Tag Archive | "December 02 2008"

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What happened to ‘Southern hospitality’?

Posted on 02 December 2008 by Freda Smith

I loathe rude people.

Not just rude people, but inconsiderate people as well. My gears really start grinding when there is an inconsiderate, rude person.

That type of person can just ruin my whole day.

Living in the South, you would think people would have more manners and consideration for other people. Well, since I have been at Augusta State University, I have found this to be one of the breeding grounds for inconsiderate, rude people.

I don’t know what it is, but a lot of students here just don’t have manners.

For example, on Wednesday morning, I was walking to Allgood Hall, and there were a couple of people behind me.

I stood and waited for them to get close to the door, holding it open for them because this is just the type thing kind people do.

They proceeded to walk in behind me, and I walked toward my destination.

What is missing from the above story? No one said “thank-you.”

I had lost seven seconds of my life just to be nice to someone, and I didn’t even get a thank-you.

How rude!

That same exact day – two hours later – I was in University Hall waiting on the elevator.

When the elevator finally came, I walked in but heard someone running down the hall, so I politely held the doors open for her.

When standing in an elevator, the first person who walks in usually stands next to the buttons and asks other passengers what floor they are going to, so that the first occupant can press the button for the other occupants, right?

Well, I asked my fellow passenger what floor she was going to, and she did not answer. Instead, she proceeded to cross her arm in front of me and press the button for the second floor.

How rude!

Am I being too sensitive? I don’t think I am.

How hard is it to tell someone “thanks” for picking up a book that you dropped or to acknowledge the person who asked you a question and is trying to help you? It isn’t.

So, why aren’t people practicing kindness on this campus?

I am sure I am not the only person who has been a victim of this irritating phenomenon. This is supposed to be the friendliest region in the United States of America!

I figured chivalry was dead, but I didn’t think “Southern hospitality” was also.

So now, I am going to issue a challenge to you.

Next time someone does something nice for you, don’t forget how simple it is to let that person know you appreciate their gesture.

Maybe you can even take the initiative and “pay it forward.”

Let’s try and resurrect the concept of “Southern hospitality.” It doesn’t take much.

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The University System of Georgia awards ASU with award in customer service

Posted on 02 December 2008 by Michelle Naval

The university received the Honorable Mention award for Customer Service Institution of the Year from the University System of Georgia.

By submitting seven total individual customer service projects, as well as, implementing two customer service driven programs on campus, Augusta State University placed fourth among institutions that make up the University System of Georgia.

Augusta State is one of 35 institutions of higher education that makes up the University System of Georgia. The system has a total of 40,770 employees and a student population of over 253, 550, with total revenue exceeding $4 billion. According to the customer service Web site for the University System of Georgia, the students of the University System of Georgia are the ultimate and most important customers.

In coordination with Gov. Sonny Perdue’s “Customer Service Initiative,” the system’s chancellor, Errol B. Davis Jr., is asking for all faculty, staff and students from all of Georgia’s 35 colleges and universities to come together and find ways to provide better, faster, friendlier and more efficient ways to provide customer service to the members of its institution and community.

A big driving force that has helped Augusta State win the award is from the work and dedication of the Department of Human Resources, including Director of Human Resources Walt Alexanderson. Serving as director after the death of Joseph Greene last fall, Alexanderson has made it a primary focus to build on the work that Greene left.

Aside from the individual projects that were entered, the campus also has two programs which allow both faculty and students to get involved. The first program is the Customer Service Ambassador Program, consisting of faculty and staff, who serve as the Board of Directors for customer service on campus.

The second program that the university has is the modified version of the Lean Six Sigma Program, which teaches the basic concept of how to eliminate wasting resources and how to improve the quality of service given. During the training sessions, student and faculty concerns are heard.

“(Student and faculty concerns) give us an interesting perspective,” Alexanderson said.

Participants receive a Jaguar Blue Belt after completing the hour and 15 minute training session on The Lean Six. According to Alexanderson, over 300 people have already completed the Lean Six Program on campus, ranging from President William A. Bloodworth Jr., to faculty and staff, to students from the Hull Business School.

Although none of the individual projects submitted were chosen for awards in individual categories, Alexanderson said he believes that the projects were a big factor in why the university was chosen as fourth for Customer Service Institution of the Year.

One of the projects included the Reese Library Family Room, which was started on September 18, 2007, as a “family space” for students with children.

This is also the first year that the University System of Georgia has given the Joseph Greene “Champion of the Year” award which is in honor of Greene’s “devotion to the customer service program and his role as a true champion,” according to the customer service Web site.

This award recognizes a Customer Service Champion who has successfully guided customer service improvements throughout his or her organization, built customer service teams and worked with other leaders from other organizations, resulting in a significant impact on customer service over the last year.

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Snow didn’t stop nationals race

Posted on 02 December 2008 by Sophie Baconnet

Our bodies were shaking and hurting because of the cold and the snow; yet, we had never been so excited before a race.

On Aug. 11, my team and I began our official cross-country season with two main goals: to win the Peach Belt Conference and to be qualified for nationals. Our coach warned us before we took off for our summer break that we would have to run a lot on our own time during the summer if we wanted to be able to handle the fall practice.

For three long months, we practiced every single day and twice a day, three times a week. Forget about having a social life in the fall. While students were eagerly waiting on the weekends to tailgate and cheer on their favorite football team, we were traveling on Fridays to compete on Saturday mornings.

We lost the Peach Belt Conference, but arrived in second place by 20 points, which is really nothing for our sport. Yet, even though our coach was named “coach of the year” for the third consecutive time and one of our teammates was named “freshman of the year,” we were really disappointed.

We tried to get over it by focusing on the ultimate race of the season: regionals. Out of the 28 teams that would be at regionals, only the first two teams would be qualified to go to nationals.

Regionals and nationals are six kilometer races. So, to get us ready, our coach made us compete in more six kilometer races than five kilometer races.

On the day of regionals, we arrived second. Not only were we thrilled because we were qualified for nationals, but we were also ecstatic because we beat the team that won the Peach Belt Conference.

Two weeks later, we flew to Pennsylvania for the second time in the season. We had been there in October to familiarize ourselves with the course. However, this time was slightly different.

November + Pennsylvania = SNOW. A lot of snow.

We were expecting it to be cold, and our coach even bought us tights, gloves and headbands to wear during the race. Yet, I have to admit that after living in Georgia for three years, I forgot what temperature below 50 degrees felt like.

The day before our race, we jogged over the course, but it was snowing so much that we had to stop at a shelter for a few minutes. Our coach tried to reassure us by repeating over and over “It’s not the bad, ladies.”

Needless to say, it did not reassure us at all.

The day of the nationals race, it was 28 degrees, and it began snowing just a few minutes before the start. Overall, we arrived 24th.

The cold did not break us down at all, though. We spent three awesome days in Pennsylvania. We stayed in one of the nicest hotels in Pittsburgh, and we just were happy to be together and share our success to be at nationals.

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SGA passes resolution regarding shuttle system

Posted on 02 December 2008 by Wes Mayle

The SGA senate has passed a resolution that favors bringing a shuttle service to campus.

The resolution came after an ad hoc committee spent a week reviewing the options that would be most suitable for the student body.

The proposed plan is already in the hands of the Student Activities Committee. After the committee’s review, the plan will then head to the Institutional Fees Committee. If that committee approves the proposal, it will then be up to Augusta State University President William A. Bloodworth Jr. to make a final decision.

If the proposal gets approved, the transportation fee for students will be increased to $35 for the fall and spring semesters, and $25 for the summer semester. The fee will be added to the total each student owes in tuition and fees.

Also included in the new transportation fee is a plan in which every student gets a parking decal, differentiating from the current plan which has each student paying $20 per year for a parking decal that sticks on his car.

A contest just ended in which SGA asked students to contribute designs for the new decal. The new decal will hang on a car’s rearview mirror and will follow the student, rather than the car.

The university has also been talking with Horizon, a company that provides vehicles for athletic travel at Augusta State, to provide two shuttle buses for the new plan.

Joyce Jones, dean of students, said each shuttle’s trek will stop on both campuses and will take approximately 30 minutes.

The resolution was passed a week after a discussion on the topic at the Nov. 14 SGA senate meeting.

At the meeting, SGA President Andre Goodman proposed a resolution, which opposed the shuttle plan on the basis that the senate needed more time to approve a plan in the best interest of students.

Sen. Sam Brown, a history major, said that while he is ultimately against the shuttle plan, getting a shuttle on campus would result, albeit indirectly, in many positive changes at Augusta State. He said it effectively makes the campus “bigger,” and would make the university more accessible to students.

Sens. Kyle Hodge and Anne Barrett Sessa said that they had surveyed students for a couple of weeks and had found that the students’ overall feelings of the plan were optimistic.

Hodge also pointed out that he also sought the opinion of some of his professors, and as a whole, they liked the plan.

Sen. Logan Hinton, SGA parliamentarian, said that he believed the plan was good, and if the senators really had the students’ interests in mind, the entire SGA would feel positively about the plan.

Sen. Keturah Jackson, an English major, said even though a few senators have surveyed a small sample of students, there needs to be more comprehensive research before the senate votes in the best interest of the student body.

“We have to keep our 6,000 students in mind,” Jackson said.

SGA Vice President Najhee Jackson, a political science major, is one of the opponents of the shuttle system, which he said only affects students who live at University Village. In the meantime, he said, students will be paying $154,000 per semester to satisfy the students who will take advantage of the system.

“If by next week we don’t get something passed, we will be seen as a do-nothing senate,” said Senate Chair Nate Patterson, a political science major, at the Nov. 14 meeting.

For the Nov. 21 meeting, the student body and faculty were invited to chime in on their concerns with the issue before the resolution was voted on. A representative from the Student Housing Board on campus showed the senate a petition signed by 600 students in favor of the shuttle system.

Among students’ concerns were how environmentally friendly the shuttle will be and if the shuttle will make stops anywhere other than university buildings. Eddie Howard, faculty adviser for SGA, responded by saying that students should make their comments to the Student Activities Committee, which will take them into consideration.

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Senegal trip to expand students’ horizons

Posted on 02 December 2008 by Latasha Schultz

In the spring, 10 students will get a chance to study abroad in Senegal.

The trip is slated for May 10-16, 2009.

After leaving Atlanta, the group will arrive in Paris on May 11 and will immediately leave for Dakar, Senegal.

On May 12, the group will arrive in Saly, Senegal.

For May 13-15, the group will have an opportunity to visit the SEED Academy.

SEEDS (Sports for Education and Economic Development) is a “non-profit organization committed to providing educational opportunities for youth, creating social awareness and encouraging economic development through the vehicle of sports.” According to the Web site, SEEDS is comprised of two components: the SEEDS Foundation and the SEEDS Academy.

The foundation focuses on serving the Senegalese communities, as well as, disadvantaged communities in the U.S. through various social initiatives, service projects and donations. The SEEDS Academy is an academic program which provides an environment that will spearhead growth and development of students through education.

“Study Abroad is an immensely important experience for students because it’s an opportunity to become part of another society, if only briefly,” said Richard Davis, associate professor of English.

Davis said the trip will be a great opportunity for students.

“These experiences, and others like them, change people forever,” Davis said.”(Students) see more clearly that the color of one’s skin, the detail of one’s religion, is unimportant. They learn to see that we’re all brothers and sisters and that prejudices and hatreds simply clog one’s spirit. Some would say I’m optimistic to attribute so much to an experience abroad, but my experience tells me otherwise.”

For any student who is interested in the Study Abroad program, visit www.aug/studyabroad or visit the Study Abroad office in Allgood Hall E133.

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Relaxation Station Day relieves stress for students

Posted on 02 December 2008 by Kathryn Soule

More than 200 students visited the Relaxation Station Day in the Jaguar Student Activities Center (JSAC) Breezeway to learn about stress management and to receive free chair massages from the Augusta School of Massage.

The Augusta State University Counseling Center hosted the event on Nov. 18, along with the Jaguar Student Activities Board.

Thanks to the Augusta School of Massage and the Counseling Center, 86 students, most who do not regularly receive massages, were able to enjoy a free chair massage. Students were also given the opportunity to talk with representatives from the counseling center about ways to identify and manage college stress.

“This is one of those key times during the semester when stress seems to very high,” said Shannon Stephens, counselor for Augusta State’s Counseling Center.

Stephens said the ultimate goal of the event was stress relief.

“We just wanted to provide the students something to help them manage their stress better – just have something that can help them take care of themselves,” Stephens said.

Some students said school is the chief reason for stress. Samantha Palmer, a communications major, said she received her first massage, courtesy of the event.

Both Augusta State students, as well as, students from the Augusta School of Massage were able to benefit from this event.

“It’s a win-win situation,” Stephens said. “The students at the Augusta School of the Massage, they need to practice too, so it was something good that they could offer for our students and that we could offer to their students.”

Along with the chair massages, another treat provided free to students was a three minute aqua massage, where students lie down on a massage bed machine and receive full-body, dry water massage therapy.

“These things are for real,” said Walt Coates, an Aqua Massage representative. “Ninety-nine percent of people truly enjoy the beds; it just makes a difference for you.”

Almost everyone who stopped by to receive a free chair massage also ventured over to try out the Aqua Massage beds.

“I feel pretty stress-free right now,” said Kristina Hawkins, an early childhood education major who had just stepped out of the Aqua Massage bed.

Relaxation Station Day has now become a tradition, according to Gishelle Raghunanan, Jaguar Activities Board traditions chair. Therefore, the students of Augusta State should look forward to seeing another event like this in the future.

“This is the first time there’s been something really that I’ve wanted to do,” Palmer said. “This is definitely something I’d like to see again.”

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Race for the Heisman comes down to the wire

Posted on 02 December 2008 by Wes Mayle

This time last year, Heisman voters were focused on two candidates who had separated themselves from the rest of the field: the eventual winner, sophomore University of Florida QB Tim Tebow, and University of Arkansas juggernaut and two-time runner-up Darren McFadden, a junior running back.

This year, the situation is a little bit more complicated. With Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree getting carted off during the Baylor game, it has come down to four candidates, who each have one crushing loss on their resume:

*Colt McCoy, junior QB, University of Texas.
He has done a little bit of everything for the Longhorns this season. According to ESPN.com, he is one of only three QBs in the nation who have passed for more than 3,000 yards and rushed for more than 500. What makes him an attractive pick for the Heisman is not just that; he also ranks first in the nation in completion percentage, with a hefty 77%. The only thing that’s stopping pundits from essentially already giving him the trophy is two things. For one, he couldn’t seal the deal on an undefeated season. With Texas’ 39-33 loss to fellow Heisman contender QB Graham Harrell and his Texas Tech Red Raiders, he needs some help from his competition to not only win this trophy, but also to get in the national title game and even the Big 12 title game.

*Graham Harrell, senior QB, Texas Tech.
Even though he is less heralded by some compared with his Big 12 QB counterparts, McCoy and Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford, he has shown he has gotten what it takes to take home the trophy. Sure, Texas Tech passes on nearly every play, but when you have a completion percentage of 70 percent, to go along with those gaudy passing statistics (he already has over 4,000 passing yards and over 40 passing TDs), and when you have led your team to a nearly flawless record, you deserve strong consideration. The problem for Harrell, which is also the problem with all three of the Big 12′s serious Heisman contenders, is that the conference has played what seems to be the toughest conference in college football. Unlike McCoy and Bradford, however, Harrell’s lone loss was an unadulterated beatdown at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners. Just like the others, he needs help not only to win this trophy, but to also get into both the Big 12 and national title game.

*Tim Tebow, junior QB, University of Florida.
The only time a player has ever won the Heisman twice in his collegiate career was in 1974/75 when Ohio State RB Archie Griffin made history. Tebow has a definite shot to repeat that success this year. Florida had an extremely rough schedule, and he has responded by leading the Gators to a 10-1 record. If he has a good performance against No. 1 ranked Alabama in the SEC title game, the award is his for the taking. He leads the SEC in passer rating, and he has only thrown two interceptions in 225 pass attempts. He is also the engineer of Florida’s vaunted spread offense. Whether it’s through the air or on the ground, it’s the Tim Tebow show.

*Sam Bradford, sophomore QB, Oklahoma University.
Bradford is at the top of ESPN.com’s “Heisman Watch.” He could very well be the second sophomore in a row to win the Heisman, which would be an impressive achievement considering the first ever sophomore to win the award was Tebow last year. He has been every bit as good as fellow Big 12 QBs McCoy and Harrell, and he was able to put some style points on the board with a blowout win against 12th ranked Oklahoma State last weekend. He has thrown for over 4,000 yards, over 40 TDs and only has six interceptions. The only blemish on both Bradford and OU’s season is a crushing 45-35 loss in the Red River Shootout against Texas.

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New parking lot should be finished by summer 2009

Posted on 02 December 2008 by Wes Mayle

To help alleviate the many parking problems on campus, a new parking lot is currently in the “final design” stage and should undergo construction by the beginning of spring semester.

The new parking lot will be located in the grassy area near the Jaguar Student Activities Center (JSAC), where all the construction equipment is currently being staged, according to Therese Rosier, assistant vice president for Physical Plant operations.

According to Rosier, the lot will have approximately 140 spaces and is expected to be finished by the beginning of the Summer 2009 semester.

She also said the new roadway that is being built in front of Washington Hall is near completion and will be finished by the end of the Fall 2008 semester.

Rosier said there has also been an issue recently with traffic around the loading dock area outside of the JSAC. Different traffic patterns will be in place starting in the last few weeks of the semester.

She said the changes are necessary to ensure students’ safety when walking either into or near the JSAC.

Many parking spaces are currently blocked off for construction around the Central Utilities Plant, but Rosier said these spaces will be open for use by the beginning of the Spring 2009 semester.

Some students are skeptical over how much of an impact the parking lot will have on the parking problems students face on campus.

“I think (building a new parking lot) is a start, but not an entire solution to the parking problems at Augusta State,” said Ben Marincic, a junior communications major.

The university is tackling the parking concerns students have in many ways, according to Rosier. A proposition was passed at the Nov. 21 SGA senate meeting which approved a shuttle system on campus. The system will affect parking in that less students at University Village are expected to drive if a shuttle will be making regular stops there.

The plan has been passed along to the Student Activities Committee, which will then be passed on to the Institutional Fees Committee. The last stop for the proposition will be Augusta State University President William A. Bloodworth Jr., who will give the final approval.

SGA President Andre Goodman, a senior political science major, said the parking problem as a whole is exaggerated.

“It depends on what you think the problem is,” he said. “Students complain about parking, but they really just want parking close to the building they are going to… Technically, we have plenty of parking after the first couple of weeks of fall semester.”

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Napoleon Cannon will be repaired

Posted on 02 December 2008 by Thereza Santelices

A rotting wooden carriage that holds an important part of history, the Napoleon Cannon, is being repaired.

Since the Napoleon Cannon was made during the Civil War, the condition of the wooden carriage that’s holding it is in need of reparation.

The cannon originally came from the North and was used by the Semple’s Artillery Battery for a battle during the Civil War. When it was announced that the war had ended, the battery surrendered four cannons to the Augusta Arsenal. Two cannons remained on campus, and the other two were sent to Ft. Gordon.

Kathy Schofe, director of Public Relations, is aware of the history of the cannon and said she understands its importance.

“It is extremely amazing that the four cannons remained in the same city and that Augusta State has two of them,” she said.

Schofe said she has always been fascinated with the university’s history. She said she thinks that having the cannon here is very important because it tells the story of an event which took place more than 150 years ago.

“We are extremely proud to have these two cannon in our possession,” she said.

The Napoleon Cannon is displayed right outside the Augusta Arsenal, near the Guardhouse museum. As for the other cannon, it is kept inside the Arsenal and will be featured soon, but there’s no exact date.

There are no exact details on when the wooden carriage will be fixed nor when the cannon will be displayed again.

For more information about the history of the Napoleon Cannon, as well as, the Semple’s Artillery Battery, visit the Guardhouse museum, which is open to the public.

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Loving from afar:

Posted on 02 December 2008 by Sherrod Harper

Some people may find it extremely hard to find that special person who makes them happy. However, it gets worse when you find that person and are later forced to move away.

No matter how close or far away your significant other may have moved, there are two main concerns: do we stay together and deal with the distance, or do we break up and meet new people? For most, the latter of the questions is totally not what they want. In the end, they choose to stay in the relationship.

Long distance relationships are caused by many things, but for most of us, they are the result of moving to another city to attend college. No matter if the distance is one hour, two hours or even sixteen hours, the distance and the absence of your significant other can make love extremely difficult.

But in the words of Thomas Haynes Bayly, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

The struggle to maintain a long distance relationship is no easy road. However, here are some tips that may be helpful in making the trip on that road run a little more smoothly:

1) Communication is the key: Because you do not see each other every day, there must be constant communication. This should be easy, considering the fact that most students have cell phones, e-mail addresses and the capabilities to find a pen and paper. Whether it’s 10 minutes or three hours, you’ll be thankful that you did.

2) Patience, patience, patience: Both you and your partner must realize that this is a journey you both decided to stay committed to and in order for you to make it to your destination, you’ll have to work together.

3) MONOGAMY: There are many temptations with on-campus living, class mates and friends but you must deny them. If you truly love the person you’re with, then you’ll deny yourself the opportunity to let more just your eye wonder.

4) Don’t stress it: The last thing that you want to do is stress the fact that you’re so far apart.

5) Dating from afar: Going to the movies on a Friday night isn’t as easy as it used to be when you’re in a long-distance relationship; therefore, you and your partner should agree on a movie to rent, sit back on the phone and watch it together. It’s just like a regular date but with a phone to your head.

Hopefully, your long-distance relationship can stand the test of time (and gas money).

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