UMDPD puts on training exercises, A4
THE STATESMAN WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2014
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH
WWW.UMDSTATESMAN.COM
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The turn of the school year brings a new academic calendar to UMD this coming fall. Instead of starting the semester off on Tuesday after Labor Day, the new semester will begin a week prior, on Monday, Aug 31, 2015. Students and faculty members alike weighed out the pros and cons to the changes before the decision was made. The discussion began about two years ago. A survey was sent out via email with questions regarding the benefits of starting the semester early, ending it early, and the possibility of adding a fall break. The response was positive among students, with 64.73 percent in favor of the changes and 35.27 percent against. Faculty, however, was a bit more divided with 55 percent in favor and 45 percent against. The Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Andrea Schokker says there
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By Aisling Doheny Staff Reporter
breathe before starting their first day of college. Jennifer Doebler, Orientation Programs Coordinator, sings praise for the changes. “It’s so great,” Doebler said, “from a Welcome Week perspective — to not be on a holiday weekend is prime. It couldn’t be a better time.” Doebler hopes for the program to expand and offer more opportunities for incoming freshman. More faculty members will have the chance to talk to students about their area of profession, giving a wider selection of educational workshops. “I’m hoping that there’s more potential for a much more academically-focused workshop experience during Welcome Week,” Doebler said. “Because now we’re on weekdays, and people are already working.” Freshman will also be able to experience more variety in activities around the city of Duluth — something that see CALENDAR, A3
see SEMINAR, A3
ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARISA SCHOEN AND JADE GOLEN
was plenty of thought that Another positive of the went into the decision-mak- changing calendar is that stuing process in regards to how dents looking to take a Maythese changes would affect term class will be offered the different departments four weeks of class instead of and programs. While some three. This allows professors areas will see more difficulty to cover more material, openadjusting than others, Schok- ing the door for more rigorker ensures ous courses to be that the new offered in that calendar will I think that just time. benefit stu- having that extra “We can potendents overall tially offer addiweek (in May) tional courses that in the coming school year. people didn’t feel makes it a lot “It’s actucomfortable doing more adaptable in three weeks,” ally more in line with what to more courses. Schokker said. other schools “I think that just have,” Schokhaving that extra ker said. -Andrea Schokker week in there The Univermakes it a lot sity of Minnemore adaptable to sota Twin Cities will remain more courses.” the only campus in the UMN One area at UMD that’s program with the semester feeling the love for the change starting after Labor Day, in calendar is the orientation mostly for the need for State programs. Bulldog Welcome Fair parking up until that Week will begin on Tuesday point. Crookston, Morris and with move-in day, giving stuRochester campuses already dents Wednesday through have a similar calendar in Saturday for planned activiplace. ties and Sunday as a day to
Questions about the relevance of the class may bring reforms
Many undergraduates who attended UMD their freshman year are familiar with the first-year seminar course. A staple of the freshman academic experience for many, UMD Seminar serves an important role. This course, though, can expect to see some changes within the next year. UMD has been dealing with campus issues about the seminar course. Though it is required for freshmen in four of the five schools at UMD (excluding the Swenson College of Science and Engineering), many people question the relevance of the class. “The concerns, in general, come from misunderstandings based on people not really knowing a lot about the course,” Sam DeVilbiss said, coordinator for UMD Seminar and New Student Initiatives from the Office of Students in Transition. So, the question remains: what really is UMD Seminar? “UMD Seminar is designed to assist students in transitions, to get them to feel connected and to help them be successful in college,” DeVilbiss said. UMD Seminar, an introductory course, also serves students on an intellectual level. “The seminar course also works to help students develop communication skills, use critical thinking skills, and promote self-awareness in students,” DeVilbiss added. The UMD Seminar course
Changes to the 2015-16 academic calendar include an earlier start date and a fall break, but some faculty and staff have expressed concern regarding the schedule BY MADISON ROLES Statesman Correspondent
What to do with seminar?
Glensheen still recovering from flood Construction is centered around restoration BY LEAH RODGERS Multimedia Editor
With its fast-paced construction work, it’s now easy to imagine guests arriving by carriage through the main entrance of the Congdon Estate. Two years after the Duluth flood, construction workers are still making restorations to the historical Glensheen Mansion. Glensheen Marketing Director Jane Pederson
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says the construction started around a year ago — after the University of Minnesota Duluth’s insurance approved the project. Unlike the usual construction site, workers are following original Congdon Estate plans — plans as old as 1905. “All of it is based on the historic plans,” Pederson said. “Instead of completely rebuilding something, we want to restore it. In this case we had to rebuild it to the original plan.“ Restoring the entrance’s “serpentine wall”, chipping away and re-using bricks from the servant’s courtyard, and waterproofing window wells are just a few of the $3 million worth of projects currently in progress. Pederson says there is around $26 million worth of restorations to come due to a mix of flood damage and the estate’s natural aging. “It’s over 100 years old, stuff kind of starts to fall apart.” Pederson said. A construction worker takes a break outside of Glensee GLENSHEEN, A3 sheen Mansion. Around $26 million worth of repairs are yet to be made. LEAH RODGERS/STATESMAN
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