THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2007
NEWS
3A
CAMPUS
Volunteer Fair offers students alternate breaks
Local organizations plan rebuilding trips to New Orleans, Greensburg
BY JEFF DETERS
jdeters@kansan.com
Haley Masterson spent 10 months working with AmeriCorps, one month of which she was in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Next semester during spring break, she's going back.
"The hard part isn't recovery," Masterson said. "It's building."
Students such as Masterson, Manhattan sophomore, who are interested in volunteering can
receive valuable information at the annual Volunteer Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today in the lobby on the fourth floor of the Kansas Union. The fair is free and
"The hard part isn't recovery. It's rebuilding."
sponsored by the University Career Center and Center for Community Outreach.
Ann Hartley, associate director of the University Career Center, said about 200 students usually attended the event. She said students could interact with representatives from the organizations, who often talk about their own personal experiences.
"You get a lot better info face-to-face," Hartley said.
organizations include the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ecumenical Christian Ministries and Alternative Breaks.
Hartley said about 40 organizations offering undergraduate and post-graduate volunteer opportunities would be at the event. Local
HALEY MASTERSON
Manhattan sophomore
Masterson and others will be going to New Orleans on a trip sponsored by ECM. The ministry is sponsoring alternative break trips to Juarez, Mexico, El Salvador, Ariz., New Mexico and New Orleans. ECM is also planning a trip to help rebuild Greensburg, the Kansas town devastated by a tornado last spring.
T h a d Holcombe, ECM pastor and alternative break director, said that participants would have fundraisers, such as dinners throughout the school year to
help keep down costs for the volunteers going on the trips.
During winter break, Masterson will travel to Dallas to work with people suffering from cerebral palsy.
Masterson said that volunteering had been a rewarding experience for her and that she wanted to continue helping those less fortunate.
"You just want to do everything *you can*," she said.
For more information on the Volunteer Fair, go to www2.ku.edu/~ucc/cgi-bin/fairphi.php.
Edited by Chris Beattie
>> CLAS
System seeks to include 'A+ Plus/minus grading scale change proposed for fall 2008
BY ERIN SOMMER
esommer@kansan.com
Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences may be graded differently next fall.
The college is seeking to change its grading system to a plus/minus
scale, and requested to change University Senate rules and regulations to allow for the change. The plus/minus scale would assign a notation to students' letter grades, determined by their percent.
Joesph Steinmetz,
The measure to allow the change was approved through the College Academic Council before it was sent to University Governance.
of student academic services in the College, said this was so the University could remain on a 4.0 grade scale, but students were recognized on transcripts as having received an "A+"
The memo stated that an "A+" would not count towards grade point average and would only appear on transcripts. Both an "A+" and an "A" would factor into GPA as a 4.0.
"Speaking as a journalism student and former member of CLAS, I think plus/minus is great. It allows you to be accountable with how a student did in a class."
dean of the college, sent a memo to University Governance at the beginning of September requesting that University Senate change its rules and regulations to include an "A+" to appear on transcripts. The current policy only allows for "A," "A-," "B+," "B," "B-," "C+," "C," "C-," "D+," "D," "D-" and "F."
Although several of the University's schools currently use a plus/minus grading scale, an "A+" is not allowed to appear on a student's transcript. The college currently does not attach a plus/minus notation to letter grades.
Without approval from University Governance, the college can still
Kim McNeley, assistant dean
JACK CONNOR Overland Park senior
implement a plus/minus grading system without including "A+" as a possible grade. In that case, a 93 percent or above in a class taken in the college would count as an "A."
legislation," McNelev said.
"Ifthe 'A+' does not get approved, I fully expect that we'll go back to CAC and approve the
McNeyle said she expected the new grading system to start next fall.
Bill Crowe, special assistant to dean of library and chair of the University Senate Executive Committee, said that the change was University Senate Academic Policy and Procedures Committee, which is required to make a recommendation to the University Senate Executive Committee by January 25, 2008. The University Senate Executive Committee will then make a recommendation to Senate, which is required to have spoken about the issue in at least two separate meetings before making a decision. The Chancellor then decides whether to approve the measure.
"It's a very complicated process to ensure that the voice of constituencies are heard," Crowe said. "Unless it's urgent, we want to ensure that
everyone knows what's going on before changing University policy?"
Crove said that the University was unique in that it has a shared governance, where both students and faculty members sit on committees together.
"I've seen it be a positive factor," Crowe said. "In other places, it's hard to get these issues going."
"Speaking as a journalism student and former member of CLAS, I think plus/minus is great. It allows you to be accountable with how a student did in a class." Jack Connor, Overland Park senior in journalism and holdover senator, said. "Anytime you have more accountability in measuring achievement it lends more credibility to the University."
McNeley said that administrators at the college began discussing a change in the grading system about six months ago. She said that Steinmetz, who became dean last year, met with each department in the college last year and heard repeated suggestions to reevaluate the current grading system.
"The concern that was brought forward was the example of a student who earned 81 percent in a course and a student who earned 89 percent," McNeley said. "Our faculty felt that it was important to distinguish between those grades."
Crowe said that he expected the Academic Policy and Procedures Committee to meet several times this semester before making a recommendation to the University Senate Executive Committee.
For more information about University Governance, including the current University Senate rules and regulations and pending issues before University Senate, visit http://www2.ku.edu/~unigov/.
- Edited by Meghan Murphy
grading systems
How current CLAS grading system factors into GPA
"A"4.0
"B"3.0
"C"2.0
"D"1.0
"F"0
Plus/Minus Grading System as allowed for by current University Senate Rules and Regulations
"A*4.0
"A*3.7
B*+3.7
B*+3.0
B*+2.7
C*+2.3
C*2.0
C*1.7
D*+1.3
D*1.0
D*1.7
F*0
Plus/Minus Grading System as proposed by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
"A+"4.0
"A*4.0
"A*3.7
"B+"3.3
"B*3.0
"B*2.7
"C+"2.3
"C*2.0
"C*1.7
"D+"1.3
"D*1.0
"D*7.7
"F*0
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
October 4,2007
Thursday, Oct. 4th
Into the Streets Week is sponsoring the Empty Bowls Fundraiser to raise money for the Jublee Cafe. We will be offering bowls of chili veggie soup, and breafast pastries for a suggested donation of $5,and you get to keep the decorated ceramic bowls!
he is not afraid
strong and confident
beautiful and positive
as ever
This is why we continue fight
Breast Cancer Awareness Week
Suptm 29-Oct 7
Author by Ms. Betty Larkins *Women's Business Club on the
Baltimore business and lending library* Cooperative Student Success
Information Tables
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
Exercises & Games *Awareness by*
7:30am U.S.A.
Lending Library
Jayhawk Pink Classic
Sunday September 25
In room 6100 (Fifth Floor) & 4500
In room 5000 (Second Floor)
Survivor's Panel Monday October
8:30am-9:30am
Galerien author in the Lexa Union
Picture Perfect Pink Peel
Find a picture of your favorite pink peel
Jayhawk SK Run/Walk Sunday October
7
For kids ages 5 to 14 and for adults 5 to 16
For kids ages 5 to 14 and for adults 5 to 16
For kids ages 5 to 14 and for adults 5 to 16
*admissions from the Breast Cancer Awareness Week go to the BALTIMORE BANK COUNTY
Come support the students meet new people, and enjoy Veggie Lunch!
funded by:
STUDENT
SENATE
Join the ECM for a Bake Sale supporting Alternative Winter Breaks to El Salvadorand the Juarez Border during Veggie Lunch every Thursday in October at the ECM.
Volunteer Fair
Be a part of the solution...
Thursday, October 4, 2007
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Kansas Union 4th Floor Lobby
Sponsored by the University Career Center
and the center for Community Outreach
Think Pink on Friday, October 5th for the 12th annual Lee National Denim Day. 100% of all donations go directly to Lee National Denim Day to fund breast cancer research.
Visit with volunteer agencies offering service work. All students, Laurence community members and graduates are encouraged to attend. Post-graduate full-time opportunities will also be available.
Cure One Day. One Cause. One Cure.
Everyone is asking you about your post-grad plans.
PAID FOR BY KU
TEACHFOR an incredible answer.
TEACHFORAMERICA All academic majors. Full salary and benefits. www.teachforamerica.org
Making A Difference:
A Gathering of Student Organizations
Join the Commission on the Status of Women for a discussion of gender in student organizations and planning a service project for Women's History Month!
October 16th, 6:30pm English Room-Kansas Union Refreshments served!
The H.O.P.E. Award was established by the class of 1959 as their gift to the University. The award is meant to recognize a professor that
Senior students feels is outstanding.
*** ATTENTION SENIORS ***
Now is the time to nominate your favorite Professor for the H.O.P.E. Award! Honor for Outstanding Progressive Educator
Nomination forms will be available starting Monday, October 1st. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, October 5th.
Take Back the Night!
All are welcome! Come show your support for this important event!
Thursday, October 4th, 2007
South Park in Lawrence
Entertainment and visual display beginning at 3:00 PM
Madison Avenue, Massachusetts street at 7:30 PM
Candlightight night at Storm Watson Park
This Walk is a community event is important survivor of sexual assault, abuse, and violence. We invite you to join us and participate in the memorial and protest the affliction that affected you.
For more information, visit www.southpark.org