tCJje &otuntia Longwood College -- Farmville, VA
Volume 76, Number 7
October 30,1996
Reported Rudeness To Be Corrected by Me Unit Bmrktr, Staff Writtr
The Rotunda recently printed a copy of the SGA minutes briefly mentioning students' concerns about rude library workers. With the help of the SGA, the library's staff intend to identify and correct any problems that students are experiencing. Denise James, chair of student services and students' rights, says that her report has caused many students to come to her saying that they have experienced unsatisfactory service from the staff while working in the library. After hearing about experiences from friends and random students, James decided to bring the issue to the SGA. Being the voice of the students, James hopes the SGA can help solve the problems between staff and students. James, who has also encountered uncivil library staff, understands that computer malfunctions and misunderstandings over library fines can lead to frustration in both students and faculty, but she acknowledges that this is often not the source of the discourteous attitude displayed by some employees. Students have reported that some staff respond to their questions with, "That's not my job," or appear to be annoyed by the patrons' questions. "It seems like they don't want to be bothered with students." James said.
James has been reluctant to approach Dr. Calvin Boyer, Director of the Library, with her experiences alone. She encourages any student who has a problem to document the date, time, the name of the librarian, and the nature of the complication. She says that students often come to her when they feel their rights have been infringed upon; yet, they rarely provide her with documented evidence. "Students need to protect themselves by documenting events," said James. The library staff were shocked at the mention of rude workers in the October 5 edition of The Rotunda. Boyer said that he felt he spoke for all the permanent staff when he stated that each staff member is dedicated to gathering information for Longwood's students and faculty. After reading the reprint of the minutes, Boyer immediately e-mailed notes to the staff voicing his concern. He also contacted Tim Pearson, Dean of Students, to see if he had heard of any problems students had experienced with the library staff. Boyer and staff members are still gathering information to better understand why some students feel uncomfortable around the library's staff. In order to improve their service, the staff needs to know what they are doing wrong.
Boyer said, "A major concern is that the staff lacks a clear understanding of incidents that cause problems." Boyer thanked the SGA for confronting the issue. Realizing how dependent students and faculty are on the library's resources, Boyer is concerned about correcting problems that exist. In a letter to student library
by GtorgtC. Lamm, 111 LÂŤyou! tiitor
The Faculty Senate voted Thursday, October 10 that effective immediately me swim test is no longer a general education requirement nor is it required for graduation. The Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance department (H.P.E.R.D.) met and decided to remove the swim test credit based on the fact that it was administered unfairly. Longwood college, within the last couple of years, made the swim test requirement from a graduation credit to a general education requirement. Transfer students, who came to Longwood with an Associate Degree, having finished all of their general education requirements, did not have to take the swim test; however, incoming freshman would. The swim test has been
a part of Longwood tradition for nearly 30 years. Initially, the entire college faculty voted on the administration of a swim test. The faculty decided that it was important to have a swimming requirement to assure that students had some level of proficiency in swimming. It was considered as part of a true liberal arts education. Dr. Nancy Bingham stated that the major reason for instituting the swim test was "3/ 4 of the world's surface is water. We have ample opportunity to do land based activities, but there was no guarantee that people would have experience with water. It was important to their educational experience to make sure they had some proficiency in water." We were not the one school which required a swim test. Many schools in the country
•
still have a swimming requirement. Dr. Bingham stated, "We [Longwood] aren't the last dinosaur where the swim test in concerned." "It seems to me that times have changed in student's education," stated Dr. Bingham. "You are in college for two reasons. One is to acquire an education. But in today's job market, you can't ignore the fact that you need to make your students more marketable. Would the swimming credit make our students more marketable or would a computer class, a foreign language credit, or something else make them more marketable?" There is a myth running around the campus that a special donor, an alumni, or the parent of an alumni that drowned gave a lot of money to the school and requested that a swim test be added as a requirement. There is no validity to this rumor.
•
College Bowl
Speak Out - On the swim test requirement
- True Ghostbusters talk about the supernature
characterize our library service as both quality and caring service." To help provide quality service to the Longwood community, Boyer strongly encourages student input. Anyone with a comment on library service should see one of the many librarians on duty, or bring documented cases to the SGA as James suggests.
Swim Test Requirement removed
See Inside
Supernature
workers, Boyer wrote, "A very great amount of our energy, resources, and work go into providing quality, caring service. Given our service goals, we all are concerned about why some users perceive our service as'rude.' I believe that everyone on the permanent staff wishes that all of our users (students, faculty, and off-campus users alike) could, if asked,
3
- "1906" claim victory
5
Soccer - Soccer team advances to CVAC Tournament
7-8