Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016 | TechNews

 

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Students petition for increased academic
progress reporting from univerSIty faculty

Annie Zorn
LAYOUT EDITOR

With 170 out of 200 signatures currently,
freshman Sarah Hamilton’s ipetitions.com
plea for more academic progress report
accountability is gaining attention among
Illinois Tech students. The petition, that
went live on January 23, asks that professors
routinely update student grades on online
platforms such as Blackboard. The reason
being that students should always have an
accurate and up—to—date understanding of

their academic standing.

According to Hamilton, the idea to
have a policy change started when she kept
hearing her friends complain about how they
didn’t know how to study for classes because
they did not have a current understanding
of their grade. The petition explains that if
students know what grade they have earlier in
the semester, then they will be able to evaluate
the effectiveness of their study habits.

Along with promptly entering
grades, another important aspect of the policy
is to make the grade shown on Blackboard

weighted so it reflects the correct percentage.
Ifexams are weighted disproportionately
to homework on the syllabus but weighted
equally when entered into Blackboard, it might
be hard to decipher the true grade.

Before the petition went online,
Hamilton contacted Vice Provo st for Academic
Affairs, Christopher White, who advised her
to create the online site to have a physical
representation of the student support for this
policy change. After there are two hundred
signatures, the petition will be brought to
the committee of academic advisors who will

ultimately decide whether the policy will be
put into action.

If professors don’t feel comfortable
using the program, they can attend Blackboard
training classes to get them more comfortable
using the interface.

Hamilton points out that many
people don’t trust the efficacy of online
petitions because often there is little follow—
through, but she believes that with the backing
of an administrator and large student support,
it will be successful.

Career Services shares tips for upcoming Career Fair

Kori Bowns
EIDTOR-IN-CHIEF

With over 120 companies registered,
this semester’s career fair will offer students of
all majors at Illinois Tech the opportunity to
meet company representatives interested in
hiring IIT students. The Winter 2016 Career
Fair will be held this Thursday, February 4 in
Illinois Tech’s Hermann Hall. Hosted by Career
Services, students and alumni who attend this
semester’s career fair will be met with a variety
of internship and career opportunities.

Career Services is offering several

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ways that students can prepare early for the
career fair. Students will have the option to
register early for the career fair was well as
borrow professional clothing to use on the
day of the fair. Career Services staff have also
been offering additional opportunities for
students to have their resumes, cover letters,
and LinkedIn profiles reviewed.

Illinois Tech’s Career Services

office recommends that students do several
things prior to attending a career fair,
including reviewing the companies that will
be in attendance, updating their resume, and
practicing an elevator pitch. The office also

suggests that students practice responses to
common interview questions such as “Tell me
ab out yourself,” “Why do you want to work for
our organization?” and “Why do you want to
work in this industry?”

The office also recommends
that, on the day of the fair, students review
information about different employers before
approaching them and ask for a business card
from representatives they speak to. The office
also notes that some employer’s tables may
become very crowded with other students and
recommends moving on to another employer
instead of standing in a long line.

   

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Career Services also recommends
that students follow up after meeting company
representatives at the fair and suggests that
students organize records of the companies
and contacts that were met.

Students can pre—register for the
Winter 2016 Career Fair through Wednesday
on the MTCC bridge. Professional attire will
be required for entry to Thursday’s career fair.
For more information, visit Career Services”
website at web.iit.edu/career— services

    

   
  

 

Photos of Spring 2015 Career Fair by Katy Banks