Wise Move

Last Friday evening the Jefferson Literary and Debate society hosted the University’s eighth president Teresa A. Sullivan as the first presenter in their weekly speaker series. After delivering an excellent speech entitled “How Will We Know that We Are Good?” President Sullivan opened the floor for a round of questions from the audience seated in the University chapel. Once questions were raised about UVa’s emerging international presence, one student asked about what role the President thought the University played locally, specifically in southwest Virginia. President Sullivan used this query as a chance to talk about the University of Virginia College at Wise and the employment, research, and educational opportunities it offers the area. The school, commonly called UVA Wise, offers 29 majors and pre-professional programs including studies in dentistry, engineering, forestry, physical therapy, and veterinary medicine. The school was founded after residents of Wise County made a case to UVA that they needed access to a public college. An initial $5,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia, with a follow-up grant pending got the ball rolling on hiring faculty and staff to then named Clinch Valley College in 1954, and today, the school enrolls some 1,900 students with a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. UVA Wise offers undergraduate degrees to a region of Virginia that previously had no other educational options, and they have expanded their scope of outreach to include a partnership with schools such as Istanbul University and the University of Seville. Their mission includes developing insight within and enriching the lives of students far beyond the bachelor degrees they award. President Sullivan’s comments made it clear that UVa’s scope of influence and involvement may reach far across continents, but that its close connection to southwestern Virginia has had an immeasurable impact on the residents and students to which education has become accessible. So how will we know that we are good? Partnerships continuing to enrich the lives of surrounding Virginians seem like a wise place to start.

Source: http://www.wise.virginia.edu/

Confidence or Overconfidence?

We have all been there; the moments before a test, sitting anxiously at a desk that's too small, re-racking your brain for all the information you can possibly remember from studying last night. You know it well. Or do you just think you do?

A recent study by Professor Nate Kornell of Williams College has analyzed the ways in which students study, and their respective effectiveness. He claims that students who feel they are prepared for an exam or assessment, however feel they do poorly, is an example of being overconfident. While we always seek to have faith in our knowledge and abilities, these virtues are not always enough to get the grade. Professor Kornell's studies have arrived at the conclusion that success lays in testing yourself before the teacher does.

Certain aspects of his research has also shown that certain study habits are more effective than others. He argues that as opposed to spending one block of time studying in one given location, it is more valuable to study a few times during the week at a variety of places. Also, he promotes the idea of truly dedicating yourself to your studies to learn, as opposed to cramming the night before. Cramming can lead to a misguided sense of confidence rather than true knowledge of a subject.

As a first year student, this article has given me some direction to change my study habits, that may have worked in high school, but might not fly at UVa. So, my advice to you: take advantage of grounds, study in a multitude of places, and most important of all, study often, but keep a solid balance. (I personally recommend Alderman).

http://www.cavalierdaily.com/2010/09/09/scientists-research-studying/

Goats In Charlottesville?

Yesterday I came across a very intriguing article on The Daily Progress’s newspaper website entitled, “City Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Mini Goats”. This obviously stuck out to me as the writer intended it to, so I clicked on it to read. Yes, it’s true the city of Charlottesville will now allow city residents to own a maximum of three mini goats. Now I know what some of you may be thinking, ‘Does this mean we will be seeing mini goats walking around grounds?’ the answer to that is no, unfortunately not. According to this article residents may own goats and they “can be kept within any residential zoning district in the city” but “Mini goats would not be allowed to roam freely in the city, according to the new law”. Though there are some opponents to this new law, I think that it is a great idea. As the article discusses it will give people within the city the opportunity to provide milk for themselves. It seems to be a starting new trend for people to find food more locally (i.e. the farmers market that is held in the main parking lot every Saturday at the downtown mall) and producing it your self takes this local food idea a step further. So even though you wont get to see these little goats roaming around the Corner, they are present in our community.

Information on the article:

Dixit, Rachana. “City rolls out red carpet for mini goats.” The Daily Progress. Sept. 7,2010. <>.

late introduction

Hi all,

I'm Sydney and I am new to the class. I already gave a brief intro today, but just to reiterate, I am a second year student in the College from Fairfax, VA. Currently, I am undecided on my major, what else is new. But I am leaning towards psychology and am currently exploring options for my minor. Community Engagement and Democracy caught my eye because I am taking a political theory class, and I thought this would broaden my perspective and knowledge on similar topics. I've enjoyed the discussion so far and look forward to reading the blog. 

See you next week!

Sydney

Introduction

Hello!

My name is Victoria Graham (you can call me Vicky) and I recently joined this USEM class.

A little bit about myself:

I'm a 1st year from Darnestown, Maryland (20 minutes outside of D.C) and I'm undecided about my major. Headed in the pre-comm direction, possibly spanish, but it's all up in the air.

Currently, I'm on the club field hockey team here at the University and plan to join one or two more clubs if my already packed schedule can handle it!

The number one thing I am excited for is the fall at UVa! All the festivities, colder weather, and of course the beautiful scenery!

Looking forward to posting more on this blog

-Vicky!

The 12th Man

Last Saturday night, I experienced my first UVA football game not only as a student, but my first one ever, and I must say it was quite the experience.  I was unsure of what to expect as I headed into my first collegiate football outing.  Sure, I had gone to college games as a kid with my dad and friends, but never one where I was now a part of the team’s community and, more importantly, sitting in the students’ section.

            The atmosphere in Scott stadium, even against a non-conference opponent like Richmond, was so invigorating.  I couldn’t get over how much spectator involvement there was throughout the game.  The band—whose performances before and after the game were reasons enough to make the trip to the stadium—was relentless in its playing and cheering, and I rarely found myself sitting in silence watching the game.   I figured that new head coach Mike London was over-selling the “student and fan support” concept when he spoke to the students at John Paul Jones Arena in late August, but I realized on Saturday that we the fans really are a huge part of every home football game.  Not just the student section, but every Virginia fan in the stadium was swaying for the Good Ol’ Song and signaling the “UVA…First Down!”  Rarely have I felt such a communal feeling with such a large number of people.  This unique, fraternal experience is something that every UVA student, faculty member, alum, and member of the Charlottesville community should be a part of at some point.  The next home game takes place on September 25 against VMI.

Follow the Leader

Madison House takes on many volunteer projects ranging from tutoring in local schools to day care at the YMCA. However, the projects that make the biggest impact are the ones that improve and help community living. Madison House is comprised of all UVA students and last year they built a playground in their local community. This was no ordinary playground; it served a very significant purpose. The site was in a low income neighborhood that did not have a safe outlet for kids. The UVA students realized that improvements needed to be made in their community and took action. They created a playground that had hopscotch, four-square, tic-tac-toe, and even a drawn typewriter so the children could learn how one was typically used. This playground did not apply to a certain age group, but was a safe community gathering place for children to have a fun and interact with each other. Granted, every gesture counts, but some have more long-lasting effects than others. A new year has begun and Madison House needs to continue to help their own community with problems that can have long-term and stable solutions.

Their mission:
Madison House serves as the student volunteer center at the University of Virginia. We coordinate volunteers, develop leaders, build community partnerships and promote lifelong volunteer service. Madison House organizes service programs to address the needs of the community as well as the educational and personal growth objectives of students. http://scs.student.virginia.edu/~madison/about/mission.html

Madison house develops the community and its citizens by having them coexist and work together to solve problems