Tag: Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
Congress Updates
by The Cowl Editor on January 27, 2017
News
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
Assistant News Editor
The Providence College Student Congress held its second meeting of the semester on Tuesday night, and during a suspension of the rules, welcomed Karen Vargas, the associate dean of admission for multicultural recruitment, who answered questions regarding undocumented students and students from mixed status families. Vargas explained the difference between undocumented students, students protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DALA) and students with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
She encouraged Congress to ask questions and stated her presentation was a safe space to hold a conversation and dialogue. As explained by the dean, an undocumented citizen is a person who does not hold U.S. citizenship or a valid U.S. visa. DACA students are allowed to have a driver’s license, work and pay taxes, and are protected against deportation. Students with TPS are protected to live in the U.S., due to some temporary condition preventing them from returning safely to their home country, such as an armed conflict or environmental disaster.
Vargas explained that students who are undocumented or fall under DACA or TPS do not qualify for federal financial aid. She answered questions presented by members of the Congress who asked what resources and protections the school can provide for undocumented, DACA, or TPS students. Vargas explained that PC has made a stance to provide all its students with the best experience for success and help all students graduate in four years.
“Once students are part of the Friar Family, they will be treated like they are part of the Friar Family,” she said.
Students wanting to learn more or join the conversation are welcomed to email Dean Vargas at kvargas1@providence.edu.
Preview: The Black & White Ball
by The Cowl Editor on January 19, 2017
News
By Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
Assit. News Editor
Picture this: a night in Peterson like students have never seen it before, featuring live music and gourmet food, where all four grades, robed in dressy cocktail dresses and dark suits, will come together for an evening commemorating Providence College’s 100th Birthday.
The Black and White Ball, being advertised as an event that will “honor the past and celebrate the future,” is set to take place on Friday, February 17. Tickets officially go on sale at the Slavin Info Desk on Tuesday, January 24, and as they will only be on sale for two weeks, students are encouraged not to delay in purchasing their tickets.
Late last year, Steven Sears, dean of students, approached the incoming BOP executive board to coordinate a major student event to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the school. Although many events were scheduled for the College’s Centennial Celebration, there was a clear need for an event planned exclusively for students.
BOP, with its ability to capitalize on its network and with its event planning expertise, was able to facilitate the planning, but also included a group of student leaders from a variety of student organizations to plan the event. “Our goal is to make everyone feel special as a student enrolled during the Centennial Year,” said Daniel Pupke ’17, vice president of the Board of Programmers, who is heavily involved in the planning of the event.
“It is an event that you, as a guest, will remember for the rest of your life, and one that you will regret missing if you cannot attend,” he stated.
According to Pupke, student leaders from Campus Ministry, Student Congress, and the Board of Multicultural Student Affairs were involved in organizing the many elements of the ball including the décor, catering, live music and DJ, and operation of ticket sales. Sharon Hay, director of student activities, as well as the Dean of Students, also provided her support and vision.
“My role was to work with the finances to make sure everything is bought and paid for,” said Sean Lawler ’17, executive treasurer of Student Congress. Lawler explained he worked close with the treasurer of BOP. “I am blessed to be here for PC’s 100th year, and being able to represent Congress in planning for the ball makes the blessing even greater.”
“The Centennial Committee has also played a crucial part in realizing our vision and we cannot thank them enough,” said Pupke.
One aspect of the ball that students can look forward to is the cocktail hour, which will commence at 7:30 p.m. This hour will feature a live band as well as a variety of gourmet appetizer stations.
“During that time, we will have raffles with proceeds benefitting the Providence College Angel Fund,” said Pupke. The Angel Fund is an ongoing source of financial support to current students of families with extraordinary financial challenges so that they can continue their studies at the College.
Dancing will begin at 8:45 p.m., where a giant dance floor and a “monumental ceiling treatment” will be installed so that Peterson can be transformed into the “Centennial Ballroom.”
Students can also expect to see a red carpet installed and many other transformations to the rec center. On both sides of the dance floor, students will find a lounge for students 21 and over that will serve beer, wine, and a Centennial Cocktail.
The event will allow students from all across campus to come together to celebrate the College’s anniversary, which officially falls on Tuesday, February 14.
As an event tailored exclusively to the students, it was important to those planning the event to involve a variety of students in the planning process. “It was important from the beginning that the planning of the event did not fall exclusively with BOP, but rather a group of student leaders from different organizations,” said Pupke.
Congress Updates 1.19.17
by The Cowl Editor on January 19, 2017
News
By Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
Assit. News Editor
At their first meeting of the spring semester this past Tuesday, Student Congress welcomed guest speakers Charles Haberle, Yvonne Arruda, and Tom King on behalf of the Course Series Committee to discuss matters related to the scheduling of courses offered at Providence College. Traditionally, PC offers three class types: a 50 minute class that meets three times a week, a 75 minute class that meets twice a week, and a marathon class that meets once a week. There are few night classes offered by the College other than those available through the School of Continuing Education, which can only be taken once a semester by undergraduate students.
The speakers asked for feedback from the students present, asking which class types students preferred and how receptive students may be to taking classes later in the day. King, who spoke from the perspective of Faculty Senate, explained that in the past few years, PC has seen a shift in that the administration has been encouraging faculty to abandon the “sage on a stage” model of teaching—the model of teaching in which the professor simply lectures the entire class—to a more innovative and interactive model of teaching.
Although many might say this shift is a positive one, King explained that it can result in professors needing longer classes to generate meaningful discussion, and can create a demand for more 75 minute biweekly courses rather than three 50 minute classes. Teaching space available in both the schedule and on campus hinders the College’s ability to give every professor the class type of his or her preference.
When asked for their perspective, feedback from the Congress included making biweekly classes available by having some courses scheduled on Mondays and Wednesdays, along with the current courses that are scheduled Mondays and Thursdays as well as Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other feedback encouraged the scheduling of classes later in the day, making sure courses required for graduation are not held at the same time, and for the Course Series Schedule to keep long internships in mind when creating course schedules. Students with any feedback on the matter are welcomed to email the committee at scheduling@providence.edu.
With no new or old legislation to be discussed this week, Congress took time during the rest of their meeting to make goals for the semester. As the Congress saw much legislation involving internal affairs last semester, many committees and classes recognized the need for Student Congress to work on legislation on more external affairs that will lead to the betterment of the student body. Students wanting to make change or students with any proposals for new legislation are encouraged to contact a member of Student Congress, or email the Legislative Committee Chair at hrayment@friars.providence.edu.
All students on campus are welcomed to attend next week’s meeting at 5:30 p.m. in Ruane LL05.