Top: Chuck Rector
Bottom: Melissa Whitaker
Amanda Moore
Editor-in-Chief
January 27, 2006
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Top: Chuck Rector Bottom: Melissa Whitaker |
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Milligan College’s nontraditional students have been feeling a bit left out of the normal college experience. That’s about to change.
Ten nontraditional students met Tuesday for lunch in the Fireside Lounge to discuss options for a new student-led organization called The Hill. Traci Smith, director of student success, met with the students and encouraged them in their efforts.
“You need to build bridges among yourselves and then reach out to the younger students,” Smith said.
The group discussed specific issues they face as nontraditional students at Milligan. One problem, lack of space allotted to nontraditional students on campus, has already been addressed. For now, the lounge in Derthick 205C will serve as a place to study and prepare meals.
“I’m tired of bringing junk food to school,” said nursing student Melissa Whitaker. “It would be nice to bring a frozen dinner to heat up.”
Chuck Rector and Paula Potter, co-leaders of The Hill, said the main goal of the organization is for members to connect with and encourage one another.
It is unclear if the organization will evolve to include traditional students or continue to serve only nontraditional students.
“We The Hill support anyone regardless their age,” said Potter, “traditional or nontraditional students.”
However, Rector said The Hill will “bring only transfer and nontraditional students together to talk about problems we face.”
The name of the organization came from a joke about being older students, ones who might feel “over the hill.”
“I’m not over the hill,” said Potter, “but I continue to climb up it. Sometimes I fall down, but I get up and continue to climb. I think everyone climbs up a hill in their lives whether that be at home, work or school.”
The organization will also help students become more familiar with the campus and services offered by the college.
“I think this will be good because students are actually running this,” said Rector.
The Hill will meet for lunch in the Fireside Lounge one Tuesday a month.
“I encourage anyone who feels the need to connect with someone to come and join in,” said Potter. “There are no forms to fill out or interviews. I need a friend.”
For more information, contact Paula Potter at paulapotter@charter.net.