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Robert K. Pietrzyk & Jen Quinn

Students get new chance to learn

UNF partners with Arc to help disabled students

By Ashley Beland
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The On Campus Transition Program began Aug. 6 at the University of North Florida, turning 16 students' dreams of attending college into a reality.

The University of North Florida and The Arc Jacksonville have partnered to create the OCT program, which enables students with developmental disabilities to learn occupational and social skills and experience college life.

"For many years, we've had a real challenge with folks who have developmental disabilities in finding what we call age appropriate places for them to go to school," said Dr. Kristine Wiest Webb, the director of the Disability Resource Center and a founder of the program. "For us, it just made good sense to partner with The Arc Jacksonville in forming a neat college experience."

OCT students attend regular UNF classes and can take part in extracurricular activities, volunteer on campus and participate in one hour of fitness a day, Webb said.

"We match classes to what the student eventually wants to do - their dreams," she said.

The Arc contributed to the organization, funding and providing staff for the program, said Charlotte Temple, principal of The Arc Jacksonville Academy.

The primary source of funding for the program is federal scholarships; but UNF, Comcast and other donors have contributed.

One of the central goals of The Arc is to foster independence, Temple said.

"What we are trying to do is break the cycle that usually occurs for most of these young adults," she said. "Until they experience more independence, more responsibility for themselves and have better social skills, it is difficult to get them into our community employment program successfully [...] The Arc's goal is to get them onto the road to independence."

The program includes UNF student volunteers as mentors to OCT students, providing a social element to the learning experience, Webb said. The mentors could eat lunch with the students, buy supplies from the bookstore with them and socialize on the green together, she said

"From the first day they came onto campus, they were nervous like any freshman would be, but they've grown so much in the past three weeks," said Crystal Makowski, OCT director.

Bruce Roberts, a freshman OCT student, said what he likes most is that he can do anything he wants around campus.

"I'm a little bit nervous about my first time meeting people, but I'm ready to be on my own," he said.

More than 100 colleges across the United States have similar programs, but at UNF, students are a part of every aspect of college life, Webb said.

Jasmine Brower, a freshman OCT student majoring in child care development, is excited to start a fresh new year.

"I think it is a good pathway for kids my age," she said.

The OCT program is hosting an open house Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on the program or becoming a mentor, call 620-3892.

Contact Ashley Beland at news_staff@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

Student saves life at pool

By Tami Livingston
NEWS EDITOR

A University of North Florida student pulled an unconscious man from the bottom of the Aquatic Center pool Aug. 13.

Thomas Morton was practicing underwater breathing techniques when he blacked out and was brought to the surface by a nearby group of swimmers, according to Heather Kite, assistant director of the Aquatic Center.

"This is certainly one of the most severe things that's happened at the Aquatic Center," Kite said. Kite said nothing similar to this incident has happened for almost nine years.

"It's really not uncommon, that in the time frame it takes a lifeguard to scan from one side of the pool to the other side, for a patron to be able to recognize something first because they're in the water and they're swimming right next to people," Kite said. "The lifeguard only has x amount of people to watch as they go back and forth."

"Certainly those students who were involved [...] did the right thing by alerting the lifeguard's attention and our staff responded and ultimately a life was saved," Kite said. "Fortunately, the time he was underwater before recognition and care was given was so short he didn't have any [issues] and was released from the hospital a day later."

Daniel Maxwell, the resident assistant listed by the University Police Department as helping with Morton's rescue, declined to speak to the Spinnaker about the incident.

Once alerted, the lifeguards on duty pulled Morton from the water and administered rescue breathing procedures, said Bryan Eichler, Aquatic Center coordinator. Rescue breathing was given because Morton was breathing shallowly; however, CPR was not given because Morton's heart had not stopped.

Kite said she believes that Morton was underwater for less than five minutes because of how quickly he recovered once removed from the pool.

There are approximately 30 lifeguards employed by the Aquatic Center, and each is certified by the American Red Cross in lifeguard training, first aid, CPR and the use of automated electrical defibrillators. The Aquatic Center also recently received oxygen tanks and has a bag valve resuscitation mask available for emergencies.

Contact Tami Livingston at news@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

New Dean of Arts and Sciences brings track record of growth

Rebecca Daly

Appointed in August, Dr. Barbara Hetrick has studied and worked at universities around the country, including the University of California Riverside, Oregon State, the University of Northern Iowa, and Kansas State University for 14 years.

She has served as a consulting editor for the international plant journal Plant and Soil, and as a member of the American Phytopathological Society.

The Spinnaker sat down with the Lexus-driving, animal-loving biology enthusiast to talk about her move to the University of North Florida.

Can you tell me a little bit about your background leading up to this position?

I went to a private liberal arts college in my undergraduate years. I then went onto big land grant schools for the rest of my education. I started my first faculty position at Kansas State University and that was, again, another big land grant school. I then moved onto the University of Northern Iowa, where I was a department head. I really liked the emphasis on teaching and undergraduate and graduate education that you get a public comprehensive [university].

Why did you choose to come to the University of North Florida?

I knew when I was looking for a deanship that a school like UNF was what I was looking for. But what really stood out to me while I was looking was how friendly the people are, how dedicated they are. They seem to be really sincerely focused on trying to do a good job and helping students succeed.

I thought that was a really special combination of cultures that would really help UNF grow, and yet maintain it's own identity. So I thought it would be fun to be a part of that growth and that transition from being a fairly small school to a much larger one.

How do you like Florida so far?

It has been so hot. Being this humid has been a real transition. In Iowa we barely ever ran the air conditioning - maybe just for a few days in the summer - and here I haven't had it off once. It's a really big difference.

Have you set any specific goals for the College of Arts and Sciences?

No, right now I am talking to the department chairs and talking to the different departments when I'm invited. I'm trying to really get an idea of where we are, and what some of the constraints and challenges are, and then also figuring out where the departments want to end up and where they want to go and try to help them get there. A lot of that has to come from them, though. They have to know what they want and how they want to position themselves.

What challenges do you see facing the College of Arts and Sciences, and how do you hope to turn them around?

One challenge is certainly the transition from a smaller institution to a bigger one. We may have halted growth for the moment because of enrollment and funding issues that are being discussed at higher levels than our university, but if we're really going to grow that much, I think the university is in an interesting position now where it's establishing the policies and infrastructure to become a much larger university. At the same time, it's moving its perspective from a regional university to being one of national reputation.

This is a huge transition, but a very exciting one, too. With the growth of students and the opportunity to hire new faculty, it's a pretty exciting time to try to help UNF get where it wants to go. Those are the things that I'm looking at.

Is there any department in the college that you hold closer to your heart than others?

Well, I come from a biology background, so of course I have a soft spot for biology. I'm looking forward to meeting all my colleagues, because I will also be a faculty member in that department as well. So that's exciting to have a whole new set of colleagues to get to know.

On a personal note, are there any hobbies or interests that you have a passion for?

My husband and I have been into big animals for a long time. We've raised simmental cattle for a long time, and we've also raised shire draft horses. For now, we've given up most of that, and up until February we had our last big animal, which was a Newfoundland dog. She died in February, so we'll probably be looking for another dog at some point, and it will probably have to be a Newfoundland, because how can you not love a newfie? There's something about their big drooly personality. Who can hate that much hair and drool?

My husband likes to sail and fly fish, and he's hoping to pursue those hobbies here. I like to read and walk. It's especially nice here to be able to walk on the beach and take advantage of the really nice natural areas that Jacksonville has to offer.

What else should the students and UNF community know about you?

When students have concerns or thoughts, ideas, or things they want to share, I am happy to speak with them at anytime. I like to keep my door open. We really want this to be a good place for students, so when there are things we can do better, we need to know.

Compiled by Sarah Diener

Contact Sarah Diener at news@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

Students pleased with shuttle system debut

By Sarah Diener
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

More than 6,300 people at the University of North Florida rode the new shuttle buses on the first day of class Aug. 27.

Students, faculty and staff are all using the buses, but responses to the service have been mixed.

Deborah Warrick, a junior biology major who took the shuttle from Lot 17 to Building 51, found the buses to be clean, the driver helpful, and the routes on time.

"I think it's just fabulous," Warrick said. "Please, please keep it."

Nursing freshman Samantha Driggers, who rode from the Crossings to the library, shared the sentiment.

"It's a lot better than walking." Drigger said.

While the reception of the new shuttle system seems to be generally favorable, reviews were not all positive.

"It sucks really bad," one UNF staffer said.

She complained that buses to carry people to UNF Hall were more than 20 minutes apart and that the buses that did come were very crowded.

Director of Auxillary Services Vince Smyth said that the buses are encountering a few problems as they travel their 16 collective routes.

Some shuttles are arriving at stops in intervals longer than the promised six minutes due to increased road and foot traffic, holdups from riders asking questions, and riders wanting to get on or off the shuttle at spots that are not designated for pickup and drop-off.

"We expect these problems to ease off as the semester continues," Smyth said.

Smyth said no permanent changes will be made as a result of the first few days of service, and that situations occurring will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Signs indicating stops have been posted in Lot 18 and signs at other stop locations will be posted soon.

"So far, I have been really pleased with the outcome of the system," Smyth said.

The shuttle system was originally launched on Aug. 21.

Two routes - north and south - service 16 stops around the core of campus and to outer lots and buildings, including Lot 18, UNF Hall, the Arena and all dormitories.

Running times are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., no service Saturdays and 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sundays.

Call 620-1176 for a recorded message to hear the schedule and any delays.

Contact Sarah Diener at news@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE