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Show uvu REVIEW r VOL L ISSUE 14 www.uvureview.com NOVEMBER 8, 2010 T UVU volleyball player Kathleen Stevens finishes * career witJh. 'no regrets/B 7 Danica Olsen is the new Miss UVU. Read her spotlight on B4. A '*&• Retention climbs: Beautiful by nature SSRI program helps, retains students By Lex Bonrgeous News Writer By Sterling Gray Asst. News Editor Angela Roberts holds her phone, waiting for the student to answer her call. On her computer screen is a note from a worried professor, alerting Roberts that the student is struggling. This is the everyday in the Retention office. The Student Success and Retention Initiative (SSRI), armed with statistics, research and desire to help students, works with students to overcome scholastic challenges. With a multi-dimensional game plan, SSRI has helped retention among first-time full-time students climb 21 percent over the past five years. Michelle Kearns, director of Student Success and Retention, said, "Well the good news is that at UVU, [drop out rates] are way down. Retention is way up." This is due in large part to aggressive strategizing on the part of the department. The SSRI boasts a large array of programs and initiatives, each very focused in its approach to providing support for different groups of students. One of the first places to look for students who may struggle is among first-time students. With programs such as JumpStart Orientation, a First Year experience course and International Student Orientation, SSRI tries to give these newcomers a soft landing in the college world. "We're a commuter campus, and so they have a really hard time feeling connected, and getting to know other students, and building an affinity for UVU," said Kearns. Once students feel connected, they are better able to overcome difficulties that may come their way. And more than just feeling connected to campus, students need to find RETENTION A6 Jake Buntje[/UVU Review Tossing out the media's take on what beauty should be. By Vanessa Perkins News Writer Imagine a 5-year-old girl and think about what she does on an average day. Is she having a tea party with friends or worrying about what new diet she hasn't tried yet? Though the second sce- nario may sound absurd, the age of girls dieting is gradually becoming lower. According to Dr. Nicole Hawkins, girls as young as 5 are judging their bodies according to the media's standards. Hawkins, director of clinical services at the Center for Change, spoke about the in- fluential power of the media, the weight-loss industry and ways to prevent negative selfimage. She spoke at the annual Body Image Wellness Workshop Nov. 3, perhaps in preparation for the food-laden holiday season. Hawkins addresses college students because of their 30,000 students x $5 donation = $150,000 to Provo Survivor By Gladis Higginbotham When people think of heavy metal music, one of the last things on their mind is service. This Nov. 12, however, three bands will be joining forces with Dr. Steve Fullmer from the English and Literature Department and Dr. Ron Hammond from the Sociology Department. They will JI entertain students and members of the community with a heavy metal concert, while encouraging everyone to donate to the Provo Survivor cause. The Provo Survivor is a student who was raped and nearly killed on the Provo River Trail behind the Branbury apartments. While she tries to pick up the pieces to put her life and put them back together, the medical bills are I BEAUTY A4 By Kelly Cannon CYBER A6 "I feel very well prepared. I feel like I know what to expect and I'm ready for it." That has been McNew's With the current situation in the Middle East and with mindset for years. Growing legislative powers influx,the up, he had his sights set on bedecision to join the military ing a police officer. He briefly .is not one to be made lightly. pursued a degree in Criminal For senior Jason McNew, it Justice with the hopes of one was over a year in the making. day going to the police acadMcNew joined the re- emy, but ended up changing serves nearly four months his mind. ago and shipped off to basic "I tried it and I just didn't training Oct. 18. He will not %ant the lifestyle that came be back until Christmastime. with it," he said. But he doesn't mind, nor is he MILITAEYA8 intimidated by the challenge. Asst. Culture Editor piling up. • • Charges are beinj* filed against Shawn Leonard for the June 9 rape and assault. According to police reports, the victim's face was hit with a rock and a brick several times by the attacker, causing broken facial bones, a broken jaw and the loss of several teeth. Although * e has been BENEFIT A3 high risk of developing eating disorders. Currently, eight out of 10 female college students suffer from an eating disorder, which are defined as excessive dieting or an obsession with food consumption. For some students, it wasn't their first exposure to Unfortunately for many children, bullying or taunting is commonplace. This problem has shifted from the schoolyards to the digital realm, which often leaves its victims surrounded by an inescapable struggle and the outcome is proving deadly. While the age group where cyberbuilying seems to be prevalent is typically teenagers, it still can take place with college age students and even here in the UVU community. Recently, there have been several cases in the news of students affected by cyberbuflying. For example, Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi, 19, committed suicide when a video of a sexual encounter of his was posted online, allegedly by fellow students, and shared. In 2006, Megan Meier, 13, committed suicide when a classmate and her mother used MySpace.com to taunt Meier. In January of this year, 15-year-old Phoebe Prince committed suicide after apparent relentless online taunting at the hands of her classmates. All three teenagers were victims of cyberbuilying, a growing problem among young people that seems to be claiming more and more victims. "It is sad," said Bob White, a Geology major. "It is sad for the person being bullied; it is sad for the bully." Cyberbuilying is defined by The National Crime Prevention Council as "similar to other types of bullying, except it takes place online^ and through text messages sent to cellphones." The issue of cyberbuilying has sparked several websites designed to help victims and their families navigate the problem. Cyberbullying spurred Dan Savage, a Seattle-based writer, to start the "It Gets Better Project," a series of motivational videos on YouTube.com designed to help teenage gay and lesbian victims of cyberbuilying. Student soldier embraces military service Courage, hope, survival concert Asst. News Editor Cyber bullying 1 Photo Illustration Etyse Taylor |