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Show NEWS A4 Ambassador's visit hints at Latin presence on campus -3 * • * Vil rrt Photo courtesy of Jester Molina Ambassador Luis Valdivieso, fifth from left, poses with a group of Peruvian students. Valdivieso visited universities in Utah in an effort to further friendly relations between them and Peru. By Sterling Gray Asst. News Editor Peruvian Ambassador Luis Valdivieso paid a visit on Oct. 6 in an effort to continue good relations with Utah. The majority of those in attendance were from Peru, evidence of the strong Latino presence in the state. This presence is reflected in the student body. In 2005, Latin students accounted for only 3.9%. Last year, that number rose to 7%. At this rate, even accounting for an increase in Latinos in the general population, it won't be long before the university can at least match Utah's 12% Latin American population. According to Yudi Lewis, a counselor in the Latino Initiative, the university boasts a Latin population of over 2,100 students. She says this shows the university's commitment to its mission. "When I was a student here, there were very few other Lantino students. Things have changed a lot. It shows that we're dedicated to that word that the president [Holland] is always saying: 'inclusiveness.' " Apart from reflecting the university's Latin American population, this visit also gives students more opportunities at achieving a global education. As Lewis points out, the ambassador's visit strengthens relations with the government of Peru, which can pay off in study abroad programs. She noted that David Knowlton, a professor in the Behavioral Science department, has done extensive studies in sociocultural anthropology in Peru. There is also a study abroad program to Peru available to students. Student Body President Richard Portwood, who was in attendance at the event, added that this visit can give students ideas of what is attainable in the outside world. "I think it's a good indicator of what you can achieve as a student. Our sights are set beyond graduation and what we want to do and what we want to accomplish, so it's good to see an accomplished person," he said. These types of opportunities aren't to be taken lightly, says Portwood. "In education, we're here to learn, and you need things about different people, you need different views to strengthen your own and to make your education richer while you're here. I would encourage all students to be aware of the opportunities [such as meeting the ambassador] that UVU offers." Valdivieso, who became ambassador to the U.S. in 2009, has a long history in international economics. He held senior management po- Ptioto courtesy ofJesler Molina Dr. Rusty Butler of the International Affairs and Diplomacy department presents Ambassador Valdivieso and his wife with UVU-emblazoned jackets during the dinner in his honor Oct. 6. sitions at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 1991-2008, including Advisor and Division Chief, as well as positions in the Asia and Pacific, and European Departments. This type of experience Free car care clinic By Reed Noble News Writer The Department of Automotive Technology is putting on a car care clinic that offers students, faculty and the community a free visual inspec- tion on their cars. The clinic is being held Thursday, Nov. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sparks Automotive Building, which is located in between the Gunther Technology Building and the Woodbury Business Building on the southeast part of campus. "Bring your car and stay in it while faculty and students check your car to make sure that everything looks good," said Automotive Instructor Todd Low. "We are not going to fix anything but if we see anything that needs to be fixed then we will make recommendations." Once the car gets checked out, it should take approximately 15 minutes. Come on down this Thursday. gives him an international economics viewpoint that few diplomats have, according to Miguel R. Rovira. Rovira is Regional Director in the International Trade and Diplomacy Department for the state of Utah. Rovira said, "He [Valdivieso] isn't a career diplomat, so he has a different perspective. His business background allows him to comment on global economics in a unique way." ~i r Bring a Date, Come and Paint Get half Off the studio fee for up to four people 5033 N Ed^ewood Drive, Provo Mid-term grading - pain or gain? By Steven Miller Copy Editor A newly created initiative for fall semester, requesting that each instructor post midterm grades to Banner, aims to give students an opportunity to access their progress and make corrective action if necessary. The Office of Student Success and Retention^ along with university administration, encouraged faculty for the first time to post mid-term grades for students this semester as part of the office's Best Practices directives to faculty members. Research was conducted at other colleges and universities locally and around the country to determine the effectiveness of posting midterm grades. Other universities were found to regularly post the grades already, according to Martha Wilson, program coordinator for Student Success and Retention. "We have found that this helps students by providing a checkpoint," Wilson said. "It gives students a benchmark." Final grades for the semester have always been located in Banner and students access them frequently; .^_^_« however, students may or may not be aware of the new mid-term grade initiative since it was recently implemented. Some students have -Martha expressed interest in having mid-terms posted each semester. "I think it would help me because the grades posted on UVLink [Banner] are accustomed as being pretty serious," said sophomore Michael Bradford. "Mostly when you're on there you are looking at transcripts and final grades, so to see it on there more or less set in stone ... is a good thing." Posted mid-term grades in Banner, however, will not roll to student's academic history or transcript ^ ^ ^ and will not —a m m be automatically calculated in the final grade given. As a member of student government, junior Sarah Standing Wilson was required this semester to have a mid-term grade report, so she took the form to her instructors to have her mid-terms recorded. "From what it looked like, my teachers didn't really look up my exact grades, they just sort of guessed where I was at," she said. '% would have appreciated a more solid, ac- " W e have found that this helps students by providing a checkpoint." curate grade from them." According to Standing, it would have helped her see where to improve and give a track record of what she had done so far and where help was needed to step up and make grades for the term. "I wish all of my teachers would have done that [posted a grade]," Standing said. "It gives students an idea of where they are at and where they need to improve." Mid-term grades are an effective method in retaining students, according to Wilson. "It is kind of a mutual thing; we want the faculty to reach out to the student, but if the faculty doesn't, we want to support the student and say, 'Reach out to your faculty.' " At press time, it was not known how many instructors had made the effort to post mid-term grades for their students. he ArrOf Havinq Fun. 8OM34-484S www. provo.coformemine.com Color Me Mine does not allow specials or discounts to be combined. GEICO Your "Local" Insurance Office Student Discount • Motorcycle Insurance GEICO. A15 minute call could save you 15% on car insurance FREE No obligation Rate Quotes • Money Saving Discounts • Monthly Payment Plan Contact our "Local" Office 801-263-5200 6552 South State Stre^f Murray |