Looking for the HelpDesk? If you went to the Main Building lobby area in the past week, you've been greeted with a "HelpDesk has moved" sign on the door. Sure enough, the Help Desk is now in the Arts & Sciences Center, room 253 (where the PILC Center was previously located). Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.

...and there's more to come!

A new "open" student computer lab, with a lab assistant on duty, will soon be available from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. in that same room, AS253.

The computer lab, which was previously located in the library, is being moved for several reasons and provides a number of benefits for students:

• the library staff did an excellent job of staffing the previous computer lab, but the intensity of that effort often took them away from other services that only they could provide. Now they can concentrate on providing you with library services!
• the relocation also provides dedicated "teaching" space for library instruction in the previous lab space
• the new lab environment will have an assistant on duty during open hours to provide help
• there are 20 computer stations available
  

The hiring process for lab assistants is underway and the lab will open for the 8-8 open hours when it is fully staffed. So, watch for the grand opening within the next few weeks!

Did you know? There is also a computer lab in the Learning Center on the first floor of the A&S Building that is open to all students from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A lot of times the general perception of tutoring is “you’re just too dumb to get it." However, many students consider tutoring as a form of excellence, striving to achieve the very best understanding of a subject. There are a variety of tutoring options too. Some use tutoring for test preparation, others for specific subject that’s giving them a hard time, or again, to achieve maximum potential. Sometimes students pop in for one session, others may use the service throughout an entire quarter. Tutoring is just another means of ensuring the success of our students here at Washington State and provides insight into our ability to achieve student retention above the norm.

And this quarter students are getting the jump early. as of last thursday (September 17) Pam Roberts reported, "I just assigned the 65th tutee for this quarter and have 6 on my desk waiting to find someone to help. As long as I have been doing this, I have told students that tutoring is a process, a relationship and the sooner you start, the better your chances for success. Someone is listening to me."

If you have questions about the tutoring program or know a student who may benefit, don't hesitate to recommend the program or to contact Pam Roberts.

There are LOTS of recycling opportunities on campus! In addition to last week's news about paper recycling containers being emptied by a work study student, you are encouraged to take advantage of the follow, as well.

• Phi Theta Kappa is recycling plastic bottles to benefit their organization. Receptacles are in the cafeteria, staff lounges and lower A&S lobby.
• Cell phone are being recycled to benefit the O'Neill Senior Center. There are boxes in the cafeteria and the bookstore.
• The IT staff are recycling used laser printer cartridges to benefit the Washington State Foundation. Give the cartridges to one of the computer guys.
• Opportunity Scholars is recycling used ink jet printer cartridges to benefit the Boys and Girls Club. There are small boxes on the main reception desk and the Learning Center main desk.
• Recycling containers for used batteries are located in the staff lounge in the main building and the photocopy/mailroom in the A&S building. There is also a box on the main desk in the Learning Center, or people can give batteries to Rose Church.

By Mary Ann Abbott, adviser

As the new quarter begins, Phi Theta Kappa is beginning new activities and community service projects and hoping to participate more frequently in joint endeavors with other campus organizations this year. We’d like your support!

Our first fundraiser, Pennies for PILC, is in full gear helping the Pioneer Independent Living Center collect funds for the current year. We’re working with OSP to double our efforts! Donation jars are located in the Learning Center, at the front desk, and in both faculty/staff lounges. Please consider donating!

Our second project of the quarter is the Terracycle recycling campaign. Now you can recycle your 20-ounce bottles! Phi Theta Kappa, in conjunction with the Evergreen Arts and Humanities Committee, is hoping to fill all four boxes in one month’s time. You’ll find the recycling boxes located in the cafeteria as well as in both faculty/staff rooms. Please recycle those bottles!

In November, Phi Theta Kappa is joining forces with Georgene Johnson and the library to complete a fundraising project. Before that time, please consider donating any extra books (textbook, fiction, or otherwise) to the project. You can drop them off at Mary Ann Abbott's office (AS237) or e-mail her for a pick-up (mabott@wscc.edu). We’d love your gently used books!

On behalf of the new officer team and the members of Phi Theta Kappa, thank you for supporting the organization and the community.

Former Phi Theta Kappa members are now advisers

The Alpha Rho Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa has two new advisers this year, but they are not new to the organization. Mary Ann Abbott and Carissa Anderson were both members of Phi Theta Kappa when they were students at Washington State.

Mary Ann served as Co-President from 1998-1999 while she was finishing her Associate of Arts degree in education. While a PTK member, she worked in the writing lab and initiated several service projects and fund raisers. Mary Ann was also named to the All-Ohio Academic 1st Team and the All USA Academic 3rd Team. After graduating from Washington State, Mary Ann completed a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marietta College and a Master of Arts degree from East Carolina University. She presently teaches English composition and literature for Washington State.

Carissa Anderson was the Phi Theta Kappa historian while she was completing her Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts at Washington State between 1998 and 2000. She was a member of the officer team and worked in the writing lab and on several service project and fund raisers. Following graduation from Washington State, Carissa completed a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication and a Master of Corporate Media degree, both from Marietta College. Carissa has served as the coordinator of the Washington-Morgan-Meigs College Tech Prep Consortium since July 2003.

Mary Ann and Carissa are excited to be involved again with Phi Theta Kappa. While this is a transitional year following the departure of long-time adviser, Cindy Carbone, the advisers hope to help the club continue to serve the College and community through honors, service, and leadership activities. According to Mary Ann, “This year, we plan to work more closely with other on-campus organizations to enhance Phi Theta Kappa’s mission while also building strong collaborative ties.” Carissa adds, “Though this year will be one of transition, I’m looking forward to it also being full of fun.”