College Shorts

Author: Jaime Fuller

STUDENTS FIGHT TO HOST INAUGURATION ATTENDEES

As Washington, D.C. prepares for the record-shattering turnout expected for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2009, enterprising students trying to sublet their dorms might run into conflict with university administration.

"Students who live on campus are responsible to the Housing License Agreement that they signed up for and requested housing," said Paul Lynch, an assistant director in Housing and Dining Programs at American University. "A student cannot sublet their residence hall room. In addition, any residence hall student must claim any guest that they do have."

Housing is in high demand for next year's inauguration festivities, with projected turnout climbing as high as 3 million, far above the current record of 1.2 million set at Lyndon B. Johnson's inauguration in 1965. Some people are charging as much as $50,000 for a four-day stay in D.C., according to The Washington Post.

Despite the opportunity for cash-strapped students to make a quick buck, those who break AU's housing policies are subject to removal from their housing.

Dan Shor, a sophomore in the School of International Service, argued that it was his prerogative to have guests in his room for up to three days.

"It's none of AU's business whether I have them pay to stay or not," he said.

James Wigley, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, said that although he did not agree with the university's policies, he is unwilling to put his housing in jeopardy despite the potential for making a quick buck.

"I wouldn't do it," he said. "I would hate to have to find housing this late in the semester. Though, I do disagree with AU saying whether I can have guests stay with me."

- The Eagle

STUDY FINDS STUDENTS NOT AS STUDIOUS AS EXPECTED

According to a survey conducted by The National Survey of Student Engagement of 380,000 freshmen and seniors at 722 four-year colleges taken this spring, students aren't as prepared as their professors expect them to be.

Diane Mohler, a Center for Academic Success consultant at Louisiana State University, credits the difference between high school and college workloads as a reason for why students only claimed to have studied 3.5 hours per week per class, half of what professors suggested.

"For most students, this was all that was needed to be successful in high school," Mohler said. "Reviewing notes 24 to 36 hours in advance would usually suffice."

Jesse Chandler, a freshman at LSU, said he studies a week before an exam, which is a big change from his study habits in high school.

"Sometimes I still have to cram," he said. "I think I have so much time in between, so I don't have to rush, and then it just piles up."

The survey also found that 20 percent of students go to class without reading their textbooks or completing assignments.

"There are so many distractions in today's world, and I feel students have to take a proactive approach to managing their time," Mohler said. "Planning is the key."

- The Daily Reveille