KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2010 / BACK TO SCHOOL / 3.5
CAMPUS
Anschutz unveils Learning Studio
BY ALISON CUMBOW
alisonc@kansan.com
Students can take a look at the first phase of a five-phase plan to remodel Anschutz Library on Aug. 25.
Rebecca Smith, director of communications and advancement of KU Libraries, said the major overhaul is based on a number of years of research on how undergraduate students study and learn.
"We've done focus groups with students. We've involved them in this process to see what they need at KU specifically" she said.
Smith said the focus groups helped lead the design of what will be called The Learning Studio on the third and fourth floors. The space will accommodate needs for group study areas and have specific types of technology.
For example, Smith said if a group of five or six students is working on a presentation each using a laptop, the Power Point can be projected onto a 46-inch screen in the area. She said each student will have a "puck," something that can be used to drive the Power Point on the screen, so the group can edit in real time.
Smith said they have changed everything for the study space.
"We've spent a lot of time asking students," she said.
The design team had student volunteers sit in different types of chairs to see which ones they thought would work best for the new area.
Phase one will bring together resources that undergraduate students need to successful. There will be a reference center to check out laptops, an IT center to answer computer questions, a writing center, tutoring services, a University advising center, a University career center and a new primary KU Info desk. The previous KU Info desk in the Kansas Union will become a satellite location, Smith said.
"The idea is to build on what students really want," she said.
Those students who want quiet study areas will be especially happy. The tables in the new study space will all have kiosks in the middle explaining where to e-mail or text a library employee about people who are too noisy. Staff members will come by without anyone having to go to the front desk.
The Learning Studio will be open to students from 12:30 to 2:30 Aug. 25. Free pizza and soda will be provided.
STUDENT LIFE
A 2009 mtvU and Associated Press poll reported that 85 percent of college students felt stressed on a daily basis. Professionals at Watkins Memorial Health Center say dealing with stress, rather than just avoiding it, is the best way to stay happy and healthy.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
Keep perspective when dealing with stress
BY RICHELLE BUSER
rbuser@kansan.com
Students often look forward to the beginning of the school year, but very few enjoy the stress that accompanies a full work load of classes and activities.
Even though it seems today's college students are more stressed out than ever, the same study found that less than 20 percent said they would go to a school
A recent mtvU and Associated Press报 reported in 2009 that 85 percent of college students felt stressed on a daily basis. The study also discovered that six out of 10 had stress that prohibited them from completing necessary tasks.
counselor for help.
John C. Wade, outreach coordinator and licensed counseling psychologist at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said it was important for students to keep perspective when it came to stress.
"It's not about avoiding stress entirely, but more about managing it effectively," Wade said. "Balance in your daily life is the most important. And if you need to talk to someone, there are programs available."
Wade said taking a walk, calling a friend to chat, or just building in some time during the day to relax were crucial, even when students felt there weren't enough hours in the day. Watkins Counseling and Psychological Services has
personal counseling, group counseling, training programs, testing services and self-help materials available for students.
Laura Webb, a senior from Prairie Village and personal trainer at Amber Student Recreation Fitness Center, said she often saw clients arrive to training sessions worn out from stress.
"Students getting stressed is pretty understandable because of all the demands they deal with," he said. "It can be pretty easy to feel overwhelmed if you're not taking actions to keep stress under control."
"They come in really stressed out, but by the end of the session I'll always ask if they're glad they came and the answer is always
ves," Webb said.
Webb said she personally found that just 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise, such as jogging or biking, made her feel re-energized and refreshed.
Wade said exercise could be a great stress reliever, but that most students needed to reflect on what has worked for them in the past and stick with it. If students don't keep stress in check, they often suffer from low energy, sleep troubles and appetite issues.
Stephanie Irwin, a 2010 graduate from Coffeyville, is studying to take the Certified Public Accountant Exam. When she gets stressed, she tries to take breaks before things get out of hand.
MONTEMATOR
M. D. Rezaiekhaligh/KANSAN
smontemayor@kansan.com
Hargittai said that search results aren't necessarily ranked in terms of credibility. More sophisticated queries are also needed to glean credible sources from popular search engines.
University of Kansas students have nearly 400 databases at their fingertips, with information on every subject at the University that is not usually found through Google searches.
For having grown up with the onset of the Internet, our generation may not be all that Web savvy when it comes to researching, a study by the International Journal of Communication suggests.
Tami Albin, undergraduate instruction and outreach librarian, often helps students interested in improving their ability to navigate the library's extensive online resources. She said that whether a student is using Google or a library database, a level of skill is needed to effectively complete a desired task online.
The study, written and conducted by professors at Northwestern University, found that students often only chose websites that appeared at the top of Google searches to complete tasks or perform research. Eszter Hargittai, associate professor of communication studies at Northwestern and one of the study's authors, said that most mistakes in the Web research process occur before students even click "Search."
"I think part of it is not so much necessarily what else they can be using." Hargittai said. "I think a big part of it is being more critical and careful about what they are already using."
Albin said that students are welcome to bring assignments to the library to review with a librarian and seek the proper avenue for research.
"The research process, you know, it's like anything else," Albin said. "You learn how to do something well over time. With new technologies, you have to learn how to do research different ways. A student who jumps online and pulls three articles off of the Internet and then writes a paper on it and hands it in the next day is not going to get really, really good grades."
Rothman said he most often uses the library's databases or news sources such as The New York Times when working on a project. Rothman analyzes the assignment and considers what research will be necessary before logging on. He said that these skills were instilled during a freshman English course.
"Librarians love to find stuff, so we're really good at it." Albin said.
"My English teacher last year actually looked at our bibliographies before he read our papers to see how valid our sources were," Rothman said. "And once he saw
While Alec Rothman, a sophomore from Boston, is an exception to the rule, Thea Glassman, a sophomore from New York City, affirms the study's results.
SEE RESEARCH ON PAGE 6A
employees to get direct deposit
"We can find ways to access the things they need."
BY MICHAEL HOLTZ mholtz@kansan.com
mholtz@kansan.com
awrence science
"The advantage to the University is better business efficiencies," said Katrina Yoakum, comptroller for the University. "We spend a lot of time following up with checks that are not picked up."
Though the state's deadline for direct deposit enrollment is Oct. 1, the goal of the Bursars Office is to have 100 percent enrollment by the beginning of September. Yoakum said more than 95 percent of University employees have already signed up.
6A
"We've been trying for years to encourage staff and employees to utilize direct deposit," said Diane Goddard, vice provost for
Two separate policies require students and University of Kansas employees to sign up for direct deposit to receive refunds and paychecks electronically.
The second policy is a state mandate requiring direct deposited paychecks for all state employees, which includes University employees. The employees have until Oct. 1 to comply with the new policy.
According to an announcement that the Bursar's Office posted online, the new refund policy allows students to receive refunds faster and more safely than they would if the University distributed them as checks.
administration and finance. "We ramped it up to the 80 percent level pretty quickly. Getting from 80 to 95 percent has been more difficult."
Employees who do not have an account at a financial institution will receive a Skylight Financial account, an ATM-based bank, and a Skylight pay card. Employees must sign up for this service at the Payroll Office.
Jn/KANSAN t lab
"I think it's easier that way." Smith said. "You don't have to worry about getting a new check deposited in the bank."
Though University officials have recommended refund direct deposit for at least five years, they was unable to mandate the policy until a federal law changed. The
Kelsey Smith, a junior from Council Grove, signed up for direct deposit when she started work for KU Libraries three years ago. She said shed recommend other students to sign up for it as well.
policy has been in effect since last November.
Yoakum said direct deposited refunds will save the University $10,000 annually.
The Bursar's Office most recently notified students of the refund policy in an e-mail sent Aug. 2. The e-mail included instructions explaining how to set up direct deposit online or by completing a direct deposit authorization form.
It's also much quicker. Goddard said students signed up for direct deposit will receive refunds at least a day faster than they would otherwise.
"Having everyone on direct deposit means there are fewer people who handle that transaction," Goddard said. "It's just more efficient and much more accurate."
- Edited by David Cawthon
Bursar's Office
(785)864-3322
bursar@ku.edu
For more information on refunds, please contact the Bursar's Office.
For more information on paychecks, please contact the Payroll Office. (785)864-4385 payroll@ku.edu
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Student Senate rebrand led by website redesign
Student Senate undergoes $4,000 makeover designed to improve its reputation with students on the Kansas campus. GOVERNMENT | 2A
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