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Campus Life
October 25, 2012
Rambler introduces new library staff Scarlett Blevins sgblevins15@transy.edu
MATTHEW DURR
Many students who spend a lot of time at the library have probably noticed that there are several new faces around. One of which is Damon DeBorde, the new Technical Services Librarian. DeBorde, who relocated to Kentucky from Florida, received a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University. DeBorde was attracted to the Transylvania campus due to “The immediately charming natural beauty of the campus was more than equaled by the passion and commitment of the library staff and Transylvania administration and faculty. The students I’ve met thus far have been studious and friendly. Additionally, the proximity of the campus to so much in Lexington will have me out walking and exploring.” DeBorde’s position at Transylvania involves working along with the Technical Services Department on Transylvania’s integrated library system. A system described by DeBorde as one that “helps both the library staff to catalog items and students to check items out.” “I work primarily at the intersection of traditional library services and resources with online and emerging technologies.” said DeBorde. A field of work that is very important as many sources are offered only electronically. DeBorde became interested in this field of work through his desire to help others succeed while putting to good use the areas that interest him including Internet technology and the ways in which information is accessed. “I feel successful when I help others succeed. I have always been interested in data, information, and knowledge. An academic library affords me the opportunity to work on access, Damon DeBorde, formerly of Florida State University, has recently relocated to become Transy’s new Technical Serretrieval, user experience, digitization, and preservation in a vices Librarian. setting filled with unique challenges focused on higher education,” said DeBorde. mation overload.” said Williams. Along with Damon DeBorde, another new face is Stacie Williams. Williams who is Williams became attracted to library science because she enjoys helping and meeta new librarian graduated from Simmons College in 2011. Before heading off to college, ing new people and believes that “You also learn quite a bit from patrons.” Williams Williams worked as a journalist for ten years writing for magazines and alt weeklies. described being attracted to Transylvania because “The tight-knit community and the Williams has also worked in public, academic and corporate libraries before coming to opportunity to work with an undergraduate population were extremely attractive. It didn’t Transylvania. hurt that the school is three blocks walking distance from my house.” Williams’s main job duty includes assisting students with research. “Hopefully I can help students digest their information a bit better--a critical skill in an era of digital infor-
Planning ahead vital in completing crowded majors Scarlett Blevins Staff
It can be nerve racking. That 30 second countdown before you hit submit, just hoping you’ll get all the classes you want—and more importantly the classes you need. But what if your major happens to be one of the more popular majors on campus? With the increase in enrollment, the small limit on class size, and the amount of students vying for a spot in a particular section is it difficult to get into the necessary classes? Certain classes on Transylvania's campus are in high demand. Currently Biology is the most popular major followed by three-way tie for second: Business Administration, Exercise Science and Psychology. Accounting falls in third place. So what should students who are majoring in these popular areas do to help ease the burden of trying to get into popular classes? The first suggestion is to plan ahead. “My advice for students is to make a plan early. Students who know what classes they need to take and when that class is typically offered tend to be more successful than those who do not make a plan. We provide students with all these tools on the registrar’s office course schedule web page,” said Assistant Registrar Ashley Coons. “There is an advising manual that shows students all the different majors and semester-by-semester what faculty members recommend they take. It really is quite useful and easy to use.” Also, it is much easier to get into a class if you are an upperclassman as students register in order of graduation. If you want to take a popular class, such as abnormal psychology then maybe vie for a spot in the classes that are still necessary for your major, but are not as in de-
mand then take abnormal psychology as a junior or senior. You are not only more likely to get into a class, but some professors are more likely to grant course passes to students that are struggling to fit in their graduation requirements. Planning ahead is not always feasible for students, however, considering many students do not know what they want to major in, or decide to change their initial course of study. Students in this situation may have to ask for a few course passes, but for the most part planning and organization can still allow them to graduate on time. There is also the question of how Transy will solve the problems associated with small class sizes but increased enrollment. As it stands now, there is one faculty member per 11 students. Class sizes range from smaller than ten to no greater than 35. Although it is rare to have a class that large, will Transy move away from the small class size that it prides itself on and allow for bigger classes? Or will Transy bring in extra professors to keep the same average class size? Looking at the news this week, the latter may be the case with the number of new faculty expected to be hired in the coming year. Also, if they chose to bring in more professors, will that require an expansion of campus? According to Interim Vice President & Dean of the College Kathleen Jagger, “We expect to hire faculty that would allow us to keep the class sizes the same. We are hiring 4 new faculty this year who are not replacements for retiring faculty and at least one next year.” This will allow Transylvania to keep its small class size along with in increasing enrollment.
FOR REGISTRATION INFO VISIT: http://inside.transy.edu/pages/regidis/course_schedule.htm