The Woods

President Dottie King talked to students twice this week about a federal audit which recommended the school return $42 million dollars in loans and grants. The audit, conducted by the Office of Inspector General and published late March 2012, contends that SMWC was not eligible to participate in the Title IV program because more than 50 percent of its students were participants in what they determined to be “correspondence courses.” The college as well as its accreditation body, the Higher Learning Commission, classify the college’s distance courses as “telecommunication courses.”

“We did nothing wrong,” King told students congregated in Sullivan Lounge on April 3. “This is an issue of classification. No one hid money or anything like that. This was the result of an audit, not an investigation.”

King assured students that the college’s accreditation would not be impacted and that students’ financial aid was not at risk. She emphasized that student life at the Woods would be unaffected. “This is probably going to take a couple more years to sort out, but you probably won’t hear much. There will probably be long periods of no news.”

According to King, she was informed of an impending audit on her face day of the job as College President two years ago. In 2010, officials from the OIG were set up in Guerin Hall, where they looked at a number of documents and spoke to administrators and people on campus.

After the draft of the OIG’s report was made available to the college in August 2011, the school retained an attorney, prepared a response challenging the report, explaining why their distance programs qualify as “telecommunications courses”, and submitted it to the OIG.

The school received word of the publication of the final report last Friday. “But we had the scholarship dinner and Ring Day and I wasn’t about to let anything take away from that,” said King.

King said the college did not go public with the results of the audit before because there was still hope that the OIG would listen to their response and change their recommendation. “But we always knew the likelihood of the OIG taking a balanced, reasonable response was slim to none,” said King.

“My response is, I feel a little bit of anger and disappointment in the process,” said King. “That they would look at little evidence and make such sweeping judgments, that seems unfair to me. When you hear things like “we don’t care about the quality of the program,” that seems unfair to me.”

The report recommends the college return $42 million in federal loans and grants given to students between 2005 and 2009. However, according to King, even if the Department of Education agreed with the OIG’s recommendation, in reality, that figure would be multiplied by the institution’s default rate, which is low. “It would be a fraction of that number,” said King.

According to King, SMWC is not the only school in this situation. Michael Goldstein, the college’s legal council, is representing three other institutions in similar situations.

Throughout this process, the laws classifying distance courses have not changed. It is the interpretation of those laws that has changed, King explained to students.

Because WED students did not always communicate with instructors on a weekly basis, the OIG concluded that their communications could not be considered “regular,” as is required for “telecommunications courses.”

“How do you define ‘regular’? Different people would define it differently. Still, to this day, the word ‘weekly’ isn’t in the law,” said King.

“Our distance program was designed for flexibility; it’s why our students love the program. But it’s also what the Department of Education doesn’t like.”

For  the college’s statement on the audit report, visit http://www.smwc.edu/headlines/woods-online-business-as-usual/

For the full report, including the college’s response, visit http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/auditreports/fy2012/a05k0012.pdf

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By Laura Kempton
Student Senate Secretary

This semester has gone by quickly! Even though we only have about a month left, Student Senate is still working hard for you.
We heard that many students, especially juniors, are unhappy with the current co-presenter policy for Ring Day which states that only graduates of The Woods who wear the ring are eligible.
So, we set about trying to change it. We circulated a petition, which received 142 signatures, and wrote up a proposal. Cathleen Flynn also designed a button that those who signed the petition received.
Despite our efforts, we were told that the policy is to remain as it currently stands for Ring Day 2012. However, we haven’t given up! We will try again next year, building on what we have done. We want to ensure that the concerns of the students are being properly heard and addressed.
This year, Senate tried something new with Relay for Life. We partnered with other groups on campus to create an SMWC Student team with subgroups for the different clubs that participated. Music Therapy Club partnered with Senate to make this happen.
Through this collaboration, organized the Pie the Person fundraiser a Spa Day at the relay, with massages, manicures, pedicures, and soap-making.
Student Senate would like to thank everyone for their support our Relay for Life team, with a special thank you to Music Therapy Club for their partnership.
Student Senate is putting together forums for commuter students and resident students to hear concerns, and feedback on how we can better serve the student body. Please keep an eye out for these upcoming forums and be sure to attend so that your voice is heard.
With the end of the year quickly approaching, Senate has scheduled elections for the following organizations: Student Senate, Sophomore-Freshman Council, Junior and Senior Class officers, and Judicial Board.
Intent to run forms are due on Wednesday, April 4 with elections being held on Wednesday, April 11 through Thursday, April 12 during lunch, dinner, and snack. If it is necessary to have run-off elections, they will be held on Friday, April 13 during lunch and dinner. Be sure you have your student ID with you when you come to vote. We wish everyone the best of luck!
Remember that our meetings are always open to everyone who would like to come.
We meet every Tuesday at 12:15 pm in the Woods Student Center. Feel free to email us at senate@smwc.edu, stop a Senator when you see her, or stop by our office on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00-9:45 pm.
We would love to hear from you!

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By Stephanie Dolan
Staff Writer

When I was recently offered the opportunity to attend the 2012 College Media Conference in New York City, I was thrilled.
Aside from the educational opportunities, which were, of course, clearly the priority, the touristy prospects frankly had me foaming at my Travel-Channel-loving mouth.  I had made a visit to the city several years ago, but it was only an overnight stay, and the short list of what I did get to see was shortened even more when compared to everything there was to be seen.
But back to those very important educational opportunities… I was ready.  I had a long list of places to go, sights to see and food to eat.  (Ask me how easy it would be to write you an epic poem on the amazing number of culinary wonders I experienced in the span of three short days!)  But first?  The workshops.
There were many scholastic opportunities to be had over the course of the weekend, but one workshop in particular – while uncomfortable – was exactly what I needed to experience.
Yes, as mentioned, I am a journalism major.  Something that I’ve discovered, though, since returning to school after 17 years is that I am NOT a “reporter.”
I enjoy editorializing, criticizing, analyzing and columnizing.  I’ll do it for days.  Without a break.  In the snow.  Uphill both ways.  But if I never had to do another interview, I would be one happy writing camper.  In three words?  I. Hate. It.  
I feel awkward approaching someone cold, asking them a question as they look at me with that terribly welcoming look – as though I’m about to try to sell them my portion of a fabulous downtown Detroit time-share.
The interview experience only gets better from there, both for me and my subject.  Panicked, I stammer.  They retreat, looking around frantically, hoping that the asylum from which I’ve escaped will show up with a net and relieve them of my company.
Needless to say, my interviewing skills leave something to be desired.  So which workshop do I end up taking?  Of course, one that offers constructive techniques for interviewing.
I thought I was attending a class on utilizing one’s smart phone for a complete story that included the recording and editing of audio and video clips to enhance the written word.  So what happens as soon as I sit down to begin taking notes in a quiet, regulated and “comfortable” environment?
I hear an announcement telling me that the class will now be moving out onto the streets of New York City to interview complete strangers on hot-button issues.
To say I was dismayed would be an understatement.  My response?  Hiding in my room.  Yes, if asked, I would have said I was going up to get my sunglasses, but my intention was to hunker down next to the mini-bar and only scurry out to skulk downstairs and sit in the back of the room to watch everyone else edit the video interviews they’d all so bravely shot.
As I sat on my bed, fiddling nervously with my sunglasses, I called my unaffectionate boyfriend for advice.  I explained my problem, and once I heard his deadpan “you’ll never make it as a journalist,” my attitude was a bit different.  I stomped outside, unsure if my new (bad) attitude was a result of bitterness over my surprise assignment or my boyfriend’s lack of hoped-for coddling.
Either way… I did it.  Badly.  But I did it.  I shot video.  I spoke to strangers.  I made myself intentionally uncomfortable on the outside of my deliberately reinforced box.  It was awful.  But. I. Did. It.
That’s the most important thing.  That act of reluctant bravery made me a little worthier of an amazing trip to an astounding city… and, I hope, a real future as a real journalist.
The weekend was a serious reinforcement to this lesson: to get something you’ve never got, you must do something you’ve never done.  Something else you might notice I didn’t do here?  Interview anyone for the sake of this piece.  You’re welcome.

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By Lauren Sutton and Alyssa Flynn
Copy Editor and Guest Writer

On March 13 and 15, members of the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods community came together to assist the people of Henryville and Marysville in southern Indiana.
The area was devastated by tornadoes on March 2 and was still in need of volunteers to help clean up the damage caused almost two weeks earlier.
“When it happened I thought we should do something,” said Jeff Malloy, dean of students.
Malloy then contacted his friends who put him in touch with a volunteer organizer. He was not sure how many people would be able to come since the service trip was scheduled during spring break; however, the number of volunteers that came, 23 in total, exceeded his expectations.
Upon first entering the town of Henryville, the volunteers were shocked at the extent of the devastation. On one side of the main road, towards the elementary and high school, buildings sustained heavy damage, but on the other side of the road, towards the fire department, there was only minor damage.
“I thought it was really ridiculous that on one side of the road everything was fine and on the other side things were completely destroyed,” said junior Jade Scott.
Driving through the Henryville countryside, there were many driveways that led to only slabs of concrete that used to be foundations of houses.
“I’m amazed how there [were] just foundations left,” said Elizabeth Coley, Assistant Director of Campus Life.

Photo by Lauren Sutton/The Woods

The volunteers on Tuesday worked within close proximity of one of these “slabs of concrete.” They helped clean up debris from a field next to what used to be a three-story home. This home belonged to Stephanie Decker, a woman who lost her legs by shielding her two children with her body.
After working in Henryville for a few hours, the Tuesday group then headed towards Marysville, which they were told was not receiving very many volunteers because it was harder to get to than Henryville. The Thursday group spent most of their time in Marysville and then ended their day in Henryville.
What the volunteers found at Marysville was essentially a ghost town. Of the houses that were still standing, many were missing roofs, siding, doors, windows, and whole walls.
Junior Katelyn Gosnell who went on Thursday, said, “I thought we would see more people who lived there.”
Most of the people who were cleaning up the rubble were volunteers. Only those whose houses were mostly intact were still in Marysville.
Helen Hunt and her three dogs were outside her home on both days. On Tuesday, one of the volunteers watched her dogs while Hunt and others cleaned around her house. On Thursday, volunteers helped cut down a tree in Hunt’s yard. A house across the road from her house had been lifted off of its foundation and moved several yards.
As the second day on site came to a close, each group had their picture taken on the steps to a church that was no longer there. Twenty-two people had taken refuge in the basement of the church when the tornado struck. The building collapsed on them, and it took several hours for rescuers to dig them out.
One man, whose wife and son had been trapped in the basement of the church, personally thanked the Tuesday group on behalf of the whole community. The volunteers said they did not expect to be thanked for their work efforts. They did it because they felt it was the right thing to do.
“It was just instincts,” said freshman Kristin Bell.
At the top of the church stairs, the only thing left was a sign that read, “His Church Lives.”

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By Sarah L. Cole
Staff Writer

The Speedbumps, an Ohio-based acoustic/folk band, performed on campus Thursday in the Little Theatre in Guerin Hall.
The Speedbumps have performed with such musicians as indie stars Andrew Bird, OK GO, and Matt Nathanson.
The Speedbumps are Erik Urycki, Sam Kristoff, Kevin Martinez, and Pat Hawkins. Urycki’s voice is reminiscent of John Mayer, but that doesn’t stop them from having an individual sound.
The band’s music was recently featured on PBS’s “Roadtrip Nation.”
To hear them for yourself, check out The Speedbumps online at thespeedbumps.com, or follow them on your favorite social media website.

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Wii and popcorn Fridays!

 By Halee Hamilton
Columnist

As a commuter student, it is important for you to get involved in the campus community. This is important for a variety of reasons.
Sometimes it is difficult to meet people when you don’t live in the dorms. Though our campus is small getting involved with activities such as student senate, clubs and teams is a great way to make new friends.
If you plan on attending graduate school, it is also important to get involved with extracurricular activities. Grad schools are looking for students who put themselves out there and students who go above and beyond the normal expectations.
Also, participating in activities on campus is a nice way to get your mind off of school. Everyone needs a break every now and then, and the Woods offers several fun-filled activities to do so.
Whether it be playing Mario Kart and scarfing down some buttery popcorn on Wii and popcorn Fridays, or attending a neck-and-neck basketball game between Rose-Hulman and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on the weekend, there is always something to do.
I wasn’t aware of how many clubs and organizations our campus offers; they include, but are not limited to: student senate, discovery club, drama club, history club, dance team, Aurora, college council, Madrigals, The Woods student newspaper, and many, many more. All of these clubs are available for anyone who is interested, including commuter students.
I don’t know about you, but I sometimes find it difficult to participate in campus-based activities because of my long commute. Some of the clubs and organizations have meetings or practices at night, and I know for myself, this often poses a challenge.
If this occurs, and it is something that you really want to do, then don’t stress out too much. Most of the club leaders are very flexible and will be willing to work with your schedule.
I am a member of the dance team here at the Woods and I am not always able to attend practices because of my work schedule. They still let me participate, as long as I catch up and learn the dances on my own time.
I think this is very nice because dancing is something that I love to do, and I am still able to participate even though I can’t attend practice. I’m sure that the other clubs would be just as considerate, if you were willing to put in the extra time and dedication.
There are several benefits from participating in campus-based activities, and hopefully, as a commuter student, you will be able to get involved and find something that you love to do here at the Woods.

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By Beth Allard
Columnist

I used to tease my sister and ask her if she was waiting for the cleaning fairies to straighten up her side of the room when she let it get messy.  Unfortunately, the fairies never did come to work their magic on the messy closet or make the dust bunnies vanish.
Then I came to college and discovered that the cleaning fairies do exist.  Except they have big carts of supplies instead of wands.
Yes, I am talking about our wonderful Le Fer housekeepers!
I often run into these ladies in the hallways in the morning, vacuuming the floors or mopping the marble stairs until they shine with the nice, lemony floor cleaner.  They always have a “hello” and a “good morning” for me, and my wing always looks nice and clean when I return from class.  
I just want to take a minute and challenge you with this thought:  how do you say thank you?
Think of all the things that the housekeepers take care of for us: the community bathrooms, the staircases, the elevators, the trash cupboard – things we all use every day.
Yet, for every time that I have seen a housekeeper scrubbing the elevator floor, I see someone drop food in there and just walk away.  Muddy boots track up staircases and down carpeted hallways, and crumbs litter the floors under lounge tables.  Still, every morning, our Le Fer cleaning ladies have the place all sparkling clean.
Let’s extend some thanks to these lovely women – can you imagine what this building would look like without them? I’ve always said that Le Fer is like a castle; it truly is a wonderful place to live.  Take a few moments to return the favor. If you drop food, pick it up. If you see trash, toss it. And while crumby carpet and muddy stairs are a little out of our hands, prevention is the best cure.
So, next time you run into a housekeeper in the hall, stop and tell her that you appreciate her hard work.
Remember, the cleaning fairies are all around.
Love your Le Fer life, ladies!

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Photo by Colleen Daum/ The Woods

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Softball team works VIP room, raises money

By Amira Jaradat
Interim Editor-in-Chief

Lucas Oil Stadium was packed. More than 68,000 people had turned up for Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis. And while the women of Le Fer congregated around a television in Sullivan Lounge, some of their fellow Woodsies were much closer to the action.
The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods softball team was inside the stadium – not to watch, but to work.
The SMWC Pomeroys spent Super Bowl Sunday working in the stadium’s VIP room, hoping to earn enough money to fund a trip to Florida for a tournament during spring break.
“It was basically catering,” said Libby Wright, senior. “We were banquet servers. I was in charge of a buffet line.”
Their day started with an early trip to the “old airport,” where school buses were waiting to take them downtown. They were dropped off a couple of blocks away from the Indiana Convention Center, where they lined up among the crowd to receive their credentials.
“They set up a restricted perimeter around the Lucas Oil Stadium so that you couldn’t get in unless you had the credentials,” Wright said. Each person’s ID featured different colors, letters and shapes, indicating the different areas workers were authorized to enter.
After putting on vests with a “Super Bowl” insignia and their credentials, the softball team headed to the VIP room, where they would be working the pre-game and post-game parties.
“The room we were in was beautiful,” said Leah Miller, senior. “It was insanely large. It was like three O’Shaughnessys.”

Photo provided by Kelsey Rosselli

The VIP room, which held 3,000 people, was decorated according to a “Football Winter Wonderland” theme, including snow-covered turf.
“Everything was white. They had an ice rink in there and they had ice skaters performing,” Miller said.
There was also a stage for live musical performance and an autograph station where Wright spotted Eli Manning, New York Giants quarterback, before the game.
The VIP room opened for the pre-game party at 2 p.m. and then closed at 5:30 p.m. before the 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
“We served sliders, miniature hot dogs and chicken and we were in charge of taking them out and putting them on hot plates,” Wright said. During the actual game and in the lull between pre- and post-game parties, the servers were told they had half an hour to eat anything they could. “I didn’t eat anything at my station because I had been looking at it for too long,” Wright said.
“We got to see the halftime show on the screens, but we were pretty much working the entire time,” Miller said. The team was busy flipping the room, preparing it for the crowd that would be soon coming for the post-game party. “We were scrubbing these white tables, we were trying to clean the floor and the chairs and we had to switch out all the food,” said Miller. “I don’t understand how they could be so messy,” she added.
“We were told that these people paid a lot so we needed to give them a good experience,” said Wright. The VIP room guests were a varied bunch, some with painted faces. “They weren’t like all in suits or anything like that, which is what I expected. It was like a typical tailgate party in a really nice room,” she said.
Following the game, the second party of the day didn’t end until midnight.  Near the end, the exhaustion pushed the team to get creative and entertain themselves by doing a little line dace. “We were trying to enjoy it,” said Miller. “We wanted the time to go as quickly as possible at the end.”  They finished cleaning the room at 12:30 and by the time they had gotten back to campus, it was 3am.
“If you had walked out of the room we were in, we were maybe a hundred feet from the run-in tunnel,” said Libby Wright, senior. “We walked by the locker rooms. We were right there.”  However, despite their proximity, Wright said she didn’t feel as though she was really at the Super Bowl. “The room’s under the stadium, but it was so quiet. Even during the game, you couldn’t hear anything,” said Wright.
“It was still a cool experience,” said Wright. “Not that I would want to do it again, but I’m glad I did it once.”

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The Woods Staff Report

Saint Mary of-the-Woods College hosted the final Western show of the season Jan. 28-29.  After all the points were totaled, SMWC claimed High Point Team of the region, winning with 30 points.
The SMWC team started its final show last weekend –15 points away from becoming number one in the region. After a long day of hard work, the team was ecstatic to hear that they narrowly won the regional championship title by 5 points.
SMWC coach Sara Schulz was also shocked that the team succeeded in this feat.

Photo by Beth Allard/ The Woods

“It was overwhelming that the team did the unthinkable. They never quit, kept a positive attitude and worked hard,” Schulz said.
In the Jan. 28-29 Regional Championship, SMWC competed  against Ball State University, Butler University, Eastern Illinois University, Indiana University, Parkland College, Purdue University, Purdue-Calumet, St. Mary’s College and University of Illinois, all teams from the region or Division I programs.
The SMWC team goes directly to the IHSA semifinals March 24-25 in Tallahassee, Fla., to compete. If they place between 1st and 4th they will then advance to Nationals.
The riders who will compete at the semifinals in Florida are Whitney Mahloch, Jordyn Perrott, Karen Cannon, Sarah New, Paige Harvey and Shelby Harbor.
SMWC will host the Regional show March 2 for individuals to qualify for semifinals. Nine SMWC students will compete that day.

 Jena Thralls contributed to this article.

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