Spring Break
Brand-new alumni positive, but push for key changes
Liz Essley
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: News
In exit interviews conducted last semester, seniors gave Hillsdale College high marks in academics, but pushed for online registration, wireless Internet in dormitories and an expanded intramural sports program, Dean of Women Diane Philipp said.
Online registration and a new intramural building are already in the works, Philipp said, but wireless access may be years away for some dorms.
The deans' offices and the Office of Student Financial Aid attempted to schedule personal interviews with every outgoing senior at the end of last semester. They also asked each senior to complete a survey and return it during his interview.
Director of Financial Aid Rich Moeggenberg said the process happens every year and is "a good opportunity just to get good, honest feedback."
Philipp said the survey results will be kept confidential, but that "most seniors were very satisfied with their Hillsdale experience. And seniors are honest."
She said their requests for a larger intramural program contributed to plans for a new facility.
"A lot of the initiative [for intramurals] was stimulated by conversations [with seniors]," Philipp said. "Our biggest problem with intramurals is space. That was the conclusion of everyone. So that's why we have [plans for] this intramural building."
Philipp said online registration should make its debut in October and "is moving in a very good direction."
But Philipp also said that she had no timeline for wireless Internet in dormitories, and that they would probably need to coincide with dorm renovations.
"If [renovations] happen, wireless is definitely going to be a part," she said. "It's just got to be put in the budget."
Patrick Chartrand, network systems manager for Information Technology Service, also referenced budget blockage for wireless capabilities.
"As soon as I get money, I'm going to put it in," he said.
But Chartrand also noted that wireless dorms would require complex planning, and that even the first stages - wireless access points and wireless analysis - would cost $400 and $3,000 respectively for each dormitory.
Online registration and a new intramural building are already in the works, Philipp said, but wireless access may be years away for some dorms.
The deans' offices and the Office of Student Financial Aid attempted to schedule personal interviews with every outgoing senior at the end of last semester. They also asked each senior to complete a survey and return it during his interview.
Director of Financial Aid Rich Moeggenberg said the process happens every year and is "a good opportunity just to get good, honest feedback."
Philipp said the survey results will be kept confidential, but that "most seniors were very satisfied with their Hillsdale experience. And seniors are honest."
She said their requests for a larger intramural program contributed to plans for a new facility.
"A lot of the initiative [for intramurals] was stimulated by conversations [with seniors]," Philipp said. "Our biggest problem with intramurals is space. That was the conclusion of everyone. So that's why we have [plans for] this intramural building."
Philipp said online registration should make its debut in October and "is moving in a very good direction."
But Philipp also said that she had no timeline for wireless Internet in dormitories, and that they would probably need to coincide with dorm renovations.
"If [renovations] happen, wireless is definitely going to be a part," she said. "It's just got to be put in the budget."
Patrick Chartrand, network systems manager for Information Technology Service, also referenced budget blockage for wireless capabilities.
"As soon as I get money, I'm going to put it in," he said.
But Chartrand also noted that wireless dorms would require complex planning, and that even the first stages - wireless access points and wireless analysis - would cost $400 and $3,000 respectively for each dormitory.
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