| Summary: | December 14, 2001 www.cord.edu/dept/concord NEWS 3 Just a casual chat with famous authors Scott Olsen 's 'Literature of Adventure, Exploration and Risk' class is reading works and communicating with the authors JustTppln 478-4127 Brooke Swenson Staff Writer Concordia students are experiencing another level of class discussion this semester in Scott Olsen's English 380: Literature of Adventure, Exploration and Risk. They have been reading and analyzing literature while taking part in an online discussion with several of the authors of the works. "Our web board allows conversation well beyond the starting and stopping of class," Olsen said. "It allows students to wonder out loud." The class has been broadening its horizons by reading books about climbing Mount Everest, bicycling through Mongolia and trav-eling across Antarctica. Having the books' authors enter the conversation has added a whole other level. "It's amazing that the author would take time to talk to you," said sophomore Tiffany Kelley, a member of the class. Olsen contacted the authors of the books that are included in the class curriculum, but he did not reveal where he got their email addresses. The class has read books such as "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer, "The Perfect Storm " by Sebastian Junger and "Where the Pavement Ends " by Erika Warmbrunn. Junger was ini-tially going to be conversing with the class, but he is currently on assignment in Afghanistan. "Big name, famous people are hanging out with Concordia," Olsen said. "Big name, famous people are hanging out with Concordia." W. Scott Olsen Associate Professor of English Olsen has used web board discussions before and has been able to get authors involved in the conversations. "It's not so much literary analysis but talking to someone who has been through a big experi-ence " Olsen said. "That is what is so intriguing and touching—it's all conversations." "It's broadened my experience of the class," Kelley said. She said that she enjoys being able to ask the author whatever she wants and to get a behind-the-scenes look in to the books. "It's amazing that they take time out to talk to you," Kelley said. 'They have done all these incredible things." Senior Kelly Iverson has also enjoyed the authors' participation in the class's discussion. "I think it's great. I've never had that oppor-tunity," she said. "It's really exciting to not have to wonder or guess what the author was doing, but to be able to ask and get an answer." Both students emphasized how the online board has helped facilitate class discussion. "I don't feel threatened at all," Kelley said. 'The authors are telling us how to interpret the book." Iverson agrees with Kelley in her first expe-rience communicating with authors. 'The board is helpful because if you don't get a chance to talk to class or think of something interesting later, you can still be in the class dis-cussion," she said. Besides giving students a better chance to participate in discussion, the board opens con-versation to everyone. "What's interesting about a web board is it gives someone outside campus a chance to par-ticipate " Olsen said. "Off-campus and the out-side world are wonderful voices to have." A member of the outside world recently joined the conversation, but his opinion is very germane. Jon Krakauer recently wrote a book entitled "Into the Wilderness," a story about a young man who goes to live in Alaska and ultimately dies. The young man's father just joined the web board conversation after he found the web site on his own. "Our discussion breaks all borders of cam-pus, and ideas are being responded to," Olsen said. "It goes a long way in showing that your interpretations can get feedback beyond a grade." Students and faculty Federal Pell Grant react to TOCAR funds endangered Brooke Swenson Staff Writer Many first-year Concordia students now better understand racism due to an anti-racism session they attended in conjunction with their Principia cur-riculum. Three sessions took place here at Concordia in October and November, and three more will run in February to ensure all first-year stu-dents have taken part in the training. Student Association President Karis Thompson, who has undergone the training herself, was part of a group of students working through the May Internship Program for Student Leaders, the Community Collaboration Grant that was instrumental in imple-menting the workshops. *The training was beneficial in help-ing me to understand individual and institutional racism " Thompson said. "I was able to see a way of life through the lens of racism as institutional prob-lems that affect us all" Concordia Dean of Students Morrie Lanning has also been through the training, which he described as power-ful and effective. He agrees that having Principia students undergo the training is an important goal for Concordia. "It is an institutional and communi-ty goal to practice anti-racism," Lanning said. "It is very important for students to understand the terrible affects of racism and become anti-racist." Jonathan Steinwand, Associate Professor of English and Director of Principia, feels that Principia is a per-fect course from which to address racism. "It's a tough issue to examine but "All students, faculty and staff need to be engaged in activities that eliminate racism and deal with it when-ever it may appear." Morrie Lanning Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students essential that we do as it is a part of life. Principia is designed to help students lead an examined life," Steinwand said. The sessions were run by the Minnesota Churches Anti-Racism Initiative which has also worked with Bethel College and numerous church congregations in the area. Additionally, they ran a longer session with student leaders, faculty and staff at a retreat earlier this year. The one-day session at Concordia ran about seven hours and featured large and small group discussions, as well as videos. Steinwand felt the sessions con-tained many important messages, and he emphasized two issues as the most important. "The sessions helped define racism from race prejudice as wejl as institu-tional racism from individual race prej-udice " he said. over people* power used to grant privileges to the dominant group and the power to condition people into ^ • « / ' V - • - ? • . / • - . : . ' • : ^ SEE -RACISM ON PAGE A Rachel Berg Managing Editor Many students at Concordia and at schools across the coun-try might come up short on fund-ing next year. Congress may not fund the full $4,000 for the Federal Pell Grant for the 2002- 2003 school year. "This issue is of importance to all our students who receive financial aid funds in the form of scholarships and grants," said Dale Thornton, Director of Financial Aid. Thornton, along with other members of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, urges all students—even those who do not receive Federal Pell Grant money—to write or call their Senators and House representa-tives to urge them to fight for continued grant money. In a letter from NASFAA President Dallas Martin to House and Senate members, Martin urged a Conference Committee to maintain the $4,000 maximum award. "I share your concerns over the funding shortfall," Martin said, "but urge you not to reduce the Pell Program below the level decided by your committees and by the overwhelming vote of the House and Senate." Martin also noted the increased number of recipients of Pell Grant money this year. He said that an adequate Pell • "This issue is of importance to all our students who receive financial aid " Dale Thornton Director of Financial Aid Grant maximum award would make a post-secondary educa-tion possible for Americans suf-fering from poverty. According to Thornton, the purpose of the Pell Grant is "to encourage the neediest of the needy to go to school." But reduced funding would also affect students who receive other forms of funding from Concordia, Thornton said. In the past, Concordia has been able to cover costs lost by minimized grants, but this year, "things are a little tight" at Concordia and most everywhere else, Thornton said. Thornton predicts that it is possible that Congress will approve funding for the Pell Grant, but if members of Congress don't hear from voters, it won't happen. "If students and parents don't take an interest, Congress can't make up the deficit" Thornton said. "It's worth taking ten min-utes to write-a letter." Cobber Lunch and Dinner Special! Bag of Blimpie Chips or a Cookie of your choice with the purcha$&of any regular priced 6" or 12" Sub or Wrap and a medium drink. Please present origins/ coupon before ordering. One coupon per customer per visit. Customer must pay any sales tax due. Nat good in comtunafion with any oifw otter. Cosh value of 1/100 of 1 cent. Vahd at Kkxxtmd location only. 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