Stephanie Williams is a Staff Writer and Layout Designer for The Prairie. She joined the staff in Fall 2009. She is a junior majoring in Advertisting & Public Relations.
Web Editor’s Note: This story was written for the MCOMM 3309 – News Editing & Reporting Class
In April 2011, the Board of Nursing placed WTAMU’s Nursing program on a conditional status due to a drop in passing rates. Although the majority of students were passing the NCLEX, the exam to become a nurse after receiving a degree, at a percentage of ninety-seven percent, a few students had to retake the test a second time. Because of this the passing rate dropped to around seventy percent.
However, this past October the program was reevaluated and has become fully accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education with a first time passing rate of ninety-five percent.
“I am pleased and proud that for 2011, WT nursing baccalaureate graduates achieved a 95.18 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX,” said Dr. Dirk Nelson, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “The program’s status change is due to the persistence, professionalism and outstanding work of the faculty and staff, as well as our students in the Department of Nursing. The Board’s decision is not a destination, rather one step in our journey of excellence.”
Web Editor’s Note: This story was written for the MCOMM 3309 – News Editing & Reporting Class
College students across the nation are watching the news and trends of the economy and worrying about stability in their lives and future careers. But one sector doesn’t seem to have enough people to fill jobs.
The nursing profession has been rumored to have a shortage and according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the rumors are true.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BSL), the healthcare section of the economy has been growing. In April of 2011, it reported that although most job markets are suffering significant losses, hospitals and long term care facilities have added an estimated 37,000 new jobs. Over the past year, the BLS confirmed that 283,00 jobs were added to the healthcare profession. Continue reading →
Web Editor’s Note: This story was written for the MCOMM 3309 – News Editing & Reporting Class
To help fight the flu season the WTAMU Nursing program hosted a health fair Sept. 29 through Oct. 6in the JBK and Activities Center on campus. Nursing students talked about health at booths, ran health tests and gave flu shots.
“The booths were free. We wanted to create something for students that was inexpensive and a way to get them involved. The flu shots for students were fifteen dollars and twenty for faculty. All proceeds benefited WT nursing,” Logan Lane, senior Nursing major and financial coordinator of the fair, said.
Booths at the fair included: blood pressure screenings, stress management stops and alcohol awareness. However, with all of the information available to students and faculty the main focus was making the flu shots available. Continue reading →
Web Editor’s Note: This story was written for the MCOMM 3309 – News Editing & Reporting Class
Despite the rumors circulating around the conditional status that was placed on the West Texas A&M University Nursing program, it is not closing. The program is in the process of rearranging its curriculum to better prepare its students not only for their NCLEX, the test to become licensed, but to better equip them when they enter the medical field. Continue reading →
WTAMU’s Residence Hall Association offers activities not only for students who live on campus, but also commuters who want to be an active part of University life.
“[The programs] help open the eyes [of students] to every part of the college experience,” Kacy Lynn Atkinson, area coordinator over Jarrett, Statford and Shirley hall, said. “It helps students to get out and meet new people, to learn about themselves and gives the students an opportunity to get involved with their campus.”
Some ideas for RHA events are generated by students who live in the dorms. Others events are created by Resident Assistants (RAs).
“[RAs] take [student] interests and come up with ideas for programs that they would enjoy,” Becky Prop, a RA at Cross Hall, said. “It is really important to have programs where [students] can meet new people and get to know each other better.”
Because student generated ideas are allowed, each program should have something to offer. RHA is known for planning events such as paper football contests, dances, photo shoots and arts and crafts projects.
“The halls offer every kind of program imaginable, from academic programs that teach freshmen how to be successful in college, like WT 101, to social programs where we will get everyone together and have a BBQ and play games,” Atkinson said.
Most programs are free to students and all necessary supplies are provided for them by RHA.
“Students are not required to bring any materials to any events, all events are completely funded by the halls and residential living,” Atkinson said. “Students are allowed to bring any guest they choose to an event.”
The halls operate under a program where the RAs host events in an attempt to get students involved in their residential community and educate the students. There are four different types of programs that the RAs create. The programs are academic, educational, community service oriented or social programs.
WTAMU’s Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum has brought yet another unique opportunity to the area with the Remnant Trust Collection. This collection of unique first edition documents and books has been on display since August 26 and will be at the museum until December 1.
According to Warren Stricker, Director of Research at the museum, Dr. Hallmark, provost/vice president of academic affairs was one of many faculty and university supporters that found the funding to bring the collection to the campus.
Items that are on display are a first edition King James Bible, a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, a Torah papyrus scroll, first editions of philosophers’ work such as Plato and many other delicate documents.
“We’ve got about 60 items in all, which came all at one time,” Sticker said. “Item’s that we will be getting the first week in October include the Magna Carter, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Everything else that is here is published or manuscript items mostly dealing with religious thought or politics.”
A more recent publication is a copy of George Orwell’s “1984”. The theme of politics is relevant through the fictional piece of the collection.
“It’s quite a broad range of material and quite a large number of items as well,” Stricker said.
The Remnant Trust is a public educational foundation, which provides a rare collection of first edition books and related works for organizations and universities to present to the public. The foundation is based on a belief that ‘great ideas belong to everyone’ and therefore makes their collection readily available to various people.
The PPHM has been hosting lectures to classes here on campus, tour groups and schools from the surrounding area. Specialized lectures over certain items in the collection have been scheduled as well.
In one class senior advertising and public relations major Precious Wilson and junior ad/pr major Kylie Berry were just two of the students who have experience one of the lectures.
Berry said that she “thought it was really cool to be able to actually look at and hold one of the first books ever printed. It really made me appreciate how far we’ve come technologically and also made me appreciate the history of printed media.”
Wilson also felt that the experience was something more than another lecture.
“I thought [the Remnant Trust] was informative and interesting. It was also mind blowing knowing that they have lasted that long and just being able to see and touch what someone wrote years ago was amazing.”
Sticker said that several classes have taken advantage of the Remnant Trust being on campus.
“We have about 14 to 15 classes that have come in or are scheduled to come in this month and then another five to ten in October,” Sticker said. “There has been a lot of interest in the collection
overall.” To see the pieces of the collection readers are able to visit the museum. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, or you may contact the museum itself to make an appointment at 806- 651-2250. WT students get into the museum free with their Buff ID.
Hey Bucky! I have a question. What kind of benefits does WT offer married students? Any? Does it pay more to be married or single at this school?
Thanks, Marriage on the Mind
Dear Marriage on the Mind,
The rumor that married students receive more money for school is correct.
With no parental support students normally have less money to consider when giving loans and grants. Nonetheless, financial aid ALWAYS depends on the individual situation. However, getting married should be taken seriously and takes more then just wanting more money for school to make it work. For help with marriage preparations or while your married, the WT counseling services provide help for any problems newlyweds have.
Dear Bucky, Why can’t I wear white after labor day? Is it because you’ll get lost in snow? Also, when can I start wearing white again? ~Confused in Canyon.
Dear Confused in Canyon, I am sorry to say that not wearing white after Labor Day is not for those of us wanting to blend into a Christmas wonderland. It’s simply a long standing rule of etiquette that some experts cannot explain. However, according to TIME Magazine, “One common explanation is practical. For centuries, wearing white in the summer was simply a way to stay cool — like changing your dinner menu or putting slipcovers on the furniture.”
People said that after Labor Day weather was to extreme for such a light fabric that could be easily stained. It was also said that when people dressed for work they should not wear white because it was considered a leisure color. If someone wore white after the summer it was assumed that they were not ready for their fall workload.
Whatever the reason may be, some fashionista’s will tell others that the rule is mundane and dated. Coco Chanel made white a part of her wardrobe year round. Current First Lady Michelle Obama also continues to wear white because of its crisp cleanness and compatibility with other colors.
However, an individual feels required to stick to the no white after Labor Day rule, they should know that it is acceptable to wear white again after Memorial Day.
Hoping I was helpful, ~Bucky
Have a question about campus? We can find the answer. Need relationship advice? We will try to make your love life as perfect as we can. Need help with school? We will lead you to the people on campus who can help you. Have family or friend issues? We can sort that out. Have a silly question you want answered? Ask it and we will answer. This column is for you, the readers. Think about what you want to ask Bucky, and we will figure it out for you. Send Bucky questions at askbucky@hotmail.com
Have a question? Well the Bucky will help you find your answer! Our new advise column ‘Ask Bucky,’ will be a column dedicated to answering anything Prairie readers want to know. Have a question about campus? We can find the answer out. Need relationship advise? We will try to make your love life as perfect as we can. Need help with school? We will lead you to the people on campus that can help you. Have family or friend issues? We can sort that out. Have a silly question you want answered? Ask it and we will answer. This column is for you the readers. Think about what you want to ask Bucky, and we will figure it out for you. Send Bucky question askbucky@hotmail.com.
Several construction jobs and renovations on campus have lead to a decrease in available parking for students and faculty.
“This is the first year we have ha a real parking problem,” said Danny Smith, Associate Vice President for Physical Plant, “We lost a lot of spaces because of construction.”
Some of those parking spaces included the Cross and Jones parking lot, the band parking lot, Russell Long Boulevard and parking at The Box. Beginning next semester, a new parking lot with over 225 spots will be added where the Old Fine Arts building once stood. With this parking lot, WT will have more parking spots.
Remember walking is an option. Also, students can be picked up at the First United Bank Center every ten minutes and then shuttled to campus. Parking at the FUBC is free and does not require a parking permit.
“As we begin to get the lot done we will start to open it up slowly for residential parking, but don’t expect that for at least another eight weeks,” Smith said.
Along with the new parking lot, the new freshmen dorm, Centennial Hall, is under construction as well. This underclassman dorm will relieve some of the housing issues that have been seen this summer.
“This is the busiest we (the Physical Plant) have ever been,” said Smith, “but we are updating the campus in a much needed way.”
