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Show iuior gives By David Ship-fan and Caralyn Arnett Signpost staff Military veterans who may be weak in math or English skills turn to Weber State University's Veterans Upward Bound program for instruction from tutors to find the assistance they need to finish college. ! This aid may be eliminated or drastically reduced to assist Congress in balancing the federal budget, if current proposals are adopted by budget reformers. Basic skills instructor Jim Shepherd, of Veterans Upward Bound, has tutored veterans in math for the last four years, teaching them basic skills necessary to either pass the math competency test or to complete Math 105. Before coming to WSU, Shepherd taught math at public schools for 14 years. He said he prefers teaching veterans, because they are easier to teach. He said veterans are eager to learn and more mature. "Teenagers almost dare you to teach them," Shepherd said. He said he has seen students go from "absolute failure" to success by merely changing their attitude. "Anybody patient seems to do well; anybody impatient seems to not take the time to follow proven procedures. Just like learning to play the piano, you have to sit down and take the time," Shepherd said. Shepherd said he has seen soldiers sit for four to five hours per day trying to master math. Many students treat math like other topics, trying to read and catch up but that doesn't work with math, he said. Shepherd said many students who miss two or three Internationa! students discuss fee proposals By Marc Fuller Signpost senior reporter On May 9, during an International Student Council, solutions were presented concerning the additional $10 student fee that 350 foreign students at Weber State University pay every quarter. The issue was raised earlier this year when students asked International Students Senator Carla N. Baur why they were paying the fee. The students already pay nearly $1900 in tuition per quarter to attend WSU. "The university goes out and recruits people, and yes, we have chosen to come here, but don't you think we should got some services for the extra fee?" Baursaid. "Wedon't want students to pay more." Currently, the fees help pay the salary of the cultural coordinator, Margarita Gtierra. Baur feels that cultural coordinator should be paid by the Don't trash The Signpost Recycle veterans eage in Dattie against main - classes can't catch up. Being at class everyday and punctually is critical. Shepherd credits the high failure rate to students letting math drop rather than abandoning the rest of their academic load. "Some teachers 'see it' and don't explain it, believing their students understand; others teach at one level, and test at a higher level," Shepherd said. Shepherd said he believes students who understand the problem, but make a mistake in the arithmetic should getpartial credit Be patient. Put in effort. Even if you for incorrect answers. "There is only one right answer, but students should get credit for what they know. After all it's arithmetic, who cares," Shepherd said. Shepherd said some teachers grade on the curve, but those who don't can give more A's. Also, he said some math teachers prohibit coming into class late or leaving early. Students who arrive late often miss the discussion of the concept behind the problem; then they fail to understand the problem which illustrates the concept. WSU freshman Suzy Trinnaman said she ismath-oriented and enjoys it. She said she had a high entrance examination score, and is only required to take Math 105 for her accounting ma- university. "We want services (for the fee), not to pay the salary of the cultural coordinator," Baur said. Marie Kotter, vice president of student services, recently offered two solutions to the concern. The first option was to keep the $10 fee, which will provide peer tutoring. The second option was to increase the fee to $25 to pay for a liaison between the clubs and the international center and to plan activities. The club presidents, along with Baur and Suresh Marhatta, the International Students Senator-elect, all voted to accept the first option. "We have club presidents who plan activities already," Baur said. A written statement was prepared by Baur, with each club president, and Marhatta, signing the proposal, which will be presented to Kotter. Marhatta will follow up on the issue next vear Baur said. M a jor. She said students need to be on time to math class and attend daily. She said she agrees the high failure rate can be attributed to being late for or missing classes, with some instructors having a higher failure rate than others. "Some cater to themselves rather than to others," Trinna man said. Her friend has a math instructor who won't allow students to enter late or leave early. He also deducts points for not solving the problem his way, she said. WSU math professor Afshin the time. Take the don't like math. Jim Shepherd, Upward Bound instructor 9? Ghoreishi refuses to allow students to enter class late or leave early. Math classes are from a "certain time to a certain time," regardless of any extenuating circumstances. "I just want it that way," Ghoreishi said. "I would prefer they don't have any (extenuating circumstances)." Shepherd recommended students who routinely are late should take later classes or find individual learning opportunities. Also, some classes are easier to skip, he said. Shepherd said students who barely pass Math 105 have a high probability of failing Math 107. Math has a structure like building blocks, so that instructors must ensure students understand a con Qtt a facMon - QHo&e (ccja'om I I IRTCiiWED May 30 - cept in order to build on it. "Be patient. Put in the time. Take the effort. Even if you don't like math," Shepherd said. Math 103 and Math 104 make students "math competent," but Math 105 provides the building blocks for higher math courses. Math 103 and 104 provide reasoning and practical applications. Math 105 provides the theoretical basis behind math. "Not many people go on to theorize about math," Shepherd said. Although math causes anxiety for many students, alternatives other than the placement test do exist. Math 95, 96, and 105 are offered through the OgdenWeber Applied Technology Center. Registration for these math classes is one week prior to the starting date. Enrollment days and hours are Mon. through Thurs., 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. To register for the class the students need to bring their WSU transcript and a $30 dollar enrollment fee, Trina Hansen, ATC enrollment specialist said. Students can enroll for one to 10 classwork hours a week for $12 dollars, she said. The total cost of the class depends upon the student because these math classes are self paced. "It is self paced with a certain curriculum. Students can work as fast as they can go with an instructor there at all times," Hansen said. The average student can finish Math 105 in approximately 70 hours, she said. . For further information on the math classes offered through the Applied Technology Center, call 627-8300, general information. 31 9:00 -3:00 p.m. Union Bldg. Lunch, Dinner (V Snacks! Nffj If you want lots of thls- then you need to do lots of advertising in this |
