VOL. L
LONGWOOD COLLEGE, FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1974
NO. 12
Boitnott, Reese, Scarborough Win Top Offices By Janet Coleman & Janet Lindner Major and minor elections ended last week with many new names for the positions of next year's offices. A bit of apathy hovered over the elections as many persons did not wish to become involved. However, after at least one candidate chose to run for each office, the only apathy to be seen was the actual voting itself. Elected into the new position of Chairman for legislative Board for 1975 is Sue Scarborough. After having worked very closely with legislative Board in the past, Sue feels that she is qualified and able to carry out the duties and full responsibilities of a chairman. Her goals as she takes this giant step into a world of rules and constitutional laws are to help others as she carries out her office to the best of her ability. Sue also stated that she did not want to receive from this job; only to do what she feels is right to make the necessary changes that will be of the best interests of the students. While Sue feels that each person is equally as important as the next, she promises to try to achieve the possible goals that have not yet been reached. JUDICIAL BOARD The new Chairman of Judicial Board, Beth Reese, is receptive to the idea of student lawyers. "Anything to help the students," Beth says. She feels that they could possibly help alleviate rumors. When asked if she saw any new trends developing in the area of Judicial Board trials and procedures, Beth said, "Things have gotten more technical." She also felt that students are more interested in law today than in the past. RESIDENCE BOARD Doris Boitnott, newly elected Chairman of Residence Board, feels confident that she along with the other members of Residence Board can successfully fulfill the respon-
sibilities laid out for them by the student body. Having worked with the Board in the past, Doris has had to deal with the problems that arise in different situations and can see the viewpoints of all persons involved. Doris feels that not only is Residence Board responsible for passing laws which affect the students but also for enforcing them as well. She also feels that there are other things which may have to have their attentions focused upon. "Open House regulations, drinking with male guests, fire regulations, and dining regulations are, of course, uppermost in student's minds." There are also many other details that Doris feels that need to be worked out as soon as possible. STUDENT UNION The new Chairman of the Student Union, Laurie McCullough, has three major goals. First, she would like to increase membership by 100 per cent. Second, she would like to provide motivation for members. "We need to do the most with what we have available to us," Laurie stated. Thirdly, she would like to see more interaction between the student body and the Student Union. Laurie feels that a balanced program of activities is very important. Although there has been a recent trend towards more mixers, she explains "I want to avoid getting in a rut where we'd stress just that. A balanced program is more important." She also said that the Student Union would soon be electing an acting vice-chairman. Anyone interested in the office should attend the Student Union meetings. YWCA Dianne Chatham, the new President of YWCA, has two major goals for the coming year. "I'd like to form a close knit unity between the YWCA and other campus organizations. I'd also like to promote a greater awareness, on the part of the student body, of the purpose of the YWCA."
YWCA Christmas Pageant Brings Seasonal Spirit To LC Helen Meredith, the 1974 Madonna, was revealed at the Christmas Pageant Wednesday, December 4, in the Gold Room. She was selected from three senior YWCA nominees and from three nominees from the senior class. The pageant featured a family Christmas sing, with special music provided by Koinonia, the YWCA Gospel Team and Taffara. Joan McNutt played indidivual requests from the audience and led the group family singing. Again this year, the freshman
commission did its job to promote the Christmas spirit. They decorated the tree in the Robtunda and the Gold Room for the pageant, and presented a skit to the students. Christmas songs were sung before dinner and a door decoration contest was held in the dorms, with prizes given for the best commercial, original and religious doors in the freshman dorms. In addition, the YWCA sponsored a White Christmas fund that will go to the Department of Social Services in Farmville to help needy families in the area.
ORIENTATION Molly Lee, the new 1975 Orientation Chairman also feels that everyone should take part in their student government. "Orientation," Molly states, "is for everyone; not just a selected few." As a junior, Molly intends to work to the best of her ability to make orientation an event that includes and represents all, students, new and old. She wants new students to feel that everything here at Ixmgwood is something to be involved with; not only the specific things such
as "grades, sings, athletics, or the like." Donna Adams, the 1975 Athletic Association Chairman, feels that the AA is an organization that is still growing and changing. She states, "I want to keep it growing and changing in the right direction, the direction that involves student wishes and needs." Many changes have taken place in the Athletic Association over the past few years and Donna feels that this should continue for "the best interests of the student body. She
commented, "AA is going to have a great year in '75 and I want to be a part of it!" "It gets worse every year, said Janie Pritchard, Election Committee Chairman. I^ast year 1280 students voted the first day of elections and 882 students voted the second day of elections. This year 1001 students voted the first day and 750 students the second day. "If it keeps up like this we might as well not have an election and take away students' voting rights."
LongwoocTs Returning Student Teachers Discuss Experiences, Make Suggestions By ELLEN CASSADA Returning student teachers had various experiences to tell, but their general suggestions for improvement and feelings of preparedness were the same. As for the practical value of working at the Campus School, Sue Hudson felt that' 'there is not enough practical work. The campus School is an isolated situation." Betsey Remnet added that it "is not realistic," and Kathy McKinney stated that it "is nothing like a regular school." "I think the idea of going to the Campus School is great," commented Linda Hackney, "But to really give the girls real experience, they should go to actual public schools." How well did Education courses prepare the student teachers for their ten week session? Penny Worley, a math major, said that she "definitely felt prepared after I got out into actually teaching." English major Kathy Shank stated that "as far as content, I felt that I had a good background. As far as how to react, that's something that has to be learned in teaching." "Some of my education courses helped a lot," Kathy McKinney emphasized, "but for the most part they didn't. Before I left, I didn't feel prepared, but after I got into it I did." Kathy Duke "wrote to publishers and got some of the books that I would be using. Education courses don't really prepare you for kindergarten as to what materials the kids are interested in." "Subject-wise, I felt prepared, but not in techniques and discipline. I don't think anybody could be totally prepared." Gail Miller stated that her "education courses helped, and I guess I was as prepared as I could be. The only area I wasn't prepared for was the discipline." "I felt prepared," commented Linda Hackney. "By the time you finish all these courses, you're bound to
be ready." Presenting another side was Sue Hudson, i was unprepared. Everything I did was on my own, because I had nothing concrete to work with." Agreeing, Betsey Remnet felt that "Methods courses that gave files and committee work helped to give ideas. They gave the background but no practical work." One highly praised course was Education 454. According to Cindy Ritzel, it "can't be stressed enough. I learned how to do lesson plans and prepare a unit, and it really helped. My supervisor came once a week and really looked at my plans. Overall, I felt prepared. Even modular courses were beneficial. I would advocate going back to the block system to have a longer time to get the courses rather than having it all jammed in. Most are too condensed with all the information. You could get more out of it with more time." Discipline was a frequently mentioned problem. Seeing the need for some type of course in this area, Tina Burch stated that "Professors said that you have to learn it on your own, but there are techniques that every teacher uses that you need to know." Many colleges have a student teaching program that lasts longer than ten weeks, and returning teachers were very diversified in their opinions concerning this. Wanting an extended period of time is Betsey Remnet. "Student teaching should be a longer period of time, and the supervisors shouldn't have such a load that they can't come see you." Kathy Duke agreed, and added that "it should be longer, especially if you teach several grade levels." "Student teaching should last longer, perhaps even a semester," stated Val Campbell. "I felt like once you got the kids under control, it was time to leave. Presenting the other point of view was Gail Miller. "I think ten weeks is long
enough. They've had enough by the end of eight weeks and have learned all they are going to." Unda Hackney feels that "It shouldn't be any longer. Eight weeks is enough." "After eight weeks, the rest is repetitive," according to Cindy Ritzel. What are some concrete suggestions for improvenunent? Sue Hudson calls for "more observation. The few hours at the academy and public schools isn't enough." "You ought to have a practicum in your sophomore or junior year," stated Kathy Duke, "so that if you find that you hate teaching, it won't be too late to change. There should also be much more classroom exposure." Kathy Shank suggests "required observation courses for credit among neighboring schools in the sophomore year." Agreeing, Cindy Ritzel added that "in education courses, perhaps in preparation they could incorporate more observations and provide more opportunity of micro-teaching." As far as modular courses, everyone interviewed felt that the Tests and Measurements course should be an entire semester in length. Gail Miller summed it up by stating that "It's much too important to just last six weeks," Most would also like a longer audio-visual course, and perhaps a shorter philosophy course. Val Campbell wants a better reading class. "I was not taught how to group people for reading." Most also emphatically suggested some type of discipline administration course. Some would expand the art courses to provide hints and ideas for making letters and constructing good bulletin boards. In expressing their views and experiences, almost all agreed that they felt totally unprepared at first. However, as they were put into the actual classroom situation, most realized that they were more ready than they thought, with ideas from former (Continued on Page 4)