Spring 2006 Candidate Statements
President
Joy Wilcox
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Distance Student Liaison
Olivia Sparks
Hello fellow SIRLS students, I'm Olivia Sparks and I would like to run for the LSO Distance Student Liaison position. I am a distance student (based in Chandler, AZ) who has taken a couple of classes on campus and a several courses online. I see this position as part Phoenix based social coordinator and part (most importantly) voice of the distance student. What are the needs of the
Distance Student?
Fighting Online isolation? - I know that we're all busy with classes and work, but I would like to have more opportunities for Phoenix SIRLS students to get together (in addition to the Phoenix Friends of SIRLS meetings). These face to face events can help us match names to faces, which can ease the isolation in our online courses.
Can't make events and feeling out of the loop? - I would also like to explore using a Wiki to address the ever-changing needs of the distance community. This could evolve into an orientation to the program and can be a forum for both campus based students heading to Phoenix for classes and distance students heading to the Tucson campus. Sections of the Wiki can be devoted to traveling/housing concerns, out of department electives and internship experiences.
I've only mentioned two concerns and I know that there are more out there. If elected, I will bring my enthusiasm to the position and work diligently to address the needs of the distance student.
Linda Colwell
I feel that student organizations, such as the
LSO, play an important role in the learning experience. The LSO
provides learning opportunities, information, and interaction
with other students. I am running for the position of Distance
Student Liaison because I would like to contribute to such an
organization and to my fellow students.
As a distance student myself, I will bring to this
position the experience and knowledge of what it is like to traverse
the road of distance learning. I know that distance students have
unique needs. I will be able to identify these needs and concerns
and communicate them to the LSO and the SIRLS staff.
Social Coordinator
John Walsh
I am an excellent organizer and have some experience
in scheduling and planning events. I am outgoing, cheerful, dependable,
and have been told a lot of fun to work with.
Jobs Coordinator
Rebecca Blakiston
I have worked at the UofA libraries for nearly three
years. I worked as a shelver, shelving coordinator, pager for
ILL and Document Delivery, map shelver, newspaper processor, reference
assistant, photocopy assistant, and circulation desk assistant.
I now work full time as a Library Specialist, and am on the library
listserv, which frequently announces job openings within the libraries.
I think it is extremely important for SIRLS students to experience
working in a library as they are studying, whether through a job
or an internship, since it allows them to apply what they learn
practically and have a deeper understanding of the relevance of
the coursework. I also understand that the job market can be intimidating
and competitive, and communicating job opportunities in various
relevant areas as they become available can be an important tool
in helping SIRLS students succeed
Secretary
Jana Olsen
Webmaster
Marie Martin
Why I am running: It seems like a good opportunity to
get to know more of my fellow students, learn about the operation
of a professional organization, and be a more active participant
in my education. What I would like to bring to the LSO: A dedication
to what I do and a desire to see more people involved. As regards
the Webmaster/Listserv position: I love working with computers,
figuring out problems and looking at new ways of doing things.
I have taken several web-design classes, and look forward to learning
more about managing a more complicated site than I have worked
with before.
Program Coordinator
Lynne Collins
I have served as an officer on two non-profit
board of directors, as well as having been a jack-of-all-trades
in both groups. I've made purchases, done dishes, corralled volunteers,
written mission statements, sold concessions... I feel I would
bring experience to this position. Additionally, because of my
boys' activities and my own, I've associated with people from
many walks of life. Thanks for your consideration
Faculty/Student Liason
Rebecca
Blakiston
I am going into my 2nd semester with SIRLS
this Spring. I also completed my undergraduate work at UofA in
Interdisciplinary Studies – studying Philosophy, Sociology,
and English. I am very familiar with the UofA, and I am interested
in the communication between students and faculty, as I think
it is a strong tool to use in order to improve the experiences
of everybody involved. I believe the voice of the students is
a powerful one that needs to be expressed in order to continually
improve the quality of education at SIRLS. I look forward to being
the messenger in this area, doing my part to improve this communication
and enhance the quality of the department.