Top Story
Administration reconsiders housing move-out announcement
Students attending classes over the summer or who are required to stay on campus due to university-related activities are longer required to move off campus or pay a fee to stay in campus housing during the break between the 2012 spring and summer semesters. The reversal of the April 3 announcement, which required students to move off campus from May 9 through May 18 or pay a $160 fee, is the result of a meeting between Vice President for Business and Finance David Carson, Vice President for Student Affairs Keith Betts and University President Linda Bleicken out of recognition that the Armstrong community was ill-informed about the policy and any resulting expenses. “We heard from you folks,” Carson said. “We’ve heard from several students. Keith and I met with the president. We think that everyone understands when the contract ends and when summer starts. One of my issues was that, well, people can’t stay for free. But, what we are getting from you guys is that everyone understands that — but you guys feel that you weren’t given enough notice.”
Full story
In 2009, 459 forcible rapes occurred on college campuses — 17 percent of all college-related violent crimes committed — according the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They estimated that, at any given time, 12 percent of women attending American colleges have been raped, and only 12 percent of those rapes are reported.
To highlight Domestic Violence Month, Feminists United participated in the Clothesline Project April 17 through 19 to give Armstrong’s student body a chance to address the issue of violence against women and to be a voice for victims and survivors of abuse.
“Because we’re doing the ‘Vagina Monologues,’ we thought that it’d be nice since the ‘Vagina Monologues’ is to empower women and raise awareness about sexual abuse,” said senior Kristin Cook, Feminists United’s vice president. “The Clothesline Project encompassed all kinds of abuse — domestic, emotional, verbal, everything — and nothing like that is really done on Armstrong’s campus, and it not only gave the people who wrote on the shirts a voice, it let other people see how prevalent violence against women is.”
Full story
Although the mediums were as different from each other as oil and water, each piece of art displayed at the 2012 Senior Art Exhibition showcased 15 Armstrong students and their differing points of view, all of them unified by their abilities to take an idea and turn it into something incredible.
For one graduating senior, it was proving to a classmate there was something beautiful to photograph on campus, demonstrated through his photographic study of the Student Union’s architecture.
In the case of another senior, it was demonstrating the notion art is ideas, not inspiration, and expressed everyday philosophies in advertisements, of sorts.
One senior’s slightly macabre paintings of raw meat turned a normal grocery item into a red-and-white-marbled visual feast. The artists worked toward this exhibition all year long, and it is the culmination of their four years at Armstrong.
Full story
Mychal Horn
Q: I heard you went to college in Oklahoma before transferring to Armstrong. How did you end up choosing Armstrong?
A: It was a better opportunity for me athletically and academically. It’s a small setting with small class sizes. There were fewer distractions so I could stay focused on what I needed to do. I liked the atmosphere, and I like the city of Savannah.
Full story
Matt Motes
Q: What’s your favorite sports memory here at Armstrong?
A: I remember when we broke the Armstrong scoring record for a one day total. I shot the low round, actually of my whole college career. It was at Clayton State’s tournament. I came in and was like, “Well, that’s great. I wonder how the rest of the team played.”
You go out and play those 36-hole days, and you’re just out there. You really don’t think about anything but yourself, and you really don’t know what’s going on — at least for me. I like it to be a surprise. I ended up coming in with a 65, and Ridge [Purcell] came up and was like, “I bet you didn’t beat me.” He ends up coming in with 66. Parker, my roommate, shot 71, and someone else took a 74. So, we ended up shooting 276 for one day. It’s a good feeling.
Full story
The “Vagina Monologues” captured audiences April 20 through the 22, for three shows in Armstrong’s Student Union Ogeechee Theater.
Originally written and performed by Eve Ensler, the show features the real-life experiences and thoughts of women around the world.
Twenty actresses braved the Ogeechee stage and openly discussed “wee-wees,” “coochie-snatchers” and “monkey boxes,” aka vaginas. They discussed everything from grooming and orgasms to genital mutilation and rape.
The show left many women, such as senior English major Sarah Wagner feeling supported.
“I thought it was brilliant,” Wagner said. “The girls were well prepared. It was a solid message, and they were extremely brave. It’s nice to see everyone come together and support it.”
Full story
Armstrong honored its most notable graduating students at the annual Awards Convocation in the Student Union Ballroom April 11.
Each department’s faculty nominated its best students as recipients for the awards, taking into account each student’s GPA, participation in community service and professional work ethic.
“Each individual award has its own characteristics and qualifications,” said Keith Betts, vice president for Student Affairs. “The nominations come from various sources, and then each department selected the best student. This year the process was professional and finished early.”
The awards are regarded as a very high honor to everyone involved in the students’ education.
“In an academic institution, it is important to the academy. It is important to the student and to the students’ families, and it’s the best part of the year for the administration,” Betts said.
The list of award winners was provided by the Office of Academic Affairs.
Full story
Veteran Tammy Lawrence said that even though she is not a Republican, she will continue to vote for Congressman Jack Kingston in future elections to represent Georgia’s First District.
“That is the only congressman that is always available to the public and the people he serves,” Lawrence said.
Congressman Kingston visited Armstrong’s campus April 16 and hosted a public question-and-answer forum in the Armstrong Center, which allowed military veterans and their family members to address issues concerning veteran benefits.
“We are delighted that we have Representative Kingston here,” said Armstrong President Linda Bleicken in her opening introduction of the forum. “He has a long very positive history with Armstrong.”
Retired Colonel Eric Robyn served as the forum’s master of ceremonies and followed Bleicken’s introduction with prayer. He then led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance as members from 5th Battalion 7th Calvary Regiment of 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade presented the colors.
Full story
Republican Johnny Isakson, a United States senator representing Georgia, addressed students taking principles of macroeconomics with Michael Toma, professor of economics and the director of the Center for Regional Analysis, April 12.
“I was asked if he could talk to one of my classes, and given the senator’s experience with different committees, I thought it would be excellent for him to come and talk to a macro class,” Toma said.
In his speech, Isakson explained why he feels economists are so vital to business.
“Economists are a lot like weathermen,” Isakson said. “Everyone wants to check the weather every day, but it’s not always right. Well, economists have to forecast, and they have to forecast based on assumptions, and sometimes, the assumptions they make aren’t right, but without those assumptions, you can’t really plan your business.”
Full story
Senior Tiffany Edmond was recently named Big Sister of the Year as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Coastal Empire program.
The Big Sister of the Year award is a part of an annual initiative to recognize one male and one female volunteer in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program who exhibited excellence in their interaction with their “Little.”
“Each year, I request my match specialist to nominate one big brother and one big sister who they believe have worked especially well with their ‘Little,’” said Kate Jacobs, the director of programs. “Our match support team keeps up with the volunteers and the children that they are matched with.”
Full story
Administration considers housing policy standard practice
In an effort to ensure that students living on campus for the summer semester will have clean, functioning rooms, University Housing announced that residential students attending summer classes must vacate their rooms from May 9 at 5 p.m. through May 18.
The move-out requirement is an unpleasant surprise for many students who are accustomed to staying on campus during the break between spring and summer semesters. But, according to Vice President for Business and Finance David Carson, the move-out requirement is standard housing practice.
“There is some confusion about this being a new policy. It’s not,” Carson said. “We’ve just been relaxed on enforcing it. The contract for spring semester ends on May 8. If we allow students to stay until summer semester starts, they would be living free for 10 days.”
The newly enforced policy is problematic for many students, especially for those whose permanent place of residence is hours from Savannah.
“I have mixed feelings,” said Meagan Stachurski, a graduate student. “I understand why they would want to clean. However, it is difficult for students to buy storage units, move out all their things and find a place to stay for nine days. It’s costly and an annoyance. I live about fifteen hours away. It’s $400 a flight. I don’t have $400 lying around.”
In addition to students having to pay moving expenses, housing prices have also increased
Full story
Students and faculty members were invited to the Writing Center in room 109 of Gamble Hall April 4 to celebrate the center’s long history at its current location. Gamble Hall is scheduled to be renovated at the beginning of the summer 2012 semester, and the event was to inform the Armstrong body that the Writing Center is temporarily moving to room 224 of Lane Library.
Students dropped by the center to enjoy a wide selection of food and beverages and bid farewell to the old room. Several faculty members were also in attendance as well as most of the Writing Center staff.
“I came today for the food,” said Ashley Counts, a senior criminal justice and political science major. “But I’m always here to use the computers because most people are writing their papers.”
The Writing Center is an important resource available to students. With many tutors on hand to help students with their papers or other written assignments, the student tutors are able to provide a fresh perspective of a student’s work.
Full story
Stephen Primatic, director of Armstrong’s Percussion Ensemble and professor of music, led Zach Anderson, Federico Foster, Brock McGarity, Stephen Medlar, Cameron Reese, Robert Saunder, Cory Shuman and Wade Stephens during the ensemble’s performance April 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Hall auditorium.
A supporter of Armstrong’s music programs, University President Linda Bleicken made a point to treat herself to the night of pure percussion.
“Last year, I came for a performance, which included the whole ensemble, and I heard Super Mario, and that was absolutely marvelous — 15 minutes of pure genius,” Bleicken said. “And so I expressed over the last year many times to Dr. Primatic about how much I had enjoyed it, so he invited me to join tonight, and so here I am. It’s great. I’m really excited. I like all of our musical events, and I try to attend as many as I can.”
Numbers performed included the “Overture for Percussion Ensemble” by John Beck, “Japanese Impressions” by Anthony Cirone, “Dueling Comedians” by Dimitri Kabalevsky and arranged by Stephen Primatic, “Concerto for Timpani and Percussion Ensemble” by John Beck, and “Brazilian Myths” by Ney Rosauro.
Full story
Armstrong hosted their Graduate Studies Open House in the Armstrong Center Ballroom April 5 as an opportunity for students to gain insight on programs offering assistance advancing professional and academic careers.
The event attracted former Armstrong student Victoria Blockum who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health science.
“I love the activities and programs that come along with attending, which is why I’m interested in obtaining a master’s degree here,” she said.
Graduate programs at Armstrong range from history to criminal justice to middle grade education.
Blockum also said because of great teachers and a great school, students will receive a great education — an idea stressed by the coordinators of the open-house event, which highlighted some key reason to enroll in graduate programs.
“There are two important benefits,” said Christopher Hendricks, professor of history. “One, the programs will promote a well-rounded individual, and two, it will help get you a job.”
Full story
The Chatham Area Transit bus system may be headed to Armstrong’s campus, as CAT and Armstrong explore the possibility of implementing a University Transit Pass Program.
A success at Savannah State University, CAT approached Vice President for Business and Finance David Carson about the possibility of bus transportation on and off campus at the end of last semester. Carson and Vice President for Student Affairs Keith Betts sat down with a representative from CAT to discuss the options.
“The transportation company explained their program, and we explained to them we would have to take the idea to the students to see if they would be interested,” Carson said.
Betts then teamed with Student Government Association President Kwame Phillips to arrange forums, which were held last week, to allow students to attend a presentation from the CAT transit planner, Sarah Rayfield.
“The idea is to let the community be aware of what the opportunities are in terms of public transportation,” Betts said
Rayfield offered information regarding how the system would work and its potential benefits, such as providing students with unlimited travel on any CAT bus service to and from commercial and residential areas of Savannah — including late-night weekend service — and how to finance the program.
Full story
Professional double-trap shooter and Armstrong sophomore Asher Noria has set his efforts to qualify for the summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The summer games are set for August of 2016, and Noria has already begun the journey of preparing for the coveted slot to represent India.
“There are two quotas that can be earned by each country,” Noria said. “I am confident I will be included.”
The junior world champion proves to have much to offer the shooting competition of international status.
Noria said his first major gold medal win in 2009 inspired him to strive for the Olympic slots.
“My first world championship win was in 2009, and that ignited a huge spark in me to keep pushing myself to higher levels of competition, including the Olympics,” Noria said.
Noria began his journey at 10-years-old.
“In 2002, we had the Afro-Asian Games in India, and I was completely taken by the sport as a spectator. It became a weekend thing on Saturday and Sunday to go and shoot a few clays,” Noria said. “From there it became somewhat of an addiction for me — to wake up every morning before school to go to the range.”
Full story
rmstrong’s pre-physical therapy club, Rho Tau, partnered with the Savannah chapter of American Business Clubs to gift a local family two therapeutic tricycles in Shearouse Plaza March 28.
“I’m just so excited that we were able to do this this year,” said Rho Tau member Charity Ortiz.
AMBUCS is a national nonprofit service organization dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities and manufacture the AmTryke — a therapeutic tricycle designed for individuals who are unable to operate a traditional bicycle.
For the past two years, Rho Tau raised money to fund the bikes.
“We could not have done this without the funding we received from our recent bake sale,” said Rho Tau member Colleen Sheffield. “These bikes can run anywhere from $300 to $1,000. Fundraising didn’t come together last year the way we hoped it would.”
AMBUCS’ Savannah chapter president, Kevin Sheehan, thanked Rho Tau for a their participation in the program.
“These bikes will help them get stronger without them even realizing it,” he said.
Full story
On March 26, Armstrong Atlantic State University president Linda Bleicken took part in a roundtable discussion at the White House in Washington, D.C., with two dozen fellow presidents from state colleges and universities, as part of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Council of State Representatives. Bleicken represents the state of Georgia on the Council.
The White House invited the AASCU Council to discuss the responsibility public colleges and universities have to help make college affordable and to contribute to student success and completion. The subject is closely linked to the Obama administration’s agenda to increase the number of Americans with higher education credentials from the current level of 43 percent to 60 percent by 2020.
Representing the administration were the director of the Domestic Policy Council, Cecilia Munoz; Zakia Smith, senior advisor for education; deputy education secretary, Tony Miller; and the director of the Office of Public Engagement, Jon Carson, among others.
“Student success and fostering a supportive learning environment are Armstrong’s top strategic goals and key components of the University System of Georgia’s Complete College Georgia higher education completion plan,” Bleicken said. “Efforts at both the federal and state level support these goals. The AASCU meeting at the White House provided the opportunity to tell the administration that we are working successfully to contain costs, while at the same time enhancing our students’ achievement levels in a tough budget environment.”
Full story
Professor of sociology and women and gender studies at the University of Colorado and author Janet Jacobs presented her lecture “The Holocaust Memorial at Ravensbruck: Remembering Women’s Suffering and Survival” in the Student Union’s Ogeechee Theater at noon March 30.
The lecture covered a study of how women are memorialized at this national monument, surrounding the idea of collective memories based on Jewish and gender remembrance.
“Memorials are important reminders of genocidal suffering,” Jacobs said. “They are important places of memory that give us an opportunity to mourn the losses of mass tragedy.”
Ravensbruck was the only labor camp built specifically for women by the Nazi regime and eventually became an extermination camp for both women and children.
In 1938, it housed more than 1,000 prisoners. In 1945, without any physical growth to the structure, the number rose to an astonishing 135,000 prisoners — most of whom did not survive.
In 1959, the memorial was established. However, it was not intended to represent the victims of Nazi genocide but served as a war memorial for Soviet heroism as liberators of the Ravensbruck camp.
Full story
A Chatham County health inspector rated Campus Dining Services with a score of 77 in a March 22 food service establishment inspection report.
The inspector attributed the infractions, which were not in compliance the health code, as violations of the hands cleaned and properly washed, food stored and covered, food-contact surfaces cleaned and sanitized, and proper cold-holding temperature codes.
Sodexo’s corporate public relations manager, Gregory Yost, said in an email that the recent inspection did not meet their high standards for food safety.
“We take these inspections very seriously and all of the cited violations were addressed and corrected immediately,” he said. “Our first concern is for the safety of the students we serve and we follow strict food safety guidelines and procedures to ensure our operations are clean and the food we serve is safe.”
Vice President for Business and Finance David Carson said Campus Dining Services has been retraining employees due to an inspection score of 82 from last November and that the score came as a shock to the university. He also said that a new rule which requires The Galley and the food court to fall under one inspection creates a more difficult standard to uphold.
“By sharing one kitchen, we only get one score,” he said. “If we have eight points [subtracted] from the food court and eight points [subtracted] from the dining area — that’s minus 16. In the past that would have been a 92 for each. That is just the way it is. We have to work around it.”
Carson said the violation of hands improperly cleaned and washed was attributed to a dishwasher who does not handle food.
“We lost nine points because the individual removed their gloves and didn’t immediately wash their hands before putting on another pair of gloves,” he said.
Full story
English professor Frank Clancy started this year’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities with a talk on “Dublin: A Portrait of the City as an Old Hoor” and J.P. Donleavy’s novel “The Ginger Man,” at the 25th annual Sebastian Dangerfield Talk in Jenkins Hall March 9.
Clancy, who has participated in the talks since they began in 1988, provided the Armstrong community a glimpse into traditional Irish culture.
He started the event to revitalize the Irish heritage that is prevalent throughout Savannah.
“I wanted to bring a St. Patrick’s Day party to Armstrong,” Clancy said
Director for enrollment services Melanie Mirande warmed up the audience singing and playing traditional Irish folk songs on her guitar. She began with a rendition of “Black Velvet Band” followed by “Bold Fenian Men.”
Dressed in a cloak and cap which resembled the attire of early academic professionals, Clancy climbed on stage and assumed a push-up position.
To commemorate the past 24 talks, he effortlessly performed 24 push-ups while the audience provided him cadence.
After returning to his feet, he played a video of a riverdancing Irishman and attempted to dance along with him.
“[Clancy] is inspiring and entertaining, and the costume was exquisite,” said graduate student Travis MacMillan. “I do wish the Riverdance would have gone on longer.”
Sirens interrupted University Hall’s classes March 20. A student called 911 shortly before 2 p.m. and reported the smell of gas, resulting in the building’s evacuation.
University Police Department Officer Crystal Simmons said that contractors were working in the boiler room which resulted in the residual smell of gas.
More than 400 Armstrong students, faculty, staff and alumni gathered early the morning of March 3 in Residential Plaza for Armstrong's fourth consecutive "Treasure Savannah" day of service.
The biannual event began in 2010 as part of Armstrong's 75th anniversary celebration after the inauguration of Armstrong's seventh president, Linda Bleicken.
The response to the community-service endeavor was so positive from the Armstrong community and the city that it is now held each semester.
"In 1935, the city of Savannah founded Armstrong. I've always been grateful to the city for that," Bleicken said. "This is our way of giving back to the city and maintaining this marvelous place that we call home."
Volunteers participated in eight different service opportunities. As a part of the logistics team, 20 volunteers remained at Armstrong to help with registration, hand out t-shirts and made sure that each volunteer had a name tag with their name and service group listed.
In early March of 2011, Julie Garrison, a 23-year-old transfer student from Ohio State University, sat in a cramped room at Armstrong working diligently to pass the only thing standing between her and a remedial English course — the Regents' Test.
Garrison was one of the roughly 1,000 students taking the exam that March.
"I was so nervous about the possibility of failing. The topics I had to choose from were absolutely ridiculous, because you would never write about them in a normal English class," she said. "Then, my hand started cramping right around the time the testers announced there were only five minutes remaining. The whole experience was just really stressful."
Like about 75 percent of Armstrong students who take the Regents' Test, Garrison passed it on her first attempt. The other 25 percent either had to retake the test or enroll in a regents remediation course, depending on the overall scores raters gave them.
This March, 1,337 students were signed up to face the same daunting scenario, until university officials sent out an e-mail notification Feb. 21, announcing Armstrong's exemption from the Regents' Exam.
In early March of 2011, Julie Garrison, a 23-year-old transfer student from Ohio State University, sat in a cramped room at Armstrong working diligently to pass the only thing standing between her and a remedial English course — the Regents' Test.
Garrison was one of the roughly 1,000 students taking the exam that March.
"I was so nervous about the possibility of failing. The topics I had to choose from were absolutely ridiculous, because you would never write about them in a normal English class," she said. "Then, my hand started cramping right around the time the testers announced there were only five minutes remaining. The whole experience was just really stressful."
Like about 75 percent of Armstrong students who take the Regents' Test, Garrison passed it on her first attempt. The other 25 percent either had to retake the test or enroll in a regents remediation course, depending on the overall scores raters gave them.
This March, 1,337 students were signed up to face the same daunting scenario, until university officials sent out an e-mail notification Feb. 21, announcing Armstrong's exemption from the Regents' Exam.
The Board of Regents
In October 2009, the Board of Regents approved a new core curriculum for the University System of Georgia, requiring all institutions to develop learning outcome and assessment measures in various subject areas.
Students lined up to play a game of strength in which individuals used a large mallet to smack a lever sending a metal weight up an apparatus, which caused a bell to ring throughout Residential Plaza during Armstrong’s Spring Fling event March 28.
Hosted by the Campus Union Board, the event included an array of booths, which featured various games, such as a tin can toss, a golf game and a softball throw. All the activities were free for Armstrong students.
A dunking booth drew a lot of attention to people passing by and attracted a small crowd.
“I feel very bad for the girl,” said Armstrong student Shao Feng Yang as he watched the girl fall in the dunking tank over and over. “I just don’t feel good that she doesn’t know when to expect it.”
Despite his concern, the people in the dunking booth seemed to enjoy being dropped into the water and even taunted the throwers in an effort to motivate them.
Many of the events offered a raffle ticket as a prize for participation, which gave students an opportunity to win items raffled off later in the day.
Other setups were purely for fun and included human-sized balloons, bumper cars, cornhole and a pulley-jump.
Full story
Most students on Facebook this March have seen at least one Kony 2012 thread, if not the embedded video or even an occasional meme. The viral video, released March 5, gained over 85 million views on YouTube and continues to spark conversation in the Armstrong community.
The video targets a college-age audience to buy action kits. The almost 30-minute presentation follows Invisible Children, Inc. leader Jason Russell as he visits Jacob, from Uganda and educates his 5-year-old son about the country’s political situation.
The video urges the viewer to purchase action kits. The goal of the kits is to “make Joseph Kony famous.”
Russell tells the viewer that on April 20, if everyone helps raise awareness about Kony, the U.S. government will listen to Invisible Children, Inc. and decide to intervene in the Lord’s Resistance Army, which forcibly enlists children soldiers.
Since its March 5 release, two main criticisms of the video have emerged. The first, that Kony no longer resides in Uganda, shedding light on many skewed facts. The second illustrates the negligible practices of Invisible Children, Inc., including finances to support their film business, a low ranking on Charity Navigator, and a recently naked meltdown of Russell himself, a video which also went viral.
Armstrong student Krishna Tiu Colasito had no prior knowledge of Invisible Children, Inc. before watching the video. She learned about it from an article in the Daily Telegraph discussing Ugandan citizens’ reaction to the video.
“I took African politics last semester,” Colasito said. “I thought the video was inaccurate and a little too late. Kony’s heyday was in the ’90s, and the video was just another propaganda that organizations do to raise money.”
Full story
Each summer Armstrong provides several study abroad opportunities, which place students from a broad spectrum of majors in different countries all over the world.
“The programs range anywhere from two to nine weeks and vary greatly in structure,” said Kristin Kasting, assistant director of International Affairs.
What they have in common, however, is the involvement of students, professors from one or more U.S. universities and a program director going abroad together. They are designed to provide a high level of support, which is particularly helpful for students who are going abroad for the first time.
“This is my first time outside of the country, but I’m incredibly excited,” said senior English major Christina Cook.
For Christina and students like her, the study abroad program provides a lot of help for students to enjoy the trip and the experience rather than worry about where they will sleep or get there next meal.
“Study abroad program directors plan these trips very carefully,” said professor of economics Richard McGrath.
Travel arrangements and excursions, as well as housing and meal arrangements, are often arranged by the director ahead of time and are included in the program cost, which can vary from country to country, but, on average a student could expect to pay roughly $3,000, excluding the cost of tuition.
“There is financial aid available for students who qualify, which can help with the cost of studying abroad — in particular the Gillman Scholarship which offers several thousand dollars to students who are awarded it,” Kasting said.
Experiences vary from program to program. Students could find themselves in the mountains of Argentina learning about traditional art-making techniques or in Mexico living with a host family to completely immerce themselves in the language and culture or in China to study traditional Chinese medicine.
Full story
Savannah celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with its 188th annual parade March 17. Amidst a sea of green, the smell of barbeque and the commotion of nearly one million parade-goers, Armstrong’s parade float dubbed “The Armstrong Atlantic” rolled through Savannah’s downtown streets, proudly representing the university.
“This is the biggest thing in Savannah, and we need to make sure we have a huge presence,” said Scott Joyner, vice president for advancement.
This year’s celebration was the largest to date as people from all across the country traveled to the city in order to be a part of it.
The squares along the parade route were completely packed with people dressed in their best St. Patrick’s Day attire — sporting green hairdos, hats and beads. Friends and family gathered for cookouts and conversation, and many took advantage of Savannah’s lenient policies on drinking in public.
For Savannahians, the St. Patrick’s Day bustle may not seem like anything new, but this year was the first experience for many Armstrong students.
“Before I came to Armstrong, I heard that St. Patrick’s Day was a big deal in Savannah,” said freshman psychology major Antonio Baker. “I’m not from Savannah, so I really wanted to experience it, and this seemed like the best way to really see it.”
Available parking spaces were nonexistent after the influx of onlookers. In order to beat the crowd, Armstrong shuttled over 100 student parade-participants downtown for a long day of marching.
To the rhythmic pulse of drumlines, the cheers of the crowd and blasts of Savannah’s signature St. Patrick’s Day green horns, Armstrong along with numerous other organizations, schools and businesses walked the parade route, which stretched from Forsyth Park to Bay Street and back.
“We’re going to have the Armstrong banners out in full force to say that we are here.” Joyner said.
Quality Enhancement Plans are a new requirement for state accreditation. To meet these new standards, Armstrong has been actively developing its own QEP for almost a year.
John Kraft, interim assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, spoke about Armstrong’s QEP at the Student Government Association meeting Feb. 27. The plan calls for an extra one-hour class each week to be added to the freshmen core. The proposed class will be used as a seminar to introduce freshmen students to university concepts – such as research skills and using Vista.
Kraft said the end goal of the program is to aid freshmen with their transition from high school to college. The plan also decreases class size so that students benefit from receiving increased attention.
“[It will] enhance study skills, address campus life and challenges involved with college,” Kraft said.
The plan started a year ago with large open discussion groups within the Armstrong community concerning the need for a QEP.
“This aspect of the process was crucial,” Kraft said. “And I want to keep inviting the larger community to have input.”
The discussions were open to all members of Armstrong and led to five groups who presented separate, roughly two-page summaries on their ideas.
“All the ideas had elements that we liked, so the idea of combining was in the air,” said university librarian Doug Frazier.
Combining ideas became crucial in the development of Armstrong’s plan. The early meetings were also used largely as feedback for community members to learn more about QEP’s as well as to provide support and suggest new ideas. Soon afterwards, full proposals were submitted for consideration.
Michael Toma, Armstrong professor of economics and the director of the Center for Research Analysis was recently named the Teaching Fellow of the Academy of Economics and Finance. This prestigious award recognizes long-term instructional excellence.
Founded in 1963, the Academy of Economics and Finance is an academic organization with approximately 350 members from 22 states and about a dozen countries.
The Teaching Fellow Award is an honor coming from an academy whose members are from institutions that share Armstrong’s teaching-centered focus.
“People whose primary job is to instruct on the undergraduate and graduate level have recognized the work that I have done over the years and deemed it sufficiently meritorious that the academy is comfortable with recognizing my work,” Toma said.
In order to be considered for the award, Toma had to submit a portfolio of his work that showed how his students benefited from his instruction. As a professor at Armstrong for 14 years, he had an impressive compilation of work.
“I submitted a summary document of work that I have done with students in the past, whether it was in the research environment here at the center or whether I’ve worked with a student on an academic paper,” he said.
The service Toma has provided to the academy has proven to be greatly beneficial to Armstrong students.
“The academy has an Undergraduate Research Competition that I co-founded in 2005,” Toma said. “I coordinated the Undergraduate Research Competition for three years. I served as a judge on the committee for five years.”
Students living on campus or staying late on weekdays have faced shorter dining facility hours this semester.
World Of Wings and Quiznos — the only other dining options on campus outside the Galley — closes at 2 p.m. Fridays and does not reopen until Monday. The Pirate's Pantry closes at 10:30 p.m. and The Perk closes at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Students who cannot make it to the Galley during normal business hours sometimes find themselves eating meals consisting of Pirate's Pantry purchases over the weekend.
"I understand why they are closed on the weekends because not a lot of students are here," said adult education graduate student Jessica Mathis. "It would be nice to be able to go and get a sandwich instead of having to go to the Pantry all the time. I'm not saying that the Pantry is bad, but it has a limited selection of food.
"There are more food options at Quiznos — sandwiches, salads, chicken and sammies," she said. "I just ate two TV dinners and some chips. I know that is bad, but I needed something to fill me up."
Louis Duran, Armstrong's food services director for Sodexo — the company which contracts campus dining services — said the change in hours is due to the lack of student participation.
"We make the offer. We expect a demand," Duran said. "If only one person wants to come at 11 p.m., it is not very productive. Any store that is open for people will operate on demand."
He also stated that when the dining facilities were open at later hours, he noticed a lack of transactions of any purchase — soda or full meal.
"Sometimes, we would only see two transactions within a 15-minute period when we can do up to 30 or more," Duran said.
Duran made his decision after a series of monthly studies and, then, sent his suggestions to the Office of Business and Finance for approval.
However, the decision may not be permanent.
is a member of the 
Official Music Sponsor: 
