MAP Grant funding restored because of powerful student effort
chronicle THE COLUMBIA
The Official News Source of Columbia College Chicago
November 2, 2009
Volume 45 Number 9
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New discussions focus on retention rates
Christie Hefner comes to campus
by Benita Zepeda Campus Editor AS THE harsh economic climate continues,
turned Playboy into a thriving multimedia conglomerate, becoming the first magazine to adapt to television and a pioneer in uncharted waters of the Internet world in the mid-1990s. “I invited Christie Hefner because she is an example of not only a successful businesswoman, but someone for whom the broad-based education has been extremely important in her success,” Holdstein said. Hefner said she mostly learned by getting what she called an MBWA, “management by walking around.” “It’s not a bad way to learn,” Hefner said. “I was greatly the beneficiary of having no idea of how much I didn’t know, something that can often allow you to accomplish more than you probably have any right to accomplish.”
many colleges are forced to find ways to ensure students return each semester and that they are in the best possible environment. Columbia is currently focusing on how to keep its retention rates up through Retention Discussion Groups. Columbia’s President Warrick L. Carter requested Vice President of Academic Affairs Louise Love and Vice President of Student Affairs Mark Kelly lead the process to find solutions to ensure student retention. The group’s focus is improving graduation and retention rates at Columbia. The discussions have 10 steering members, including Love and Kelly, and take place every other Monday from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Faculty Center on the 8th floor of the Alexandroff Campus Center, 600 S. Michigan Ave. This initiative differs from other ways Columbia has approached the issue before. This is the first time there has been a group designated to have in-depth conversations about ways the college can increase retention rates. Each discussion will have two expert testimonials on the subject. Kelly helped form the idea of the discussions when Carter asked for a way to address this issue. “It is a very different format than we have typically utilized as we took on a big subject like the issue of student retention and graduation rates,” Kelly said. He said the first discussion was well attended and about 75 people came to watch. Kelly said new students to the college are an important part of retention rates. If students continue their education at Columbia through the second semester of their second year, they are more likely to stay until graduation. But new students aren’t the only ones affected by retention and graduation rates. The entire college is impacted, and it requires a joint effort by all departments of the college to help retain students. “We’re such a big and complex place that we don’t always know about the innovation going on in other areas,” Kelly said. “Now we will be able to comfortably share it and learn from each other.” Kelly said the model might change for
» SEE HEFNER, PG. 8
» SEE RETENTION, PG. 8
Andy Keil THE CHRONICLE
Christie Hefner speaks at Film Row Cinema Oct. 29 at the second installment of the Dean’s Lecture series in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
nities will be,” Hefner said. Former Playboy CEO speaks in and commander of her father’s popular Dean’s Lecture for the School of Mark Schimmel, adjunct instructor in magazine company in 1988 at age 29. With Liberal Arts & Sciences the Film & Video Department, attended the a minimal background in business, Hefner Dean’s Lecture on Oct. 29.
by Ciara Shook Assistant Campus Editor CHRISTIE HEFNER advises that in a world
based more around education and less around information, students are less likely to get what is deserved, but more likely to get what can be negotiated. Daughter of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, Christie had a bright face and a warm smile as she stood before students, faculty and the public at Film Row Cinema of the 1104 Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave. Hefner is visiting Columbia as the second installment of the Dean’s Lecture series in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, hosted by Deborah Holdstein, dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “There’s no way of knowing where your path will take you and what your opportu-
There’s no way of knowing where your path will take you and what your opportunities will be.” -Christie Hefner
“She’s an incredibly successful and recognizable woman who ran a really successful organization,” Schimmel said. “She was inspiring and inspired the students who were here with her passion for learning and her experience in business.” Holdstein said Hefner is a very good person to speak about issues related to First Amendment rights. As heiress to Playboy, she became master
INDEX
» SEE PG. 11
» SEE PG. 26
Financial CAMPUS Fury
METRO
How to save a life
A&C
H&F
Gitmo music protest
» SEE PG. 33
2
H&F
11
A&C
17
COMMENTARY
30
METRO
33