrayal of Women in the Media
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1990
7:00-9:00 PM
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Susanne Shaw Associate Professor of
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CONFUSED
Then come to the K.U. Democrats Candidate Forum Wednesday, October 10 in Alderson Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. and meet:
ABOUT NOVEMBER ELECTIONS?
at 7:00 p.m., and meet:
SALLY THOMPSON
SALLY THOMPSON
CANDIDATE FOR TREASURER
DICK WILLIAMS
CANDIDATE FOR SENATE
and (unconfirmed)
R. J.DICKENS
CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE JOAN FINNEY
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR
K.U. Democrats Meeting following at 8:00 p.m.
REGISTER TO VOTE AND
MAKE YOURVOICE HEARD!
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