Jeff Kelly – Academic Support Services

Today was the first day of registration for fall 2009 classes.  All students have been assigned a date and time in which they are permitted to register.  If you are not sure when you are permitted to register, you can access this information through your WebXpress account.  All students who have fewer than 30 credits must meet with their academic advisor prior to registering for classes.

If you experience any trouble registering for classes, please be sure to visit the Office of Academic Support Services or the Registrar’s Office.  In addition, you can call our offices at the following numbers:

Office of Academic Support Services:  443-334-2332
Registrar’s Office:  443-334-2206

Take care…
Jeff

Are you using Skype?  I just started using it and I want to invite students to feel free to contact me through Skype.  I was recently made aware of Skype by my academic advisor in my doctoral program.  In fact, earlier this evening, I had my first Skype conversation with her, and I thought it was awesome.  I have been enrolled at Widener University in Chester, PA for the past 2 years.  Normally, when I want to meet with my advisor, I have to drive the 90 miles between Stevenson University and Widener.  However, now that I have Skype, I am able to meet with her from the comfort of my office.

I am writing about this because I think Skype can be a great way for me to keep in touch with Stevenson University students.  For those who may not be aware of Skype, it is a program that allows you to call, for free, other Skype users.  If you have a video camera on your computer (which I do), the calls can be video calls.   So, if you are a student who is using Skype, and you would like to try meeting with me using this technology, please let me know.  

I am always trying to improve the service I provide to students and I think this could be an easy and convenient way for students to meet with me.  If you are interested, let me know.  My Skype address is jeffkellyatsu.  However, you will need to let me know in advance if you would like to contact me through Skype.  My camera (and, as a result, my Skype) is on my laptop and I do not always have my laptop turned on.  However, if I know in advance that someone would like to meet with me through Skype, then I can be sure to have my laptop ready. 

I hope to hear from you.  Of course, as always, students are welcome to come see me in person in my office on the Greenspring campus.

Take care…
Jeff

As students returned from spring break yesterday, I began to think about a convocation address a former colleague of mine gave at a previous institution.  Her address focused on the importance of  ”middles” and how they do not get as much attention as beginnings and endings.  In baseball for example, fans get excited for Opening Day and then get excited again for the end of the season as the playoffs are about to begin.  Yet, the middle of the season is often referred to as the “dog days of summer”.  Not too much to be excited about there.  Also in baseball, the starting pitchers and the “closers” get most of the attention, yet the “middle relief” pitchers are as important (and arguably more) but are rarely talked about.  As another example, just look at the soon to begin NCAA basketball tournament.  It’s the end of the season that everyone is excited about – March Madness.  There is even a term for the beginning of the season when practice officially begins – Midnight Madness.  No such terms exist for the middle of the season. 

I point this out because we are now in the middle of the semester, a time when it can be difficult to stay motivated.  The excitement of the beginning of the semester has worn off and the anticipation for the end of the semester is still 8 weeks away.   Most everyone gets excited for the beginning of the semester, with the chance to meet new friends, begin new classes, and to start with a clean slate.   “Final exams” speak to the importance of the end of the semester.  However, the middle of the semester, in my opinion, does not get the attention it deserves.  Yet, in many ways, this is the most important time of the semester.   Just like halftime in a sporting event, the choices that students make now will likely determine their chances for success at the end of the term.  For students who are doing well at the midterm, congratulations and keep up the good work.  But, stay focused; midterm grades can change quickly.  Make the choice to work as hard for the next eight weeks as you have for the first eight weeks. 

For students who are not doing as well as you would like, remember there is still time to improve.  However, changes need to be made.   Here are just a few things to consider: 

• are you spending enough time on your school work outside the classroom? 
• are you taking too many classes? (remember, the last day to withdraw is Friday, March 27)
• are you seeking tutoring in the Academic Link or participating in Supplemental Instruction?
• have you spoken with your instructors during their office hours to review course requirements and to seek suggestions for improvement?
• have you met with your academic advisor to discuss strategies for improvement for the remainder of the semester?

The middle of the semester is, in my opinion, perhaps the most important, yet most overlooked part of the semester.  All students have the opportunity to reflect on their progress to date and, if necessary, make changes.  Don’t overlook this important time of the semester.  And, if you are not doing as well as you would like, remember there is still time to improve, so long as you are willing to make changes today.

Please do not hesitate to come by the Office of Academic Support Services if you need assistance.  We are ready and happy to help.

Jeff

This week is spring break on campus.  The campus is definitely quieter, but our students are still doing some great things.  Here is just a sample of what SU students are doing during spring break:

• Alternative Spring Break Trip to New Orleans – 19 students, along with 5 faculty and staff, have traveled to New Orleans to assist with the St. Bernard Project.   To read all about their experience, follow Morgan Somerville’s blog at: http://morgansomerville.stevensonuniversity.org/
• Men’s Lacrosse Team Ranked # 3 – The men’s lacrosse team is now ranked number three in the country.  They will be playing 2 games this week during the break.  The first is on Wednesday at St. Mary’s and the 2nd is on Saturday at home against Mary Washington at 1:00 p.m.
• Women’s Lacrosse – The women’s lacrosse team has traveled to West Palm Beach, FL, for two games this week.  Their first game is tonight against Ohio Wesleyan and then they play Dickinson on Thursday before returning to campus
• Softball – After a couple of cancellations due to weather, the softball team has begun their season.  They traveled to Virginia Beach to compete in the 2009 Beach Blast Tournament. 
• Baseball - The baseball team is now 8-2 and winners of 5 straight.  They play at Lynchburg today and N.C. Wesleyan tomorrow & Thursday and then at Averett on Friday.   Congratulations to Wade Keenan for being named co-player of the week in the CAC.

As you can see, our students are representing the University well during spring break.  No matter where your travels take you, I hope you are enjoying your spring break and I look forward to seeing you when you return to campus when classes resume on Monday.

Congratulations to the men’s lacrosse team for beating the #2 team in the country, Gettysburg, 16-6.  It was great to see so many fans at the game!

On Wednesday, the men’s lacrosse team will host the #2 team in the country, Gettysburg, at 3:00 p.m. at Owings Mills.  Come out and support the team as they seek to knock off one of the top teams in the country.   This promises to be a great game so be sure to come out and support your team!

Several events are taking place on campus this weekend.  Below is a listing of some of them:

FRIDAY:
Texas Hold’em Tournament – 6:30 p.m.  – 10:00 p.m. in the Rockland Banquet Room on the Owings Mills Campus.  Food and drinks provided.  (Sponsored by the Accounting Association)

After Party:  7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Avalon Center on the Owings Mills Campus – Come and play Guitar Hero / Wii / Karaoke (Sponsored by MAP)

Anna Quindlen spoke to a large audience on Tuesday in the Theater and she was fantastic!   Among the tidbits she shared was the fact that Charles Dickens originally considered naming Tiny Tim in his famous story A Christmas Carol, “Small Sam”.   I think he made the right decision!

Hopefully many of you were in the Theater to hear her.  Definitely stay alert to upcoming events that are happening at the University because there are lots of exciting things taking place.

The Academic Link is sponsoring several great study skills workshops this week.  Be sure to take advantage of these sessions as you prepare for midterm exams.