Back by popular demand! The MythBusters article in the last edition of The Old Gold and Black generated several requests from students, faculty and staff wanting to address the rumors, myths and questions being heard across campus over the past couple of weeks. I sat down with Dean of Students Roberta Bigger to get the scoop.Myth #1: How will rising tuition affect financial aid and scholarships?
Bigger’s response: Students financial aid packages are created on an individual basis, as everyone’s financial situation is different. Special merit and institutional scholarships are set at a specific level at the time they are awarded. Any students with questions about their package or students whose situations have changed (such as a student who has a parent who is no longer working) should call and make an appointment to see one of the staff members in the Financial Aid Office. We want to help all students to the extent that our regulations and our budget allows.
Myth #2: For the housing lottery this year, housing will be based off of class entrance date versus the amount of hours you have.
Bigger’s Response: The Student Affairs and Residence Life staff are excited about the Housing Lottery. The students are pleased with the designation of the buildings by class year. Rising seniors will have first choice in the Village, so we will accommodate them first. If there are any apartments remaining after the seniors sign up, the rising juniors may get to select an apartment. We hold Wightman and Lesesne Halls for rising juniors and Shipp and DuPré Halls for rising sophomores.
We had such a successful Theatre House living learning community in Carlisle Hall this year that we are creating an opportunity for upperclassmen that want to create their own living-learning community to meet with Dean Brian Lemere, Assistant Director Demario Watts and me before the housing lottery begins. Students can call or email us if they are interested.
Myth #3: Why is the 2015-2016 academic term starting in August instead of September?
Bigger’s Response: The 2015 calendar is a bit different, and Labor Day is not until Sept. 7. If we waited to begin classes until that day, students and faculty would have a very short break between the end of the fall semester and the beginning of Interim. Therefore, for the first time in decades, classes will begin the week before Labor Day. I think students will enjoy three weeks off in December!
