Student Spotlight

Students at the Capitol

International students improve language skills

Writing Center awards

 

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Students appear before state Senate

What began as a class project to revise the Michigan Merit Scholarship program developed into an opportunity for several CMU students to bring their ideas before the state Senate.

Political science students from Griffin Endowed Chair Bill Ballenger’s spring “PSC 301: Law and Policy in Michigan State Government” seminar developed a plan to increase the Michigan Merit Scholarship to $5,000 and also increase the number of Michigan residents who earn college degrees.

They believe this plan encompasses the best aspects of both the current merit program and Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s proposed changes — and will cost no more money.

After hearing about their plan, members of the state Senate invited the students to present their proposal during a joint committee session between the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education, chaired by Sen. Mike Goschka, R-Brant.

Six of Ballenger’s former students attended the hearing, which took place on June 8 in the Senate Appropriations Room of the Capitol Building.

Six students from Griffin Endowed Chair Bill Ballenger’s spring political science seminar present their proposed changes to the Michigan Merit Scholarship program to members of the state Senate. Seated from left to right are Heather Chiarello of St. Joseph, Kate Finneren of Caseville, Jessica Rieffel of Saginaw, Robert Avers of Smiths Creek, Lauren Kauppi of Howell, and Aaron Yanke of Commerce Township.

“We approached the issue from a student’s point of view, but we also took into account a politician’s perspective,” said CMU senior Kate Finneren of Caseville. “Our solution not only encourages kids to pursue a higher education, but to do so in a way that’s economically realistic for both students and their families, as well as the taxpayers.”

The merit scholarship program now gives $2,500 awards to high school students who do well on a state standardized test. The students can then use the money to help pay for their first two years of college. GOP lawmakers have said they want to keep the program running as is.

Granholm, however, had proposed increasing the amount to $4,000 but delaying awarding it until students complete two years of college or training.

She argued that the state must find a “carrot” to encourage more high school graduates to continue their education. Her administration has said it wants to double the number of college graduates over the next decade.

Breaking their class down into simulated legislative chambers and partisan caucuses and with Ballenger acting in the role of the Democratic governor, the undergraduates hatched a plan that:

• boosts the merit stipend to $5,000 but strings it out over four years to be paid in increments of $1,250 in the fall of each college academic year. The money would be sent directly to the university, college or training school to be attended by any student who passes the merit test.

• requires 50 hours of community service to be completed by Aug. 1 of the summer before the qualifying student would first enter college.

• restricts the scholarship to students who attend in-state colleges, public or private, after they have graduated from secondary school.

• guarantees the student will receive the $2,500 covering the first two years of college, at which point the student must have completed 48 credit hours and maintained a 2.0 grade point average in order to receive the final $2,500, divided equally between the junior and senior years.

Joining Finneren at the Senate hearing were Heather Chiarello of St. Joseph, Robert Avers of Smiths Creek, Lauren Kauppi of Howell, Jessica Rieffel of Saginaw, and Aaron Yanke of Commerce Township. Last year, a similar CMU seminar hammered out a balanced FY 2004-05 state budget.

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International student improve language skills

Soon after most students leave campus for the summer, CMU’s English Language Institute gears up for a full schedule of classes, welcoming international students interested in improving their English language skills.

Students from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Bulgaria, Chile, and other countries can take classes in grammar and writing, reading and vocabulary, and listening and speaking during two six-week summer sessions. The ELI also offers a full curriculum of courses during CMU’s fall and spring semesters.

Chris Dunsmore, director of the ELI, says international students view English competency as crucial to their chances of a successful career in their home countries and abroad.

“Many global companies in countries like Japan and Korea use English competency as a requirement for promotions,” said Dunsmore. “In addition, many of our students will live and work in English speaking environments for these companies.”

“Since English has become the dominant language of international business, our students know that English competency will allow them to communicate with people from all over the world — not just native speakers of English, but all the others who have learned English as a second language just like them,” he said.

Chris Dunsmore (seated, center), director of CMU’s English Language Institute, poses with some of the international students taking classes through the ELI’s summer programs.

Most students learn about the ELI from universities that have entered partnerships with CMU and from other students who have already studied at CMU. The ELI also maintains a Web site (www.eli.cmich.edu) and distributes informational brochures in several languages.

Dunsmore says the small class sizes and personalized attention that students receive gives CMU’s ELI program a unique advantage over programs offered at larger universities.

“Students choose CMU because we offer top quality instruction in a safe environment, he said. “We have a medium-sized program that gives students a lot of personal attention from their instructors, and we are able to provide them with more of a ‘family’ environment.”

In addition to language study, ELI students participate in cultural and recreational activities such as skating, skiing, canoeing, and touring Michigan cities. They have visited Detroit, Frankenmuth, Mackinaw Island, the state Capitol, a working farm, and local schools and businesses.

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Writing Center tutors win awards

Student tutors in CMU’s Writing Center have again been recognized by the East Central Writing Centers Association for their outstanding work, receiving two of the three awards given in 2005.

Undergraduate student Korinne Milks received the Outstanding Tutor award, which is given to recognize innovative approaches to tutoring, the quality of work with writers, and the articulation of a guiding philosophy of tutoring.

Graduate assistant Meghan Monroe received the Outstanding Leader award, which recognizes excellence and creativity in areas such as administration, program development, tutor training, and work with special populations.

This is the fourth consecutive year that a CMU student has won an award from ECWCA.

The purpose of ECWCA is to foster communication, scholarship, research, and effective practices among colleagues in writing centers and to provide a forum for discussion of mutual concerns. It is the oldest of the regional affiliates of the International Writing Centers Association.

CMU’s Writing Center is staffed by undergraduate and graduate student employees, professors, and volunteers who provide assistance at any phase of the writing process, from brainstorming ideas to revising, editing, and polishing drafts.

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