The Economy and its Affect on Student Housing

According to Ann L. Morgenstern, Assistant Director for Marketing Services for the Department of Student Housing of almost 3 years, the current economy is not affecting student housing in a negative way. Students will be able to stay in the residence halls with little or no change due to any differences in University funds.
In a recent report by Boston.com, Larry Sparks, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance said, “This year part of operations are funded with $9.5 million in stimulus funds and those don’t come back next year.” When Ann was asked about this report she said, “Well, we are considered an auxiliary; we bring in our own money.”
Sparks did add that it was “unclear” how the situation would be handled and that they had to “be aware of all possible scenarios”. Boston.com interviewed Tomes, a sophomore here at the university. Tomes’ opinion on how the university would regain some of the funds was, “They’ve raised the prices of food at the student union.”
Ann said that what does affect housing is when there is a big class of freshmen. She said “It was really high last year, and that the occupancy is very high because of it.”
Christopher Brownlee, a Resident Assistant of over a year, described his job as someone that “builds communities by creating programs”. He also said that due to the economy his job is harder. Not because of the lack of money, but because there are just more students.
However, Christopher did say “it was harder to place students in dorms”. His reasons were the incline of tuition and also the rise in students. He said that the tuition has gone up every year since he was enrolled at the university in 2006, adding to the difficulties.
The report in Boston.com also chronicled several other Mississippi schools as it related to the economy. Mississippi State University, Jackson State University, Delta State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi were the other schools discussed in the article.
Other areas that could be affected by the economy are non-faculty workers. The custodians and the workers in the restaurants in the student union could possibly be affected after the stimulus funding is gone.

A Little Less Stress on the Bursar...

The J.D. Williams Library located on the campus of The University of Mississippi has recently addressed some issues concerning its cost of operation. The J.D. Williams Library has recently attempted to down size the hours that it allow student into the vicinity. “It is a shame that we have had to reopen the library at the 2a.m. marker for students that do everything but study,” said a senior librarian.
When asked the question what can students do to decrease the stress felt on the library’s budget and overnight library staff the senior librarian had these words, “Pay your book and overdue materials fines”
The J.D. Williams Library is one of the buildings on the campus of The University of Mississippi besides The Barnes and Noble Book Store that cannot charge fees to student’s bursar accounts. Because of the library’s inability to do automatic charges the J.D. Williams Library has been losing funding.
The J.D. Williams Library cannot automatically charge to student’s bursar accounts due to the lack of 250 thousand dollars to set and install the program. The 250 thousand dollar program would allow the library to charge book and overdue materials fees directly to each student’s bursar account. Charging to the Bursar account is just one of the many issues that the J.D. Williams Library faces. The Library cannot accept credit card, debit, check, nor do money order payments from library patrons that intend to repay their fines. All material fines for the J.D. Williams Library must be paid in cash and in person.
Students at The University of Mississippi like Jannea Vance, explains why she likes the fact that the library cannot directly charge to the Bursar account. Like Ms. Vance many students’ feel that too many expenses are piled upon their Bursar accounts causing heavy overloads in payments and academic holds upon their registration. With the continuing of Library fines having to be paid in person with cash the chances of the Library actually gathering income is very slime to not getting it at all. When asked about feelings toward the payment for the J.D. Williams Library Librarian Ashley Glover said, “I think students take advantage of not having to pay mandatory fine therefore they think they can get away without payment.


Kaylah K. JOhnson

Crime Rate On Ole Miss Campus Decreases

Crime rate on the Ole Miss Campus has decreased significantly this year compared to last year.

The crime report released on the University Police Department’s website shows a 64% decrease in crime in November of 2010 compared to November of 2009. The number of drug- and alcohol-related arrests and citations, thefts, and vandalisms all show a considerable decrease from the previous year. In November of 2009, eleven vandalisms and thirty-five thefts were reported, compared to only seven vandalisms and fourteen thefts.

Despite the increase in the number of students on campus this year, including the largest freshman class in school history, University police say that the increase in enrollment has not been a problem.

UPD Crime Prevention Coordinator Thelma Curry said, “The number one problem is traffic. Even though enrollment has increased the number of students on campus, not much has changed. Two additional Campus Safety officers were hired to help provide more security coverage.”

Curry does not believe there is any one particular reason for the decrease in activity, and they often find crime rate varies from time to time.

“Larcenies and thefts are crimes of opportunity. If property is not secure then there is a chance of a theft occurring, while most vandalism acts happen out of spite, revenge, or someone just out being malicious or intoxicated.”

Knowing that crime has decreased provides comfort and assurance for some students.

Senior Kelsey Craig said, “It makes me feel safer living here because I feel like officers are doing their best to keep us safe and to prevent crime. It also makes me feel good knowing that not as many students on campus are committing crimes.”

Campus Safety Supervisor Vernon Rogers says he believes with student cooperation, the decrease in crime could be even greater.

“Students can help prevent crime on campus by taking care of their valuables and properly securing them. I know they hear it all the time, but if items are left unattended they are going to be stolen,” he said. “Also, be responsible. If you’re going to drink, don’t drive. Use Rebel Ride, a taxi, or a designated driver.”

The Jean Jones Walk/Run

Jean Jones was a former director of the University of Mississippi, and also the first female director in the division of student affairs. She was a very dedicated member to the university and also to the community of Oxford. Dr. Jones served more than twenty five years here at the University of Mississippi. Jean Jones was involved in many aspects of student life while she served her time here at Ole Miss. Jones battled a war with breast cancer and eventually died in 1997.
The Jean Jones Walk is a memorial walk for Dr. Jones, and also an event to honor others who have been touched by cancer and to bring awareness to the community. On April 10th of 2010 the 12th annual Jean Jones Walk was a huge success. The University of Mississippi created a website dedicated to Jean Jones, http://jeanjoneswalkrun.racesonline.com/, which is a great source for more information on the importance of this walk. According to Lelia Burkhalter, the counselors assistant, “The walk includes a 5k run and a two mile walk. The race starts and ends at the Union Plaza here on the Ole Miss campus. To enter the walk it cost twenty five dollars for individuals, fifteen for groups of five or more. This cost provides a t-shirt and admittance into the race”. All of the proceeds go to the Dr. Jean Jones Memorial Scholarship fund and also the Baptist Hospital Cancer Institute. The Jean Jones Walk takes place in the spring, and is known as a celebration of her life, spirit and her.
This walk takes place every year in what anyone would consider a great cause. Jean Jones did a lot for the University of Mississippi and will always be remembered all over campus and throughout the Oxford community. “The Jean Jones walk has taken place every year for the past twelve years and will be carried on for many more years”, according to Shelia Goolsby, the assistant director of the Counseling Center here at Ole Miss.

Source information:

http://jeanjoneswalkrun.racesonline.com/

Shelia Goolsby - counslg@olemiss.edu

Lelia Burkhalter- counslg@olemiss.edu

Final project in Jour 102 (Alumni) Tiffany Boyte

Alumni Participation After the news of a Mascot Change for the University of Mississippi.

By Tiffany Boyte

Alumni Today, Gone Tomorrow?

The University of Mississippi prides it self in many things including being more then just a place of learning but a life long family. It is no surprise with a motto like that; that this University has one of the top Alumni Associations in the country as well as a major support system from its current and graduate students.

Brandon Hudspeth, marketing coordinator for the University of Mississippi Athletics programs said, “You spend four years of your life in this town, with these people. Whenever I see red and blue together I think of Ole Miss. It’s something that you can quickly identify with and relate with even if you don’t know the person wearing those colors, you find a common ground.”

But with change comes some concern . The University built on tradition was recently rocked by the announcement of a new on field mascot. Rumors began to circulate that many alumni would soon drop their donations and support if this mascot took the place of long time iconic symbol “Colonel Reb.”

Missy Roberts, an alumna from ’92 said, “My father was a long time sponcer for the football team and after all that has gone on with this school he refused to donate his time and money to the program out of rage. I think that this is something that could tear our unity apart and many alumni are torn to keep donating money to a school that didn’t listen to their wants and needs when it came to this issue.”

The financial statements for the 2010 year show there might very well be an issue with funding through alumni participation. The budget for Alumni activities were cut nearly in half by the University. These financial records also show an increase in payments alumni must make to contribute to the association.

Hudspeth said that though the Grove was booming on game days ticket sales have been lower this year then previous years possibly due to the poor home game schedule or lack of entertainment on the field this season.

Some “perks” that have kept the sponsors interest include season passes to sports events and membership to certain clubs such as the diamond club for the baseball season. The Alumni association has recently expanded it’s building on campus spending millions in renovations. http://www.alumni.olemiss.edu/

So in these economic times, could change prompt a financial pull out for sponsors the university relies on? As of now many say it is too early to tell. But this University if this university is a family, change will not tear it apart.

Psychological Damage Due to Stress During Finals Week

“Everybody has stress,” is a common phrase used among millions of people everyday, however when does just the stress of everyday life turn into something more damaging and dangerous not only to one’s physical health, but also to their psychological health?

College students are a prime example of people who are constantly stressed over every single thing in their lives. They stress about grades, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, and maybe even family. College students are also pros at not sleeping, therefore weakening many aspects of the body, and the mind. These weaknesses open a door for stress related complications to walk right in and create severe damages to one’s psyche and physical health. When asked on a scale between one and ten, what is your stress level during exam week, Miriam Taylor, a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, describes her level of stress “around a six” because she tries her best not to stress herself out. However Taylor admits that she can tell a difference in her emotional state during times of stress because she has “a tendency to get a little bit snappy” and even goes on “caffeine crazes” where she consumes too much coffee and soda later causing her to have “headaches and stomach aches”. Taylor also continued to say that she tends to psych herself out because right before a final, she gets “really bad test anxiety” and it causes her to have to seclude herself in order to calm down and prepare for her examination. So how do we gain control of our stress, and regain control of our lives?

Dr. Jill RachBeisel, a psychiatrist at the University of Maryland Medical Center describes stress as, “a pressure or a strain that an individual feels that pushes them beyond their comfort level, and pushes them into an area of unfamiliarity.” Dr. RachBeisel continues to say that if one has continued stress, “your body experiences a chronic state of stress which can have long term effects,” some that many people personally know to be true. She also goes on to say that there are different kinds of stress, there is good stress and there is bad stress. Good stress is a kind of stress that helps us to achieve our best, and makes us step up to the plate and get the job done. Many could argue that stress caused by finals could be characterized as good stress because it could help one work harder and achieve a better grade on their final, however when does good stress turn into bad stress. Well Dr. RachBeisel describes bad stress as being at the point where you don’t feel in control of your situations anymore, which can later lead to anxiety. Dr. RachBeisel does give tips on coping and managing your stress, by exercising, developing plans for yourself, and taking action in your life, thus regaining control of your life and its situations. Many college students can relate to the reactions of stress which Dr. RachBeisel includes as constant worrying, restlessness, being on edge all the time, feeling tired and irritable a lot, difficulty concentrating, and also difficulty sleeping.

In order for one to control their stress, they must gain control of their life, or else their stress can build up and turn into anxiety, which can then escalate into depression if they don’t seize control at the right time. One of the most important things that a college student will learn is to manage their time, and with that, they must learn to manage and control their stress so that they do spiral down into a hole, which they are unable to get out of. Stress is a very serious matter that affects millions of college students everyday, however it is a matter that they must learn to live with because through out life, there will always be stress over something, but it is nice to know that there are things you can do to maintain control and keep yourself functioning. So take a break, go for a walk or chat with friends, but stay focused on what is important and don't let your stress get the best of you.