MONDAY,AUGUST 16,2004
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3C
ON THE HILL
Heard on the Hill
What was the one thing that helped you survive freshman year?
Compiled by Amanda O Toole
ior
"Ramen noodles — they were 10 cents a package. I was poor." Gary Richmond, Tanganjo jon.
"I ate Gumby's Pizza as a late night snack. The dorm food is horrible."
Tyler Dall, Kansas City, Kan., junior
"I survived freshman year through the friends 1 met in the dorm and the activities I was involved in." Jason Hylton, San Jose, Costa Rice, senior
"I got to know a lot of people. We partied a lot and were always together."
Maria Laura, Lima, Peru, Junior
Involvement helps retention
Amanda O'Toole
aotoole@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The University of Kansas has an attrition rate of about 20 percent for full-time freshmen, according to the Office of Institutional Research and Planning.
Authorities on campus have different opinions on why students drop out or transfer, but several agree that University involvement is needed for student retention.
"That's how you find your place on campus," said Steve Munch, Bellevue, Neb., senior and student body president. "Don't be afraid to try things out. Some of my best experiences have come from extra-curricular things."
Munch said that organizations were a good way to get to know people.
"You meet different groups of
people — some of the people you don't have anything in common with end up being your best friends," he said. "This is a large community with a lot of niches for different people. Maybe the people who leave don't find themselves at home."
Jane Tuttle, assistant to the dean of students, said students needed to find a connection with the University.
"I don't think there can be a way that students can say that there is not anything to do," she said. "If they don't get involved it's not because they can't, but because they don't want to."
Tamnara Durham, Freshman-Sophomore Advising director, said getting involved could curb homesickness, which she said contributed to students' feelings of not belonging.
"Then you know people care about you," she said. "It can make this large institution seem small."
Durham said utilizing office hours was another method to make the University seem more personable.
"Take advantage of us," she said of the advising office. "Talk to your instructors and faculty. That's why they have office hours."
Tuttle said another way students could ensure first-year survival was to ask questions.
You have to find what's comfortable for you."
Durham suggested that students introduce themselves to their professors and visit their office hours at least once.
"First of all you're not just one of 500 in a class," she said. "The instructor will know that you're interested in education."
"We want students to be successful. If you don't know something, just ask," she said.
Freshmen face new start
Edited by Marc Ingber
Joe Burke
jburke@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Another year of school has arrived and yet another group of freshmen are about to embark on their journey at the University of Kansas.
All freshmen have their own individual stories,but they all have one thing in common— a new chapter in their lives.
Wendy Rohleder-Sook, prelaw adviser in the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center, said an important way for the new students to get acclimated was to get involved.
"New students need to develop contacts with professors and students early in the semester," Rohleder-Sook said. "It can be tough for students who come from small towns."
Braden Miller, Claflin freshman, came from a graduating high school class of 31 students. He is one of only two from that class coming to the University in the fall.
Miller said he was looking forward to the new experience and the opportunity to meet new people.
Shanda Hurla, Hawk Week coordinator, said meeting new people was sometimes hard for students who come to the University from larger areas such as Kansas City.
Those students are not forced to branch out because a lot of their high school class comes to the University she said.
"When I come to KU I won't be able to live with the people I have known my whole life," Miller said. "I will be forced to meet new people."
Hurla said. "Sometimes living close to home may be more difficult because the student might not go out and meet others."
"The transition to college is a huge adjustment for everyone."
Joe Polise, Overland Park freshman and Shawnee Mission South high school graduate, said he was used to meeting new people.
The University offers services for students who are nervous, scared or even a little reluctant to begin this new chapter of their lives such as a tour showing the campus buildings.
"I went on a lot of leadership trips during high school," Polise said. "I had a ball at orientation this summer."
Hurla said one of the best ways for new students to feel comfortable on campus was to become familiar with it.
Lost and founds collect more than just discs, books
Amanda O'Toole
aotole@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
About five to 10 items are brought to the Watson Library's lost and found on a daily basis.
But every once in a while something more unusual makes its way to the metal cabinet behind the circulation desk on the first floor that the staff uses to hold the lost items.
Disks are the most common object left behind, said Joe Mulvihill, Perry junior and student hourly at Watson.
Sometimes it's an article of clothing or an umbrella with an animal carved into the handle. A pack of explicit pictures topped the list for strangest item of last fall, Mulvihill said.
The University of Kansas has more than 30 recognized lost and founds throughout campus.
"Most people come looking for their disks." Lindsay Gibbs, Dodge City senior and Watson circulation staff, said. "Some people are in such a hurry. They run in here to print a paper before class and they forget to take their disks."
Lost and found items at the Kansas Union's site. The Hawk Shop on the fourth floor, are kept at the front desk for two weeks and then are moved to a back room. Sunday Werkheiser, supervisor said.
Gibbs and Mulvihill said the lost and found at Watson was cleared out about every month. The staff is allowed to take home items they want and the rest is donated to the Salvation Army or somewhere similar, Gibbs said.
Werkheiser said she usually filled about three 55-gallon buckets in a semester.
Schuyler Bailey, KU Public Safety Office captain, said he was
Courtney Kuhlen/KANSAN
A metal cabinet behind the circulation desk on the first floor of Watson Library holds all lost items found in the building. Between five and 10 items are brought in on a daily basis, said Joe Mulvihill, Perry junior and student hourly at Watson.
"Some people are in such a hurry. They run in here to print a paper before class and they forget to take their disks."
Lindsay Gibbs Watson circulation staff
He said keeping found items broke the Kansas statute for lost or theft of mislaid property.
not sure how much misplaced property was turned into lost and found, but most people did the right thing and turned items in.
— Edited by Marc Ingber
"Finders keepers isn't quite accurate," Bailey said. "You have to make an honest effort to find the owner."
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