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Show •6 Monday,March~5f 2007^^Sm: p-- / Attention Wanted STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL MINISTRY ON CAMPUS faithandfellowshipcenter@msn.com *"N Richard @752-6939 f~* Private Rooms Snack Bar Party Packages Latest Technology .;• La/ye Screens Over 6,500 Video Karaoke Songs(Engish, Japanese. Spanish) On your first hour room rental) Good for up to 12 people. Only one coupon per group, per day with student ID. Offer e x p i r e s M 1 ^ * 2006 - Reservations Suggested 7525525 345 North 1st East (Behind Kinko's) AggieTtfeThe Utah Statesman RAs give papers a renovation BY CYNTHIA HARMON Staff Writer For college students in the dorms, RA stands for a resident assistant. For those studying chemistry, RA is just another symbol on the periodic table. But many students at USU are not familiar with a different meaning for this abbreviation: the Rhetoric Associate. Brittany Bacon, a senior in technical writing, is currently employed as an RA and said, "I think many students are surprised to discover that the university has an RA Program in general. Aside from the classes that have already integrated the RA Program into their course, many students I have spoken with are completely unaware of what RAs do, how the program functions and the wonderful benefits available to students through the RA Program." Julie Foust, director of the RA Program for five years, said the program is made up of 40 to 50 academically COLLEGE OF EDUCATIONS HUMAN SERVICES focused students who aid specific classes by reading and reviewing the students' papers. Under Foust's direction, the program has doubled its number of RAs from its beginning 10 years ago. Its rapid growth may be due to the programs objective, as Foust described, to help students become better writers. Foust said the program not only is a benefit to the students who receive advice on their papers, but it also acts as a benefit to the RAs, who enhance their own understanding of writing while teaching others. "Our job is to be a second reader to the students paper," said Steve Weller, a senior in English education and current RA. "We give our own advice on what they could do to make the paper flow easier during our individual conferences, but what the student chooses to do with that advice is purely up to them." Contrary to a common misconception, RAs are not required to be English majors, Foust said. In fact, some of the programs best have majored in seemingly unrelated subjects like statistics and landscape architecture. Foust said RAs are mainly required to be comfortable talking to students about writing and have confidence in their own writing skills. A Rhetoric Associate must also be responsible to set up their own conferences with students and prepare using time organization, one of the hardest and most important parts of their job, Foust said. "It's not always easy being an RA for one major reason: We're students too," Weller said. "We have our own homework and classes and papers to write, and sometimes the students we're supposed to be helping don't show up for appointments. That's frustrating because we feel like we've been walked all over." Sita Bell, a senior who's in the RA Program, described the most difficult part of her job as finding out how to critique a paper without discouraging the student. Bell said, "Some students' papers need almost a total renovation, and that is like walking a tight rope. Not being familiar with their psyche, it's difficult to gauge how to approach that person." Patrick Shepherd, a junior in dietetics and RA said, however, most papers that are "in desperate need of either a lifepreserver or a match" have usually been due to a lack of understanding regarding the assignment or a lack of time or effort, not necessarily writing skills. Though these difficulties pose a challenge,.most of the RAs continue on in the program until graduation and find that there are numerous benefits to their participation in the program. Bacon said, "I have always enjoyed being able to help others feel more confident with writing and develop the potential of their personal writing style. It is supremely rewarding to be an RA and witness the progression of students' writing skills." Foust said the most rewarding experiences come from watching the students excel as they gain confidence in helping others. She also measures the success of the RA Program from the professors that continue to use it and the difference they report in the students who take advantage of the advice they receive. Bell said, "The most rewarding part of being an RA is how much it has helped me grow, both as a student and in dealing with people. • RHETORIC ASSOCIATE see page 7 UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN SERVICES AMBASSADOR? Departments needing representation: Communicative Disorders & Deaf Education; Family, Consumer, Human development: Psychology: Secondary Education Applications are now available in EDUC 103 and are due Wednesday, March 21 2007 Selection Criteria • Minimum 3.0 GPA • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills • recommendation of your major department within the College of Education & Human Services • Recommendation of selections committee Ambassador responsibilities • Actively participate in all College and University recruiting events (e.g. High School Open Houses, Aggie Preview day, Scholars' Day, Transfer Student Fairs, etc.) • Attend all ambassador training sessions • Adhere to the College of Educations & Human Services Ambassador Code of ethics • Serve as college spokesperson (e.g., conduct tours of the college and university campus; assist with College of Education & Human Services activities; inform the public of career opportunities in the various majors offeres by the College of Education & Human Services, etc. Where are you going to spend your Summer and School Year? Utilities Paid Pool, Hot Tub, Volleyball, Basketball Court, Fitness Center, New Movie Theater, and morel High Speed Internet & Cable |Or somewhere else??? Religion In Life Rachel Schulz/mrachs@a.usu.edu JUUE FOUST HAS BEEN THE DIRECTOR OF THE Rhetoric Associate Program for five years. The RA program is made up of students who are talented writers and are academically focused. The 40 to 50 students in the program aid specific classes by reading and reviewing students' papers. Danger signs of fatigued driving Conversation helps you stay focused, and your passenger can • Repeated yawning notice if you start losing your con• Closing your eyes (At 60 mph, centration. if you close your eyes for only one • Make regular stops. Try to stop second, you've traveled 88 feet!) at a rest area or convenience store • Missing road signs or exits approximately every 2 hours or •Nodding off 100 miles. This gives you a little • Drifting out of your lane exercise, a little fresh air, and a • Disconnected thoughts change of scenery from sitting behind the wheel. • No memory of the last few • Most importantly, do not push it miles if you are tired. The only way to reverse your need for sleep is to Remedies for drowsy driving • Get a good night's sleep before sleep. a long drive Information Courtesy of the Health and Wetlness Center • Drive with other people. TUESPAY MARCH faTH JERRY TOHK5 DESERET W W S SPORTS WRITER, BOOK CRUlC FEATURE WRITER, AND CURRENTLY, OESERET tfEWS RELIGION COLUMNIST. |