Meet the New Guy - Introducing Michael Rao VCU's next president.

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This July, VCU students and faculty will have a new university president: Central Michigan University President Michael Rao.

Just two years older than VCU itself, Rao will take the helm with a variety of achievements under his belt. He was granted the Chief Executive Leadership Award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, District V in 2007. Academic Analytics and the State University of New York at Stony Brook ranked CMU as one of the top 20 most productive research universities in the nation among universities in its class during Rao's tenure. Rao has also received praise for his efforts toward sustainability, environmental responsibility and steps he took to open CMU's medical school. However, according to CMU journalism professor John K. Hartman, the medical school is an unneeded strain on an already limited budget. "It costs tens of millions of dollars to start a medical school, and the state of Michigan doesn't have that money," Hartman said.

Although CMU's Web site states the increase in faculty positions reflects "the president's commitment to continue building a core of talented teaching professors and researchers despite challenging budgets," Hartman said there have been more positions allocated to part-time and adjunct faculty members.

"An increasing number of classes are being taught by temporaries and part-timers," Hartman said. "People pay the same amount to take a class taught by an experienced professor as (they) do for a class taught by a part-timer. That's not a sign of academic excellence." CMU's Web site states Rao helped raise academic performance at all levels at the university, though Dennis Lennox, a CMU senior, says this is not a reality. "The standards haven't (increased)," Lennox said. "Many of the more successful and prestigious academic departments on campus just don't have the funding and resources they need to compete." Rao's improvements upon study abroad programs have been notable, Hartman said. "There has been a big promotion to encourage students to study abroad," Hartman said. "It's something that I think he believes in, something he has encourages and it's definitely benefits to students."

Hartman said Rao is a likeable person. "He's a good listener," Hartman said. "He's a very hard working individual and very ambitious."

Getting to know Rao

Education: Bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida Ph.D from the University of Florida Family: Monica Rao is the University Outreach Liaison at CMU. She is a professional watercolorist and graphic designer. Sons Miguel and Aiden are 9-years-old and 10 months old, respectively. Information provided by wwwcmich.edu

Sara D 'Eugenio photo

Find a second job. If you

don't have a job or if you just aren't making enough money at your current work then you're going to need to get out there

and find a new source of income.

Have a broad scope as to the area you're job hunting in, you're not the only person going to school who's looking for a job right next to campus. Scour the classifieds and Craigslist daily and try to not to be picky about what you apply for. Even if the first job you get is horrible, it's still a source of income until you can find a better job. It's going to be tough, but it'll be worth it in the end so grin and bear it ... or openly hate it. It's your call-just stick with it. Start saving money. Consider

what you spend money on daily. What can you cut down on? Make a budget for yourself and stick to it. Little things like starting a change jar can go a long way; pennies build up faster than you think. Take a look at your worldly possessions. Anything you can part with can put you a couple bucks closer to getting off the street. Yeah, that framed

Reservoir Dogs poster is super

awesome and you don't think that you could ever part with it, but lets be frank, you don't have a wall to hang it from anymore and you'll probably be able to make some decent cash off it. Same goes for that Xbox 360 or that blender that's just perfect for making margaritas. Materialism is

passe anyways.

Start looking for a new

place to live. The classifieds and Craigslist are again a great place to look for listings. Do your homework, identify areas with reasonable housing costs and try to avoid property rental companies as independent owners will generally provide a better leasing experience. Roommates are always a great idea to help keep rent down per person, but be mindful of who you move in with. Try to avoid living with people who are likely to induce situations similar to why you are homeless in the first place, there shouldn't have to be a "return to step one" at the end of this list.

So now you've found that new place to call home (hopefully) and you're stepping inside with a signed lease and a key in hand. Breath deep. Savor the moment. You've been homeless and lived to tell about it. You've come away from the experience humbled, a little wiser and with character to boot. No? Oh well, at least you have a place to sleep, running water and bathroom again.