The Anchor - 9/1/2010

Vol. 83, Issue #1

The Anchor Rhode Island College

September 1, 2010

WELCOME BACK

Rhode Island College

www.anchorweb.org

Welcome Back

September 1, 2010

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From the editor-in-chief Welcome back! Who knows, maybe you just started here, so welcome Class of 2014. The start of the school year is one of my favorite times here. You have plenty of options, and so much you can try and do.

It is also a really cool time to be here with all the great changes going on around campus. In this issue, we cover the changes to Donovan Dining Center, College Dining Services and many other facets of the campus’s infrastructure.

Truly great things are happening here at Rhode Island College, and I, for one, love them. To President Nancy Carriuolo and her administration, thank you for the positive changes you have brought to our fine school.

Also, we hope that you continue to read The Anchor, and we will try our best to continue providing you with all the information we can to help you with your college experience. If you have any questions, or need some great advice, stop by or shoot me an e-mail at kspaulding@anchorweb.org.

If you are a freshman, I hope you aren’t having too much trouble finding your way around. I’ve tried to help a few of you, and hope my fellow upperclassmen have tried to help, too. Now that you have had a few days here, take a deep breath and relax. Always remember: this should be fun.

To that end, I’m going to give you one piece of advice. Famous rock star Tom Petty at a concert on the Rutgers campus once said: “You have four years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You’ll never remember class time, but you’ll remember time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay out late. Go out on a Tuesday with your friends when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you don’t have. Drink ’til sunrise. The work never ends, but college does.”

With that being said, have a great semester, and while you are still reading, make sure you get that damn paper Tom mentioned done, too.

Kameron Spaulding Editor-in-Chief The Anchor

Campus Climate Wednesday Sunny High 94° Low 69° Thursday Partly Cloudy High 88° Low 67° Friday Rain/Wind High 78° Low 64° Saturday Partly Cloudy High 73° Low 52° Sunday Partly Cloudy High 73° Low 57° Monday Partly Cloudy High 75° Low 58° Tuesday Rain High 76° Low 56°

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The Anchor is student-run and published weekly during the academic year. Editorial decisions for The Anchor are made by a majority vote of its student editorial board. No form of censorship will be imposed by the college. Any material found to be unsuitable or unacceptable in the board’s opinion will not be published. The views expressed in The Anchor, unless otherwise noted, are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent those of The Anchor or of Rhode Island College’s faculty, administration or student body.The first copy is free. Each additional copy is $2.25. Copyright © 2010 The Anchor. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back

September 1, 2010

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A new era for Donovan

By Nicholas J. Lima Managing Editor

It doesn’t look like it belongs at Rhode Island College.

It almost seems out of place here. But since Saturday, it’s been the talk of the campus, and if you haven’t seen it, prepare to be shocked.

The renovation and overhaul of Donovan Dining Center, a long-anticipated project that has been in the works for years, saw holdups due to the narrow window of time allotted for construction, and delays with contracts being approved by state purchasing. Complicating the process, work could only begin once the majority of residents were off campus, and college administrators debated whether the construction could be finished over winter or summer breaks.

But working down to the wire, contractors and RIC staff were able to get the facility operational just hours before it opened on Saturday, Aug. 28.

Donovan, operated by College Dining Services (CDS), was closed for nearly the entire summer while work was underway. Students, faculty, staff and visitors to the campus were treated to expanded menu options in The Galley and The Café during the construction.

Work began shortly after Commencement, and was completed – for the most part – on Friday, one day before the building needed to be on line for movein weekend.

“We’re still in a work-inprogress stage,” said Vincent Flemming, director of CDS. “There’s a lot of things we haven’t implemented yet, especially in terms of the menu.”

Flemming, who has accumulated 35 years of service at RIC since 1974, said the work was the biggest project that has been undertaken for the campus foodservice operation since 1994, when the building last underwent a major renovation.

This project, which is about 90

Anchor Photo/David Okon

The new foodservice area in Donovan Dining Center bustles with activity on Monday. percent complete, dwarfs the last renovation, Flemming said.

While minor details still need to be completed in terms of construction, CDS staff still plan to implement many changes to the menu.

Arthur Patrie, CDS’s associate director, said they are trying new items in one-day tests to expand menu options. Already Patrie, who has been at RIC since 1987, has experimented with sushi and Georgio’s gourmet sandwiches, which each sold well enough to bring back.

Over the course of the semester, diners will be treated to an everexpanding selection of entrees and grab-and-go items, along with the familiar grill line, deli and salad bar.

“Our new grab-and-go concept will change based on student preferences,” Patrie said. “We’re happy we were able to address a lot of concerns the customers had. [They] will find it a lot smoother.”

The entire renovation project has been customer-driven from the start, according to Flemming. He and Patrie said that the Food Service Advisory Committee was instrumental in working with students, especially residents, to “champion

change.”

The changes are evident from the moment you walk in. New floors, fresh paint in eye-catching, pleasant colors of burgundy, light gray and tan, and a new entrance to the foodservice area greet diners. A large rug that reads “Welcome to Rhode Island College Donovan Dining Center” guides the way to the foodservice area, while an oversized television monitor welcomes students back while thanking them for their patience “as we finalize our renovations.”

The foodservice area itself has been increased in size to improve foot traffic flow during busy periods, according to Patrie. Four small, flat-panel monitors provide customers with information, while service counters adorned in colorful wood and tiles weave around the room, replacing the stainless steel, crowded counters students once complained about.

Student reaction Reaction from students across campus was mixed, though they universally agreed that the renovations were a major improvement.

Chris Dorval, a senior, said

the changes are “so much nicer than last year. It seems more open and efficient.

“The food isn’t much better, though. I come here for the ambience,” Dorval joked. “[It] reminds me of the Registry.”

Syeda Menebhi, a sophomore transfer student, said, “It’s nice. It’s very open. The food is OK, but the lines are long.”

Senior Maria Dandrea had no complaints. “I like it. It’s more open the way they blocked off the [foodservice] section. It looks cleaner,” she said.

And what do new students think about Donovan? Freshmen Kevin Ngin said, “It looks pretty good – the food is good.”

But Tom Rodrigues, a senior, said the eight flat-screen televisions in the dining area “could be utilized better.”

The monitors are the result of the Student Activities Marketing Department’s transition from the former Student Graphics. Student organization event and recruitment advertisements, campus announcements and more are now displayed on the monitors instead of printed banners, a system CDS staff say they want to expand in the future as more features come on line.

The dining area also features a brand new, built-in public address system and projectors for events, which, for the first time in years, will feature live programming from WXIN throughout the day. Even the cutlery station has been overhauled, with improved forks, knives and spoons and napkins in dispensers, replacing the often-messy plastic bins of old.

“The feedback has been positive and encouraging,” Patrie said. “People are still giving us suggestions and we are thankful for them.”

As far as the monitors, Patrie said that they bring a variety of information to students efficiently and in a modern way.

“This is what most schools are doing now anyhow,” he said. “We want to use the technology to bring the customers and college community the information they want.”

An interactive dietary kiosk, with information on upcoming menus and ingredients of CDS’s food, will be online soon, one of many small changes that are scheduled to be implemented in the coming weeks.

Even the staff at Donovan See DONOVAN Page 4

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are getting a new look. The line staff in the foodservice area now wear tan polo shirts, black pants and black chef hats, topped off by black aprons with burgundy lettering.

“If we’re going to upgrade our presentation, we figured we would start with the staff and improve their morale, too,” said Patrie. The new image is pervasive in every aspect of the CDS operation – including the meal plans.

New options for residents Meal plan options have always been a point of contention for residents, who must purchase a plan that may not fit the dining schedule they want for the semester. But that could change, depending upon how much students like the newest service CDS is offering – universal points.

A sign posted in Donovan Monday read: “Your Suggestions in Action: Residents can now use their Bonus Dollars in the Student Union Café & the East Campus Galley, At Any Time.”

The notice clarifies that board plan meals can still only be used in Donovan.

“We looked into what other schools were doing and, to our surprise, most offer a board concept with points, so we decided to design one to

Anchor Photo/Devin Noll

Anchor Photo/Devin Noll

Part of the new Grab-and-Go concept at Donovan. meet the needs expressed by our students,” Flemming said.

“Students asked for a change in the meal plan. They wanted a longer period available for breakfast and lunch.”

In an effort that began with the expansion of dining room hours last year, plan holders are now free to dine at any time that Donovan is open. Breakfast runs from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30, lunch from 10:30 to 4, and dinner from 4 to 7:30 p.m. While there will be lighter fare available during transition times, students should no longer miss a meal thanks to the extended meal times and the ability to use “bonus dollars” all over campus at any time, Patrie said.

A remarkable task Not all of the changes to Donovan will be visible. “The

biggest challenge is that it has an old infrastructure, so there’s a lot of improvements made that the customers will never see,” Patrie said.

Still to be installed are heating and air-conditioning improvements, wiring and, between Donovan and the Student Union, a new emergency generator. Patrie expects the generator to provide CDS with a capability that is significantly improved from past power outages and emergencies to maintain close to full operations.

Vice President of Student Affairs Gary Penfield said the total cost of the project was anticipated to be $2 million, though, due to the economy, bids came in lower than what was projected. Funding came from accumulated earnings

The newly designed service line. saved by CDS and the college over the last five years in a maintenance and reserve account.

Penfield, like Patrie, stressed that much of the project’s price tag went to improvements students will never see, such as “dramatic improvements” to the HVAC system.

Flemming said he wanted to congratulate Iron Construction and their subcontractors for the “tremendous” job that they did in such a short timeframe. “[They] made sure we would not inconvenience the students” with construction delays, Flemming said. “The scope of the work was really intricate. We are really grateful it could be done in time.”

Penfield was concerned throughout the summer that the task may have been too ambi-

tious in the narrow timeframe allowed.

“I knew this was going to be a close call,” he said, but he added that he was pleased that the work was completed on schedule.

Patrie and Flemming each said that the CDS staff were “amazing” over the summer and never missed a beat, along with the college administration and Facilities and Operations staff that worked to make the renovations possible.

“This amazing feat is directly attributable to the professionalism of the staff at Donovan Dining Center,” Patrie said.

– With reporting by Thomas Lima and George Bissell.

Anchor Photo/Devin Noll

Students expressed amazement when entering the foodservice area for the first time.

Welcome Back Constructing campus colors

September 1, 2010

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Returning students are greeted by burgundy, gold and white as summer changes illustrate RIC’s new identity.

By Nicholas J. Lima Managing Editor

Campus spirit has saturated the Rhode Island College grounds this summer, as the school’s colors have been added to a wide range of infrastructure improvements. From buildings to police cruisers to garbage barrels, RIC’s administrators and Facilities and Operations staff were busy this summer with changes – cosmetic and otherwise – to give the college a facelift.

“I feel like I go to a real school now” was the phrase repeated countless times on Facebook by students returning to campus over the weekend and into Monday.

While a total renovation of Donovan Dining Center, which is now about 90 percent complete according to College Dining Services officials, was the most prevalent of this sum-

mer’s projects, nearly 70 other upkeep and maintenance endeavors were completed or will soon be completed, according to an e-mail sent last Thursday to all faculty, staff and students

by RIC President Nancy Carriuolo.

“Thank you for your patience as dear old RIC gets a face lift,” Carriuolo concluded her e-mail message.

Among some of the more visible projects are the new burgundy trash receptacles and refinished benches found in the Quad and throughout the campus.

Even the RIPTA bus port and parking lots in front of Roberts Hall are receiving a facelift – in fact, the port has a whole new location, as a result of the work done by Saratoga Associates through RIC’s ongoing master planning process, which began last year and has a draft due on Sept. 10.

According to Carriuolo, “The master planners… recommended that we ease some of the problem with drivers driving the wrong way on one-way exits by closing several of the

Anchor Photo/David Okon

These crosswalk signs bear the new Campus Police logo.

Anchor Photo/David Okon

The lockers of Craig-Lee are gone. In their place are new, wooden benches. one-way exits from the parking lot onto College Road.

“By doing so, we will also add four to six parking spaces to the small lot. At the same time, we are moving the buses away from the crosswalk in front of Roberts Hall onto the small street that borders the pine grove. That one-way street has also been a safety hazard since people drive as if it is a two-way street, and several accidents have been narrowly averted,” she said.

Carriuolo added that the elevators in Horace Mann and Craig-Lee are operational. The auditoriums in Clarke Science and a pod of rooms being completed in Horace Mann have not been finished, but are due to be completed early this fall.

“The smaller of the two auditoriums has its carpet installed, and I saw progress made in installing the seats,” Carriuolo reported. She said the delays are due to the installation of fire safety equipment, such as sprinklers.

The iron fencing at the entrances to the college are being painted, new decorative fences were added around Alger Hall, and damaged fences, such as one near the Student Union

Loop, were replaced. Several walkways and staircases were revamped, including the longmaligned stairs outside the Student Union. The concrete steps had been crumbling for years, and many of the metal edges were broken or missing, creating a dangerous path through a heavily traveled section of campus. The steps had been a frequent complaint forward by Student Community Government, Inc. to the college’s Facilities and Operations staff.

Not only were the stairs replaced, but the metal railings around the entire loading dock for the Student Union were painted, changed from a bland metal to a crisp burgundy. The Student Union also received gold stickers on its entrance doors, and stencil work was done throughout the structure reflecting the Union’s and the Student Activities department’s new image.

Those small branding changes – including the expanded use of RIC’s “Reach, Inspire, Connect” tagline adopted a year ago, were repeated all across campus this summer.

Even RIC’s fleet of police cars and utility vehicles received

new designs reflecting the college’s official colors and logos.

In total, summer renovations and updates affected almost every structure on campus.

The old Sherlock Center for Disabilities will be converted into an athletic support center

by Oct. 1, upgrades were made to classrooms in the Murray Center and the STEM II project is continuing to upgrade classrooms in Fogarty Life Science, Clarke Science, Gaige Hall and Horace Mann, along with a changeover from chalk boards to white boards and “Eclassrooms.”

A request for proposal for a feasibility study was completed for the Student Union, the next step in a process directly begun at SCG’s insistence in 2008 to expand the structure and its capabilities as a campus nexus of student life. That proposal was approved as part of a larger capital improvement package by the Board of Governors for Higher Education, at their latest meeting on Monday. The next step in the process will be for the college to commit funding to hire an architectural firm to perform a full feasibility See COLORS Page 8

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study on the building, according to Vice President of Student Affairs Gary Penfield.

Elsewhere around campus, infrastructure is being improved in and around Whipple Hall – including a roof replacement slated for this fall. Craig-Lee will have reroofing work done, also.

Craig-Lee Hall, in fact, will see much more than a new roof.

Classrooms 051, 052, 053, 151, 152 and 153 were renovated during the summer, and new flooring was installed in 251, 252 and 253, according to the president’s report. Hallway lockers were removed, replaced by benches on the first and second floors, and the former Financial Aid Office has been converted into four electronic classrooms.

The long-awaited Recreation Center renovation project will likely go out to bid

by Sept. 10 at the State Building Commission, and in an announcement made by Carriuolo at the Opening Coffee Hour last week, the Art Center will be the next main campus structure to be completely renovated and expanded, pending voter approval in November.

The gym at Henry Barnard School received a facelift, and two bathrooms in the building are being renovated. Walkways and signage were improved throughout the campus, and RIC’s sculpture program has been expanded, notably with a large sculpture near Adams Library in the Quad. The Steam Plant that provides heat to campus building was shut down for the summer, and the Dance Studio floor was replaced in Roberts Hall. Additionally, the President’s House received “critical preservation to the house and surrounding structures.”

At the residence halls, the suite area carpeting was replaced throughout Weber Hall, the front doors, glass and frames were replaced at Thorpe and the fire alarm was replaced in Sweet. At New Hall, the front

Anchor Photo/David Okon

This new Campus Police cruiser, adorned in college colors, is a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria donated by the R.I. state police. entry flooring was repaired, and glass entry leak repairs are in progress. The fifth and final phase of stairway replacement was completed at Willard Hall, in addition to landscaping improvements in that hall’s courtyard.

Brown Hall saw major upgrades this summer, from new electrical panels to new flooring in Health Services to a total renovation of the Security and Safety Office for Campus Police.

Fred Ghio, the deputy chief of Campus Police who has been running the department since the retirement of Chief Cyrille Cote Aug. 13, said the changes to the station have been sorely needed.

“Everything is fresh, new and clean,” he said. “It’s a whole new environment.”

The new Campus Police logo is emblazoned throughout the office, the dispatch desk was moved and renovated, and the office was refloored and painted. The entire fleet of Campus Police vehicles received new lights, decals and, for the first time, a computer system connected to state services like the DMV. Electrical feeders around campus are being replaced, and a draft infrastructure report is due Sept. 10. RIC has also been appropriated $9.7 million

of ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) funds for fire safety and sprinkler improvements. The college has until Sept. 2011 to spend the ARRA money, or it must be returned, so plans are underway to implement a wide range of infrastructure improvements quickly.

While the project schedule is fluid, RIC is using the funding to redesign or fix building entrances, doors, emergency exits, stairs and ramps in more than 13 campus structures – including almost every major classroom building. The project will include the installation or replacement of fire alarms and sprinklers, as well, and, beginning in 2011, the complete replacement of campus water mains. That project will involve the digging up of roads, walkways and grassy areas. All of the work will be completed within the next 12 to 13 months, if all goes according to plan.

Carriuolo said the timeframe mandates an aggressive construction schedule for the ARRA projects, and that the work is too wide-ranging to be accomplished solely when classes are not in session.

“You will see that the list of projects includes some that will be messy (water main replacement) and make parking difficult,” the president said

in her e-mail. “I ask that you be patient during 2010-2011.

The end result will be a safer, more healthful, and attractive campus.”

Penfield and Director of Athletics, Intramurals and Recreation Donald Tencher helped oversee the operations of Physical Plant and other departments since the death of Vice President for Administration and Finance Ivy Locke

last spring. Penfield said it was interesting learning the intricacies of that position over the summer, but he is happy to give way to the new vice president, William Gearhart.

Selected to fill Locke’s position earlier this summer, Gearhart was approved by the Board of Governors on Monday, and began his new job at RIC Tuesday – already with a full slate of projects to work on.

Anchor Photo/David Okon

Students walk past the Quad’s newest art sculpture.

Welcome Back

September 1, 2010

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RIC kicks off fall semester with style

By Edward Taylor A&E Editor

So, the first week of the fall semester is always a bit of a drag. Switching over from summer to school mode isn’t an easy change. Going from lounging around at the beach to being buried in textbooks, and the debt that comes with them, can be one of the most stressful parts of the semester. So, to help us all blow off a bit of steam, the first weeks of classes are full of activities, events and trips that are either free or rather light on the wallet.

The College Humor tour came to RIC on Mon., Aug. 30 with Jake & Amir, where they performed in Sapinsley Hall.

The wildly popular Internet

comedy site, well known for its videos uploaded to YouTube and crude humor, is a big hit with college students. The show featured comedian Dan Levy, who is recognized as one of the nation’s best college comedians. The show was hosted by the College Humor stars Jake and Amir. Plus, the tickets were free, so if you missed it, you missed out. Don’t worry, though, because there will be plenty of more events just like it coming up.

Of course, that isn’t the only event taking place on campus over the next two weeks. Be sure to check out the First Free Period Festival on Wed., Sept.

1 on the Quad for free food, chalk murals and much more.

It’s a great way to meet other

Anchor Photo/Mandy Wray Dion

CollegeHumor’s Jake Hurwitz.

students or just take in a bit of campus culture.

Programming, a student-run organization that plans most of the campus events, is hosting several activities on campus over the next few weeks. Tuesday, Sept.7, they host “Last Comic Standing” in Gaige Auditorium at 8 p.m. On Wed., Sept. 8 at 12:30 p.m., Programming also hosts “Biggest Loser” on the Quad. “Minute to Win It” will also take place on Sept. 8 in the Student Union Ballroom at 8 p.m. Finally, Programming hosts “Making the Band,” on Thurs., Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. in Gaige Auditorium.

There will also be several welcoming receptions with each reception having a theme.

On Tues., Aug. 31, there was a meeting for Student Veterans in the Faculty Center. Representatives of the Student Veterans Organization were on hand, as well as various veteran support groups. There was a reception for transfer students on Tuesday in the Alumni Lounge in Roberts Hall, as well.

On Wed., Sept. 1, RIC will host a Multicultural Mixer in the Unity Center from 4 to 6 p.m. The Out of State Students reception will take place on Wednesday also, from 7 to 9 p.m. Stop in to meet students from outside the area, and learn more about Rhode Island and Providence.

Also, the Students with Children reception will take place on Fri., Sept. 10 in the Student Union Ballroom from 3 to 6 p.m. This is a great way to meet other students who are also juggling having a family and school and to learn of community resources. Expectant mothers are welcome as well, of course, and children are allowed at the reception.

Student Activities will host its Labor Day weekend trips.

While these are not free trips, you get a lot of bang for your buck. The Providence Scavenger Hunt will be Sat., Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The trip costs $3 for RIC students and

Anchor Photo/Andrew Augustus

Dan Leby performed at RIC on the CollegeHumor Live Tour. $5 for non-RIC students.

There will be a trip to Newport on Sun., Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $3 for RIC students, $5 for nonRIC. Boston for a Buck will be Mon., Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets will be $1 for RIC students and $5 for non-RIC. Guests of RIC students must be 18 or older in order to attend.

RIC students under the age of 18 must have a parent’s permission and a signed waiver.

RIC students will also be going to the Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on Tues., Sept. 7. The trip is for RIC students only, and tickets are $40 for seats or $30 for standing room. Be sure to get your tickets from the Stu-

dent Union early.

RIC will also be having trips to Casey Farm: Organic Farm Tour on Fri., Sept. 10, and The Big E on Sat., Sept. 18 from 1 to 10 p.m. Check out the Student Union for more information on these trips.

Don’t forget to check out or participate in Open Mic Night in the Student Union Café every Thursday at 7 p.m. Whether you’re a poet, musician or want to be standup comic, all are welcome to take the stage or just enjoy the show.

The fall semester is shaping up to be a great semester, and with so many other events and activities coming, there’s going to be a lot to do on campus.

Make yourself part of it.

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Welcome Back Quick tips for freshmen

As students fresh out of high school, you might have questions about campus life and college behavior. Here are four tips to help you get by.

By Jon Kmieciak Lifestyles Editor

Are you hungry for a late night snack? If you’re sitting in your dorm, suddenly get the craving for a snack, and realize The Café closed at 10:30, don’t fret! There are a number of delivery services around to help out when you get that late night craving. Big Tony’s is always a good choice when it comes to pizza, calzones, pasta, wraps and subs. They’re open till 4 a.m. every day and there are a plethora of menus on campus.

How can I make it across campus? The best way to get to East Campus from the residence halls or Lot J (depending on the

weather) is to walk towards the Student Union, then go between Donovan and Horace Mann. After this, you can go up the hill that brings you right next to Henry Barnard School, then travel around Craig-Lee, between Alger and the Arts Center, and head to the sidewalk that runs on the side of Whipple.

East Campus should now be in your view and if you can’t get there just by sight, then frankly, something is terribly wrong.

Where’s the best place to park and how do I get a good spot? If you’re coming to RIC in the morning, the best thing to do would be to come early. You just may be lucky enough to get into the Student Union Loop (Lot K) or a very close spot in Lot J. If you couldn’t manage a morning commute and are coming in the afternoon, then the best place to park would be behind the dorms if you need to get to a building on the Quad

or near the Nazarian Center, if you have a class in Whipple or on East Campus. Another really good idea is to find a friend who doesn’t care if you stay over one night a week and park in back of the dorms.

What’s there to do around Providence and how can I get around if I don’t have a car?

The best way to get around Providence is RIPTA. The busses generally run every half hour during the day and every hour at night Monday through Friday. However, Saturdays can be a little tricky, and busses do not come to RIC on Sundays.

In Providence, there are numerous activities and places to go. The mall, Bank of America City Center Skating Rink, AS220 and WaterFire are all within walking distance of Kennedy Plaza. Also, for those legal adults, there are a couple 18+ clubs around Providence for both men and ladies.

Anchor Photo/Steve Rys

Students moving into their dorms over the weekend.

Welcome Back

September 1, 2010

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Freshmen: get involved and have fun

By Dan Rohelia Anchor Contributor

This is it: It’s your first week of college and you’re raring to get started on what you had dreamed of every day in high school. The true college experience lies ahead – an experience you will want to live to its fullest potential.

What is written on your class schedule are the fundamentals of the college experience. However, though your notebook may read “English 161” in black Sharpie, there are also elements of life at Rhode Island College that cannot simply be labeled with a subject and a number.

In fact, you can even think of these elements as classes that are structured by the students.

They are student activities, and they may benefit you in more ways than you might initially perceive, especially in your freshman year.

It should come as no surprise that there are dozens of different clubs covering a wide range of interests. Everything from accounting, to anime, to literature can be found in a RIC club, organization or Greek life.

And, of course, there are more

to clubs than making friends and building relationships.

The social stimulation gained from being involved with these activities has a wide variety of effects such as boosting your confidence or increasing your academic performance. If you’re in your first year, you definitely won’t have much room to mess around with your GPA. Every little bit counts, and stimulation will keep you alert and active enough to do well.

Being involved in a club is not only a great way to pass time and have fun. Clubs also benefit you by providing you with qualities and skills that employers will be looking for upon your graduation. Many organizations on campus incorporate the same elements one would find in the workplace.

Teamwork, organization and planning are just a meager few of the many skills to be found – skills that employers want.

Getting involved as early as your freshman year will help you become accustomed to these facets much more quickly, and spending multiple semesters in a club can lead you to an officer position and beyond,

Anchor Photo/Steve Rys

Anchor TV was actively recruiting new members at WXIN’s Back to School BBQ on Sunday. emulating the desire to ascend the corporate ladder in a real company. After all, you’re here in college to get a job later on, and club activities are excellent resume-builders.

But how does one join a club? Breathe a sigh of relief knowing that this is the easy part, for getting in contact with these groups can take a number of routes. The RIC Web site always has a list of organizations with their contact information.

Perhaps the more exciting way to get involved is to attend Student Activities Day, scheduled this year for Wednesday, Sept. 15 during the Free Period, and meet people around the Quad. You’ll get great opportunities to talk with members of various clubs and get a handson feel of the different types of activities that students have to offer you. Of course, you may also know someone in a club already, which is also a great

way to get your foot in the door.

With fewer students becoming involved in campus activities in recent years, these openings are an excellent way to help you stand out in the job market. As nervous as you may be in your first semester or two, joining groups can help you alleviate your post-high school stress. So get involved, have fun and meet new people!

Don’t get stressed

By Laura Horton Health Help We l c o m e ,

Class of 2014! Making the adjustment from high school to college can be a hard and stressful experience. A typical college student balances classes, work, friends, family and maybe even a boyfriend or girlfriend. Come mid-terms and finals, stress can overwhelm your entire life, because you want to strive to get good grades.

Some say that stress can kill you, but in all honesty, it can. Too much prolonged stress

can lead to health problems including anxiety, depression, sleep problems, weight gain, immune system problems and heart conditions. When you are stressed, your body naturally releases adrenaline and cortisol.

Together, these hormones send your body into emergency mode. Your heart will start to beat faster and harder, your blood pressure will rise, your breathing will become a lot quicker, your muscles will tighten and you’ll feel your senses becoming sharper. It may have the same feelings as a panic attack.

So what do you do when you feel that college stress take over your life? If possible, drop a class or see if you can work

fewer hours at your job. Try to postpone major changes in your life which can include starting a job or moving, and develop a schedule to help with time management.

Also, make sure you take care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, exercise for 20 minutes at least three times a week (which can include a leisurely walk around campus) and get enough sleep, which means between six and eight hours a night. Other ways to help during times of stress are doing something fun for you, listening to music, watching television or a movie, picking up a hobby or joining a club on campus.

If those don’t help with your stress, another option is to go

find someone to talk about it.

Rhode Island College offers free help to those who need it at the Counseling Center, which is located on the first floor of Craig-Lee. The best part is that you don’t have to wait for an appointment. Usually, a counselor will see you within a few days of first reaching out to them. Everything is strictly confidential, and they won’t think you’re crazy, either.

There is also an online program made for college students created by the Counseling and Mental Health Center at the University of Texas at Austin called “Stress Recess: Stress Management and Reduction.” It is a guided program that helps college students deal with their

stress and gives those students ways to reduce it. This online program can be found at www. cmhc.utexas.edu/stressrecess.

To the freshmen who are starting out their first year in college, take it easy and transition to this new stage in life smoothly. Don’t take too many classes at first, and just enjoy yourself and get good grades.

Join a few clubs and organizations – this way, you have an outlet for your stress. Plus, it’s a great way to make new friends.

When the stress does arrive, just breathe – it will be over before you know it.

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