UCO Receives National Recognition for Student Engagement

The University of Central Oklahoma’s effort to help students engage with each other and the community around them has brought national recognition among prestigious colleges and universities.

The Wall Street Journal Times Higher Education College Ranking ranked UCO sixth place in the Top 10 list compiled for student engagement. UCO was the only public-regional university ranked on the Wall Street Journal’s Top Schools for Engagement list.

“It was a very prestigious recognition that we received, and we were absolutely delighted that other people discovered it. It was really a testimony to what goes here with our students, our faculty and our staff to receive this ranking,” said Jeff King, executive director of Center for Excellence in Transformative Teaching and Learning.

Over 100,000 colleges and universities around the nation were surveyed on questions over student engagement with staff, faculty, organizations and programs offered by these institutions. Other questions highlighted students’ satisfaction with their college experience.

For each institution, 50 students were given a survey. The institutions, however, were not notified about these censuses.

“What I like about this is that it’s based on not just data, but also on interviews. We didn’t know they were interviewing our students. We had no idea,” UCO President Don Betz said.

The engagement ranking was derived from seven questions. Survey questions included how challenging classes were, the level at which classes prompted critical thinking, the students’ connections to the school, and interactions in the community.

“What these people were trying to do with their particular survey was to get more of a read on what [a UCO student’s] actual experience was like, among all other indicators that they were collecting. And as it turns out, the University of Central Oklahoma ranked extremely highly in how much students are engaged with their education, with their faculty, with other staff on campus, with organizations and service learning, and so forth,” King said.

Governor Mary Fallin has complimented UCO’s administration for being recognized nationally for helping students connect with each other and the world around them. Fallin said UCO efforts are similar to her Oklahoma Works initiative, which aims to ensure Oklahoma students have the necessary education and skills to enter the workforce prepared and well-equipped.

Betz believes education is the single most significant factor in the long-range development of the opportunities for students, along with the development of character, which is influenced by education.

Betz said he receives feedback from employers articulating that UCO students are very engaged, alert, adaptive and eager to learn.

“But ultimately what it is, to me, is affirmation and encouragement that the pathway we are on is a pathway that is worthwhile. [A pathway] that serves not only our students, but our society, our communities, the metro area and the state of Oklahoma. And if we do that in the right way, especially with our costs here compared to many across the country, we think that we are, in that way, serving students as best as we possibly can. So we are encouraged; we have to be,” Betz added.

UCO tied for the sixth place with well known institutions such as Auburn University, Michigan State University, Miami University, among other institutions.

It’s noted that the results show a clear divide between public and private institutions, highlighting that private colleges are more prompt to receive high rankings, as public schools have more restrained spending.

“We are just again very, very pleased, and hopefully we can continue to serve our students and the community very well,” Betz said. “I can thank the entire faculty and staff of the institution—those people that get up every day and come here with a passion for what they do and a belief in the possibilities of creating opportunities for our students. And I also thank the students. They were the ones that did the reporting.”

Summer Break Do and Dont's

The best part of the year has come to many college students that dedicate their hours to endless studying, revising, writing and staying focused on their degree. It's almost summer break, and we are more than ready for it.

It's time to pack your school supplies, and take a trip to visit your grandma in North Carolina. It's also the time to ride your blue bike outside, while taking advantage of the bright sun and the warm weather.

Visiting some friends over the weekend and having a picnic at the park all are great ideas for summer adventures. Write them down.

Summer break it's great; it's a time to sit back and relax for a while. But don't go forgetting all you learned in school the previous semester.

According to the National Summer Learning Association, all young people experience learning losses when they do not engage in activities during the summer. Research shows that students typically scored lowered on standardized tests at the end of the summer.

I understand that summer break means complete freedom from responsibilities at school, but you don't have to let all the hard work go undone. Stay focused even outside of school.

There are many ways students can engage in activities while they are on break, and power their brains to work even better. Students can rent books for free at the library, and enjoy a ride into the unknown.

They can write a novel over the break, or have responsibilities towards the chores at the house.
Some students prefer to take intersession classes, or summer classes as well. It's a good way to stay focused while still being able to relax and have a night out with some friends.

If you are staying local during the summer, you should invest in some classes and get some school hours out of the way.

School is here to help and motivate students to do better in life, and achieve greatness.

It's incredible that schools have implemented summer classes over the break, promoting activities on campus and assisting whenever they need.

Don't forget to be active. Research also shows that students not only lose academic knowledge during summer break, but also have the tendency to gain weight over the relaxed break. There are many ways to stay active, and to be engaged with school activities as well.

Take your dog to walk a couple times a week, or take a martial class that you are interested in. Use your time with productive activities that will help you prosper.

College years will fly by, and opportunities might not be the same. It's important to take advantage of what your school has to offer, and be fully committed to your classes.

But don't forget to have fun.

Drug culture: Is it really cool?

The cool kids are not the kids that go to school, get good grades and listen to their parents. Most likely, those kids will be called lame or boring.

Having a future and focusing on school became a drag, when you could go to a musical festival and take a bunch of drugs. It's sad, but it's also true.

Apparently, doings drugs, going to parties and acting ruthless is a thing now. A big thing if you ask me.

It's "cool" to get drunk at parties, make out with strangers, pop pills and break your stiletto's on the way home--if they manage to find home, right?

We see teenagers wearing "dope" shirts, with offensive logos and designs that degrade themselves, and guess what: they are the trend. Don't feel scared if you are visiting California on a weekend, and get to see celebrities walking down Rodeo Drive in Hollywood with clothes that promote drugs, parties, unprotected sex and even more. 

It's frustrating that we live in a world that we care so much about what others think, instead of focusing on who we really are. I don't judge people for wearing clothes that degrade themselves, but I certainly feel that we are glorifying the ones that do bad for our society and culture.

You can see Rihanna wearing a tank top with a Marijuana leaf as she performs in New York City. Well, you can also see Miley Cyrus wearing the same thing.

Nothing against stoners, but promoting something that is still illegal, or for only medical use, is not the best way to go. Fans everywhere might want to copy the style, and also copy the habit of using the drug.

Cheating is not seen as bad as it used to be. I see so many girls gossiping about cheating and how awesome it was because they felt in control of this or that.

I seriously don't understand when cheating can be cool. Hurting a persons feelings and taking advantage of the circumstances is not fun, and far from cool.

In a NIDA-funded research, it shows that teenagers are more likely to take risks if their friends are watching, because the rewards are more important than the fear they might have. It leads teenagers to embrace ruthless activities as well as dangerous ones.

Peer pressure can lead teens to do things they are not willing to do on their own. Who wants to be called a quitter when you can be cool as your friends, right? 

We all want to be part of a group, and feel as we belong there. 

I can say big words about peer pressure, but don't think I'm the best role model. I also have done things only because I thought I would be cool and liked, but I definitely learned from my mistakes.

Next time you hear a hit about popping molly in the bathroom or backstage of a concert, be aware of the consequences of the act itself. Don't lose yourself trying to be cool. 

You are cool the way you are by going to school, getting good grades and listening to your parents-- it's not that bad anyways. Be you. 

A version of this was published at The Vista.