WSU students seek help for stress on a daily basis at the campus counseling center but that number seems to increase during dead week and finals, said Scott Case, WSU Counseling psychologist and coordinator of the Stress Management Program.
On average the WSU counseling services see about 5 to 10 students a day for stress, Case said. He said during dead week and finals, stress tends to be a main focus of counseling visits. Case said stress is caused by problems an individual is facing and the pressure to perform well academically isn’t any different.
Annie Althauser, an elementary education major, said she thinks students’ stress levels are higher during finals because the grade they earn on that last test can make or break their grade in the class.
There are many ways stress can manifest; it can affect our thoughts, bodies, and behaviors, Case said. People are as unique as finger prints or snowflakes causing everyone to be affected by stress a little differently, he said. Case said stress can cause an individual to experience trouble concentrating and trouble sleeping. He said stress can also affect ones emotional stability which can cause nervousness and irritability.
Students will often have trouble accessing memorized information and the ability to retain new information, he said. Case said this is caused by the hormones adrenalin and cortisol which are released into the body affecting the parts of the brain that control learning and focus. He said these hormones will also affect the limbic system which affects mood and the prefrontal cortex which affects judgment.
Stress can also affect an individual physically, Case said. Stress can cause an individual to experience muscle tension, headaches, and become more susceptible to illness, he said. Case said these all can affect a student’s ability to perform academically.
There are ways to help prevent and treat stress, Case said. He suggests eating healthy, working out, and getting enough sleep. He also suggests taking frequent breaks while studying and engaging in activities that the individual finds relaxing. Case said doing deep breathing exercises can also help because it lowers cortisol levels. He also suggests visiting www.counsel.wsu.edu for stress management techniques or participating in the WSU Counseling Services Stress Management Program.
Althauser said she works out to relieve stress because it allows her to get away from the books and release built up tension.
Economics professor Patricia Kuzyk said in order to deal with stress it is important to have friends to talk to.
“A feeling of isolation can make everything worse,” she said.
While following these steps will help with stress it does not replace good study habits throughout the semester, Case said. He said maintaining good study habits will help lessen the work load when it is time for finals.
Kuzyk agrees that good study habits can make finals much less stressful. If a student leaves a large amount of work till the end the work load could be impossible to accomplish, she said.
“At that point it is important to realize it isn’t possible and pick out what is most important and at least accomplish that,” Kuzyk said.
Althauser said good study habits she uses to prevent stress are planning ahead and making lists of what needs to be done and prioritize them.
“Crossing stuff off my lists gives me a sense of accomplishment,” she said.
Other habits Althauser said she has found affective are studying with others and studying in a quite place free of distractions. She also said to spread out study sessions and avoid cramming.
Kuzyk suggests taking an active approach to studying.
“Just reading is worthless,” she said.
Students need to be thinking about what kinds of questions they’ll be asked and be able to explain why the answer is correct, Kuzyk said.
If stress persists it can roll over into burn out which is when an individual feels as though any attempt to fix the problem is useless, Case said. Case explained when an individual is experiencing burn out they feel hopeless. Too much stress can be incapacitating, he said.
While it is clear that stress can have a negative affect on an individual it can also have a positive impact, Case said. Stress is a natural arousal response which helps us to function in a crisis or emergency, he said. A healthy amount of stress can help motivate an individual, he said.
Althauser admits that a small amount of stress helps her not to procrastinate.
Contacts:
Name: Counselor Scott Case (Interviewed in person)
Phone: 335-4511
Name: Instructor Patricia Kuzyk (Interviewed in person)
Email: pkuzyk@wsu.edu
Name: student Annie Althauser (Interviewed in person)
Phone: (425) 443-0418
Email: anniealthauser@yahoo.com
Outline:
Students seen for stress at the wsu counseling services
- Seen everyday for stress
- numbers tend to increase during the dead week and finals
- stress is induced by other issues students face
- Why finals cause stress
Repercussions of stress
Counselor
-affects on body
-affects on mood/ behavior
- how these affects have on academics
Prevent stress
Counselor’s advice
-eat healthy
- exercise
- take brakes
- hobbies
Instructors advice
-study along the way
- have a support system
What can we do to treat stress
Counselor
- Same steps to prevent
- Come talk to a counselor
Instructor
-talk to a friend
Student
-workout
Importance of study habits
Counselor
-doesn’t replace good study habits
Instructor
-study along the way
- Realize what you can and cannot get done in the time you are given
Student
- make lists and prioritize
When you experience too much stress
counselor
-tend to give up feel hopeless
Healthy stress
- positive affect on academics and personal drive
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Ledes
With the current economic crisis facing Washington, higher education continues to be at risk, said District 9 Sen. Mark Schoelser.
President Floyd expressed his disagreement with Christine Gregoire’s plan to cut higher education by $99 million.
Zoology club discussed the probable causes of extinction of about 180 amphibian species and the 43 percent drop in amphibian populations.
President Floyd expressed his disagreement with Christine Gregoire’s plan to cut higher education by $99 million.
Zoology club discussed the probable causes of extinction of about 180 amphibian species and the 43 percent drop in amphibian populations.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Speech Story
Tough times drew people to Coffee and Politics Tuesday night to hear Washington government leaders speak about the budget deficit we face and its possible solutions.
“We are in for some tough sledding,” Sen. Mark Schoesler said as he spoke to a room full of students and Pullman locals in the Honors College Lounge.
Washington state had increased its spending almost 34 percent and now the state is faced with a $9 billion deficit, said Schoesler. He said the state is at a point were there is a cost for inaction. He said the problem has been pushed to the side and now the longer we wait to address the problem the more expensive it will be.
Schoesler is the senate republican floor leader and is a self-employed farmer. He has been in office for 17 years. The senator was accompanied by Legislative District 9 reps. Joe Schmick and recently elected Susan Fagan. First term representative and Colfax business owner, Joe Schmick agreed with Schoesler that this is no new problem.
“We had the warning signs.” Schmick said, “Unfortunately we didn’t act.”
All speakers agreed that in order to address the deficit the state will have to watch spending, make budget cuts and stimulate the economy.
Many audience members in attendance voiced their concern of how the deficit will continue to affect higher education.
“Until the economy turns around higher education is always at risk,” Schoesler said.
Schmick explained that Washington state higher education costs are not as high as they seem. He said Washington state has one of the lowest rates of student debt in the country.
Audience member Maggie McKee was concerned with their comments. McKee, a WSU accounting major, said she doesn’t think higher education is being as valued as it should be. McKee said she doesn’t understand how the state can expect to have people for jobs when students can’t even afford the education they need. She believed the speakers didn’t focus on this concern as much as the audience would have liked. This is the topic that is really impacting students, she said.
The speakers emphasized the importance of a healthy economic climate. Schmick said the state has a lot of students who are earning great degrees but many of our businesses are leaving. He gave the example of Boeing and three local businesses that have left the state. Schmick emphasized the importance of these businesses on creating an effective economic climate. He said jobs allow people to spend money and the money people spend allows businesses to provide jobs. By losing these businesses we are losing tax payers, he said.
Audience members mirrored the senator’s and representatives’ concern with the business climate.
“We are losing businesses right through our fingers,” Nicholas Marshall, a WSU business administration major, said.
Marshall said he plans on becoming an entrepreneur but is afraid to enter the current business climate especially with the 7.6 percent increase of the labor industry worker’s compensation. He said this discourages people from starting their businesses in Washington. Fagan admits that it is a tough time to be a business owner and suggested making it cheaper for business owners to get health insurance to provide to their employees.
The speakers gave the audience a glimpse as to some of the possible solutions to the deficit. Schoesler said they are looking at all of the government funded programs to see what can and cannot be cut. Schmick agreed.
“I don‘t think you will see many stones unturned at the end of this year,” Schmick said.
Schmick thinks financial assistance programs need to be reevaluated. He said we need to reevaluate the standard of these programs to make sure only people who need the services are getting it. An example he gives of this is the General Assistance Unemployment program or the GAU. He explains that with the current state of the program it is harder for a single mother to get support than a capable single man. The speakers also talk about reevaluating the Department of Health and Social Services or DHSS but did not specify the changes that would be made.
The speakers also stated while tax increases are always a possibility they plan on avoiding income tax since they have found that the majority of the population is strongly apposed to the idea.
Questions to ask the speaker:
What was the objective of giving this speech?
Why are you informing students about this issue?
Why would attending this speech be beneficial to students?
What other places could budget cuts have been made other than higher education?
Do you believe the 13 percent cut was a justifiable amount? If not what would be?
Why did the state cut only 6 percent from community colleges and tech schools in comparison to four year colleges losing 13 percent?
What is the state doing to end the budget problem?
How can we avoid repeating this problem?
What are you doing to improve the budget problem?
What can students do to help?
Contact info:
Maggie McKee (Interviewed in person)
Phone: 509-723-3329
Email: Maggie McKee@mae.com
Nicholas Marshall (Interviewed in person)
Phone:435-876-2173
Senator Mark Schoesler
Phone: (360) 786-7620
Representative Joe Schmick
Phone: 360- 786-7844
Email: schmick.joe@leg.ws.gov
Representative Susan Fagan
Phone: 509-979-3083
Other Sources:
On the Issues. Susan Fagan for state representative. Nov. 30.
Rep. Joe Schmick. State Representative Joe Schmick. Nov. 30.
Senator Mark Schoesler Biography. Senate Republican Caucus. Nov. 30.
Outline
Intro. Speakers
- Senate Republican Floor Leader Mark Schoesler 17 years.
- 9th District State Representative Joe Schmick His first term Colfax business owner
- District State Representative Susan Fagan recently elected
Intro to budget crisis
- Cause: Over spending, lack of action
- What we need to do: watch spending, make cuts, stimulate the economy
budget cut and how it is affecting higher education
- Schoesler, high education is always at risk
- Schmick Wash. lowest rates of student debt.
-Susan is concerned about the middle student
- Maggie concerns: Higher education needs to be valued more cover more on the subject. How can we stimulate the economy when cant afford education need.
Affect on businesses
- Schick explains importance of businesses
- Concerns from Nickolas, “we are losing businesses right through our fingers”
Ideas to help the problem
- No rock unturned
-revaluating government support programs
- GAU
- DHSS department of health and social services, didn’t say how it would change
- income tax not supported so they wont implement it
“We are in for some tough sledding,” Sen. Mark Schoesler said as he spoke to a room full of students and Pullman locals in the Honors College Lounge.
Washington state had increased its spending almost 34 percent and now the state is faced with a $9 billion deficit, said Schoesler. He said the state is at a point were there is a cost for inaction. He said the problem has been pushed to the side and now the longer we wait to address the problem the more expensive it will be.
Schoesler is the senate republican floor leader and is a self-employed farmer. He has been in office for 17 years. The senator was accompanied by Legislative District 9 reps. Joe Schmick and recently elected Susan Fagan. First term representative and Colfax business owner, Joe Schmick agreed with Schoesler that this is no new problem.
“We had the warning signs.” Schmick said, “Unfortunately we didn’t act.”
All speakers agreed that in order to address the deficit the state will have to watch spending, make budget cuts and stimulate the economy.
Many audience members in attendance voiced their concern of how the deficit will continue to affect higher education.
“Until the economy turns around higher education is always at risk,” Schoesler said.
Schmick explained that Washington state higher education costs are not as high as they seem. He said Washington state has one of the lowest rates of student debt in the country.
Audience member Maggie McKee was concerned with their comments. McKee, a WSU accounting major, said she doesn’t think higher education is being as valued as it should be. McKee said she doesn’t understand how the state can expect to have people for jobs when students can’t even afford the education they need. She believed the speakers didn’t focus on this concern as much as the audience would have liked. This is the topic that is really impacting students, she said.
The speakers emphasized the importance of a healthy economic climate. Schmick said the state has a lot of students who are earning great degrees but many of our businesses are leaving. He gave the example of Boeing and three local businesses that have left the state. Schmick emphasized the importance of these businesses on creating an effective economic climate. He said jobs allow people to spend money and the money people spend allows businesses to provide jobs. By losing these businesses we are losing tax payers, he said.
Audience members mirrored the senator’s and representatives’ concern with the business climate.
“We are losing businesses right through our fingers,” Nicholas Marshall, a WSU business administration major, said.
Marshall said he plans on becoming an entrepreneur but is afraid to enter the current business climate especially with the 7.6 percent increase of the labor industry worker’s compensation. He said this discourages people from starting their businesses in Washington. Fagan admits that it is a tough time to be a business owner and suggested making it cheaper for business owners to get health insurance to provide to their employees.
The speakers gave the audience a glimpse as to some of the possible solutions to the deficit. Schoesler said they are looking at all of the government funded programs to see what can and cannot be cut. Schmick agreed.
“I don‘t think you will see many stones unturned at the end of this year,” Schmick said.
Schmick thinks financial assistance programs need to be reevaluated. He said we need to reevaluate the standard of these programs to make sure only people who need the services are getting it. An example he gives of this is the General Assistance Unemployment program or the GAU. He explains that with the current state of the program it is harder for a single mother to get support than a capable single man. The speakers also talk about reevaluating the Department of Health and Social Services or DHSS but did not specify the changes that would be made.
The speakers also stated while tax increases are always a possibility they plan on avoiding income tax since they have found that the majority of the population is strongly apposed to the idea.
Questions to ask the speaker:
What was the objective of giving this speech?
Why are you informing students about this issue?
Why would attending this speech be beneficial to students?
What other places could budget cuts have been made other than higher education?
Do you believe the 13 percent cut was a justifiable amount? If not what would be?
Why did the state cut only 6 percent from community colleges and tech schools in comparison to four year colleges losing 13 percent?
What is the state doing to end the budget problem?
How can we avoid repeating this problem?
What are you doing to improve the budget problem?
What can students do to help?
Contact info:
Maggie McKee (Interviewed in person)
Phone: 509-723-3329
Email: Maggie McKee@mae.com
Nicholas Marshall (Interviewed in person)
Phone:435-876-2173
Senator Mark Schoesler
Phone: (360) 786-7620
Representative Joe Schmick
Phone: 360- 786-7844
Email: schmick.joe@leg.ws.gov
Representative Susan Fagan
Phone: 509-979-3083
Other Sources:
On the Issues. Susan Fagan for state representative. Nov. 30.
Rep. Joe Schmick. State Representative Joe Schmick. Nov. 30.
Senator Mark Schoesler Biography. Senate Republican Caucus. Nov. 30.
Outline
Intro. Speakers
- Senate Republican Floor Leader Mark Schoesler 17 years.
- 9th District State Representative Joe Schmick His first term Colfax business owner
- District State Representative Susan Fagan recently elected
Intro to budget crisis
- Cause: Over spending, lack of action
- What we need to do: watch spending, make cuts, stimulate the economy
budget cut and how it is affecting higher education
- Schoesler, high education is always at risk
- Schmick Wash. lowest rates of student debt.
-Susan is concerned about the middle student
- Maggie concerns: Higher education needs to be valued more cover more on the subject. How can we stimulate the economy when cant afford education need.
Affect on businesses
- Schick explains importance of businesses
- Concerns from Nickolas, “we are losing businesses right through our fingers”
Ideas to help the problem
- No rock unturned
-revaluating government support programs
- GAU
- DHSS department of health and social services, didn’t say how it would change
- income tax not supported so they wont implement it
Monday, November 30, 2009
corrections
1. Even though the Seattle Sounders’ FC inaugural season ended Sunday with a 1-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo, the Sounders still have a lot to be proud of, according to.
2. Tommy Sullivan was one of the many fans who were able to attend a game this year.
3. With the work of improvement in mind, Pullman residents feel the comfort of a clean, high-quality, diversified neighborhood.
4. “People will come in and buy them by the case,” said Ryan Jones, a senior management operations major and employee of Bob's Corner Market for three years. “It’s not uncommon for them to run out at the warehouse. Sometimes I think they just can’t keep up.”
5. Yagiz started school as an undecided major but after taking geology her sophomore year she had knew what she wanted to study.
6. If enacted, the plan will positively affect the neighborhood of College Hill and the collegiate experience of WSU students, he said.
7. More than 60 percent of off-premise establishments provided at least one type of beer promotion.
8. A fleet of camouflage, army cargo trucks sits in a parking lot while men from the National Guard use forklifts to load supplies into the truck beds.
9. Potential employers are increasingly likely to view social-networking Web sites such as Facebook and Myspace when screening applicants for a position.
10.The biggest misconception out there is that setting your Facebook to private will protect you from allowing people to view your profile, said Stefany Unda, Career Development Program Coordinator for CACD.
11. He said he expects a number of transit systems to turn to voters to try and increase revenue.
12. With more traffic on the Web site than in the department, digital technology must be very organized and has allowed the public to access archives.
13. “We just buy and sell real estate," she said. "It is what we do, but the market doesn’t dictate the price. The price is the price and I haven’t seen a noticeable change.”
14. These bales are then sold to a processing center in Tacoma, Wash., for $24.
15. “In five or 10 years something else will be cool and texting while driving will be a primary offense, but it’s going to take a little time,” said Tennant
Underline the subject and verb of the following sentences:
Another impact that increases the purchasing of alcohol is the premises that sell alcohol on and off the WSU campus.
The best advicethe CACD can give is, do not post things that you would not want people to see.
Comma splice? Yes or no.
“We just buy and sell real estate, it is what we do but the market doesn’t dictate the price,” she said.
yes
In 2007, while the average income in Washington was $55,628, the average income for Whitman County was $36,438.
no
Going green took on new meaning this year when WSU Waste Management announced dramatic changes to the recycling program in an effort to save money across the university, the city plans to follow suit.
yes
“Take a little out of athletics, take a percentage out of athletics so a whole department doesn't have to be terminated,” Converse said.
yes
The WSU Theatre cut has made an impact on both students and staff.
2. Tommy Sullivan was one of the many fans who were able to attend a game this year.
3. With the work of improvement in mind, Pullman residents feel the comfort of a clean, high-quality, diversified neighborhood.
4. “People will come in and buy them by the case,” said Ryan Jones, a senior management operations major and employee of Bob's Corner Market for three years. “It’s not uncommon for them to run out at the warehouse. Sometimes I think they just can’t keep up.”
5. Yagiz started school as an undecided major but after taking geology her sophomore year she had knew what she wanted to study.
6. If enacted, the plan will positively affect the neighborhood of College Hill and the collegiate experience of WSU students, he said.
7. More than 60 percent of off-premise establishments provided at least one type of beer promotion.
8. A fleet of camouflage, army cargo trucks sits in a parking lot while men from the National Guard use forklifts to load supplies into the truck beds.
9. Potential employers are increasingly likely to view social-networking Web sites such as Facebook and Myspace when screening applicants for a position.
10.The biggest misconception out there is that setting your Facebook to private will protect you from allowing people to view your profile, said Stefany Unda, Career Development Program Coordinator for CACD.
11. He said he expects a number of transit systems to turn to voters to try and increase revenue.
12. With more traffic on the Web site than in the department, digital technology must be very organized and has allowed the public to access archives.
13. “We just buy and sell real estate," she said. "It is what we do, but the market doesn’t dictate the price. The price is the price and I haven’t seen a noticeable change.”
14. These bales are then sold to a processing center in Tacoma, Wash., for $24.
15. “In five or 10 years something else will be cool and texting while driving will be a primary offense, but it’s going to take a little time,” said Tennant
Underline the subject and verb of the following sentences:
Another impact that increases the purchasing of alcohol is the premises that sell alcohol on and off the WSU campus.
The best advicethe CACD can give is, do not post things that you would not want people to see.
Comma splice? Yes or no.
“We just buy and sell real estate, it is what we do but the market doesn’t dictate the price,” she said.
yes
In 2007, while the average income in Washington was $55,628, the average income for Whitman County was $36,438.
no
Going green took on new meaning this year when WSU Waste Management announced dramatic changes to the recycling program in an effort to save money across the university, the city plans to follow suit.
yes
“Take a little out of athletics, take a percentage out of athletics so a whole department doesn't have to be terminated,” Converse said.
yes
The WSU Theatre cut has made an impact on both students and staff.
Monday, November 16, 2009
WSU takes on new journalism mediums by storm
Washington State University and McCormick Foundation will be hosting a virtual journalism workshops April 6, 2009. The workshops will be lead by leading technology executives and journalists such as Helen Thomas, former White House bureau chief and Bob Scheiffer, CBS News' chief Washington correspondent.
WSU President Elson S. Floyd "We're excited to bring together many of the leaders in technology and journalism to discuss and explore this new media channel for storytelling. These and other emerging forms of digital news distribution offer both promise and potential for our students and for the future of journalism."
They will discuss and explore new media outlets and the 3D virtual world such as Second Life and Club Penguin. This workshop will cover virtual reporting that is both commercial and citizen created.
Many of the 3D worlds have large following. Some of the content creators of these sites are adding streamed videos of news and entertainment for their in-world audiences.
Washington State University and McCormick Foundation will be hosting a virtual journalism workshops April 6, 2009. The workshops will be lead by leading technology executives and journalists such as Helen Thomas, former White House bureau chief and Bob Scheiffer, CBS News' chief Washington correspondent.
WSU President Elson S. Floyd "We're excited to bring together many of the leaders in technology and journalism to discuss and explore this new media channel for storytelling. These and other emerging forms of digital news distribution offer both promise and potential for our students and for the future of journalism."
They will discuss and explore new media outlets and the 3D virtual world such as Second Life and Club Penguin. This workshop will cover virtual reporting that is both commercial and citizen created.
Many of the 3D worlds have large following. Some of the content creators of these sites are adding streamed videos of news and entertainment for their in-world audiences.
feature story
Outline
student account
- When and how they found out
- their reaction
What happened
- what programs were cut
- how many students and faculty were affected
- amount they had hoped to save in the cut
How the staff will be affected
-losing jobs
Affect on students
-financially
-class schedule
-value of degree
Opinions on the cut
- what could have been done differently
-why cutting the program was a bad idea
Horror, anger, demoralized, are just a few words used by Theatre Professor Terry Converse to describe his reaction to the WSU decision to cut the department of Theatre and Dance from its curriculum as part of the budget cuts in July of 2009.
Nick Fitzgerald, a sophomore theatre major at WSU, said he was shocked and frustrated by the news. Before the final decision was made Fitzgerald didn’t take it too seriously because he figured they wouldn’t cut a program with so much history and awards, he said. Before the final decision had been made Fitzgerald along with many other WSU students rallied on Glenn Terrell Mall and asked students to sign their petition. Fitzgerald said the rally was unsuccessful because he believes the administration had already made up their mind.
Converse agreed. “Even through the whole dialogue (between the department and the faculty senate) it seemed that they already made up their mind,” Converse said, “It was pretend dialogue.”
The decision to phase out the theatre major was done as a part of the WSU budget cut. According to the Seattle Times the budget cut also included the termination of the department of Community and Rural Sociology as well as the German major. The theatre program would continue until July of 2011 to provide certified theatre majors and minors ample amount of time to finish the program. The program is no longer certifying. Converse said the cut was estimated to save the college about $325,000.
“In the great scheme of things it isn‘t that much money,” he said.
While this year seems unaffected by the decision next year, people will start to see a change, Converse said. He said many professors won't have jobs to begin with. Aggravated he said it’s really murky right now; we aren’t even sure who all gets to stay for the last year.
“No one has really been straight forward as to what will happen as of yet,” he said. With a sarcastic laugh Converse said “It’s the great unknown.”
Many of the faculty are scrambling to find new jobs and after the last year is done everyone will have to, he said.
Six professors and at least 100 students will be affected by this cut, Converse said. Kristen Nagel, a theatre major and a former student of WSU, said this decision has completely reshaped her life. Nagel is now attending the University of Idaho. Nagel said because there was no guarantee that there would be plays to perform her senior year she had to transfer.
“There is no point in being in a program in which you can not get experience,” she said, “That is kind of the point.”
Nagel said the transfer was more than the inconvenience of moving and paperwork. She said the move affected her financially as well as socially. The move was expensive and all of her friends are at WSU she said.
While Fitzgerald stayed at WSU, he was still affected but the cut. He said he is having to take all of his classes for his major now while they are still available and he fears that he isn’t getting the quality education he should.
“If the classes seem just thrown together I will go somewhere else to get the education I need,” he said.
Fitzgerald is also concerned that the phase out will devalue the degree. He said he is worried that employers won't find his degree valuable because it seems as though the program wasn’t important to the college.
Some people said the budget problem could have been handled differently.
“Take a little out of athletics, take a percentage out of athletics so a whole department doesn't have to be terminated,” Converse said.
Nagel said she understands the motive of WSU but disagrees with their method.
“I'm not naive, I understand that the school needs money,” Nagel said, “I just don’t think the whole department should have been cut.”
“This was the most drastic plan of action and I feel that it was the wrong one,” Nagel said.
Travis Perks, a chemical engineer major, who claims to have not been affect by the cuts said he disagrees with the way the budget cuts were done. He said it doesn’t seem fair to take away everything from some students and nothing from others. According to the Seattle Times President Floyd did not want to do a cut across all the programs because he did not want to take away from the stronger programs.
Some believe this decision will affect WSU negatively. Nagel believes the school is losing students because of cutting theatre. Now students who are interested in majoring in theatre wont even consider WSU, she said. Fitzgerald said the college is loosing a part of its culture and will never be the same.
Sources
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009350439_apwawsubudgetcuts2ndldwritethru.html
Theatre Professor Terry Converse (interviewed in person)
Phone: (509)335-5161
Email: converse@wsu.edu
Nick Fitzgerald
Phone: (253)732-0051
Kristen Nagel
Phone: (360)870-8838
Travis Perks
Phone: (509)539-9389
student account
- When and how they found out
- their reaction
What happened
- what programs were cut
- how many students and faculty were affected
- amount they had hoped to save in the cut
How the staff will be affected
-losing jobs
Affect on students
-financially
-class schedule
-value of degree
Opinions on the cut
- what could have been done differently
-why cutting the program was a bad idea
Horror, anger, demoralized, are just a few words used by Theatre Professor Terry Converse to describe his reaction to the WSU decision to cut the department of Theatre and Dance from its curriculum as part of the budget cuts in July of 2009.
Nick Fitzgerald, a sophomore theatre major at WSU, said he was shocked and frustrated by the news. Before the final decision was made Fitzgerald didn’t take it too seriously because he figured they wouldn’t cut a program with so much history and awards, he said. Before the final decision had been made Fitzgerald along with many other WSU students rallied on Glenn Terrell Mall and asked students to sign their petition. Fitzgerald said the rally was unsuccessful because he believes the administration had already made up their mind.
Converse agreed. “Even through the whole dialogue (between the department and the faculty senate) it seemed that they already made up their mind,” Converse said, “It was pretend dialogue.”
The decision to phase out the theatre major was done as a part of the WSU budget cut. According to the Seattle Times the budget cut also included the termination of the department of Community and Rural Sociology as well as the German major. The theatre program would continue until July of 2011 to provide certified theatre majors and minors ample amount of time to finish the program. The program is no longer certifying. Converse said the cut was estimated to save the college about $325,000.
“In the great scheme of things it isn‘t that much money,” he said.
While this year seems unaffected by the decision next year, people will start to see a change, Converse said. He said many professors won't have jobs to begin with. Aggravated he said it’s really murky right now; we aren’t even sure who all gets to stay for the last year.
“No one has really been straight forward as to what will happen as of yet,” he said. With a sarcastic laugh Converse said “It’s the great unknown.”
Many of the faculty are scrambling to find new jobs and after the last year is done everyone will have to, he said.
Six professors and at least 100 students will be affected by this cut, Converse said. Kristen Nagel, a theatre major and a former student of WSU, said this decision has completely reshaped her life. Nagel is now attending the University of Idaho. Nagel said because there was no guarantee that there would be plays to perform her senior year she had to transfer.
“There is no point in being in a program in which you can not get experience,” she said, “That is kind of the point.”
Nagel said the transfer was more than the inconvenience of moving and paperwork. She said the move affected her financially as well as socially. The move was expensive and all of her friends are at WSU she said.
While Fitzgerald stayed at WSU, he was still affected but the cut. He said he is having to take all of his classes for his major now while they are still available and he fears that he isn’t getting the quality education he should.
“If the classes seem just thrown together I will go somewhere else to get the education I need,” he said.
Fitzgerald is also concerned that the phase out will devalue the degree. He said he is worried that employers won't find his degree valuable because it seems as though the program wasn’t important to the college.
Some people said the budget problem could have been handled differently.
“Take a little out of athletics, take a percentage out of athletics so a whole department doesn't have to be terminated,” Converse said.
Nagel said she understands the motive of WSU but disagrees with their method.
“I'm not naive, I understand that the school needs money,” Nagel said, “I just don’t think the whole department should have been cut.”
“This was the most drastic plan of action and I feel that it was the wrong one,” Nagel said.
Travis Perks, a chemical engineer major, who claims to have not been affect by the cuts said he disagrees with the way the budget cuts were done. He said it doesn’t seem fair to take away everything from some students and nothing from others. According to the Seattle Times President Floyd did not want to do a cut across all the programs because he did not want to take away from the stronger programs.
Some believe this decision will affect WSU negatively. Nagel believes the school is losing students because of cutting theatre. Now students who are interested in majoring in theatre wont even consider WSU, she said. Fitzgerald said the college is loosing a part of its culture and will never be the same.
Sources
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009350439_apwawsubudgetcuts2ndldwritethru.html
Theatre Professor Terry Converse (interviewed in person)
Phone: (509)335-5161
Email: converse@wsu.edu
Nick Fitzgerald
Phone: (253)732-0051
Kristen Nagel
Phone: (360)870-8838
Travis Perks
Phone: (509)539-9389
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)