December 8, 2016 Volume 87 Issue 6
AC VP resigns By JENNA GIBSON and EMILY PRISK Ranger Reporters
On Dec. 1, 2016, Amarillo College President Dr. Russell LoweryHart announced the resignation of Dr. Deborah Vess, vice president for Academic Affairs. Vess began working at AC as the VPAA in 2014. Dr. Tamara Clunis, dean of Academic Success, has been named interim VPAA while a search is conducted, Lowery-Hart said. Frank Sobey, dean of Arts and Sciences has been named interim associate VPAA. “Dr. Vess was a great academic leader who worked to advance many of our programs,” Lowery-Hart said. In an email to college staff, Lowery-Hart announced that Vess has opted to pursue other opportunities that will further enhance her career. According to Lowery-Hart, Vess brought important focus to the college’s No Excuses 2020 Plan. “Without her systems thinking, we would not be as far along as we are with accelerated learning, stackable credentials and guided pathways. We will continue to build on these parts of our plan with even greater commitment to students and each other,” Lowery-Hart said. In regard to his new position, Sobey said, “My job now is to continue working on the initiatives she put into place to implement the aspects of the No Excuses 2020 Strategic Plan that are located within Academic Affairs. I am humbled by the opportunity to be the interim Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, appreciative
Deborah Vess
of the responsibilities that the position places on me, and extremely confident in Dr. Tamara Clunis’s leadership as the interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and the team she has assembled around her.” “As a college, we thank Dr. Vess for her dedicated work and wish her well on all the great things ahead for her,” Lowery-Hart said. According to Sobey, this change in leadership should not impact students in noticeable ways, as Vess did not have much interaction with students in her role. “Her implementation of key aspects of the No Excuses 2020 Strategic Plan is what primarily affected students’ ability to identify and achieve their educational goals,” Sobey said. “We have good people already in place, from President LoweryHart and his leadership team to the faculty and staff, who support the vision and mission of the college and who will continue to advocate for students and develop an educational experience that enables them to be successful,” Sobey added. According to Lowery-Hart, Vess’ plans, as well as the No Excuses 2020 plan will continue in full force. “Our plan won’t change. My hope is that we will move forward in greater trust, transparency and communication together,” Lowery-Hart said.
What’s inside: The gift of travel
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n w o d t n u o c s l a n fi e h t It’s By MICAH SMITH and JENNA GIBSON Ranger Reporters
As this semester comes to an end, the approach of finals week edges out the excitement of the holidays. While tensions are high, finals week doesn’t have to be tearinducing. It’s time for students to step away from energy drinks and late night cram sessions and come to terms with healthy study habits. According to a survey by The Associated Press and mtvU, 80 percent of college students reported feeling overwhelmingly stressed and nearly 40 percent reported feeling depressed and anxious due to their studies. “The stress I am feeling as finals approach is a feeling of a never-ending list,” Hailey Brown, a dental hygiene major, said. “I feel like every professor keeps adding and adding to the list of things to complete. I feel exhausted and like I will never catch up.” According to a study done by the Center of Young Adult Health and Development, in 2011, 31 percent of college students
reported abusing prescription stimulants non-medically to induce concentration, such as Ritalin or Adderall. Finals week is a big deal, but according to experts, it doesn’t have to cost students both their physical and mental well-being. “Your brain is fragile. Just relax, eat right and get some sleep,” said David Vilena, a tutor at the Math Outreach Center. While night does seem like an opportune time to get in a few extra hours of studying, research shows that students who are deprived of the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night often have lower GPAs, are more inclined to illness and are more susceptible to feelings of stress and depression. A little bit of planning can mean all the difference in a student’s study regimen. “I use a planner, because it helps me keep track of when I need to get things done,” said Allison Prater, a chemistry major. Planning doesn’t have to be elaborate or even used every day. Planning can be a to-
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do list or even a post-it note reminder. “Flashcards are my favorite way to study,” said Christen Brandt, a business management major. From color coding to mind maps, there are innumerable ways to study, but some of the best resources are on campus. “We just want students to know that this is a sanctuary for them to study. We will help them,” said Vilena. The Math Outreach Center, the Science Enrichment Center and the Writer’s Corner are equipped with tutors and other resources to help students in their study endeavors. Jo Moore, a nursing major, said she has gotten used to the stress she feels during school. “I’m not too worried about finals because I feel prepared for them, but the pressure is still there. I have learned how to deal with the stress by calming down and focusing on what needs to be done. I like to take things one step at a time,” Moore said. Lindsey Eggleston, a counselor at the AC Counseling Center, said the majority of her clients have faced issues with stress in their academics.
“It is very common for stress to increase as finals approach because it reminds students that this is their last chance to get their grades up to the level they want before the class ends. As stressful as finals can be, it is important for students to still take care of themselves,” Eggleston said. “My best advice for students who may be starting to feel overwhelmed is to stay organized, avoid procrastination and make time for yourself to relax. Schedule breaks from your studying and let yourself go for a walk or take a hot bath so you can have time away from the books,” she added. “It is important to remember that while feeling stress during finals is normal, there are healthy ways to cope with the stress and not let it take over your life,” Eggleston said. The impending doom of finals looms over campus, but with dedication and some constructive study habits, finals week can be nearly tear free. The counseling center will be open until Dec. 16. Students interested in scheduling an appointment can contact Promise Garrison at 371-5191.
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