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“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

Driving to school every day can get very tiring. As a commuter, you get home late, you get your homework done even later and, half of the time, and you don’t get to bed until daybreak.
Once you finally fall asleep, the 5 a.m. alarm is buzzing again and another day is beginning.
Driving to school when you are tired can be very hazardous.
According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2005 “Sleep in America” poll, 60 percent of adult drivers say they have driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy and more than 37 percent have actually fallen asleep at the wheel.
The week before finals my freshman year at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, I fell asleep behind the wheel for the first time.
I had been studying the night before and hadn’t gotten much sleep. I pulled up to the stoplight beside the Vigo County Courthouse and was stopped by a red light. I waited for my chance to turn left onto the bridge towards campus.
It was winter. I had my heat cranked-up on high. It was warm and cozy and I was beginning to feel drowsy. I tried turning up the volume on my radio, but at that point, it was too late. I must have dozed off because, the next thing I knew, I was looking up at a yellow turning arrow.
I managed to make the light, but, needless to say, the people behind me did not. Believe me when I say these people were not happy! Not only did my lack of sleep make me a hazard behind the wheel, but it also caused some major road rage.
This particular experience may seem kind of funny but it was actually very dangerous. On other occasions, I haven’t actually fallen completely asleep, but I have dozed and swerved off of the road.
This is why it is crucial for you get enough sleep at night. This goes for anyone, but especially commuter students, who are behind the wheel every day.

With high temperatures hitting almost 90 degrees last week, it definitely is beginning to feel like summer at the Woods!
And with that comes all the little things we’ve forgotten how to live with during the winter like sticky dorm rooms, frizzy hair, and pesky bugs.
But, on the plus side, there are no worries about slipping on the ice on the way to class. As the stressful end of the semester looms, take advantage of the wonderful weather.
Sunshine is your best friend this time of year! Catch up on your tan while studying out on the balcony, brighten up your room with some sunlight and fresh air, and get your daily dose of vitamin D.
After three months of the winter blues, the sunlight is a welcome sight. The late daylight hours make the day seem endless, and you might find yourself more productive when there is still a nice open window and sunset to sit by. I recommend doing your homework outside or by an open window- it definitely helps keep your morale up!
Another way to enjoy this weather is changing up your wardrobe. What better excuse to go shopping than new summer clothes?
Transition your wardrobe from coats to shorts slowly.  It’s only March and Indiana has been known to throw in some end-of-season snow storms.
But, if it seems like you are in desperate need of new sandals to go with the June-like weather, go for it!
Finals week is just around the corner, but don’t let the homework keep you from missing out on this rare gem of a March. Take a study break, grab your iPod, and go for a walk! All the beautiful things you’ll see if you just wander around campus are amazing. Find some pretty flowers. Pick a few and put them in your dorm room to bring spring indoors.
It’s a beautiful start to the second half of the semester.
Love your Le Fer Life, ladies!

The St. Mary’s Village Church celebrated its 175th anniversary earlier this year with most of the praise for its continued success going to its parish members, who have supported it spiritually and financially since its founding.
Being the oldest Catholic Church in Vigo County, it has been a place of faith for many generations of families in the surrounding area.
“The history of the parish is very rich,” said Parish Life Coordinator Sister Joan Slobig.
Of the nearly 160 people who attend the parish regularly, about 90-100 of them are related, Slobig said.
The parish caters to the wide age range.
“We have a vibrant religious education program of about 70 children,” Slobig said.
The religious education program, which is similar to Sunday school in Protestant denominations, helps children become educated in their faith, Slobig said.
Emma Bird, a sophomore studying history and theology at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, volunteers as a catechist, teaching second and third graders in the religious education program.
“I love being with the kids and getting them excited about their faith,” Bird said in an e-mail. “It’s wonderful to answer their questions and see that light bulb turn on.”
Bird, a lifelong member of the parish, has deep family roots in the church. Her grandfather’s ancestors came to America in the 1840s and were living in the area at the same time St. Mother Theodore was alive.
The religious education program allows its participants to give back to their community. Bird has helped organize a service project to pick up trash in the nearby area.
“It’s so great to see them get excited about volunteering and social justice,” Bird said.
Another SMWC student, Jena Thralls, has a long-standing family history with the parish. Her last name is familiar to anyone who knows the history of the founding of the parish.
Father Gabriel Brute was consecrated the first Bishop of the Vincennes region in 1826 with a large portion of Illinois and Indiana to serve.
While on a horseback ride tending to his members, Bishop Brute met the Thralls family at their small pioneer station west of the Wabash River.
Believing that the area was special, he decided to recognize it, naming it Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
In no time, Bishop Brute paid Joseph and Sarah Thralls $15 for about one acre of land to build the first church in what is now St. Mary’s Village.
Jena Thralls’s family still attends St. Mary’s Village Parish since her ancestors met the bishop five generations ago.
“To be here, and know that my ancestors walked this land with St. Mother Theodore over 175 years ago is an unbelievable feeling,” said Thralls, a senior studying journalism, in an e-mail response. “My family has always held this land sacred.”
Thralls said her grandparents were very driven by faith.
“In every single room of their house they have pictures of St. Mother Theodore and Jesus Christ,” Thralls said. “They always had so much to tell me about St. Mother Theodore and how much she meant to them.”
Thralls said that her father keeps a coin with Saint Mother Theodore on it in his pocket.
“I think it’s sort of like a good luck charm.”
Thralls believes that Providence has kept her safe.
When she was a senior in high school, she and two cousins were in a wreck on St. Mary’s road while on their way into town to do mission work. Due to the icy and slick conditions, their Jeep flipped over a guardrail. No one was injured.
“While we were standing there talking to the police, I found one of those coins with St. Mother Theodore on it. I showed it to my cousins and I put it in my pocket. I’ve kept it ever since,” Thralls said.
Her family’s close connection to the area influenced Thralls’s decision to attend SMWC.
“If I had gone anywhere else, I would not be where I am today. I appreciate everything about this place,” Thralls said.
Other SMWC students attend services at the Village Parish.
“We would love to have Woods student volunteer in the Religious Education program,” Slobig said.
The parish is also interested in finding musically gifted people to be Liturgical music volunteers and to help organize a children’s choir, according to Slobig.
“We have talented children and would like their talent to be used in church,” Slobig said.
The church supports Providence Food Pantry and recently participated in Relay For Life.
“We hope to expand outreach in the community and be a presence for those looking for a place of worship,” Slobig said.

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!

On March 21, the Sustainability Club teamed up with the Peace and Justice Committee to help register students to vote ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
“Sustainability is about community,” said Amber Slaughterbeck, Sustainability Club president. “We think it’s necessary to register to vote for the good of the community.”
During students’ lunch hour, the Sustainability Club, which organized the effort, set up a table in Jazzman’s café, while Peace and Justice Committee members registered students in O’Shaughnessy Dining Hall.
Heather Davis, freshman, was one of 17 students who registered to vote last Wednesday.
“When I took a government class in high school, my teacher made it very clear that it’s an American right to vote and it’s very important. Every vote counts,” said Davis, who has not decided who to vote for yet.
“Every individual voice matters and you have to be the change you want to see,” said Jessie Uchytil, senior, who registered students beside Slaughterbeck in Jazzman’s. “If you want to see change in politics, then you have to step up and make that vote and make that decision.”
Uchytil, who has voted in  previous local and national elections, describes voting as a powerful experience. Slaughterbeck agreed.
“It felt pretty good to be able to pick the candidate that I felt would represent my views the best,” said Slaughterbeck.
Amanda Payton, freshman, was not old enough to vote in previous elections. However, she has been involved in the process in the past. She has worked at voting polls to prevent campaign material from being present within a certain range of where people cast their ballots.
“I think it is very important to vote for the leader of our country,” said Payton. “Many countries do not have the luxury of choosing who will be in power and I think not voting shows that we are not proud of our freedoms. Also, I think it is unfair to complain about what a leader is not doing or could do better when an individual did not take the time to vote.”
Despite some reservations, Payton plans to vote to reelect President Obama come election time in November.
“I think there are many issues he could handle better, but he has followed through with many of the promises he made during his last campaign,” said Payton.
“Also, I think the Republican        nominees are too intense with some of their promises. They are promising certain groups of people that they will take away the equality and freedom of others,” Payton added.
According to Slaughterbeck, some  students “bluntly” informed them that they were just not interested in            registering.
“I don’t think people really think that their vote counts,” said Slaughterbeck. “Maybe the person they voted for last time didn’t win, so they just gave up. But overall, staying registered to vote is always better than not participating.”
To increase political awareness among students, Uchytil suggested airing political debates in Sullivan Lounge in Le Fer.
“Make it a campus event. Serve some popcorn,” said Uchytil.
“As a democracy, it makes sense that hopefully we would all put in our voice,” said Slaughterbeck. “You really can’t complain if you don’t have any sort of voice in the matter.”

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.

When you hear about a bunch of college students going on a Spring Break trip to New Orleans, you might be thinking relaxing on Bourbon Street or partying Mardi Gras style.  But, that’s not why 12 young women from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College went on this venture to Louisiana.
Every year, SMWC offers an alternative spring break trip.  This year, the trip took a different outlook on ways of servicing the community.  The group was split up into different schools helping with early childhood education.
Malia Hoffman, campus minister, chaperoned the group of women along with Krista Steinmetz and Amanda Springstead.
“I chose this trip to give students a different experience from the ‘normal’ alternative break of building houses or doing physical work, and it appealed to a lot of education majors,” said Hoffman.
The group departed from the college at 6:30 a.m. and arrived late that evening.  The next day, the group had the opportunity to explore the French Quarter and other various hot spots downtown New Orleans.
The next few days were working days.  The students worked Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The group was split up into four smaller groups.  Each group was placed at a school working with early childhood education.
Volunteers contributed to early childhood education through Katrina’s Kids, an initiative operated by an international service program called Community Collaborations International.
The four schools were Total Community Action Head Start, Louise Head Start School, Leslie Head Start, and El Yo Yo Bilingual Head Start School.
The children at the Louise Head Start School were fed breakfast, lunch, and snack as a part of their plan. The children were dropped off at various times throughout the morning, depending when the parents had to go to work and then the children were picked up between the times of 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The facility had many paid and unpaid volunteers that came in throughout the week.
“I loved interacting with the children and teachers at the bilingual Head Start where I volunteered!” said Junior Cathleen Flynn. “Although the children weren’t born when Katrina happened, their families and communities have suffered greatly. It was so enriching getting the opportunity to offer a sliver of happiness or a learning moment to them.”
Head Start has income requirements and the families participating usually live below the poverty line or are of low-income.  Head Start also does a house visit with the family before the child can be accepted into the school.
Stephanie Runyon, junior, worked with children between the ages of 8 months to 2 years old.
“I absolutely loved interacting with the group of youngsters at the Head Start,” said Runyon. “Although I spent the bulk of the time interacting with the students rather than talking with the teachers, I know that I probably made the biggest impact to the teachers by being an extra set of eyes in the classroom. Children especially that young get into everything and they need constant guidance.”
SMWC’s volunteers spent six days in total in New Orleans.
“When our van pulled up to pick our group up from the Head Start on the final day, one of the little girls who got rather attached to me cried when I handed her to one of the teachers,” said Runyon.
“That was the saddest moment of the trip for me, saying goodbye.”

Jill Nichols, executive vice president for Vera Bradley, spoke Wednesday, March 21 in Cecilian Auditorium as part of the Four Star Series, sharing the story of the founding of the Vera Bradley Co.
Nichols shared that the company was co-founded by Patricia Miller and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, who were friends and neighbors in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Nichols said that Pat and Barb noticed that women in airports were dressed up, but were carrying just any old bag. They made it their mission to design more fashion driven luggage.
Both women contributed $500 each and had a few bags designed, took them to a party, and sold them all. That was the beginning.
“The mission of Vera Bradley today is simple, to be a girl’s best friend,” Nichols said.
Nichols studied business administration and accounting at Indiana University and has worked for the Vera Bradley Co. for 23 years.
“Sometimes I need to pinch myself because I am living the American dream,” Nichols said when discussing her job.
Nichols encouraged college students to experiment something different; take an art class. She also said to enjoy these years, because you have the rest of your life to work.
“If you have an idea, go with it,” Nichols encouraged. “You need to love it [your career].”
Nichols shared that Pat and Barb didn’t expect their company to get this big. They just wanted enough money to have a cleaning lady.
Men do work at the company, but 83% are female, which Nichols said the company is proud of.
“I found it inspirational when she talked about loving your job and to not be in it just for the money. That is something I’ve learned being at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods,” senior Jessica Zogbi said.
One of the goals of The Four Star series at SMWC is to enhance and enrich the college’s curriculum.
“We try to do four different types of events a year,” Dean of students Jeff Malloy said.
Nichols also participates in a variety of volunteering opportunities. She currently serves as a director and the treasurer of the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.
“Donations to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer were accepted in lieu of speaking tonight,” Malloy said.