Sept 16, 2010
Vol. 78 No. 1
Construction transforms campus landscape
By: Melanie Crump and Jenna Lostrito
With the fall semester now in full swing, Northwest continues what will be the largest renovation project in its history. The changes already in progress can be seen all across the campus and include new outdoor sports complex, new roads and parking areas, as well as the nearing completion of the Nursing Building. Also planned for the near future is the complete remodeling of the McLendon Student Union.
The new Northwest nursing facility construction is approaching completion and is slated to open in October. The facility will be furnished in part by a $495,000 Federal grant for new state-of-the-art equipment. (Photo by Melanie Crump)
Usage of these new facilities will start this week with limited access to one tennis court for one class two days a week due to safety issues. To help with the parking problems facing both student and faculty, 124 spaces in the north lot across from the Physical Science Building, 70 at the Outdoor Sports Complex, and approximately 131 at Porter and West Street have been added to the campus.
Kristie Holler, a freshman respiratory therapy major from Senatobia, said, “I think, hopefully, it (the new tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts) will have a positive effect on people … just to have somewhere to hang out. More parking will definitely help because everything with parking has been crazy.”
Changes expected for the McLendon Student Union include the expansion of the Ranger Bookstore, space for exercise facilities, an expanded open-space computer lab, math lab, and meeting rooms for student groups. During the construction, several offices are expected to move. Offices currently located in the Union will move in November to various temporary locations on campus including the second floor of the Tunica Building, which will be vacant after the Nursing Department moves to the new nursing facility.
Other offices will be relocated during the renovation to the lower levels of the new nursing facility, the McCormick Administration Building and the Lafayette Humanities Building.
This particular project is expected to start sometime in late November. The first phase will take between seven to eight months and the second phase will take another six to seven months. Read more
Homecoming to implement online voting
By: Kristina Dunigan
Northwest is making remarkable changes for 2010’s Homecoming. Not only will voting be online, but also three campuses will have a queen.
The Homecoming committee made the change in response to suggestions in the spring of 2010. A queen will be elected from each Northwest campus. Vice President of Student Affairs, Dan Smith, stated, “With three queens I believe there will be an increase of participation and ownership.”
Others however, see it differently. Freshman, Cornelius Blackmon, of Holly Springs said, “If they are all beautiful I won’t mind, but I feel like whoever wants it the most and whoever works hardest at it deserves it.”
Another idea from the Homecoming committee has been enabled. Voting this year will be online. Students and faculty will receive a mass e-mail for voting. They will be able to choose their campus and select their maid of choice.
Associate Vice President of Educational Affairs, Matthew Domas, has introduced computer software to Northwest called Qualtrics. With this program’s capacity it allows not only the voting online process to happen but it also allows pictures to be displayed of the Homecoming maids during voting. Intramural Coordinator, Liesl Davenport, said that the online voting process “seems more fair and easy” and she feels that “more faculty and students will participate in the event.”
Sophomore, Hallye Skillion of Marks stated, “No one is going to do it. What makes them think that we are going to go online and vote? Half of us don’t even check our e-mail.” Voting for Homecoming maids will begin Sept. 27.
Northwest signs on with V3 College
By Kate Fox and Hilary Jasmin
V3 College, Mississippi’s new degree completion program, has expanded to correspond with almost half of all community colleges in Mississippi. V3 College’s online programs now offer its classes for students to complete a bachelor’s degree in half the time, similar to Northwest Mississippi Community College’s 2 Plus 2 Program, where students complete two years of a degree at a community college and two years at The University of Mississippi.
Dr. William M. Mayfield (left), Mississippi University for Women School of Professional Studies dean and V3 College director, addressed Northwest faculty about their upcoming educational partnership during the Northwest Career-Technical Division meeting Aug. 9. (Staff photo)
V3 College is a program that works alongside universities in Mississippi, such as Mississippi University for Women in Columbus. V3 College uses different forms of digital media to relay the message to the student in order for them to better understand the material in less time.
This style of learning is referred to as “3D Engagement.” According to Dr. Chuck Strong, Northwest’s vice president for Educational Affairs, it “gives more options to technical and vocational majors,” given that the program only applies to students with majors in applied sciences.
It also helps the students be able to complete more schooling without having to travel to a campus to take the courses that they need. Dr. Strong also mentioned that “it will attract more students to Northwest campuses," due to the fact that students will want to participate in the program.
Holmes Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, East Central Community College, and Southwest Mississippi Community College are some of the colleges participating in this program. For more information go to www.v3college.org.
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