Connections: Fourth Edition
Champlain Students Travel to South Africa, Tackle Domestic Violence
The Emergent Media Center at Champlain College and Population Media Center were awarded a grant from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to carry out the project, which consists of creating an electronic game for boys and young men in developing nations aimed at preventing violence against women. The game will evolve into a global initiative, with an initial focus on South Africa.
In August, a team of 13 students majoring in e-game design, programming, and art and animation, marketing, e-biz, software engineering, and education spent 10 days on a research and information-gathering trip to Cape Town, South Africa.
"While we were there, the students took the first steps in tackling this complex and challenging project," according to Ann DeMarle, producer of the project and the Emergent Media Center. DeMarle and Champlain College's EMC staff accompanied the Champlain students on the fact-finding trip in late August.
"The purpose of the trip was to conduct extensive formative research focusing on consumer behavior, education, game play, art styles and influences, interpersonal relations, and gender inequalities," DeMarle said.
While in Cape Town, students and faculty met with dozens of school children, teachers, university students, victims of abuse, aid workers, media specialists and many other critical individuals and groups.
The information they gathered will be used to begin the electronic game development at Champlain College. Aminata Toure, chief of the Gender, Human Rights and Culture Branch of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will meet with the project's students while at Champlain College to review their research and development proposals.
A photo exhibit of the development team's experience in South Africa is on display at the Emergent Media Center, located in the Champlain Mill in Winooski. It is open to the public. Or visit the blog about the students' experience in South Africa , visit http://emc-gamestakeonvaw.blogspot.com/
Champlain College Dublin Opens
Champlain College has expanded its international study abroad program with the fall opening of Champlain College Dublin, a new program that will offer juniors the chance to spend a semester studying in the heart of Ireland's economic, administrative and cultural center.
"This is another way to offer Champlain students an international perspective and prepare them to be global professionals," said Dr. Lynda Reid, director of recruiting for Champlain Abroad. The program also offers a similar program in Montreal, which opened in September 2007.
Both international Champlain College programs provide students with an intimate academic setting in which to experience the local culture while taking classes taught by Champlain College faculty.
"Almost half of Ireland's 4.5 million people are under the age of 28, giving Dublin an active, energetic, non-stop pace. The economic growth that has been fueled by a booming communications technology sector has made Dublin a magnet for high-tech professionals from all over the world. It is a natural location for us since the economic drivers match our academic programs so well," Finney said.
"Courses will include a range of professional, liberal arts and interdisciplinary options. All courses are based on Champlain requirements and adapted to take advantage of all that Dublin has to offer," Reid noted "Since Dublin's leading employers are Microsoft, Dell, Intel and Google, students in Champlain's Business and Information Technology may be particularly attracted to this experience," she noted.
Dr. Stephen Robinson, a British-born, Canadian-trained geographer with degrees from the University of Waterloo, Queens University and a Ph.D from McGill University in Montreal, has been named director of Champlain College Dublin.
"I believe that all students should take advantage of studying abroad to expand their horizons, experience immersion in a different culture and understand a bit more about the world around them," Robinson said.
Courses offering interaction with the Dublin community include "Brand and Account Management," "Global Business Career Experience" and "Cybercrime." General education courses include "Cultural Immersion Through the Arts," "Modern Irish History," "Global Environmental Earth Science," and "Contemporary World Issues" to name a few. Other Champlain online courses will be available to students who satisfy the curriculum requirements and have special program needs.
A full co- and extra- curricular program compliments the Champlain Abroad experience, Reid said. Activities at the Dublin campus will include market visits, museums, exploring city landmarks, and tours of the traditional Irish countryside, castles, cathedrals and festivals.Champlain College Dublin Centre comprises two buildings, including the Academic Center on 43 Lower Leeson St. and a residence hall. The Academic Center is close to St. Stephen's Green and in the heart of Dublin's Georgian office district and located directly on major bus lines. The five-story historic Georgian building has four classrooms, a computer lab and a comfortable lounge for students to relax.
"The academic center in Dublin is a substantial building with potential for growth in the number of students participating," Reid added. The College hopes to have between 30 and 40 students in the spring program and anticipates opening the program to non-Champlain College students in Fall of 2009.
Champlain College Advances in "Best Colleges" Ranking
Champlain College has advanced to 12th place, up seven places from 19th, in the latest ranking in the 2009 America's Best Colleges, published by U.S. News & World Report.
According to America's Best Colleges, Champlain ranks 12th in the listing of "Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the North" which includes all the New England states, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania. There are 320 colleges in four regional categories of institutions that focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs in the liberal arts and professional fields. Champlain College tied with two other schools, Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania. Cooper Union in New York was ranked number one in the North. The ranking system, now in its seventh year, is controversial among many higher education institutions. However, the publication's editors defend its annual lists as a useful tool for parents and students.
According to the authors of the America's Best Colleges, the rankings are "an excellent starting point because they offer the opportunity to judge the relative quality of institutions based on widely accepted indicators of excellence. You can compare different schools' numbers at a glance, and looking at unfamiliar schools that are ranked near schools you know can be a good way to broaden your search."The report uses a range of statistics and criteria such as SAT scores, graduation rates and peer assessment to formulate the ranking.
Admission officers at Champlain College agree that the ranking is one way for students to learn about a school. "More importantly, we have found that prospective students are able to make the best decisions about their educational choices after visiting the campus, meeting other students, touring the facilities and using that knowledge to determine if a school is the right fit for their interests and career choices," said Mary Kay Kennedy, vice president for enrollment and student life at Champlain College. The annual college ranking report is timed for release just as students across the country head back to college.
Church Street Marketplace Named Among ‘Best Public Spaces’
Burlington's Church Street Marketplace has been recognized by the American Planning Association as one of the 10 Great Places in America.
Great Places in America is APA's flagship program celebrating places of "exemplary character, quality, and planning."
The 2008 Great Public Spaces in America are: Central Park (New York City, NY); Church Street Marketplace (Burlington, VT): Mellon Square (Pittsburgh, PA); Pioneer Courthouse Square (Portland, OR); Santa Monica Beach (Santa Monica, CA); Union Station (Washington, D.C.); Waterfront Park (Charleston, SC); Waterplace Park (Providence, RI); West Side Market (Cleveland, OH); Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza (Prescott, AZ)
Through Great Places in America, APA recognizes the unique and authentic attributes of the essential building blocks of great communities - streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces. APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value.
Emergency Preparedness
We are pleased to announce Champlain College has achieved another milestone toward making our campus safer with the implementation of a campus emergency notification system. Like many colleges and universities nationwide, emergency alert systems are being implemented as a tool to warn campus affiliates when imminent danger is present on or near a college campus. In addition, students will also be advised through this system of any weather related closings or delays.
Please encourage your student to register so that they will receive emergency alert notifications if a situation arises requiring mass notification of a crisis, imminent danger or other urgent situation. Our goal is to achieve 100% participation.
To participate in the alert system, students must first log in to Champlain College's portal located at https://my.champlain.edu/portal/main.html. Once there, students have access to detailed instructions on how to register to be notified of an emergency. Champlain College has borne the costs associated with purchasing the CampusAlert® software. The only cost to receive an alert message lies with a student's mobile phone pricing plan when receiving a text message.
Surprise Someone!
Sodexho Dining Services has an easy way to surprise your special student with a gift package of goodies for any occasion. Call 802-860-2719 to place an order.
Academic Calendar - Spring 2008
Fall Semester 2008 |
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Thanksgiving |
Nov. 26-28 (W-F) |
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Classes End |
Dec. 12 (Fri) |
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Exams Begin |
Dec. 15 (Mon) |
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Exams End |
Dec. 18 (Thur) |
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Note: Exam Period -- Monday - Thursday |
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Spring Semester 2009 |
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Classes Begin |
Jan. 12 (Mon) |
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Spring Recess |
March 2-6 (M-F) |
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Classes Resume |
March 9 (Mon) |
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Classes End |
April 24 (F) |
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Exams Begin |
April 27 (Mon) |
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Exams End |
April 30 (Thu) |
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Commencement |
May 9 (Sat) |
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Note: Exam Period -- Monday - Thursday |
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Administrative Holidays:
July 4, 2008; October 13, 2008; November 27 & 28, 2008; December 25 & 26, 2008; January 1 & 2, 2009; and May 25, 2009
Get Involved
Gifts of Time and Talent
Champlain College offers volunteer opportunities for parents both on and off campus. Parents who volunteer help further the mission of Champlain College through their efforts. It is a great way to meet new people, make new friends and foster bonds that may last a lifetime! For more information, please complete the Parent Program Volunteer Opportunities form [PDF] and return it to the address listed below.
Supporting Champlain College
Since its founding in 1878, Champlain has benefited from the continued financial support from alumni, parents and friends of the College. Every gift makes a difference to students and the College. For information on ways to support Champlain, please visit www.champlain.edu/support/index.php
For more information on making a gift to the College or volunteering, please contact the Parents Program Team at parentprograms@champlain.edu or call us toll-free at 1-866-421-7170 or 802-383-6620 locally.
A Graphic Design piece created by Champlain graduate Ryan Bent