Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 32

College of Idaho Online Magazine: Issue 1

The College of Idaho 2020


May 11. 2012

Journalism 400, Senior Project 2012

Issue 1

Table of Contents

C of I in 2020- 3

Campus Life- 4

Sports- 8

C of 2020 is this years senior project for the Journalism minor at the College. It is a collaborative work of our graduating seniors under the direction of our new C of I Online editor-in-chief Skylar Barsanti. She is following in the footsteps of two able editors, Emma George and Sam Sink, both helped on this project. We chose to look at the future of the college and decided collectively to interview students, administrators, faculty, staff, alumni and to illustrate the publication with scenes from campus. Our class drew up a series of journalistic questions that were given as questionnaire, in interviews both in person and online. The unscientific results contained in this C of 2020 create a kind of hazy snapshot of the future and a crisper view of the present. With changes in the air on our campusPEAK, football, the longer residency requirementthis spring seems an apt time to cast our collective thoughts and aspirations forward. We consider C of I 2020 a work in progress, a way to mine the present and sketch the road ahead. We intend to revisit this document oftento update the photographs, articles and projections. Virtually every writing teacher tells students to write what you know. That notion underpins this website and the corollary that no one can predict the future. We agree but nothing happens without taking a step forward. This is ours. Dear Students, Staff, General Public, and Anyone Else, Id like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the new C of I Online Magazine. In the next two years, I hope to recruit a staff to update te publication throughout the year. But on that note, Id like to clarify that C of I Online is in no way meant to undermine or overhadow the work of the Trail Yearbook and Coyote Newspaper. Right now, it is simply a senior project with the best of intentions, and with a little assistance and a lot of luck, maybe one day it can join the ranks of the College of Idahos other campus publiactions. Furthermore, Id like to point out that this is only a fraction of what the College of Idaho has to offer. Sadly, it i not a complete represenation of the campus community. So if you find yourself feeling left out, its nothing personal. We are still in somewhat of a learning stage. Ive enjoyed every last mintue of my time on this issue, and would finally like to thank everyone involved. To the graduating seniors who worked on the project, I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors . To every student and staff member who contributed to an interview or allowed us to photograph you, your cooperation was much appreciated. And finally, to the reader, wherever you are out there, traversing the Ether, whether youre actually reading this, or just looking at the pictures, thanks for sticking around. Sincerely, Skylar Barsanti Editor-in-Chief

Issue 1 C of I 2020, An Overview by Alan Minskoff

C of I 2020 Overview

International Perspective- 14

Science & Technology- 17

Faculty- 22

Scenes from C of I Photo Gallery- 24

Interviews- 35

Contributors- 60

Contact- 61

Issue 1

Issue 1 Caldwell in 2020


by Zach Kline

Campus Life

Campus Life
C of I in 2020 by Zach Kline . . . 5 PEAK: An Education for Life by Sophie Dresser . . . 6 PEAK Performance by Taber Subia . . . 7

How the city of Caldwell reacts to a projected student increase to 2,500 is an interesting dynamic to investigate. Currently, numerous establishments already offer discounts to students, student specials, and the like. Some of these specials include: Imeldas Taco Tuesday offered to students and faculty every day, Papa Johns offering students a 40% discount for carry-out pizzas, and the famous College Night offering $2.50 pitchers every Wednesday at the Dutch Goose. How would various businesses expand their student specials with more students? I spoke with two managers of the most popular College of Idaho spots, Imeldas and the Dutch Goose, regarding these rumors. Imeldas Mexican Food opened on May 31, 1993, and the little Mexican restaurant has never looked back. I spoke with none other than Imelda (owner of Imeldas, naturally), who stated that from the initial opening, Lots of families came in because it was graduation weekend, and at the time there were only about 500-600 students going to the college. Nineteen years later, Imeldas continues to be one of the most popular spots for students and staff to have a quick bite to eat in-between class. All those that who either work or go to the college can receive the Taco Tuesday special. I asked what would change in the event 2,500 students came to the college by 2020, and she said they would continue to offer student discounts on tacos and coffee, and became instantly excited when I mentioned the possibility of football coming to the college. It would be fantastic. In fact, we would consider staying open later on Saturdays for those students and others who attend the games. It would bring the town of Caldwell together, and all of these businesses would benefit greatly

from football. Every College of Idaho student knows what to expect with the Dutch Goose: cheap beer, pool and darts, and the vintage college-bar atmosphere. What many do not know is how committed the Dutch Goose is to students. We really want to work with the college, says Galin, manager of The Goose. Instead of focusing on how the college will look in 2020, Galin was more concerned about the current situation. Times are tough, she said, over the past few years our student popularity has really declined. This used to be the spot students would come throughout the week, and we are not sure why this has changed. Wednesdays have been the most popular days, as $.50 beers and wings are hard for any student to pass up. But Galin emphasized how much more The Goose is willing to work with C of I students. She mentioned some possible deals, which included holding beer pong tournaments, outside patio bands, and a buffetstyle luau specifically geared towards student desires. All we care about is to have fun. We want to have fun, you want to have fun, and we all want the students to have fun. We just need to know which days to hold these events. So if you guys can come together and let us know if which days would work for certain events, I can work to make sure we here at the Dutch Goose make that happen for you guys. There is no doubt an increase in students and the introduction of College of Idaho football would present a significant opportunity for businesses to cater to our students. Looking forward, it is hard to imagine anything but a livelier, more exciting college experience for current and future students alike. When each of us returns to the college in 2020, hopefully some of the rumored changes circulating today will have materialized, and future years at the College of Idaho will only continue to improve.

Issue 1 PEAKAn Education for Life by Sophie Dresser

Campus Life

Blood has noticed PEAK is attractive to high school college counselors are pushing students to consider C of I because of the unique opportunities presented by PEAK. In its second year, the newly designed PEAK curriculum Furthermore, Blood notes that PEAK attracts student at the College is already making waves both here on cam- whom otherwise would not be interested in a traditional pus and around the Northwest as one of the most innova- liberal arts degree. tive curricular structures at any liberal arts college. Drafted PEAK is definitely here to stay and it will continue primarily by College of Idaho professor, Robert Dayley, to make C of I distinguishable from other liberal arts the curriculum was officially launched in 2010, but is just schools in the West. Despite students initial reactions to now seeing an entire freshman class following the complications posed by taking on a PEAK degree as the program. PEAK is an acronym representa sophomore or junior, the program will soon be ing four, broad academic areas: Professional, streamlined and accepted by all incoming Ethical, Articulate and Knowledgeable. freshman that have never heard the These four areas hold a variety of majors words liberal arts core. As Rachel and programs, and each student is given Blood attests, PEAK will create a the choice where to focus. Students well-rounded, dynamic and marketpick three PEAKs to minor in and one able studentboth for their future emin which to major. The curriculum ployers, graduate programs and for life. is based on the notion that limiting them to one major or minor limits their adaptability in life following a career at C of I. PEAK takes away the meaningless task of checking off requirements for graduation, instead focusing on empowering college students to make decisions about their future and to explore academically, all while attaining the great education provided at C of I. The curriculum is already making big differences at C of I, noted specifically in the admissions department by Brian Bava, Dean of Enrollment. Bava explains, PEAK has really changed the conversation between parents and students, making college less of a scary notion to tackle as they now have the chance to explore before getting locked into a career or area of specialization. PEAK is opening doors for the new generation of Yotes, allowing them to study the things they love and create plans for the future further along in their academic venturesallowing them all the possibilities in the world. The program can be credited with attracting top-tier students to choose C of I over other liberal arts programs in the Northwest and beyond. PEAK allows for these dynamic students to specialize in many areas, for example art and the natural sciencesensuring that they will not have to sacrifice the opportunity to expand further in one area alone. Additionally, admissions counselor, Rachel

Issue 1 PEAK Performance by Taber Subia

Campus Life

The College of Idaho has recently implemented a new program, called PEAK that is a fresh take on the liberal arts curriculum. The program allows students to take their liberal arts core classes and apply them to four different Peaks so that they come out with one major and three minors or two majors and two minors. Students may choose their major and minors within the Four Peaks, which are Humanities/Fine Arts, Social Science/History, Natural Science/Math, and Professional Studies. This is all done within the same number of credit requirements as before, only now you walk away with more credentials. Incoming students are now required to participate in the program, and this could bring some changes to the college. Alumni Natalie Hamilton says of the PEAK program I graduated before the PEAK program was put into effect, so I know very little about its set-up and purpose. I think the concept is interesting. Allowing students to diversify their education has always been a key component of the College of Idaho and the PEAK program seems to allow for even greater exploration of several topics. The only pitfall may be that students are stretched so thin that they cant gain the knowledge they need in a single field to be competitive in the real world. One major and three minors is a lot to cram into four years. While many people support the PEAK program because of the idea that it will help you in the job market, alumni Samantha Sink who struggled with the market upon graduation doesnt know if that will be enough. The PEAK program is a definite benefit IF you are trying to get into graduate school. It makes you a better-rounded person if you have one major and three minors. However, the PEAK program will not benefit graduates in the job market. Currently, the job market is looking for EXPERIENCE. Jobs dont just want you

to have the degree; they want you to have the experience. If you want to go straight into the job field when you graduate, then by all means LEARN SPANISH! Make Spanish a part of your PEAK program. You can get any job you want (in Idaho) at least if you are a duallanguage speaker. Jobs would rather hire a person who didnt go to college, but can speak Spanish, than they would someone who went to college and doesnt know a second language. The program is still too new to fully know the benefits that it will have on graduates of the college, but will it have an effect on the campus? Professor Rochelle Johnson from the English Department says that the department may not have huge changes, mainly due to the fact that the bulk of the courses are FYS and lower level classes which all freshmen are still required to take. At this time, any changes that would be made due to expansion of the college are all dependent on the number of students that choose an English major or minor. If the demand in some departments goes up, would that change the sizes of the classes offered? Rochelle answered for me No, we have to keep the class sizes small because that is what the college is and has always been about. If a rise in demand occurred, more sections of a certain course would be offered to stop this from happening. We would hire more faculty to accommodate the number of students. Huge classes would also not allow us any time for grading, so the college wouldnt let this happen. The PEAK program appears to be beneficial to C of I students, without changing the culture that the college has worked so hard to attain.

Issue 1

Sports
Touchdown, Yotes by Kemp Smith. . . . 9 The Meaning of Football for C of I by Tommy Thuerer. . . . 10 An Interview with Jeff Liebman by Tommy Thuerer . . . 11 An Interview with Persident Henberg by Dorgham Abusalim. . . 12

Issue 1 Touchdown, Yotes by Kemp Smith

Sports

Athletics are an integral part of most American colleges and universities. The College of Idaho is no exception. In fact, our college might even qualify as taking this athletic incorporation to quite an elevated level. Correspondingly, over the past four years, I have been able to actively comprehend just how sizeable the studentathlete population is on this campus. I suspect that this will continue to be the case in the near future for C of I, and continue to the year 2020. As an athlete, I do not think that having such a large percentage of student-athletes on our campus is necessarily undesirable. However, I do think that the current situation that our college faces regarding the future of athletics will be telling. In particular, there is the rather controversial prospect of reinstituting the colleges football program. As many decisions to add or subtract sports at a collegiate level are generally met with a measured amount of dialogue, this current discussion over football is naturally polarizing. In surveying the interviews I gathered, as well as considering the many casual discussions, there seems to be a general split in how many students are for or against reinstating football. Several of those who are in opposition are rather uncomfortable with endangering the future of the college with this athletic add-on. Heidi Murphy, a student at C of I, suggested the focus ought to be placed elsewhere, such as the reestablishment of the schools traditionally firm academic standards.

In the pro-football crowd, there seems to be a singular, overarching notion that the possible benefits a football program could provide overshadow the risks associated with such an addition. Indeed, as can be seen from the profound effects that Boise States football program has had on that university, there is certainly some truth to this assertion. However, this type of success can largely be attributed to a winning and nationally recognized program, something that is clearly not guaranteed to happen at this college. In addition, it would seem logical that it is easier for a football program to strengthen an institutions financial standing on a D-I level where resources are more readily available. Yet, there many various advantages that C of I stands to gain if it can successfully integrate football into its landscape. C of Is newly appointed varsity swimming head coach, Christine Mabile, appreciates the fresh opportunities that a football program would provide for all athletic sports. When specifically asked about this potential addition, she observed that C of Is long-term athletic success and prestige ought to only increase as a result. The fundamental nature and future of our college may well hinge on the reintroduction of football that is currently being proposed. The importance of this decision cannot be overstated; those who are currently projecting this future are obligated to think critically about what they envision the college to be like in the year 2020. They should be legitimately convinced that this football route is indeed the best course of action, meanwhile responding to suitable criticisms of the plan. I am hopeful that this college will maintain its academic-first reputation in reflecting on the forthcoming nature of The College of Idaho.

ment, said Holly. Why would I want football? The only reason I want it is because it is the right thing to do. Many students choose the College of Idaho because of its tightPresident Marvin Hendberg unveiled the plans to rein- knit community, and they want to preserve this special cultroduce to football as a potential solution to the financial ture for future students. Holly is aware of these concerns, situation that the college currently finds itself in to the stu- and he wants students to realize that the administration dent body in early April. Many students showed concern at only has good intentions. I hear people say it will change the forum citing various reasons. How will football affect the culture, with punk jocks dominating the campus. If we hire the right coach who believes in the mission, who the culture on campus? Why dont we focus on improving the athletics that are already in place? Hendburg, along includes academic excellence and integrity, said Holly. If with Marty Holly and Paul Bennion stressed that with the we bring in a bad program with a bad coach then shame on correct head coach and staff, the football program would us. We love the college like you do and shame on us if that mesh well with the athletic department, and that new op- happens. As far as sports culture goes, Holly and Henberg portunities could arise for many students. The one thing feel as though football will bring more excitement and more diversity to the campus life. were determined to do is keep the classroom the same. This involved hiring the appropriate staff and faculty to ac- If the College of Idaho finds success in its quest to add football back into the athletic world, the benefits would be commodate the growing number of students. vast. John Thuerer, a psychology professor, has been at the The decision to add football, like everything else, is a financial strategy. Although Hendburg claimed the college C of I for twenty-five years. Although football had been is currently facing various stressors, this is by no means a gone from campus nearly a decade before he arrived at the College, Thuerer sees many potential benefits for both the crisis. But, there is urgency however, and football could provide the necessary income to support the endowment school and the community. Mike Safford, Director of Sports Information, played fund for future education. The endowment is a rather complex issue, which Hendburg emphasized that this was College Football at a high level while attending Pacific information is for our consideration and debate only. The Lutheran College. Located in Tacoma, Washington, PLU is a small liberal arts school, and Safford believes that football main purpose of the Colleges endowment fund is for subsidizing education. Essentially this fund serves as the C has the potential to enhance C of Is campus, which he was of Is savings account, and each year a percentage of the able to enjoy in his college experience. Besides the onmoney is used towards education innovations. But recently, field success he saw during his stint at PLU, Saffords head the College has been extracting money at an unsustainable coach developed a well-disciplined program, while engagpace that will drain the fund in ten to fifteen years. I knew ing the team in all aspects of the campus. We went to that when I took the job as president, we had to find a way chapel once a week. 150 guys walk into the chapel and our to lower our subsidizing. The endowment is for subsidiz- coach said that you would be in the front row. We would ing education, Hendberg said. It is to help subsidize for sing, said Safford. If there was a drama show, basketball, or soccer game, Coach would stop practice and have the current students, but we cannot deprive too much. Its a question of intergenerational fairness. One thing that is team line the sidelines and scream. In Saffords office, shelves filled with archives help ilimportant for everybody to realize, is that tuition from the student body does not come anywhere close to paying the lustrate the extensive history of football at the College of Idaho. Many current students are unaware that football College of Idahos tuition. It never has and it never will, at the C of I digs all the way back to the teens and twenand in this football-crazed society, which we inhabit, the ties. The program experienced its peak success during the administration felt as though this was the only option. fifties, and even won a bowl game in 1953. Quality teams Marty Holly, the athletic director at the College of carried the college through the 1960s, but a downturn of Idaho, is an avid basketball supporter, but he recognizes that something additional must be implemented in hopes the economy during the 1970s caused the football program to deteriorate. Much of the athletic department fell during to address the endowment situation. Im 66 years old. these tough times and football has been gone ever since. So I will be working here for another 4 years before retire-

Issue 1 The Meaning of Football for C of I by Tommy Thuerer

Sports

10

Issue 1

after nearly four decades, football will once again Even though the administration has emphasized that football is the solution, some students remains unconvinced. Jeff Leibman, a senior at the C of I, believes that the re-introduction of football at the school will have a negative impact on the student culture. Transferring from Linfield after his freshman year, Leibman experienced the football culture at a small school, and he sees this additional athletic establishment as a threat towards the academically-minded feeling of the current student body. The College has around 20 teams that offer scholarships and if you figure an average of 15 people per team, thats 300 students. Thats close to one out of three people on this campus so they already wield considerable clout regarding campus culture, Leibman explained. Another reason that Leibman opposes the idea of football because we must consider the type of people this barbaric sport will bring. While I dont like being judgmental, its hard to ignore how male athletes act in both high school college. If you liken the campus to an ecosystem, adding a football team would be like throwing in a bunch of unchecked apex predators into it, which I believe would result in a more of a pure party culture instead of the study hard, party harder culture we currently have. This was the case at Linfield and Im sure it would be the case here. Another aspect that needs attention with the football proposal is the facilities. What will it cost to bring our facilities up to date? In the year 2020, nobody can be sure what the campus will look life and how football has changed the student culture. Will the campus be overridden with selfish athletes as the way Leibman envisioned? Or will the common student be able watch students exit Boone after class and not know the difference between a football player and physics major like Safford sees? Maybe there will be a direct correlation between on the field success and in the classroom arrogance among the football players that the college recruits. The students who are still worried can hope for a low quality team that loses every game. No teacher at the College of Idaho will allow a bunch of losers any shortcuts in the academic world.

Sports

11

Reporter: Tommy Thuerer Subject: Jeff Leibman, Student


How do you think football will affect the student culture and why? I believe the re-introduction of football at the school will have a negative impact on the student culture for a couple of reasons. The first is purely numbers. The college has around 20 teams that offer scholarships and if you figure an average of about 15 people per team, thats 300 students. Thats close to 1 out of 3 people on this campus so they already wield considerable clout regarding campus culture. While Im unsure exactly how big of a football team they plan to recruit, I know from the year attended I Linfield College, a school of 2,000 that occupies a similar niche as a small liberal arts college in the Northwest, that there was roughly 100 kids on their football team. Even if C of I recruits 50 people for the team, that represents a not insignificant increase in the percentage and by extension, the clout that athletes will yield on this campus. Second, you have to factor in the kind of people that football will bring in. While I dont like being judgmental, its hard to ignore how Ive seen male athletes act in both high school and college. Its not without reason that theyre commonly stereotyped as brutes and dumb jocks in popular culture. My own experiences confirm that they are generally less intelligent, more disagreeable, less tolerant, overly confident, more aggressive, and more risk seeking than your average student. Most of these traits are pretty well correlated with high levels of testosterone, which is not surprising given high testosterone is largely responsible for their athletic prowess. If you liken the campus culture to an ecosystem, adding a football team would be like throwing in a bunch of unchecked apex predators into it, which I believe would result in a more of a pure party culture instead of the study hard, party harder culture that we currently have. This was the case at Linfield and Im sure it would be the case here. Something has to be done with the endowment fund and the administration has said that football was the only viable option. What do you think would be better? Spend it on improving the facilities on campus, academic scholarships, keeping the colleges finances sound, and maybe even securing a better location for the College of Idaho because lets face it, Caldwell is not an ideal college town and there is not much more space for expansion.

Issue 1

Sports

12

Issue 1

Sports

13

The schools finances arent in good enough shape to risk starting a football team that has a not insignificant chance of blowing up in their faces. Do you have any words on the facility plan and coordination of use? Im largely uninformed as to what the administrations plans are for these subjects, as I didnt attend their sham of a student forum, which didnt even influence the decision. What impacts do you see happening after the program is established? It has a good chance of irreparably damaging the schools already unsteady financial state and it will definitely lower academic standards and create a more troublesome campus environment. This institution is more known for its academics than its athletics (I dont think its a secret given the general lack of enthusiasm among the student body for our sporting events and the overall mediocre performance of our teams). We are not BSU, a football program here will not have the size to generate the buzz and revenues as intended, nor are we Linfield, with the prestige of a long, continuous legacy of good football teams that helps with the quality of recruiting. This program will not be worth the trouble and potential costs to get off the ground.

Reporter: Dorgham Abusalim Subject: Marv Henberg, President of the College of Idaho
What changes do you think the school needs? We reached the point where our physical plan is oversized, making me concerned with financial issues. In this regard, a change Id like to see is increased growth. Simultaneously, our qualitative advantages must be enhanced, especially our close student-faculty relations so it wont be disrupted by the foreseen growth. What do you think C of I will be like in 2020? How many students? What will the hot major be? Hot club/organization? Hot sport? I think Biology will continue to be a very strong major because we are in the midst of a biological revolution, igniting a greater frontier of knowledge and employment possibilities. Nonetheless, here at the College we have

twice as many History and Political Economy majors as the average Liberal Arts College, these majors will continue to be significant ones. Finally, I think Business will become more popular which means we need to work more on developing it. Ultimately, Id like see a balance of academia through our new PEAK curriculum As far as the hot club goes, I generally hope that our campus physical vigor will continue. We are home to many clubs and organizations. It is difficult to predict which club will attract the greatest attention. The hot sport will be Football should the Trustees endorse the proposal because it is culturally popular. It is difficult to imagine that the culture of Football in the U.S. will diminish. However, Im very pragmatic about our approach to athletics, particularly because of the way they shape our campus identity, which has been the subject of concern during student forums on the Football proposition. I think we will have 1,300 students by 2020. It is difficult to suggest a greater number because that would be adding more facilities, and by extension increasing our fixed costs. This figure is an estimate because an accurate figure demands greater attention to the general economic welfare of the country. What technology will be used by the students and faculty? I think we are behind the curve in this regard. Id like see greater integration of information technology on our campus. I think textbooks are going to disappear. However, we must keep in mind that while technology can enhance education, it cannot replace good teaching. Looking back in history, writing was an advanced technology in its own right; it was a means to an end, but not the essence of education. Ultimately, the goal is ensure that information technology is used to enhance the academic experience of two learners: the student and professor. What will campus look like, physically? Will campus expand? I do not foresee a big expansion because we are oversized, but campus facilities will undergo development. For instance, new library and gym facilities are already the subject of discussion. The library proposition is result of a gift that would help us establish a state of the art academic research and study facility. The gym development proposition, including an additional locker room,

is part of the Football proposal should it be endorsed by the Trustees. What will the residency requirement be? The residency requirement of three years will be maintained. Retention data clearly shows that students who live on campus do academically better than those who do not live on campus. Its a good thing to encourage. What role will sustainability approaches play? Im very impressed with the efforts of the Colleges Bon Appetite catering services and the students sustainability stewards. Theres space for improvement, so Id like to see greater activity and student involvement. What about national reputation of the college? Where will the students come from? For the time being, it is best to focus regionally. A country-wide approach requires four times the endowment we currently have. Ultimately, focusing on our

regional reputation sustains our special advantages and qualities. Additionally, emphasizing that we are located in the Northwest, a very desirable location for many students, is an important point that assesses in our regional efforts. Our students will come from mainly the Northwest. Simultaneously, Id like the College to sustain its robust and diverse international student body, and seek greater local enrollment from minority groups. Will PEAK persist? What about new departments and diversified faculty? I think it is time to consider additions to our interdisciplinary minors through PEAK. The program appeals to students because it grants them more autonomy, discipline, and academic depth. With such vigor, I think PEAK will be with us for a long time.

The hot sport will be Football should the Trustees endorse the proposal because it is culturally popular... Im very pragmatic about our approach to athletics, particularly because of the way they shape our campus identity, which has been the subject of concern during student forums on the Football proposition. -President Henberg

Issue 1

14

International Perspective
A Global College by Dorgham Abusalim. . . . 15

Issue 1 A Global College by Dorgham Abusalim

International Perspective

15

In 2006 The College of Idaho was home to only six international students. Today, nearly 100 international students from 46 countries comprising more than nine percent of the student body call the College home. This transformation brought several changes, and is likely to continue shaping the College. The internationalization of C of I has been a result of the Colleges partnership with the Davis UWC Scholars Program (DUWCSP). Founded by philanthropist Shelby Davis, the DUWCSP promotes multiculturalism and international education across 92 colleges nationwide. C of I is one of four major Northwestern liberal arts colleges, and is home to the greatest number of Davis UWC scholars in the Intermountain West. Since the inception of the partnership, C of I prioritized the mission of internationalization. The College became home to vibrant International Student Organization (ISO) and Davis Scholars Club. These additions strengthened the role of the Multicultural Affairs Department in campus affairs, known for its instrumental role in assuring local diversity through the recruitment of local Hispanic students and establishing the Association of Latino American Students (ALAS). These organizations are the sole contributors to campus-wide international events such as the annual International Food Festival and Cultural Shows, bringing a taste of diversity to the College community. Additionally, ISO has engineered many fundraising events towards worthy causes. The Davis Scholars Club took an academically oriented approach, and provided the Global Issue Forums, where international students may present, discuss, or debate a global issue of interest. International students also bring unique perspectives to the classroom, aiding in the enhancement of student understanding of many academic subjects. These changes reflect the Colleges ambition and dedication to producing worldly students

in and outside the classroom. While the international student body attests to an excellent academic and social experience here at C of I, their aspirations for what the College may be like in 2020 hint at an even more ambitious vision for the College. While international students come prepared with internationally established academic background, there are exceptional cases where English language seems to be a weakness. In 2020, it is hoped for that C of I would accommodate pre-college English language programs in the summer time preceding the beginning of the academic year in the Fall. This way international students would be able adjust, settle down more smoothly, and sharpen their English language. With increased student diversity, diversification of faculty is becoming an evident aspiration. In 2020, international students, and some faculty, hope to see the College become home to more faculty with diverse experiential backgrounds. This would complement the student body diversity and bring worldly education more closely to the classroom. A related aspiration of international students and relevant faculty is the addition of academic majors and minors. Middle Eastern, North African, and Sub Sa-

Issue 1

International Perspective

16

Issue 1

haran African studies, as well as the study of more eastern languages and religions are amongst the many academic additions foreseen for the College in 2020. Similarly, because the Colleges diversity is a dynamic component of campus life, it is necessary that local students are prepared to engage with international students. The Multicultural Affairs Department hopes to see awareness of multicultural affairs become integrated in the academic course work of the College, requiring incoming Freshman to take a course in a similar fashion to the First Year Seminar. Beyond these academic aspirations for the College, international students also noted space for institutional improvement across administrative offices such as the Business Office and Residence Life. Because Freshman international students arrive to campus earlier, it is vital that these offices make arrangements in a timely manner so that the students registration and ID cards can be issued once they are here. Further support for local initiatives outreaching to the community and the Treasure Valley is also anticipated in 2020. International students would like to see efficient transportation and greater cooperation between the College and City of Caldwell regarding arrangements for establishing and using public transportation. A consistent difficulty that continues to be the subject of discussion has been trans-

portation. The contributions international students have provided to the Colleges close-knit community have a potential to include the greater community and Treasure Valley. Many international students come with background in social service projects and would like to lend their help to those in need across the Valley. Limited C of I transportation assistance causes these ambitions to be met with disappointment. Finally, employment opportunities for many international students have been a major challenge. Because international students are legally constrained from working off-campus, there only venue for income is by pursuing on-campus employment, which continues to be minimal. It is hoped for that C of I would expand international student employment opportunities beyond the few available opportunities and Work-Study regulations. This matter has been the subject of heated discussion because many international students receive sizeable financial refunds from their scholarships. Largely, however, these refunds are used to purchase books and school materials, flights should the students decide to go home for the summer, or for arranging summer housing. Clearly, internationalizing campus has been a dynamic experience with its ups and downs. Theres no doubt, however, that the gains continue to be realized, and that the potential for more improvements exists.

Science & Technology


An Interview with Dr. Scott Truksa by Emma George. . . . 18 An Interview with Dr. Sara Heggland by Emma George . . . Marketing Technology with Dustin Wunderlich by Sophie Dresser . . . 20 The Future of Environmental Studies by Tommy Thuerer . . . 21

17

20

18 Science & Technology Issue 1 cases in the front will change. There will be some small An Interview with Dr. Scott Truksa, Professor of changes to rooms. I think they will be more suited for Chemistry 30-40 student capacity than they are now. by Emma George

Issue 1

Science & Technology

19

Whats your favorite aspect about the sciences at C of I? Interactions with students. I also like the variety of things you get to do. I really enjoy instrumentation like the NMR, IR, and telescope. I just really like to work with those. What can be improved in the sciences? A lot of things could be potentially improved. Some things will happen in the Boone Phase II remodel. I dont know about big changes, but lab space and lab design could be improved. The organization in the chemistry department like the inventory needs improvement, but that takes time. We have a lot of space issues. NNU donated a gas chromatographer, and we actually have a spot to put it, but theres no power outlet there. I would also like more equipment. That would give students more experience in working with instruments and learning techniques. They would at least know a little about the equipment if they needed to work with one later on in life. Right now, when you log on to a computer for the first time, it says, Building your desktop. It takes forever to build a desktop even though I dont have anything on the computer! I am working on setting up a desktop that would transfer from computer to computer on campus so when you logged into different computers, the same desktop set up would appear. Thats called bioinformatics, and its part of what I work on at the school. Theres no ability to move from one desktop to desktop. In 2020, what will have changed in the sciences? Not much. In Chemistry, most of the changes will be in the curriculum, but thats always changing. Not much will change as far as the building itself. Hopefully, the display

Enrollment may increase by one hundred or so students, but I dont think that will change too much either. If enrollment really goes up, there will have to be more faculty hired. There is the prospect of a new library, and if that happens there would be a physical change on campus. The old library may be used as the natural history museum. The museum really needs to get out of the basement of Boone. It would be nice to move the rocks too, and that would open up a couple of classrooms. However, the rocks are nice for the people who visit the planetarium to look at too. How have the students changed over the years (attitudes, work ethic, etc.) and do you see any trends that would carry on to 2020? I asked my grad school advisor this exact same question. This is what he said. [Truksa points his thumb down and sticks out his tongue. Then he starts to laugh.] It made me feel real good about being a student right then. Over the last 15 years, little has changed. One thing I have noticed is that people dont understand the lab things well. They dont know how to move things. This may be because (and this is anecdotal since I dont have any evidence for it) no one cooks anymore. Theres no experience with measuring cups, pans and all that cooking equipment. Maybe everyone uses a microwave now. I am impressed with the students work ethic and the general ethics of the campus community. Ill leave a calculator by accident, and go back the next day, and its still there. What kind of technology will there be? Who knows? One thing that most people wont notice the actual technology changing, will be better battery technology. The fuel cell or whatever will last for days. We will no longer need connections for long periods of

time. I wonder when people will just say enough, go into a revolt. Theres a constant connectivity and I wonder when everyone will have enough. Maybe therell be a national Turn Off Day. I would like to get an XRF that reads out anything heavier than Fluorine and tells you everything in the sample. It takes pictures and colors the density of elements. A pocket sized one would be nice also. Traditions in 2020? Pi Day will still be around. No one will know where to keep the chain. They should make the rings out of plastic and start to loop the chain around the outside of Boone. This year is the Ninth annual Pi Day. There will also always be people at the Boone table. Organic chemistry will be one of the hardest classes offered, although analytical physics will insist they are the hardest class. I hope the midnight breakfast comes back despite the negative reputation it has. Prediction is difficult, especially about the future. Yogi Berra, baseball catcher Subject: Dr. Lynda Danielson, Professor of Mathematics Whats your favorite aspect about the sciences at C of I? Teaching in general. I enjoy both the material and students. Im grateful Boone was remodeled; its more professional now. Im glad to see that the chalk boards survived. What can be improved in math and the sciences? The building could be better designed with more contemporary classrooms that accommodate students. Better built for learning and interacting with more technology and white boards. Big tables with computers, better technology in the classroom, computer science group work. Its called inquiry based (IB) learning. Students learn better when they discover the material. I believe the material sticks better. In 2020, what will have changed in math? Right now, there is no math computer science major, but we just hired our first computer science teacher. We need another one, but itd be based on student involvement and interest. A civil or mechanical engineering degree would be ideal for students who want to apply mathematics. The program would require lots of money, facilities and lab space. But Carol College did it, and theyre also a smaller school.

What Boonie traditions will still be around? Pi Day for sure. This is the Ninth annual Pi Day. There are 1,482 links so I wonder how many links there will be in eight years? After a few quick calculations: I predict approximately 4,000. The chain fills up half a refrigerator box. Hopefully the Boone Table will also survive. The planetarium should also become more modernized, but its expensive to maintain. What kind of technology will there be? On-time surveys will be more popular. It helps with student involvement because it emphasizes misunderstanding in the course work. I like to integrate power point with the iPad. Textbooks are not as easy to navigate compared to an answer on an iPhone. I believe the iPhone will be part of class. What would be the coolest thing to add to Boone? I would like to see more physical computer labs and a student lounge. The Boone Table is crowded. We need more natural light and it would be nice to have a coffee shop with soup.

Science & Technology Issue 1 Marketing Technology with Dustin An Interview with Dr. Sara Heggland, Professor Wunderlich of Biology by Sophie Dresser by Emma George
What can be improved in the sciences? I just want comfortable chairs, so we can do what we do best. Teach science. No round metal stools or leaking roof. I have a great research lab, but I want the full remodel done. That way we can teach and learn in the lab with the right equipment, furniture, and lighting that makes a good learning environment. In 2020, what will have changed in the sciences? I believe its feasible by 2020. The College has made the science building a priority. The first remodel was good, but we can do better. PEAK will attract quality students and it will be attractive for science students especially from a more national scene. It is a distinctive program that enriches the culture. Students have more opportunities to do research thanks to professors like Luke Daniels who specializes in neurobiology and Katie Divine who provides research opportunities in physics. Since 2003, there have been $5 million in grants for science. I want to see it continue. Money makes money and science is expensive. What Boonie traditions will still be around? Close interactions between students and faculty will continue. More remodeling will provide more open space and encourage gatherings. Space facilitates interdisciplinary learning. What kind of technology will there be? Theres a place for technology in learning, but it can go overboard. I like the face- to- face interactions with students. Stop by my office and lets talk. Space is a part of interactions and it encourages conversation.

20

Issue 1 The Future of Environmental Studies by Tommy Thuerer

Science & Technology

21

What media outlets does the College seek to expand its marketing program to in the coming years? Recently I have noticed C of I ads in local newspapers and magazines as well as Pandora Online Radio. We have a great story to tell about The College of Idaho and there are a variety of media outlets that we need to tell that story in whether thats through advertising or news coverage. As you note, weve recently placed C of I ads in the Idaho Statesman, Treasure Magazine, Idaho Press-Tribune and the Idaho Business Review and just concluded a pilot campaign on Pandora. We also are in the midst of a pilot campaign running ads in some Treasure Valley high school newspapers where we have drawn students and have the potential to draw more students who want the type of experience the C of I offers. On occasion we have done media sponsorships through Boise State Public Radio and run TV spots during the C of I-NNU basketball games. We will continue to explore new advertising opportunities in print, radio, television and online media in the future. Our goal with all of these opportunities is to increase the reputation and recognition of The College of Idaho, especially among prospective students who are a good fit for our campus. It is also important to keep in mind that paid advertising works in conjunction with our efforts to gain coverage to the College and the great things our students, faculty and alumni are doing. A lot of our work focuses on encouraging media to cover C of I stories, such as Professor Hegglands research with students on cadmium toxicity, that show how The College of Idaho prepares students to thrive whatever they choose to do. See full interview, Interview 47

During the spring semester of 2012, a dozen students completed their environmental studies degree, a substantial increase from eight the previous year. The professors of the department have shown a great deal of enthusiasm as many young people are now entering college with growing concerns of exponential population growth and global sustainability. As the environmental impacts of humans continue to accumulate, The College of Idaho, along with many other institutions, will likely see their environmental programs expand in order to accommodate growing demands from students. Chris Walser has been teaching biology and environmental science at the College since 2000, and he emphasized the need to expand the department to fit the growing number of students needs. I see the ES program growing over the next decade at a faster rate than other programs. With continued growth we will need to hire 2 additional ES faculty, one with a focus in earth sciences and the other in ecological economies, said Walser. Besides expanding the department itself, Walser hopes to see some specific changes on the C of Is campus facilities in order to promote efficient use of its energy. I would love to see the college invest more in renewable energies, particularly in the use of solar panels. As for student life, The College of Idaho has already established a program that allows selected individuals to live in the Eco Gaia, or earth mother, and help promote sustainability on campus and in the community. Many students refer to this house as the sustainability house. Only two people are chosen from the

application process, and every year it seems to become a bit more competitive to fill the spots. Challis Cates, a sophomore at the College of Idaho, explained his role as a sustainability steward this year. We are responsible for sustaining the campus garden, which is located on campus behind Simplot. We did a field day at Van Buren Elementary School, which is an impoverished area. So one of our main goals is to form a connection between that school and the C of I at a very young age, Cates explained. We did a lot of sustainability themed activities. We did a low carbon and local cooking events among a series of Earth Day activities. Although Cates will not be a sustainability steward next year, he describes his opportunity as a transformative experience. It has changed the way I see environmentalism. We are figuring how to function with a budget. The greatest strength and weakness of the program is that it is so dynamic, but I think we are working that out and striving to find equilibrium. Despite the fact that only two students will be selected by res life to live in the sustainability house, Cates emphasized that people who truly wants to make a difference must find a way to get involved in his or her own way. It is a common misconception that the sustainability stewards are supposed to help everybody else on campus achieves sustainability. Its up to the individual to decide what venue he or she strives to make a difference. The options are endless. In the fall semester of 2012, Rahul Sarma and Natasha Rooney will take command of the sustainability house, and continue to raise awareness in the community.

Issue 1

22

Faculty
Archival Crystal Ball by Jan Boles. . . . 23

Issue 1 Archival Crystal Ball: 2020 Predictions by Jan Boles, Archivist

Faculty

23

Gazing into a crystal ball borrowed from the Evans Gem and Mineral collections, I foresee: First, PEAK program deniers will wave the white feather after the entire 2020 freshman class is inducted into Phi Beta Kappa at the close of orientation. Second, the Chair of Judaic Studies will be the flagship discipline in a new endowed division that includes chairs of Muslim, Buddhist, Daoist, and Agnostic Studies. The Buddhist chair will be a split appointment in that the professor will also work for Bon Apptit as a kosher chef. Third, the C of I football team, under the inspired direction of a Zen Buddhist coach hired in 2014, will win its third consecutive national championship. BSU will ask to be released from its contractual agreement to play the Yotes footballers through 2025, invoking the mercy rule. The Yotes ZB coachs perennial winning strategy [sending opponents koans such as, Where does your ass go, after you kiss it goodbye?] proves to be inscrutable. However, the ZB coach incurs the wrath of the English faculty for dubious use of the comma. ZB coach heaps fuel on flames by replying, Really, nothing is better than winning. Alumni and other donors, delirious with victory, ignore this intellectual kerfuffle and pour millions of dollars into the endowment fund, thereby assuring the C of Is long sought financial stability. Finally, continuing its long tradition of off-campus

studies, the C of I will make national headlines by being the only four-year institution of higher learning to have an intern included on the nations first manned expedition to Mars.

Issue 1

24

Scenes from C of I
Archives . . . 25 Art. . . . 26 Athletics . . . 27 Blatchley . . . 28 Boone . . . 29 McCain . . . 30 Simplot . . . 31 Students & Staff . . . 32 Misc . . .

Issue 1

Scenes from C of I: Archives

25

34

Issue 1

Scenes from C of I: Art

26

Issue 1

Scences from C of I: Athletics

27

Issue 1

Scenes from C of I: Blatchley

28

Issue 1

Scenes from C of I: Boone

29

Issue 1

Scenes from C of I: McCain Student Center

30

Issue 1

Scenes from C of I: Simplot Dining Hall

31

Issue 1

Scenes from C of I: Students & Staff

32

Issue 1

Scenes from C of I: Students & Staff

33

Issue 1

Scenes from C of I: Misc

34

Issue 1

35

Interviews
Alumni . . . 36 Natalie . . .
Jake McClean . . .

38 Current Students . . . 40 Tyler Stagg . . . 40


Samantha Sink . . . Meghan Strong, Tamara Wheeler, Diego Gomez . . . Jeff Liebman . . . 42 Zach Shenk . . .

37

36

40

Makenzie Ellsworth, Andrew Heikkila, Miranda Palacio . . . 43 Joe Pickett, Nate Mitchell, Kyle, Laura Barbur . . . 46 Faculty . . . 48

45

Arnold Hernandez . . . 48

Jasper LiCalzi . . . 55 Lourdes Matsumoto . . . Rachel Blood . . . 57 Robert Dayley . . . 58

49 Dali Islam . . . 50
Brian Bava . . . Jen Nelson . . . 53

56

Dustin Wunderlich . . . 51 Garth Claassen . . . 52 John Thuerer . . . 54

Rochelle Johnson . . . 59

Issue 1

Alumni Interviews

36

Issue 1 Reporter: Dorgham Abusalim Subject: Natalie, Alumna

Alumni Interviews

37

Reporter: Dorgham Abusalim Subject: Jake McCleen, Alumni Class of 2006


What changes do you think the school needs? On the administrative side we currently have long term financial issues, so we got to increase the amount of our annual financial endowment, which would depend on how much increase in the student body will we have. I think the current goal is to accommodate 1,200 students. Many have expressed their concerns about what such an increase would do to the College culture, but it wont change the culture. I was a student during a time when the College witnessed a similar surge in the student body, and it has not harmed our culture. With that in mind, we definitely need more faculty to keep the student-faculty ratio small. Such changes also depend on the extent to which the College establishes new programs that might attract further interest by incoming faculty and students. What do you think C of I will be like in 2020? I agree with the goal that we need about 1200 students. I think theres a good chance that a football program will be established here, which would account for 100 more students. I think we will maintain quality education. Im hoping that by 2020 we will have consistent marketing strategies, which will help our reputation. Such innovative changes are likely because the College has a history of leading change. For instance, when I was here, the Basketball program was improved as well as our digital media facilities. The College simply reflects the times in which it finds itself, and right now I can see a similar round of changes. What technology will be used by the students and faculty? I think tablets are definitely the way that we are heading. Ultimately, there will be classes where digital tools add to the value of learning. So, the more our College is adaptable to such changes the better Of course, digital tools will not outpace traditional academic learning processes, so there will be exceptions. Id like to see something like the iTunes features and podcasts, allowing professors to share their lectures with the students. What will Greek life look like? When I was a student here, I noticed that Greek life has a cyclical trend, with such organizations have their ups and downs. This trend continues today, so I dont expect much change. It depends on whos involved in the Greek societies, and what kind of leadership might they possess.

How will campus look like, physically? I think we will see renovations of older dorms such as Finney, Anderson and Voorhees. Also, theres potential to see newer buildings modeled after the Village apartments, which would be enough to accommodate the expected increase in the student body. I hope that new dorms will be built, too. A possible change would concern the Activities Center, especially with the possibility of having a Football program. The locker room is likely to expand and be more accommodating of the needs of the program, as well as the College community at large. Lastly, it is always a possibility that we can purchase more property in town that would be designated as a particular facility or campusowned housing. What will be the national reputation of C of I? Generally, I hope our admission and recruitment will expand. But, before going national, we must focus regionally. Our marketing plays a crucial role in such matters, as well as the message we are sending to prospective students. Internationally, I remember by the time I graduated we only had six international students, seeing the increase in the international student body and the benefits it brought to our campus makes it very important for us to sustain our international students admission and recruitment. Will PEAK persist? I think PEAK will last as an idea, but it might be modified. PEAK reflects what our students have been doing for years. For instance, I graduated with a double major. Additionally, PEAK not only provides a well-rounded education, but it also helps our marketing. What will the status of International Alumni be? Over time, I think the Alumni Relations Office will be more innovative in terms of hosting regional events for our international alumni. In fact, currently theres some talk about having our first official international reception in China in conjunction with the upcoming POE China trip this summer. So, I can foresee measures taken that would accommodate the desire of maintaining relations with our international alumni. Which student traditions will continue? For all the right reasons, there are certain traditions that you simply cannot get rid of. However, it is always good to see new traditions emerge over time. I hope to see a resurgence in the tradition of our Homecoming events with more student involvement.

are stretched so thin that they cant gain the knowledge they need in a single field to be competitive in the real world. 1 major and 3 minors is a lot to cram into 4 years (3 years). Do you feel that the education you received gave you a How well do you feel that the College of Idaho more competitive edge in the job field or the masters prepared you for either a job search or graduate application process? school acceptance? I am in a pretty non-traditional masters program where After leaving the college, I did not feel at all premost of the students are middle-aged entering back into pared to search for a job in the fields that I had education for the first time in 20 years. I can easily say that I received degrees. Aside from pursuing a PHD, I was am one of the most prepared students in the class in terms not sure what I could do with a history major besides of academics and mentally being able to handle the stress of teach. As for my IPE major, I felt as though I had a the program. I guess that would mean my education at C of I lot of theoretical knowledge of politics but very little gave me a competitive edge. I dont really feel like the rest of practical knowledge for a job. It would have been my class is much to compete against though. nice to have a little direction for where IPE or history students tend to look for jobs after graduation. I think What changes did you notice with the college throughout your four years there? In terms of expansion, that might have been why I decided to pursue teachchanges to academics, changes in tuition, etc.? ing. It was always my fallback plan and upon graduaThe College was only beginning to make changes towards tion, I was pretty confused as to what to do next. Since the end of my time there. They did update some of the I wasnt sold on entering politics and I wasnt really interested in spending another 6 years working towards dorms and re-open Simplot but I never directly benefitted a PHD in history, I decided to get my masters in teach- from any of the expansion projects. The little store in Mcing. After being in the Masters in teaching program for Cain was opened when I was a senior but at that point I had a year now, I am glad I had so little direction after col- already moved off campus. During my senior year there was lege. I love teaching and the College of Idaho prepared talk about the PEAK program but I never really paid attention to any of the discussions because I wasnt going to be me for the rigors of a masters level program. impacted by the changes. As far as I can remember, things If you are attending a graduate program, how were pretty stagnant during my time at the College. And the well do you feel the college prepared you for the course work? If you are working, how well pre- library was old and smelled bad. Basically, I think I got the worse end because all the good changes happened after I left. pared do you feel for the work you are doing? The work I am expected to complete in my masters Do you still have involvement with the college, and if so, program is easy in comparison to the work I had to do have you noticed changes since you have left there? I dont have much involvement with the college aside from at C of I. My writing skills are much better than most people in my classes and I am able to handle the stress advising KKG. After the first two years of college, I didnt of taking multiple classes at once. I have never felt un- have much time to be involved with campus life. I was very derprepared at any point during my masters program. active in the sorority but didnt participate in much else on campus. What is your opinion of the new PEAK program, and do you feel this will help or hurt future gradu- Have you heard of the colleges plans to expand to upwards of 5,000 students by 2020? ates of the college? They will raise tuition, expand the school, and add more I graduated before the PEAK program was put into sports/activities. As a graduate of the college, what do you effect so I know very little about its set-up and purthink on hearing this and what do you think the positives/ pose. I think the concept is interesting. Allowing students to diversify their education has always been a key negatives will be for graduates of the changed college? I think thats great that they want to expand but Im not component of the College of Idaho and the PEAK sure where they plan on putting 5,000 students. They are program seems to allow for even greater exploration of several topics. The only pitfall may be that students going to need a serious amount of land to put in enough

dorms to house that many students. New faculty will need to be hired and new classes will have to be created. To attract that many students to Caldwell, ID, the College is going to need to have some pretty good incentives in place for potential students. By adding sports teams (football?) students will probably have more school spirit and loyalty to the college even after graduation. More loyalty means more money being donated by alumni that actually have some attachment to the school. A larger school also means more credibility behind the degrees being issued. If the college can build its reputation, that can only mean positive things for future graduates seeking a job or post-grad education.

Issue 1

Alumni Interviews

38

Reporter: Taber Subia Subject: Samantha Sink, Alumna


How well do you feel that the College of Idaho prepared you for either a job search or graduate school acceptance? The College of Idaho focuses on helping students search for a job. The CEL Dept. offered workshops on writing resumes. However, I didnt use any of those resources. I got outside help. I had a lawyer look over my resume and help me edit it. Then, I read a book on how to interview well. The College of Idaho degree does look great on resumes and my experiences at college helped me get my job too. But as for preparation in the job search, I didnt use those resources. As for graduate school applications and acceptance, I think there is never enough preparation. I mean graduate school applications are tedious, confusing, long, and brutal. The CEL had very useful information and resources regarding this on Moodle. I used these resources. They were helpful, yet there are some parts of the graduate school application that I didnt get near as much help on as I would have liked such as GRE preparation and writing my statement of commitment letter. The College of Idaho did give me a great faculty to work with. These professors have been through graduate school and could enlighten me on the process, and give me advice on do this and dont do that. These professors were my biggest supporters in preparing me for graduate school and graduate school applications. If you are attending a graduate program, how well

do you feel the college prepared you for the course work? If you are working, how well prepared do you feel for the work you are doing? I feel really prepared for the work I am doing. The College of Idaho gave me the experience I needed in order to work in a Technology Dept. Also college writing classes, and my editorship at college, has helped me to get a job too. Many employees are looking for people who can write, spell correctly, and use grammar correctly too. As for graduate school, although I am not in it until next semester, I already feel prepared thanks to The College of Idaho. The College of Idaho blessed me with very educated professors who were willing to help me accomplish my goals. They gave me a big workload and I learned time management; they gave me deadlines and I met them; they taught me how to research and write well; they taught me what to expect at graduate school. What is your opinion of the new PEAK program, and do you feel this will help or hurt future graduates of the college? The PEAK program is a definite benefit IF you are trying to get into graduate school. It makes you a more wellrounded person if you have one major and three minors. However, the PEAK program will not benefit graduates in the job market. Currently, the job market is looking for EXPERIENCE. Jobs arent just wanting you to have the degree; they want you to have the experience. If you want to go straight into the job field when you graduate, then by all means LEARN SPANISH! Make Spanish apart of your PEAK program. You can get any job you want (in Idaho) at least if you are a dual-language speaker. Jobs would rather hire a person who didnt go to college, but can speak spanish, than they would someone who went to college and doesnt know a second language. Do you feel that the education you recieved gave you a more competitive edge in the job field or the masters application process? I feel that Idahoans in general are very confused on what The College of Idaho is. You MUST put on your resume that The College of Idaho is a PRIVATE, Liberal Arts college. If not, truly people think it is just another college. I really had to drive that hard in all of my interviews. I had to elaborate on the education I received and how it is different, better, and way more unique than graduating from BSU. I personally feel that yes, The College of Idaho did give me a more competitive edge in the job field. I feel

this way because I loved my experience at The College of Idaho and I wouldnt trade for any other experience or college. I know I am more knowledgeable about the world, academics, and even things not in my field of study because I attended and studied at The College of Idaho. The knowledge I gained while at The College of Idaho has made me more competitive. I can just tell when I talk to people at my job that my knowledge level (if there is such a thing) is way higher than theirs. Im not trying to be boastful. But truly, College of Idaho graduates are much smarter than your everyday people you will find in the work place. The College of Idaho challenged me intellectually. The professors helped with that. Not just in the classroom, but outside of it too--through conversations with them. Conversations in the workplace just arent the same as they are at The College of Idaho. What changes did you notice with the college throughout your four years there? In terms of expansion, changes to academics, changes in tuition, etc. I noticed 1. The name change. It was my first year of college when the college changed its name from Albertson College of Idaho to The College of Idaho. 2. The Oasis. 3. Tuition. Tuition increased every year I was there. 4. PEAK. 5. Student Senate. Senate changed a lot in my senior year. It felt like senate became an oligarchy in the sense that a few managed the many. This was highly stressed when senate made a sub-committee to choose the next Editor-in-Chief of the paper. 6. Boone. It looks and smells much better. 7. Dorm Upgrades: Hayman and Simplot. Im really happy that the college was able to reopen Simplot. This means that more students could attend C of I and be housed. 8. Attendance Rises. I think this wasnt the best choice. I liked the communal atmosphere that The College of Idaho provided. By enrollment increasing over 1,000 this means lots of change for the college, some good and some bad. Good: more organizations on campus, more students learning at CofI, more incoming money. Bad: Average GPA goes down. Subsequently, our school ranking goes down. Thus, our school prestige takes a hit too. Do you still have involvement with the college, and if so, have you noticed changes since you have left there?

Issue 1

Alumni Interviews

39

Yes, I am still involved with the college. I volunteer in the Archives Dept. The only change Ive noticed is the new intranet site for the college. Ive had to work closely with this because I update and make new online pages for the Archives. The new website looks great and is more interactive, but Im just not sure why it was necessary and what all the benefits are. Have you heard of the colleges plans to expand to upwards of 5,000 students by 2020? They will raise tuition, expand the school, and add more sports/ activities. As a graduate of the college, what do you think on hearing this and what do you think the positives/negatives will be for graduates of the changed college? I havent heard of this goal. As an alumna, this is sad to hear. I loved the communal aspect of the college and being able to know almost everyone on campus--or at least my graduating class. More sports shouldnt be our goal. The College of Idaho has always been known for its academics. Why go and change that now? The first thing I thought of when hearing that the school was going to expand in students, tuition, and sports, it made me think: BSU. I dont want The College of Idaho to become BSU in any way, or even a mini-BSU. Lets keep ourselves unique. I think every part of this plan is negative. The only positive would be that college is making more money. Money is not a positive at all; The College of Idaho has always taught that knowledge is worth more.

Issue 1 Reporter: Tommy Thuerer Subject: Tyler Stagg, Student

Student Interviews

What changes does the college of Idaho need? The student body needs more organized events to get the kids involved. They need to work on promoting a more normal relaxed feeling on the weekend. Getting the students together more often would help limit the cliques that naturally form at this small school. Also, getting the average student interested in the athletic teams would help unify the people that come from many different backgrounds. How many students will there be? 2,500 would be ideal. It would still have that small community feeling but you will always be able to meet new faces. What will the Hot Major be? Sciences will continue to be important, and Im sure that the business department will continue to grow. What will the technology be like in 2020? Hopefully the classrooms will have more interactive materials, more opportunity to discuss the material on the Internet. This could go a long way in replacing simple power points, which often are used to fill the class time. What will the Greek life be like in 2020? It will still be pretty similar. People will pay for friendship as their main way to get comfortable at the College of Idaho. The sororities will gain more influence and recognition, which they are lacking of now. They will be allowed to have a house and have a say in campus events. I could see the Greek system get expanded, and it would probably be a good thing. I really dont know for sure though. How will the campus look? Generally the same. It seems like constructing new building is always important so Im sure that will continue. I think the dorms are due for a remodel in the near future, but I think the campus will still be very recognizable in seven or eight years. Whats the national reputation going to look like? Well, there will be more alumni who mean more opportunities for the graduate students, but I doubt the change will be very drastic. It seems like the College has a pretty decent reputation presently. Where will the students come from? Mostly local and the west coast, which I believe is the majority of kids now. Im sure the international program will be maintained if not expanded upon. This program really helps promote diversity on campus and it really ben-

efits everybody in this globalized world we live in today. Will PEAK persist? As a senior I really have no clue. My guess would be no though, because it seems like most people dont like being told what they must do. What student traditions will remain? Hopefully spring fling will stick around because that the most fun the student body has all year. Bowling night is in great jeopardy, as we dont have many bowling alleys left as options. As long as students keep things under control, which is highly unlikely, thinks should be fine. Will the campus survive the zombie apocalypse? No. Too many nerds. The athletes are all too cocky and into themselves to survive the horde. Plus, I am the zombie slaying prodigy, the chosen one. I fear no man, dead or alive. So the campus would be fine if the horde arrived now, but unfortunately I will not be present to protect the people in 2020.

40

Reporter: Chelsea Larsen

The next eight years of College of Idaho life will undoubtedly hold drastic changes. Think back to 2004 when internet speed and connectivity were not nearly as efficient as now; when sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Gmail were still on the undercurrent of mainstream networking; When Ipods, video blogs, Bluetooth, and camera phones were not yet common or even popular. Today all of these futuristic commodities are so readily obtainable that we seem to be running out of ideas of how to make life any more convenient. But the possibilities are endless. As far as the future of CofI, opinions differ, but most will agree that things will be different. What changes do you think C of I needs in the next decade? Meghan Strong, Art Major, Student: Bring back the pub in McCain. One of the main reasons I came to The College of Idaho was because it was a wet campus. Tamara Wheeler, Anthropology/Sociology Major, Student: The Anderson Dormitory needs to be renovated. The bathrooms are so nasty. Diego Gomez, Art Major, International Student, Student: more interaction between the local students, Mexican-American community, international students, faculty, and staff. A better art department would attract a better artistic community.

How many students do you think will be attending C of I in 2020? Meghan: 2,000-2,500 Tamara: 3,000 Diego: If Caldwell continues to grow it may become more like another Boise which would attract more students. 2,000-2,500 What will they be studying, what will be the hot major? All agree that the hot majors will be in the sciences. Meghan: Computer or Health sciences because are looking more and more towards the future and what fields will continue to advance to be sustainable. Tamara: Environmental Studies is already growing. Diego: The language department will definitely grow as foreign studies and communication become more admirable. If they renovate the Art department many students will come! What will be the technology that they use in 2020? All agree that looking eight years into the future of technology if difficult given the advancements there have been in only the last decade. Meghan: I have no idea, honestly. There could be a more advancements or some huge setback. You never know. Diego: We will see amazing stuff. Our campus will probably upgrade to more practical equipment for students to use, but its hard to say with what equipment exactly. What will Greek life be like? Meghan: They have moved away from partying in the last few years. They will never be really crazy like the Greek life on bigger campuses. Tamara: I dont think it will ever be huge. I think it will stay about how it is now because we dont have room as it is to house more Greeks. Diego: The tradition of sororities and fraternities will still be around, they might even get crazier. What traditions will still be around? Spring Fling, Winter Fest, and the International Food Festival were all considered to be long-lasting traditions at CofI. Meghan and Tamara: Bowling night- not many alleys in the area that will tolerate us anymore, Finney fun run, Keg Races, will all disappear. Diego: If the student population grows more traditions will be introduced and others will disappear. Most will probably stick around, though.

Issue 1

Student Interviews

41

What will physically be different on campus in 2020? Meghan: The insides of most or all buildings will be renovated and technologically updated. Tamara: Besides renovations to Anderson and possibly Voorhees and Finney, nothing will physically change about the campus. Dieg: There will be more dorm space. They will expand the buildings to have bigger and more classroom space. What will the national reputation of the College be in 2020? Meghan: Up there; it already is. Tamara: It will go up unless we turn our focus more towards sports than academics, which is what may happen with the reintroduction of a football team. Diego: It will keep moving up the scale. It is already becoming more and more famous. But its up to the students of today to determine what kind of recognition CofI will receive in the next decade. Where will the students come from? Tamara: Its getting harder to travel these days so it will depend on what direction that goes and if its economically more convenient to study locally or abroad. Diego: Students will come from all over the world! Americans will be travelling away while more internationals will come to study here. Will PEAK survive? Meghan: No. If it does, cool. Tamara: The LAC is already challenging and wellrounded enough. PEAK is a good idea, but probably wont last. Diego: Yeah, I think so. How much will it cost to attend school here? Meghan and Tamara: Between 30,000 and 35,000 per year. Its definitely going to boost. Diego: Tuition will lower as we receive more private financial donations. What will be the hot sport on campus? Meghan: If football comes back, there will be a dumber student populace and more partying among the athletes, so they will all be hot. Tamara: Bowling! All the other sports on campus are already hot because its such a small school. Diego: By 2020 we will most likely have a football team, but baseball, basketball, and volleyball will also be

Issue 1

hot. What will be the most popular clubs on campus, and why? Meghan and Tamara: International Student Organization because we recruit more international students every year and it gets more and more popular to be involved. Diego: Outdoor Program will still be really big and ISO as well. Will our campus expand? What role will sustainability play in the expansion? Meghan: They will probably expand campus housing at least and introduce more sustainable living alternatives as the campus becomes more modernized. Tamara: Everyone who has spare time will involve themselves in promoting and practicing sustainability, but the problem may be the same then as it is now, having enough time. Diego: Yes, they should build more facilities in the open spaces around campus and out into the areas where they have student houses now, then buy other houses in the surrounding blocks. Will our campus survive the zombie apocalypse? Meghan: No. All of the students who would have survived will have graduated by then. Those still around will be too scared to know how to handle the zombies. Tamara: I want to know why there were no questions about the professors of 2020. They are an important part of the future of CofI. Diego: Yes. The campus is small enough that we could shut out the zombies pretty easily. I cant even get into any building without my ID card. We have a good security system. Such rapid advancements in American culture particularly affect those who are connected to the mainstream, those who are generally tied into the system. Although college students havent quite grounded themselves into the workings of society, they will be the ones whose involvement in our technological culture matters the most. The way college campuses in America, and all over the world for that matter, adapt to these advancements and strive to keep students up-to-speed will determine how their students progress as future leaders of a professional society.

Student Interviews

42

Reporter: Tommy Thuerer Subject: Jeff Liebman, Student


What changes does the College of Idaho need? They need to make a strong effort for hiring good young faculty. A lot of the staff is nearing the retirement stages, and I think young teachers should be a top priority. Other than that I dont see mush that must be done. How many students will there be? Less than 1,300. I dont believe that the campus could support much more than that given its current financial situation. A lot must change if the campus hopes to support 2,000 plus students. What will be the hot major? Biology will not be going away. Growing demand for jobs in stem cell research will keep the bio department busy. Other science, math, and technical majors will continue to grow as well. What will technology be like in 2020? You will see people using technology at a much more constant rate than we witness today. The school will need to find a way during class hours to keep students tuned in to the lesson. Attention spans will continue to decrease as technology advances. Teachers will have to adapt to the changing times if they want to remain successful and influential. What will the Greek life be like? I really have no idea on this one. I would have to say it will be pretty similar to what it is right now. I cant see the Greek system expanding on a campus such as ours. How will the campus look? I could see some minor superficial changes and repairs occurring during the next eight years. The will probably want to re-do Anderson and Finney, but who knows exactly when those projects will take place? What will the national reputation be like? I bet the reputation will only improve, but I really dont know. They seem to be recruiting more academically minded individual in the younger classes, so by 2020 these students could begin to start influencing the reputation for the better. Where will the students come from? Mostly from small town Idaho and the Northwest region in general. The best students from small Idaho high schools are often attracted to the College of Idaho. I think

Issue 1

there is a motivation to have a diverse campus so the international program will likely be expanded during the upcoming years. Will PEAK persist? No. I bet the college will see a decline in enrollment after the word gets out and people begin to figure out what this PEAK program is all about. What student traditions will continue? All of them will remain, except for bowling night of course. On some drunken Wednesday night in the near future, I predict that we will piss off the final bowling alley. Will the campus survive the zombie apocalypse? No. Caldwell is pretty populated, and will not be easy to defend. All the students here would panic instead of plan. Nobody here has the necessary gun skill or even adequate fighting skills. This campus would be quickly lost in the early hours of the zombie apocalypse, particularly if I am not around.

Student Interviews

43

Reporter: Sophie Dresser Subject: Makenzie Ellsworth, Student


What changes do you think C of I needs in the next decade? It needs to be cheaper! How many students do you think will be attending in 2020? 5,000. President Henberg sure thinks we need to get a lot more students in the upcoming years. What will they be studying, what will be the hot major? I believe Political Science will be the hot major! What will be the technology that they use in 2020? I think everything will just continue to be more computer-based (i.e. homework assignments, lectures, etc) What will Greek life be like? A lot bigger and I think the sororities might get to have their own houses. What traditions will still be around? Spring Fling and Spring Formal better still be around!! What will physically be different on campus in 2020? I know there will be a new library right by Hayman and I think there will be some more dorm/apt buildings built for the larger student population to live in.

What will the national reputation of the College be in 2020? We Work Hard and We Play hard! Where will the students come from? I really dont know, probably rich kids from the east because they will be the only ones who can afford to go here! Will PEAK survive? I sure hope not, I think its stupid, but I think that by 2020 it probably will still be around. How much will it cost to attend school here? Probably like $30,000 a year. So depressing to think about. What will be the hot sport on campus? I am going to say Volleyball. What will be the most popular clubs on campus, and why? Probably Program Council and the Greek organization clubs because they always have the coolest people in them! Will our campus expand? What role will sustainability play in the expansion? I definitely think our campus will expand. I think sustainabilitys role will continue to expand as well. I think the college wants to be known for its sustainability practices in the future. Will our campus survive the zombie apocalypse? I think the C of I campus will be well prepared beings we practice and anticipate for the Zombie Apocalypse on a regular basis.

Subject: Andrew Heikkila, Student


What changes do you think C of I needs in the next decade? None. No football, no raise in tuition. None. How many students do you think will be attending in 2020? Hopefully right around 1,000. What will they be studying, what will be the hot major? Biology, that one will always be popular because people will always be getting sickhowever, nanotechnology is on the rise, so biochemistry AND programming may be on the rise.

What will be the technology that they use in 2020? Nanotechnology will be huge. What will Greek life be like? The same as now. What traditions will still be around? Finney Fun Run, Toga, Spring Fling. What will physically be different on campus in 2020? Renovated buildings possibly. What will the national reputation of the College be in 2020? Same as now. Where will the students come from? There are fields, Neo, endless fields where students are no longer born. We are grown. Will PEAK survive? Yes. How much will it cost to attend school here? $40,000 a year. What will be the hot sport on campus? This will remain the same. Maybe boxing? What will be the most popular clubs on campus, and why? Environmental clubs, because our environment needs saving. Will our campus expand? What role will sustainability play in the expansion? We will not, I hope. Will our campus survive the zombie apocalypse? Nobody will survive the zombie apocalypse. In all actuality, however, we do have a better chance of overcoming the zombie apocalypse here because there are so many rednecks with guns, myself included.

Issue 1

Student Interviews

44

Subject: Miranda Palacio, Student


What changes do you think C of I needs in the next decade? Probably to care more about the financial status of the students. Requiring that we live on campus for at least three years is absurd. There is no way in hell that the cost of living in the dorms is just as expensive as living off campus. How many students do you think will be attending in 2020? Probably still around 1,000, give or take 200. What will they be studying, what will be the hot

major? POE or IPE because our generations are going to have to pick up the mess that the previous generation has left us. What will be the technology that they use in 2020? With every student and their her suddenly being able to afford an iPad after claiming that shes broke, Im sure by then there will be some sort of contact lens that immediately downloads all our textbooks into our brains, which honestly would be kind of cool and less weight to carry in my backpack. What will Greek life be like? It will probably stay small, maybe increase by about 15%. What traditions will still be around? Parties, Finney Fun Run, Mud Volleyball and Spring Fling. What will physically be different on campus in 2020? By the way theyre remodeling everything to seduce prospective students into coming to our school, theyll probably build a lavish castle in the quad that houses the Yotie Dragon. Im just hoping for more benches and better outdoor tables. What will the national reputation of the College be in 2020? One thing I do respect this school for is its academic integrity. I think well still be repping a smarty-pants school. Where will the students come from? I bet well get a higher influx of international students, but mostly will still come from local areas around Idaho. Will PEAK survive? Probably. How much will it cost to attend school here? More than it does now. What will be the hot sport on campus? I think our volleyball team will still be strong, hopefully basketball gets a little better. Will our campus expand? What role will sustainability play in the expansion? I definitely think our campus will expand. I think sustainabilitys role will continue to expand as well. I think the college wants to be known for its sustainability practices in the future. With the new plans for the

library, Im sure our campus will continue to expand. I hope that our campus still strives to leave a small carbon footprint and maintain its sustainable efforts. Will our campus survive the zombie apocalypse? No way in hell. We have too many activists that will try to protest the apocalypse. Im just assuming a protest against zombies has never worked out. We have too many granolas on this campus. Theyll probably try to befriend the zombies and share their weed, but zombies dont appreciate friendships, nor do they support smoking. Then we have the students who claim to be classy, last I heard there is no Class in the words apocalypse or zombie. In the end zombies want brains and only brains. If Im around on campus if/when the zombie apocalypse occurs Im teaming up with the outdoor program. They know how to survive in the forest and probably carry around a ton of pocket knives. Ive also always wanted to try bear meat.

Issue 1

Student Interviews

45

Reporter: Tommy Thuerer Subject: Zach Shenk, Student


What changes does the College of Idaho need? The McCall trip is a good tool for the freshman, but I think there could be more events to get us exposed to the whole campus. We could see whats going on with the upper classmen. This is one way to make the freshman experience more comfortable and able to be familiar with the community. How many students will there be in 2020? Probably 2000 or so. Im not aware of the colleges future agenda, but I feel like adding some new faces to the campus would benefit everybody. What will be the hot major? I would guess science will continue to attract many people, but the political economy looks like another good option. Its hard to say, but 2020 isnt too far away really. What will the technology be like? Im sure the technology will be very upscale by 2020. More interactive devices will be available for students. I can see the Kindle becoming more common as people look for ways to save on their textbooks every semester. Who knows, maybe everybody will have a personal iPad or something. Technology is moving fast. What will the Greek life be like in 2020?

Pretty similar, Im not currently very familiar with all of the clubs. Maybe the Greek system will expand, especially if the number of students increases. How will the campus be different? I could see a few new buildings. It seems like improving existing structures as well as adding on is a high priority for college campus. I guess this is dependent on many factors but I could see some renovations in the next five years. I think some of those dorms could use a re-model. A new dorm would actually be a very good investment, especially if they are trying to keep us living on campus for three years. What will the national reputation be like? I think it will be more recognized, even though its doing well now. I really have no idea though. Most people back home in Utah are not familiar with the College of Idaho. Where will the students come from? I bet the college will continue to attract good students mainly from in Idaho. The international program is a great aspect of this school and hopefully that gets expanded if not maintained. Will the PEAK program persist? I would guess that the PEAK program will persist, even though I dont like it a whole lot. It seems like a great idea for those students who know exactly what they. I am 18 right now and I want a bit more time to figure out the direction I want to take. I see the good side to PEAK as it makes kids explore different areas and maybe get out of their comfort zone. It will make graduating in four years difficult for a lot of students, as the PEAK schedule has us very busy every semester. It just doesnt give me enough time to get my feet set, but this is all just my personal experience, Im sure other people feel differently. What student traditions will remain? Spring fling and winter fest are critical to the party atmosphere of this school, even though I have not experienced the spring shenanigans yet. I bet bowling night will be a privilege that will become lost down the road due to drunken recklessness. Will the campus survive the zombie apocalypse? I cant see a small liberal arts school in Caldwell, Idaho surviving the apocalypse. But then again, this is Idaho so maybe [in 2020] all the students carry guns in their backpacks.

Issue 1 Reporter: Emma George Subject: Joe Pickett, Student

Student Interviews

46

Issue 1

Whats your favorite aspect about the sciences at C of I? Teachers. All the teachers in all the science departments are the best in Idaho. They put down anything to help you. I also like the small class sizes. What can be improved in the sciences? More classes should be offered. I know this is a small school, but if they could offer more advanced math and physics classes, that would be great. Another physics teacher would also help. In 2020, what will have changed in the sciences? They will have hired a computer programming teacher and there will be a computer programming major, not just a minor like right now. That way students wont have to transfer and they can finish their degree here. Analytical math will become more popular. Also, a general interest in math and science will increase because people will realize how important it is. There will be some job security that goes with those kinds of majors. What Boonie traditions will still be around? Pi Day is not going anywhere. The Boone table will still be around. The people at the Boone table will still be kicking out non-Boonies. What kind of technology will there be? I dont want to see chalkboards replaced. However, theres a technology coming out that allows students to have an iPad-like device at their desk that displays their work on a SmartBoard. I hope that doesnt happen because I like the group work that you do together with other classmates on the black board. I dont want that connection between students to be lost. What will be the hot science major? Physics What would be the coolest thing to add to Boone? A giant statue of [Professor]Lockspeech standing with his hands on his hips with chalk dust everywhere. Somewhere near the Boone table would be the most fitting location for the statue.

Subject: Nate Mitchell, Student


Whats your favorite aspect about the sciences at C

of I? Professors. They are very sociable, friendly, and outgoing. I also like the new paint color in Boone. Its not as depressing as the old color before the remodel. The new chairs are also great. What can be improved in the sciences? They are understaffed right now. They need more professors, more qualified teachers in order to teach more classes to help with scheduling conflicts. Due to scheduling conflicts, its impossible to take some classes that you really need to take or want to take. There also need to be more females in the hard sciences like math, physics, and chemistry. A geology program would also be good to add. In 2020, what will have changed in the sciences? The student labs will be new. Right now, theyre lacking equipment, functional equipment that is. Students also need more availability to equipment. What Boonie traditions will still be around? The name Boonies will still be here. All night Organic Chemistry (O Chem) parties will be going on. The Boone table wont move. Segregation between each science department in Boone will still exist. Each department thinks theyre the best. What kind of technology will there be? I think technology like what Dadabay is using right now will be more popular. Everyone in class has a clicker, and when she asks a multiple choice question on her power point, each student picks an answer. Then, the percentage of each answer picked by students is given to show what the majority of the class thinks is the right answer. This allows every student to answer the question and gives the teacher an idea of how well the students are learning the material. What will be the hot science major? Biology. Its the largest major right now. Hopefully, an engineering program will develop. The math/physics major will also grow. What would be the coolest thing to add to Boone? Ive been saying this forever! They need to add dorms to the roof of Boone or attach them to one of the sides. Its every Boonies wet dream. That way you would never have to leave Boone. You would go from class straight to bed. They would also need to add something like The Den to Boone so that everything a Boonie would need is right there. They would be self

sustainable. It would be the best science social atmosphere. They also need to add speakers to every room. That way you could plug them into Pandora or an iPod and rage. Speakers in the lab would be the best.

Student Interviews

47

Subject: Laura Barbur, Student


Whats your favorite aspect about the sciences at C of I? I love the ecology thats taught here. You look under the surface of scenes that you normally overlook. The location of C of I is also close to unique ecosystems so field trips allow you to apply what you learned in class to the field. What can be improved in the sciences? Students need more access to the science resources like the herbarium and the natural history museum. If more students knew about them, then the more they could be used for research and other projects. In 2020, what will have changed in the sciences? They will have added a field station somewhere in the Owyhee Mountains. There will be a chance to study there for an entire semester to conduct research. What Boonie traditions will still be around? There will still be sleeping in the lounge before a hard test. The math people will give you evil looks as you walk by Boone Table. The my-major-is-better-than-your-major attitude will still be around too. What kind of technology will there be? Indestructible GPS What will be the hot science major? Environmental Studies of course. Conservation biology major will also be popular because someone must save the polar bears. Well, actually, I think the polar bears are screwed.

In 2020, what will have changed in the sciences? I think theyll pretty much be the same. What they will be learning will have changed because science is changing so fast. In neurobiology we are learning about two-year old material in class. The material wasnt in our text book, but it will be soon. What Boonie traditions will still be around? People in Boone will always be busy. They never run out of things to do. What kind of technology will there be? There will be better microscopes. We will also have more high tech equipment because over time the new equipment becomes cheaper. That way we can have better learning tools. What will be the hot science major? Biology/Chemistry major. There will always be a need for better health care that as science people, we hope to provide. An engineering program may also develop. America is falling behind in that area. Computer science will also grow. What would be the coolest thing to add to Boone? Another lab. That way we could get more grant money, more student research, and more lab toys.

Subject: Kyle, Student


Whats your favorite aspect about the sciences at C of I? I love the hands on primary research. The upper division level classes teach advanced lab skills that can be used in grad schools and jobs. What can be improved in the sciences? I cant really think of anything that needs to be improved. Sorry.

48 Issue 1 Faculty Interviews international student body, I think it will constitute a major Reporter: Dorgham Abusalim Subject: Arnold Hernandez, Director of the Multicul- part of the increase in student body, which would help this department grow. tural Affairs Department

Issue 1 Reporter: Dorgham Abusalim Subject: Brian Bava, Dean of Admissions

Faculty Interviews

49

What changes do you think the school needs? Academically, Id like to see Multicultural Affairs become more integrated. For instance, a minor in multicultural affairs awareness that is required for the Freshman class. This way, more integration across our diverse student body can happen from early on. Ultimately, multicultural affairs need to be formalized academically, which I think fits well with our new PEAK curriculum. Another change is space for large events. Particularly, I think it would be great if we have more space to have events inclusive of the College and greater community. We used to have such space at Hendren Hall Also, I have noticed more diversity on the board, but it could be more diversified. Our student body, as well as the Caldwell community, is diverse. Having members representing such diversity would contribute to the board. I think increased sensitivity training for some of our staff would serve our students better. Finally, transportation is a major limitation to many of our students who wish to be more involved in the greater Caldwell community as well as the Valley. I think the College and the City of Caldwell need to figure out how to do a better job with transportation. Along the same lines of assessing with student opportunities, we need to figure out better jobs for international students and opportunities such as campus employment and internships. What do you think C of I will be like in 2020? How many students? What will the hot major be? Hot Club? Hot Sport? Tuition will dictate how well do, which I think will increase. This means that the College needs to find more revenue. With that said, over time, I can foresee the College becoming more accessible across countries through offering online courses. The student body is probably going to increase up to 1,400 students on campus, in addition to the online students should that take place. Whether it is in the classrooms, residential halls, or general infrastructure, I think our campus is going to expand. Regarding the

I think the hot sport will continue to be basketball. However, if football becomes a reality on our campus, I think it will contribute to demographic changes, which would make it a significant sport. The hot major will be International Business because any time you start involving greater diversity, and with the world at our fingertips, its difficult to avoid internationally rounded academic majors such as international business and political economy. The hot club will be the one reflecting the times in which wed live. Our department is beginning to expand and grow. Seeing that Idaho is a Republican-driven state, I think the young politicians on our campus at the time will be heavily involved. What technology will be used by the students and faculty? I dont think well be using books and papers. With the chance that the College will have to accommodate distant learning, technology will have to keep up. How will campus look like, physically? As I mentioned, campus is likely to expand. However, it will be more green oriented to save more energy. What will be the national reputation of C of I? We have a good product here at the College, but we havent been able to sell it in New York for instance. Branding here has been an issue. Many people do not know the College of Idaho. I think we are close to figuring out an effective way of marketing our College. The other thing we should be considerate of is the cost, and how will that impact our enrollment. Will PEAK persist? I understand how PEAK is supposed to work, but if we are going to keep with the times, then I think it should reflect upcoming possibilities such as online learning. But, its too soon to judge. First-generation recruitment? This is always going to be a hot topic because its impact many cultures. Almost 90% of our Association of Latino Americano Students (ALAS) students are first generation. Parents are beginning to understand how important it is to send their children to the College, especially with how good of an education and support our College has to offer.

What changes do you think the school needs regarding the international student body? One change could be enhancing our English as a second language program, because currently theres an opportunity to enhance it. Mainly, our English as a second language programming should be more accommodating and flexible. For instance, Id like to see us have a summer English program that prepares international students who need assistance for the fall semester. Besides such changes, I dont think Id do anything differently in terms of the support the College offers to our international student body. International/diversified faculty? International faculty is very difficult to attract and to hire. I think the best scenario would be using Fulbright scholars assistance by bringing them into our classrooms. I would say, however, that as more diversity develops here, we have more opportunities for expanding our academic diversity. For instance, a vastly diverse area of studies is eastern languages and religions. Ultimately, the establishment of diverse academia depends on the interest of students, and whether we have qualified faculty to teach in those areas. What do you think C of I will be like in 2020 regarding its international student body? My hope is that we maintain what we have now, although the overall percentage, currently at approximately 10%, might not stay the same. It is difficult to have more than a hundred international students with one recruiter at work, which is currently the case. Regarding the Davis UWC Scholars Program the priority is to maintain 40 fulltime Davis scholars on campus, otherwise it would be difficult to attract students because having less than 40 of them impacts the financial assistance negatively. We are fortunate to have that partnership, without which our mission of internationalizing campus would not have been as successful. I dont know whether we can dramatically increase our international students body a whole lot with our existing pool of applicants and resources. My goal is to maintain the 10%, remember in 2005 we only had six international students. Currently we have a hundred, about 50% of whom are Davis UWC scholars. Id like to maintain such balance between the Davis UWC scholars

and the non-Davis UWC international students. I think this keeps our mission intact and accommodating of an expanded international recruitment and support on campus. Lastly, beyond our partnership with the Davis UWC Scholar Program and other channels of international recruitment, I hope that more avenues of international recruitment would be established. What will be the national reputation of C of I? The goal is to grow more in terms of out-of-state recruitment. Ideally, what Id like to see is 10% international, 60% local, and 30% from out-of-state. But, without investing a lot of money, it would be very difficult to recruit students east of Colorado. Our targets have been to go after students in states where there is a larger percentage of students leaving given state. Also, we should enhance our attraction measures for farther prospective students on the east coast. Will PEAK persist? My impression of PEAK is that students who are academically oriented get it, but students who do not think that way see its value once they experience it. I hope it will be sustained and it remains unique. The challenge of international students would be with those who have not done the IB, because they come from backgrounds that do not have as much flexibility. So, theyll have to get used to the idea of flexibility and multiple disciplines. I think PEAK will benefit students; it is a promising program. How much will attending C of I cost? Invariably costs go up, but at some point theres a ceiling. I do not know how much the cost increase will be. But Id like to see that our scholarships for international students remain compatible with the increase of costs. Ideally, the difference between the scholarship and the cost would be evened out. What will be the hot sport? Im not sure. But currently the athletic program that gives us the most exposure is volleyball. What about Football? I think football, if adopted, gives us an opportunity to attract students that we do not otherwise attract. I also think that it gives us free marketing and advertisement, which is an indirect bonus. And remember football is seasonal, so I think other sports will continue to be strong. Our focus on Football will not be the same as BSUs. I think football would be a big deal for us dur-

ing the fall, so other seasonal sports that have a strong tradition on campus will have their share of attention, too. What will be the popular club, and why? In 2020 I would like to see that our global perspective on campus has been enhanced, whether that is done by the Davis Scholars Club, International Student Organization, or a club that is yet to be formed. Id like to see our domestic students more engaged in international issues. I want to see a bigger interest in whats happening beyond their home town. I want the students not to be apathetic, but caring and passionate about causes whether global or local. What will the residency requirement be and what impact does it have on international students? I think its easy sometimes for international students to spend time together rather than integrating fully with domestic students. Once students live off campus it harms integration. So the requirement is positive. That being said I think we have a pretty reasonable petition process. Plus, I think ResLife will work on having processes where student accommodations reflect their standing at the College more effectively. Lastly, it totally depends on what the size of our student body will be.

Issue 1

Faculty Interviews

50

Reporter: Dorgham Abusalim Subject: Dali Islam, Associate Professor of English; Chair of the Department of English
What changes do you think the school needs? I believe the college needs a more diverse faculty body. To me, a diverse faculty body is fundamentally important because we want our students to receive a well-rounded education with as many different points of view as possible. Everything else seems fine. I think we have a very nice campus, and that our staff members are absolutely wonderful. I hope that the college continues to attract such a dedicated and hard-working staff. What do you think C of I will be like in 2020? I see flying cars! The campus is becoming relatively paperless because we already started moving towards accommodating students who wish to use e-books. I believe that the college will attract more international students.

Hot sport? Because our college seems to always be in a financial crunch, it is difficult to tell whats coming up in terms of our athletic programs. For instance, I hope that the proposed football program generates greater revenue. Along the way, we must be diligent about maintaining our academic integrity. Im not sure if football or another sport will become the next hot sport. In any case, I trust the administration when they say that they are not going to promote athletics at the expense of academics. Hot club? I think that the hot club is going to be whatever the college culture promotes. It all depends on whatever is the focus on campus. Hot major? Business has the largest number of majors, I think. Next is Biology, I think. In 2020, I hope majors in the sciences are the hot thing. Students will be competing on a global scale, and many developing countries are investing heavily in the sciences. We do need strong philosophy and languages programs, and I hope in 2020 we see these programs thriving on campus. How will campus look like, physically? I believe we have a campus with the capacity to host 1,200-1,600 students. I really do not think that we need more renovations on campus unless it is at locations that are necessary such as older residential dormitories. With that mind, I hope that such renovations are completed through endowed trusts to make sure that we do not deplete the colleges endowment. What will the national reputation of C of I be? I do not think well attract students from the eastern parts of the United States, but we will have a better standing regionally. As far as international students go, the administration is committed to our international students, and their numbers could either increase or be sustained at their current standing. Will PEAK persist? From my experience in the past ten years, I have witnessed many curricular changes, often to make the college marketable and to accommodate students needs. It feels like I have had to learn new things constantly as an adviser. Based on such trends, I can say another change is likely, whether to replace or modify

Issue 1

PEAK will depend on how the students feel. Our college is very responsive to student needs. What will the residency requirement be? I think the recently instituted three-year residency requirement will have to be withdrawn. If we cannot attract students who cannot afford an increase in tuition, then chances are they will not be able to afford an extra year of residency on campus. Whether this campus policy persists will depend on how the economy turns out over the next few years.

Faculty Interviews

51

Reporter: Sophie Dresser Subject: Dustin Wunderlich, Director of Marketing and Communications
What media outlets does the College seek to expand its marketing program to in the coming years? Recently I have noticed C of I ads in local newspapers and magazines as well as Pandora Online Radio. We have a great story to tell about The College of Idaho and there are a variety of media outlets that we need to tell that story in whether thats through advertising or news coverage. As you note, weve recently placed C of I ads in the Idaho Statesman, Treasure Magazine, Idaho Press-Tribune and the Idaho Business Review and just concluded a pilot campaign on Pandora. We also are in the midst of a pilot campaign running ads in some Treasure Valley high school newspapers where we have drawn students and have the potential to draw more students who want the type of experience the C of I offers. On occasion we have done media sponsorships through Boise State Public Radio and run TV spots during the C of I-NNU basketball games. We will continue to explore new advertising opportunities in print, radio, television and online media in the future. Our goal with all of these opportunities is to increase the reputation and recognition of The College of Idaho, especially among prospective students who are a good fit for our campus. It is also important to keep in mind that paid advertising works in conjunction with our efforts to gain coverage to the College and the great things our students, faculty and alumni are doing. A lot of our work focuses on encouraging media to cover C of I stories, such as Professor Hegglands research with students on cadmium toxicity, that show how The College of Idaho prepares students to thrive whatever they choose to do. Is there any research/studies done on the effective-

ness of the current marketing program on increased enrollment numbers? There are a number of ways we assess the effectiveness of our marketing initiatives. For example, we can track how many prospective students who hear a Pandora ad click through to visit our website and well be looking at whether we see an increase in inquiries and applications from students at the high schools where we are running our pilot newspaper ad campaign. Since a number of these initiatives have started just in the last several months, well be taking a close look in the fall semester when we have the new freshman arriving to assess how effective these new initiatives were. As Director of Marketing and Communication, what is the purpose of the new marketing vision that the College has adopted in the past year or so? The College of Idaho isnt known as well as we should be both within the Treasure Valley and beyond. More people need to know our story -- the C of I graduates who have accomplished amazing things, the caring professors we have who are dedicated teachers, our innovative PEAK curriculum - and understand the value of a College of Idaho education. As more people know this value, it will be easier for us to recruit students who will thrive at the C of I and it will help us raise donations supporting the College. The new marketing vision aims to do this by accomplishing a few things: a. To talk about The College of Idaho and the things that make us distinctive in more consistent manner and to create a more consistent visual identity supporting that. b. Engage prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, staff and other friends of the College in new ways. A big part of that is taking advantage of social media like YouTube, Flickr and Facebook to showcase the C of I experience, encouraging people to share video, photos and news about the College with friends and family and get them more involved in campus life. c. Tapping into our students to help tell our story. Weve made an effort to have more student interns work with the Office of Marketing & Communications and for the first time we have a couple student aides who are helping us produce videos for our YouTube channel.

Issue 1

Faculty Interviews

52

Issue 1

Faculty Interviews

53

We have a lot of talent in our student body and having students support our marketing efforts is essential. One, because current students are our best advocates, and two, because you have the best understanding of what it important to prospective students. Does the College plan to further expand marketing in the coming years? Will this require more funds allocated toward this expansion? The Colleges Board of Trustees, at its February meeting, approved an allocation of about $63,000 to support additional marketing initiatives during the current fiscal year. The Board will consider an additional allocation for marketing during the coming fiscal year at its May meeting. We need to continually improve our marketing efforts in order to elevate the C of Is recognition and reputation in our region and beyond. Additional funds will be required to reach these goals, and thats what the Board will be considering as they balance that with the Colleges other needs. What is the current operating budget for marketing purposes solely (ads, new website, logos etc)? During the current fiscal year, the Office of Marketing and Communications budget is about $190,000, and the additional allocation of $63,000 at the February board meeting is on top of that. That includes the new website, advertising, Quest magazine, the new digital signs in McCain and Simplot, etc.

Reporter: Chelsea Larsen Subject: Garth Claassen, Professor of Art


What changes do you think C of I needs in the next decade? There will be more money, but only if we are to get a bigger endowment. Some departments are understaffed, so more faculty would be an effective change. We need a better balance between what we use endowment money for--- student fees, bigger scholarship fund--- but its a difficult balancing act because you want good students and most will earn their scholarships. We should develop a more active relationship with the community. There has been a promised donation for the building of a new library. It needs to be well integrated and centered in the campus so that it becomes a learning center, an intel-

lectual hub. If designed properly, we can achieve this, but its got to be well thought through. We should work on enhancing a sense of need for service projects because most students are fairly altruistic and want to help so we need to ensure that they can. How many students do you think will be attending C of I in 2020? Probably a couple hundred more than there are now, between 1,300 and 1,400. 1,000 students dont give us the cushion we need, but I hope students are recruited with raw care. We are comparable to Lynfield where there are 1,700 so increasing our numbers wouldnt be a bad thing. What will they be studying, what will be the hot major? Oh, Art! I joke, but I think a liberal arts college thrives to the extent that the creative programs thrive. Its vital to have a strong science department but what makes a liberal arts college different is a good creative program. I think Environmental Studies and Political Economy will grow as well. We need that sort of sense of the wider world. It would be good for Modern Foreign Languages to grow, particularly the modern European and far eastern/oriental languages. The U.S. will likely not have the biggest economy in the world by then, but rather China or India. Therefore a foreign language requirement for any degree would be beneficial. What will be the technology that they use in 2020? Oh God, I dont know. Itll be different. It might be impossible to for even experts to predict. With the new Library design there will be a need for flexibility and adaptability to technology. But I think books will still be an important resource. What will Greek life be like? Im not altogether sure what its like now. If the campus grows greek life may be more dominant. I dont have much experience but here the variety is broad and it fills a certain social need on such a small campus. What traditions will still be around? The normal ceremonies will remain like commencement and convocation and others like ISO events which are positive for the community as well, the risqu Finney fun-run, and Foreign study. We need to make it possible for every student to spend at least one semester abroad besides the programs such as Australia, London, etc. All American students need to go out of the country. Some

dont ever, which is why were so backwards. What will physically be different on campus in 2020? There will be the new library. There will be further renovations and extensions to the science facilities and student housing. Possibly more housing like Ketchup and Mustard. What will the national reputation of the College be in 2020? If we achieve all that we are hoping tour reputation will improve and we will perhaps compare with Whitman and Lynfield. Itd be nice to be mentioned in the same breath as these colleges, but were not quite there yet. Where will the students come from? There will probably still be quite a lot from the North West and the Treasure Valley, but itd be nice if wed attract a wider diversity. We are developing a nicely diverse population but we should try to get more international students, especially those who come from great schools. They do a great deal of good for our community. Will PEAK survive? Yes, but it will change all curricula do change organizationally. Stored knowledge changes, information base, world economy. We will have to winkle out the bugs, the bottlenecks in scheduling will be high on the list. PEAK seems to be something they can understand, it makes sense to people. It has a strong visual appearance, an easy metaphor to understand. The professional development peak reassures many. Its curriculum is in time with that of some better schools. It will definitely affect the sort of students we attract. How much will it cost to attend school here? Quite a bit more than it is now I expect. The national trend is that tuition goes up every year, but I hope not too much. We need endowment, but lord knows they are trying. What will be the hot sport on campus? Folf! Maybe football. We do well with our current athletic teams like running, swimming, baseball, etc. What will be the most popular clubs on campus, and why? I hope the Gay-Straight Alliance will thrive or that we wont need it but in this part of the world people are very intolerant. It would be nice to see more support for women as well. We face some uphill struggles. Will our campus expand? What role will sustainabil-

ity play in the expansion? Oh, I think it will unless our student numbers start to fall but if it does expand we will need more space and that space must be based on sustainability. Bon Apptit is great because it uses food grown on campus and locally. We are on the right track ethically, focusing on sustainability, but we need that push. We need more use of alternative technology. The new library should be state of the art. Will our campus survive the zombie apocalypse? Were doomed!

Reporter: Emma George Subject: Jen Nelson, Director of ResLife


Will you explain a little about what you do? I am the Director of Residential Life. Im also a hearing officer, which involves reviewing disciplinary files and following up on them. I also help organize the first year experience which includes picking the book, setting up orientation and helping with spring events. The sustainability program (sustainability stewards and house) is another part of what Im involved in. I have lots of hats, and its sometimes hard to shift hats. Oh, I also deal with parents questions, the website and room draw. What is your favorite part about C of I? I love working with students. I dont like conflict which is ironic since I have to deal with it a lot, but I think conflict goes along with being in a community. I like the complexity of a community and the highs and lows of living together. I love the thought of community, because its inspirational. The judicial board on campus has worked hard improving the campus, and that makes me hopeful. I also love the politics and religion that go along with community. I have a masters degree in theology which might explain why I find it so interesting. The education is wonderful. The teachers have high standards for themselves and are very efficient. Their caring and mentoring for students is also strong. What needs improvement at C of I? I would like to see the rest of the dorms completely renovated. I also think we could have more students like a few hundred more. That would make things more

Issue 1

Faculty Interviews

54

Issue 1

Faculty Interviews

55

financially stable and allow us to grow. More students would create a freedom or cushion that would lower the financial stress and allow for more facilities. We need more rental houses, and I would love to see a suite-style living space built in the area next to Ketchup and Mustard. Those are empty lots reserved for more residential halls in the future. The suites could have neat common areas, and if money was no object, I think a ballroom completely surrounded by glass on the top floor would be a great possibility. The ballroom could be rented out by organizations both on and off campus. The current rental houses need to be remodeled or tore down and rebuilt. It would be great if the new ones housed 10-12 students instead of 2-3 like they do now. Will some of these changes happen by 2020? Well, Ive been here through the ups and downs over the years, and from that experience, I think there will be more students. I dont think the students will notice a big difference if two hundred more students are added. There will still be the one-on-one teacher-student interactions, and itll provide a cushion that could be used to fund new programs. The classroom sizes could handle more students, but wed have to build more living spaces. What improvements will be made to the dorms by 2020? If we renovate the dorms, I would like to use carpet and paint with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), so they dont give off harsh chemicals. A low VOC means that harmful chemicals werent used in making or applying the product. You can get down to small details like that with the renovation. There should be more bike racks, and Caldwell will hopefully be more bike-friendly. I would like to see recycling centers built into residential halls. The dual flush toilet handles are debatable, so I dont know if we would use those. It would be great to make use of solar panels and the sun in general. Anderson needs dual pane windows. An atrium area would be great to add to a residential hall to be used as a study room. Skylights could also be installed to add more sunlight. Which traditions will still be around? Finney Fun Run for sure. Hopefully, the midterm breakfast that some RAs do for their dorms will continue. I think things will morph as the community changes. In the time since Ive been here, students want more struc-

ture in their environment. They want their environment to be more academic. There seems to be an increase in a focus in course work and a want of more study environments. Already, theres talk of designating study hours in some of the residential halls next year. What kind of technology will be around in 2020? Res life needs to do a better job of using technology. We did a self-assessment four years ago that was reviewed by BSU, and they thought we should use more technology in our department. We have made several documents available online, but you still have to print them in order to fill them out. It would be more eco-friendly to make those forms completely electronic. iPhones can scan a barcode-type image that pulls up information on the screen. I think paper and ink could be saved by using something like that. It would be nice if all the rooms had key cards, and we did away with keys. That way access could easily be given or taken away. Some laundry machines run off key cards and a text is sent when the clothes are finished. We looked into getting those, but they were too expensive. Maybe by 2020 the price will be more affordable. Do you have any other predictions for C of I in 2020? Well, I think they need a daycare on campus. It could be part of the education department. It should be available to students, faculty and staff first, but then opened up to the Caldwell community too.

Reporter: Tommy Thuerer Subject: John Thuerer, Professor of Psychology


What could football bring to this campus/community? If the College brings in a football program, they are talking about improving the facilities. Whenever this happens it benefits every student. It will help balance our student population by bringing in males. It will be god for the college as far as connection to the community. It will be good for all the area businesses. When Carroll and Linfield [teams and their fans]come in theyll be here for a few day. The students will make more connection. I remember at Michigan State when we would have rivalry games, all the fraternity guys would travel down and hang out with their brothers from a different school. Its like they were forming a national connection. I just got to know people that I swam against. It will create more

social opportunities and connections after college. What do you think about PEAK? Its just a program in process, this is only the second year. My hunch is that it will be like everything else. Its a process of transition and change that will focus on a curriculum that will benefit our students. We still have to figure out how we will apply it and what the impacts will be. Im sure as we figure it out, we will make that correct adjustments. I think its important to have a four-year schedule. Students need to know what their full plan is. PEAK has a lot of conflicts for students and class schedule. It will be very important for that to get fixed in order to have an effective program What changes do you think the college could make to improve academics? One thing that I always think about is that we have this great facility, and if we developed a summer program, this would allow students opportunities to continue their PEAK, do internships, and independent studies. Students would be able to get involved in the larger community. This would offer a whole lot more possibility for the students to work and complete degrees, while working in the community and serving the greater need. Another thing that I think the College of Idaho will need to look at is a readjusted class schedule. BSU is going to a new academic calendar. In this new calendar, they will begin running the Tuesday and Thursday schedule on Monday and Wednesday. All classes will be an hour and a half. Fridays will be given over for meeting and conferences, and the students will have a three day weekend. I think that would be a great way to keep the student body happy. All academic institutions will have to look at how they can better fit academic and vocational demand. A schedule like this will be beneficial to the student. The student will have more free time to participate in activities. It will allow for more choices and options. One more area that the College will have to explore is all of the technological innovations. I look at TVCC, NNU, CWI, and all have very vibrant and developing online programs. Harvard and MIT will start putting their best lectures for free as a follow up with what they have already established at Khan Academy. At some level if we are going to be a vibrant education in this valley, students will come to expect options similar to this. How does Psychology affect the college experience?

We could do a far better job if we could underpin all of our efforts with the insights and knowledge that we are figuring out about human behavior. If I were in charge I would say this is what we know about the brain and how it works, and we will adjust the educational methods to fit their needs. It has to happen in the context of interpersonal relationship. Technology can give a feel of this, but the classroom is not going to be replaced. Human interaction is critical. Look at Apple.

Reporter: Sophie Dresser Subject: Jasper LiCalzi, Professor of Political Economy


On PEAK: Professor Jasper LiCalzi doesnt see big changes happening in the POE department from a curricular standpoint, instead PEAK provides a new structure. This new structure will bring a diverse group of students to the department not only as majors but as minors as well. One change LiCalzi does foresee happening is that POE and History double majors wont exist as they do now. Many students have chosen to double major in these two disciplines with the Liberal Arts Core structure, because it was complementary. However, now that the disciplines are in the same PEAK, it is unlikely that many students will chose this route. Instead, LiCalzi expects to see more POE and Religion double majors in the department. The biggest change the department will see in the coming eight years is the departure of tenure professor, Dr. James Angresano, says LiCalzi. The department will begin the search for a replacement next year and hopes to find someone who will fit into the small department well. The only qualification LiCalzi and the rest of the POE department are searching for is a specialist in International Political Economy and someone who doesnt specialize in the region of Southeast Asia, like fellow POE professor Dr. Robert Dayley. If we get someone in here who isnt performing, well fire them, asserts LiCalzi. Do you notice changes in the marketing direction of the College? If so, what impact do you think this might have on the future student body and the College in general? I dont really have an opinion, as some other faculty members do; Im not the expert, says LiCalzi. However, he does notice the non-traditional marketing ap-

Issue 1

proach taken by the marketing department and enjoys the new website. Perspective students attracted here because of the new PEAK curriculum are a different type of student, one with wide interest and something that LiCalzi believes will soon reflect the student body as a whole. One of the great things about PEAK is that it will bring students to our classes who want to be there, LiCalzi states. Instead of taking classes to fulfill general requirements, PEAK tailors their schedules to ensure that each class fulfills an interest or a PEAK for the student. This will bring diversity to our classrooms, says LiCalzi. He notes, there will be students from different backgrounds, something you dont often see in difficult, upper-division POE classes. Along with the new structure, the department developed a new minor, called the International Development minor. What reputation do you think the POE department will have in 2020? We will continue to be, as we are now, the best department on campus, LiCalzi is also quick to note that a recent poll in the Coyote newspaper got it wrong about the History Department, because POE clearly is the best. Our reputation for being the most interesting and challenging classes on campus will also continue, says LiCalzi who is quick to note that any professor not meeting the standards of the most difficult classes on campus wont stick around for long, if theyre not up to par, we will fire them. Where do you see the College in 2020? With a football team, increased enrollment, further national recognition, etc? According to LiCalzi, the college will definitely see some major growth in the next eight years. It could be as big as 1,700 or as small as 1,200 but more students will come. Five years ago, we had 700 students, we now have over 1,000; growth has happened in the past, assures LiCalzi. The recent talks of the football program coming back will create a buzz, if and when it happens, it will not change the academic nature of the college. Instead, LiCalzi believes it will take care of a recent issue of getting our reputation known outside of our community. Football players will be student-athletes, says LiCalzi. Economically, this idea is a big win; conservatively it will make the school one million dollars a year. This is something LiCalzi believes we must do, the only question is how to best go about it. As the school will continue to grow,

Faculty Interviews

56

Issue 1

LiCalzi thinks that the culture will grow as well. If you could have one thing added to the C of I campus, what would it be? A faculty lounge with good bourbon and good cigars.

Reporter: Dorgham Abusalim Subject: Lourdes Matsumoto, Admission Counselor; Alumna


What changes do you think the school needs? There are several things that come to mind. Ultimately, all of them touch on the idea that C of I will have to adapt to surrounding changes. For instance, regarding alumni relations, C of I is witnessing an increase in international alumni, making it more difficult to keep relations with former foreign students. One way of maintaining relations would be by using departmental venues because many departments here on campus conduct abroad studies and student trips. Another possible change that we are asked about frequently is that nature of our faculty. Many prospective students, and parents, ask about the diversity of our faculty. So, C of I will need to bring this matter on the map seeing that diversifying faculty appeals to prospective students and parents. What do you think C of I will be like in 2020? I think C of I will witness an increase in the student body, but not as large as that of big universities. It will probably double in size, which will bring physical changes to our campus. For instance, C of I might build new dorms, purchase more property towards campus-owned housing, and renovate older dorms. Such changes are reasonable particularly when keeping in mind the newly established three-year residency requirement on campus. In addition to those changes, and as a result, C of I will further enhance its relations with the local community in Caldwell, especially if we are to purchase more property around town. In any case, however, we should try on increasing our relations with the local community. What technology will be used by the students and faculty? I think that C of I will move towards relatively paperless technology complementing our sustainability efforts as well as our efforts to become more technologically advanced. What will be the national reputation of C of I? We worked hard to bring C of I on the international

map through bringing more international students as well as our partnership with the Davis UWC Scholars Program. Nationally, I think our enrollment rates will increase in time. Will PEAK persist? Yes it will, but it will be modified. Keep in mind that there are other colleges at the moment that are considering the same approach, but C of I was a pioneer in this regard. Plus, as you might know, our students rarely graduate with a single field degree. So PEAK complements their efforts of diversifying their education. Which student traditions will continue? One of the great qualities about our students is their ability to preserve traditions. With the possibility of establishing new programs at C of I, such as a football program, new traditions are likely to emerge. However, new traditions will not come at the expense of older ones. What will be the hot sport? If football is established on campus I think it will be the center of attention because of the push to establish a football program, so it will be a hot point in C of I history. But other traditional sports on campus will persist such as baseball. What role will sustainability approaches play? The college gives allot of thought to sustainability. Whatever you are, C of I, or any other business, sustainability will be a natural element. It will be an integral part of our lives in the future.

Faculty Interviews

57

Reporter: Sophie Dresser Subject: Rachel Blood, Admissions Counselor


Do you think the unique PEAK curriculum design at C of I attracted students whom otherwise not be interested in a traditional liberal arts degree? It attracts students whom otherwise would not be interested in a traditional liberal arts degree. In fact, Blood explains that most of her high school students dont actually even know what a liberal arts education really means. However, the draw from PEAK seems to be the ability to specialize in multiple disciplines, and it excites prospective students to have the ability to pursue four very different academic areas. In turn, for our students, this will create a well-rounded, dynamic and marketable studentboth for their future employers, graduate programs and for life. Students have thus far been very receptive to the idea that

PEAK will set them apart. What impact do you think the new marketing direction at the College has had on interested applicants? One thing Blood has noticed is the bridging of the gap between the admissions department and the marketing department. I am often surprised at the number of local students who are unfamiliar with C of I, Blood explains as she recently received a full-page ad straight out of Eagle High Schools newspaper. Advertisement campaigns such as this one are a great tool that Blood has noticed being very impactful in getting the C of I name out there. Has there been an increase in applications/enrollment due to the latter two factors (i.e. PEAK, Marketing)? Blood believes the positive attention that is coming from PEAK is a good counter to a few factors working against C of I at the moment. Enrollment numbers have been affected by so many outside factors (i.e. the economy, CWI opening and TVCC Caldwells new campus). High school counselors all over are intrigued by PEAK and it has definitely increased the draw. Overall, Blood believes the marketing department has done a great job in ensuring that C of I has name recognition and that the former name of Albertson College of Idaho is no longer in conversation. As an admissions counselor, what do you think is the most important factor for students who consider C of I (class sizes, campus life, academic reputation etc)? Part of our study is to investigate what will still be the same at C of I in the coming decade. There are initial factors that Blood explains will draw students to C of Ithose being small class sizes and the curriculum. Additionally, once they get here, they notice the community that C of I really is. The tight-knit community, close relationships with professors and great campus life community is what gets student to stay. C of I students become life-long learners once they graduate from here. Blood believes this wont change. C of I believes that who you are as a person, is just as important as what you know, and that mentality cultivates both in and outside the classroom. Graduating from C of I and now working here, what do you think is the largest change on this campus since you attended here your freshman

Issue 1

Faculty Interviews

58

Issue 1

Faculty Interviews

59

year? It can be anything! Its been nearly seven years since Blood headed up to McCall for freshman orientation. Now, as an employee of the College, she reflects on some changes that have occurred in the recent decade. PEAK is obviously the largest change on campus and I wish I been here to benefit from its curriculum. Blood explains some physical changes on campus such as dorm renovations and the cafeteria renovation last summer. The ratio of international students is now much largersomething Blood sees as a definite boost to the C of I community. I love to see the diversity that has grown at C of I. Other changes to the C of I traditions have been a sad loss such as doing away with finals breakfast and no longer holding Bowling Nights at the infamous Burkes Bowl in Caldwell.

Reporter: Dorgham Abusalim Subject: Dr. Robert Dayley, Professor of International Political Economy
What changes do you think the school needs? I dont think the changes well see in the next 10 years will be as big as what we have changed over the past 10 years. However, theres always space for innovation. For instance, it would be nice if C of I puts Africa and the Middle East on the map in terms of relevant courses. Such changes would need to be mediated through the administration, so Id like to see some sort of an international affairs officer that can advocate for such changes, and do outreach activities that would ensure the establishment of such courses. Do you foresee an increase in foreign faculty? Attracting foreign faculty is not a specific initiative, it happens organically. We want to get the best. I would say that it is desirable to have more foreign faculty because they would give more resources to our campus, and complement our international student body. At the same time, whether they are foreign or not shouldnt be taken as a deal-breaker. On other campuses, foreign faculty is treated the same like other faculty. Ultimately, Id like to say a faculty that is more engaged with the globalizing nature of international education. Maybe a customized-faculty program as a start can help us in this regard. What do you think C of I will be like in 2020? The international student body size will not double;

however, we should maintain our current standing with what we do now and try to be more innovative. Keep in mind that, in order for us to keep our financial aid packages attractive for international students through the Davis UWC Scholars Program, we must maintain at least 40 Davis scholars on campus. The recent admission of many international students was, in part, because of the attractiveness of our financial support enhanced by our partnership with the Davis UWC Scholars Program. This partnership supports the critical mass of international students we have on campus. I dont think we can maintain this critical mass of international students without admitting 10-12 Davis Scholars per year. Ultimately, what we need is less vision and more strategy to ensure that our requirements are met regarding the international student body size. How will campus look like, physically? Will campus expand? If football becomes successful, I think well see new dorms being built. Also, we must keep in mind that with the establishment of new programs, and increased enrollment, you have the three- years residency requirement. This requirement is likely to push us towards building new dorms, or purchasing more property that would become campus-owned housing. Will PEAK persist? It is difficult to imagine. It will be modified, but, why go back to the LAC and become similar to every other college? Plus, our students were already doing some sort of combination. Rarely did we have students graduate in one field, PEAK reflects such diversity in academia and permits students to do pursue multiple disciplines more effectively. Additionally, students and parents like PEAK, so the chances are it will persist. The faculty will probably need to readjust itself in terms of scheduling. They need to get used to the idea that they cant pick and choose their hours. Other changes that might be necessary to reflect PEAK are difficult to predict, but I believe that, for instance, the First Year Program will change for such purposes. Which student traditions will continue? I think most of them will continue. I hope that annual events that developed just recently would become more rooted into our traditional occasions. Events like the International Food Festival. Other traditional

occasions like Bowling Night, as well as similar events, will certainly continue. What will the hot sport be? The hot sport will be the one with the winning team. But to be fair, we must keep in mind that some sports major games are more remote from campus than others. What will be the popular club, and why? I have no idea. It would be awesome if the MUN club becomes a hot one.

Reporter: Taber Subia Subject: Rochelle Johnson, Professor of English and Environmental Studies
How has the PEAK program has affected your classes so far? It hasnt yet affected my classes because of subject matter mainly. This department is mostly 100 level and FYS classes, so the same amount of students still are required to attend them and there has not yet been a growth in majors. The only change is that people are taking my classes like 299.T for a bigger variety of reasons outside of the requirement for major or minor. Have you already or do you expect to have to make changes to your teaching/class format due to the direction PEAK is taking? No content changes will take place classes will stay the same, but there may be adjustments for how many are offered and cutting out others to fit demands. What do you think the PEAK will change about the English department in terms of class size mainly? The lower division and FYS will not see a change, the classes will not make changes, but the number of students will affect the number of classes offered. Do you think that students are more prepared for the job search due to the PEAK program or is there a change at all? No, in my opinion all that changed with PEAK is the name. Majors require 124 credits, etc. but at the same time yes they are more prepared by the fact that now their four humanities courses are considered a minor, and people appreciate when you say you minored in a subject as opposed to just having taken a few courses in it. This term means something to the public. There have been reports that some students are unable to finish a degree in four years on the PEAK program,

especially because of certain classes offered every other year. Have you seen this happen and do you think something will need to change to avoid this? I havent seen this happen with my advisees. There have been many class schedule conflicts, but again this will bring the change of offering more of certain classes to fit the demands. Do you think the college will still be able to keep its small class sizes even with the PEAK program, especially in those courses with high demand? Yes, we have to keep the class sizes small because that is what the college is about. Again, more would be offered to stop this from happening. We would hire more faculty to accommodate the number of students. Huge classes would also not allow us any time for grading. Are there specific changes you project seeing specific to the English department? It all depends on the growth in literature and creative writing majors, because the number of students who choose this will affect the changes that would happen. Definitely journalism is expected to grow, so that may be the field we first see changes in.

Issue 1

Sophie Dresser

Contributors

60

Issue 1

Contributors

61

I am graduating in a mere week, leaving behind a place that I have definitely fallen in love with. The past four years have been some amazing memories, just a few highlights being: class in the quad with Minskoff, Spring Fling, Partying & Bullsh!t, Oasis concerts and Kappa Alpha Thetas Mr. CASAnoava. The making of this publication has been quite the adventure. From interviewing nearly every VIP (very important person) on this campus, to shooting photographs of signs, it has been nothing short of a good time. Im thankful for the department that journalism isone that fosters the creativity and freedom of its students, allowing us to create something that we are truly proud of.

Emma George
Biology and journalism may seem like an odd major and minor, but its the perfect duo for someone like me whos interested in science writing. I love to travel, and Ive experienced so much through my education at C of I: diving with reef sharks on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, flyfishing on the Owyhee River in Oregon, telemark skiing in the Sawtooth Wilderness in Stanley, Idaho and collecting plants in Death Valley, California. Photography is another interest of mine, and I truly enjoyed working on the snap shot of the campus in this project.

Dorgham Abusalim
From Palestine, Graduating with a Bachelor's in International Political Economy and Interactive Journalism. Working on this publication brought the past four years of my life at C of I together in many ways. Interviewing many students, faculty, and administrators was an eye-opener to what C of I may look like at the end of the decade. I hope to see this publication continue every 5, or 10 years. I think it would be fantastic if one day I come across a similar publication called C of I 2040!

Special Thanks to Photographers:


Skylar Barsanti Sophie Dresser Emma George Skylar Barsanti

Graphic Design: Graphic Issustrator:


Lorraine Barreras Alan Minskoff Samantha Sink

Kemp Smith
A four-year member of C of Is varsity swim team, majoring in history and minoring in journalism, he will be graduating this May. As far as the immediate future is concerned, Smith plans to attend the University of Idahos College of Law.

Advisors:

Skylar Barsanti skylar.barsanti@yotes.collegeofidaho.edu Alan Minskoff aminskoff@collegeofidaho.edu

Editor-in-Chief:

Contact

Faculty Advisor:

C of I Online 2012

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi