mursday,may 13,2004
news
the university daily kansan
3A
Program celebrates success with graduation
By Jodie Krafft
jkraft@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Ebony Deanes graduated last night without a diploma or a walk down the hill. Deanes, St. Louis freshman, and about 80 freshmen attended the graduation banquet at the Malott Room in the Kansas Union and graduated from the University of Kansas' HAWK Link program.
Any incoming freshman who wants to better navigate the University and its programs and
resources can join HAWK Link, said Juan Izaguirre, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and supervisor of the program. Nine components make up the program: recruitment, orientation, financial aid, advising, living and learning environments, tutoring and mentoring, educational and developmental programs, student involvement and an assessment of the program.
"It's very much about retention, but much of it is introduction to the University," he said.
Participation in the program has increased drastically since its beginning in 1998, Izaguirre said. He said the number of HAWK Link students had increased from 36 to 303 from 1998 to 2004.
"We're going to do whatever it takes to make sure the students are successful academically," said Robert Page, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Page created the program in 1998 when he was working in the Office of Admissions and Scholarships. He said that a low retention rate accompanied the
my students. "I was bothered by the fact that we were losing as many students as we were recruiting." Page said.
increase in recruitment of minority students.
Deanes said meeting new people, networking with those people and attending programs were beneficial for her as a freshman.
"Just having resources available is a valuable perk to those coming to the University," Deanes said. "It's another step for us to be prepared socially and academically."
identifyem
Izaguirre said involvement*
with HAWK Link didn't have to end after freshman year. Sophomores are encouraged to return as mentors and tutors for the incoming freshmen. Upperclassmen can also work as HAWK Link guides, who are similar to peer advisers.
This year's freshman class was very involved with the program, Izaguirre said.
"They wanted to do everything,"he said. "We're hoping for the same attitude for next year's class."
Edited by Donovan Atkinson
Abby Tillery/Kansar
Maria Gonzalez, Olatte freshman,
received a certificate at the fourth
annual Hawk Link Graduation for
successful completion of the program.
Health concerns muddle graduation
Seniors who face serious conditions late in the semester have unique concerns in gaining diploma
By Matt Rodriguez
mdrrogiguez@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
When serious health conditions arise, uncertainty follows.
Andy Marso and Nastassia Johnson found their graduation status in question with they landed in the hospital at the beginning of their last month at the University of Kansas — Marso with bacterial meningitis and Johnson with injuries sustained in a car accident.
These students had more important things to worry about than graduation,but they still had to get their diplomas.
to get their thirteenth "The last thing I wanted Andy to worry about is whether he's going to graduate." Marlesa Roney, vice provost for student success, said.
A trip to the hospital doesn't mean a student will automatically graduate, Roney said. Exceptional situations are considered
"We try to be compassionate without compromising academic integrity."
Jane Tuttle Assistant to the dean of students
on a case by case bases and students must meet certain requirements, she said.
In the end, both Marso and Johnson will receive their diplomas. Marso, St. Cloud, Minn., will graduate with a degree in journalism and Johnson, Overland Park, will receive a degree in English.
in English. The process these students go through is not like the typical graduate.
graduate.
Administrators such as Jane Tuttle, assistant to the dean of students, work as a liaison on campus for students. The process is more manual, Tuttle said, and she must gather all information pertaining to students' grades and academic standing as quickly as possible.
Roney said it ultimately came down to faculty on whether a student passes or not.
Tuttle said the University wanted to uphold academic freedom for its faculty. Professors
have the right to teach and grade their students however they want, she said.
Students' academic standing must be carefully weighed.
"It's much more complicated than anybody thinks," Tuttle said. "There are so many variables involved."
She said receiving a diploma depended largely on a student's past academic record and only students who had completed required work would be granted a degree.
"We try to be compassionate without compromising academic integrity." Tuttle said.
Marso and Johnson took different paths to find out if they would graduate.
wounded. Marso became sick in late April. He has been in and out of critical condition and is still in the University of Kansas Hospital, recovering from the infection.
Marso's family worked with the Office of the Dean of Students, his professors, the Office of the University Registrar and Roney to see if Marso could graduate. Each faculty member made sure Marso met all his requirements by checking with the School of Journalism and his professors.
They determined that Marso had already met all the requirements for earning a degree.
Johnson's automobile accident at the end of April left her with serious injuries. She had the help of her boyfriend, Ryan Griffin, Lawrence senior, and Bud Hirsch, coordinator of undergraduate studies in the English department, to help her coordinate her graduation.
Hirsch said Johnson had already accepted to law school at Loyola University and needed a certain number of credits and an honor's thesis to graduate this May.
"She is a dedicated student and all she had to do is a little extra work on her part to get the credits," Hirsch said.
Johnson, who is recovering at home, said she handed in her thesis. She also has two 10-page papers to write for next week and a take-home test to finish. She said she'll find out what grade she got on her thesis today.
"We're ready whenever he is," Tuttle said, of giving the diploma to Marso.
Marso will graduate at the top of his school with a 3.97 journalism grade point average and Johnson is graduating with honors from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Edited by Abby Mills
Hillel to remain open during the summer
By Patrick Cady
pcady@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
When classes begin for the summer semester, Erin Bradzin will keep up her faith.
The Dallas sophomore is the social chairwoman for the University of Kansas Hillel Jewish Student Center, 917 Highland Dr, and is preparing for several summer programs.
Hillel is one of several religious organizations and places of worship that will keep its doors open during the summer for students.
Among those that will be open at least partially are the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, Hillel and the Jewish Community Center and the First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold Dr.
The Rev. Vince Krische, director of the St. Lawrence Center, 1631 Crescent Road, said the center will hold Mass on Saturday and Sunday, but extra programs will be tailed back. Krische said the center doesn't hold many special events during the summer because many of the staff members were involved in continuing education.
He said spontaneous events might be planned for students, such as picnics or possibly attending a Royals game, but nothing is set yet.
SUMMERSERVICES
Though Lawrence empties out during the summer, many places of worship remain open. St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, 1631 Crescent Rd.; Mass at 4:45 p.m Saturday, and 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m. Sunday
KU Hillel (Jewish Student Center) 940 Mississippi St.
Shabat at 6 a.m. every or every other Friday, Check
mail to KUHillel for details
www.kuu.edu/~hillie for details.
Canterbury House, 1116
Louisiana St.: Lutheran services
at 5 p.m. every Sunday during
the summer
Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave.:
Veggie Lunch at 11:30 a.m. every Thursday during summer school
Sources: Rev. Vince Krische, Polli Kenn, Rev. Shawn Norris and Rev. Thad Holcombe
Toward the end of the summer, the center, along with other campus religious organizations, will be holding a series of events to help orient freshmen to the campus.
Edited by Ashley Arnold
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