Students usually clear out of Grounds right after finals, leaving quite an empty campus. However, I have quite a few friends staying in Charlottesville this summer for the purpose of taking classes. Personally, I detest using summertime for more classes. It's a time to relax, to delve into your hobbies and interests, and to recharge. Not time for a continuation of school! But I understand their motives.
Summer school at UVA --> how common? Mm.. not that common but still common enough to be not rare. Not that many students take classes, but some still do. Now, I've heard rumors that summer classes are easier, that they grade more easily. They are, as far as I know, rumors. I would think it's easier in the sense that there are less distractions around. Most of your friends have gone home, there's not that much happening, so you really only have your books and notes for entertainment.
But summer in general on Grounds is quite bare. Most have gone home or elsewhere for internships and jobs, yet others are studying abroad or doing research. It's not a completely dead town though, there are still townies and Charlottesville still does have a life outside of the college students. Our University Programs Council still puts on programs, and some fraternities still host some parties.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
orientation!
Oh my goodness students everywhere! I'd gotten used to a relatively empty campus as I led tour groups around, but walking to places today I kept crashing into various orientation groups.
Ahhh orientation, that seems like such a long time ago. I remember my orientation I was on pins and needles, looking around at people that would be my classmates. The days were hot and humid, and there was quite a bit of walking. Other than that, I don't remember much of orientation. Oh yes, lots of painful waiting around to sign up for classes, only to get to that computer room and be told my beautifully planned schedule wasn't going to work out. In case that happens to you, never fear! It really does all work out. The first week or so of classes is the add/drop period, and so many spaces free up in various classes that you usually get in what you want to get in. And even if the class is full, sometimes the professor will good naturedly still add you in. Don't worry!
Other than that, I had the feeling that people always made a ton of friends at orientation, and I was kind of mystified when my Facebook didn't explode right after it. Meh. One of the oddities of life I suppose. For me, orientation still wasn't very characteristic of how college would be. It really took about the first month of college before I suddenly thought, "Ooh, I'm in college now!"
Ahhh orientation, that seems like such a long time ago. I remember my orientation I was on pins and needles, looking around at people that would be my classmates. The days were hot and humid, and there was quite a bit of walking. Other than that, I don't remember much of orientation. Oh yes, lots of painful waiting around to sign up for classes, only to get to that computer room and be told my beautifully planned schedule wasn't going to work out. In case that happens to you, never fear! It really does all work out. The first week or so of classes is the add/drop period, and so many spaces free up in various classes that you usually get in what you want to get in. And even if the class is full, sometimes the professor will good naturedly still add you in. Don't worry!
Other than that, I had the feeling that people always made a ton of friends at orientation, and I was kind of mystified when my Facebook didn't explode right after it. Meh. One of the oddities of life I suppose. For me, orientation still wasn't very characteristic of how college would be. It really took about the first month of college before I suddenly thought, "Ooh, I'm in college now!"
Sunday, June 22, 2008
ahhh these lazy summer days...
I think most of the high schools in the States have let out by now, how does summer vacation feel? Summer vacation for UVA students usually vary between two extremes - those who go home and just relax all summer. They might go camping with friends, pick up an instrument, workout in the gym, or just nap by the pool. On the other side of the spectrum are the students that dive into summer with jobs, internships, study abroad, and research. I guess I'd be on the hardcore side of the spectrum -- people like to get involved and stay involved in their respective fields of interests.
On weekends though, I revert to the other side and hang out with friends. Last weekend my friends came to visit me, this weekend I'm visiting some other friends in Northern Virginia. Driving around and meeting people, it's made me realize that quite a number of people graduate and go on to work in Northern Virginia. There's around 10 of my friends in a 40 mile radius - how crazy is that? Most people graduate and are scattered to the four corners of the world. Of course, a lot has to do with the fact that 2/3s of the student body is from Virginia, but it's wonderful to be able to visit friends all the time.
Back to C'ville in the summertime though -- it is kind of dead. all the students are gone, some businesses have shorter hours, and not as many events happen. If you stay here in the summer it's really about who you know and what you do in your spare time.
On weekends though, I revert to the other side and hang out with friends. Last weekend my friends came to visit me, this weekend I'm visiting some other friends in Northern Virginia. Driving around and meeting people, it's made me realize that quite a number of people graduate and go on to work in Northern Virginia. There's around 10 of my friends in a 40 mile radius - how crazy is that? Most people graduate and are scattered to the four corners of the world. Of course, a lot has to do with the fact that 2/3s of the student body is from Virginia, but it's wonderful to be able to visit friends all the time.
Back to C'ville in the summertime though -- it is kind of dead. all the students are gone, some businesses have shorter hours, and not as many events happen. If you stay here in the summer it's really about who you know and what you do in your spare time.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
yeah, we're like, so elitist.
Today I'd like to tackle one of the topics that people often refer to in conjunction with UVA. We're stuck up, pretentious and elitist snobs (or however kind or even uglier you've heard). Reasoning behind these labels often include our lingo, "Oh look at them, they're so snobby they even have their own language, like they're too good for regular terms and phrases."
Well... no. That's not why we have our own terms of 'Grounds' and 'first year, second year, etcetc.' To explain why we have that, we need to go back to our founder, Thomas Jefferson. He believed that learning could never end. You couldn't be a senior and be some ultimate master of wisdom. That's why we call our seniors (and each respective grade accordingly) fourth years, thereby indicating that they have more years of learning ahead of them, that they can go on to explore more fields. (Now the following is my opinion...) I rather think that's a humble way to view oneself, that no matter how much you know, there's always a never ending horizon of learning ahead of you. As for substituting Grounds for campus... I'm not sure why anymore. But Jefferson insisted on it and so we respect his wishes.
What else? Ah yes, we're preppy and thus somehow elitist (elitist and preppy seem to be synonymous to some people..). I do admit, we do have more students dressed more preppily than maybe your average college. But seriously, we have 13,000 undergrads. There's such a span of diversity in it that I don't really understand how we're elitist (in the sense that we're all white, wealthy, and who knows what else). We have your liberals, your conservatives, your moderates, and everyone in between. If you're a numbers person, we have 15% Asian Americans, 14% African Americans, 10% Hispanic Americans, 5% international, and so on and so forth. We even have 2% Native American (I may be wrong on that number). We did away with our Early Decision so those with a lower socioeconomic background have a greater chance of attending. We have an entire program (AccessUVA) designed specifically for people in financial straits. But back to clothing. I think the preppiest thing I own is probably a pair of fleece lined Sperry's. Can't help it, they're warm and perfect for winter time. Not all students walk around with popped collars and plaid shorts. To blanketly stereotype UVA students would do us a huge disservice.
The rest of this mistaken reputation may come from the fact that UVA graduates tend to sing our alma mater's praises whenever we're asked about her. Again, can't help it. UVA is an amazing place to be and people are just really happy here. Everyone gets so involved and fired up about their organizations. Students are genuinely passionate about what they study. We have the benefit of attending school in an amazingly beautiful campus. Charlottesville city is a really nice place to be. We're proud of what we have here. And alright, we may be a bit too proud. But how many colleges can boast having a President as one of their founders? On Thomas Jefferson's grave, he has the epitaphs of 'Writer of the Declaration of Independence' and 'Founder of the University of Virginia'.
Well... no. That's not why we have our own terms of 'Grounds' and 'first year, second year, etcetc.' To explain why we have that, we need to go back to our founder, Thomas Jefferson. He believed that learning could never end. You couldn't be a senior and be some ultimate master of wisdom. That's why we call our seniors (and each respective grade accordingly) fourth years, thereby indicating that they have more years of learning ahead of them, that they can go on to explore more fields. (Now the following is my opinion...) I rather think that's a humble way to view oneself, that no matter how much you know, there's always a never ending horizon of learning ahead of you. As for substituting Grounds for campus... I'm not sure why anymore. But Jefferson insisted on it and so we respect his wishes.
What else? Ah yes, we're preppy and thus somehow elitist (elitist and preppy seem to be synonymous to some people..). I do admit, we do have more students dressed more preppily than maybe your average college. But seriously, we have 13,000 undergrads. There's such a span of diversity in it that I don't really understand how we're elitist (in the sense that we're all white, wealthy, and who knows what else). We have your liberals, your conservatives, your moderates, and everyone in between. If you're a numbers person, we have 15% Asian Americans, 14% African Americans, 10% Hispanic Americans, 5% international, and so on and so forth. We even have 2% Native American (I may be wrong on that number). We did away with our Early Decision so those with a lower socioeconomic background have a greater chance of attending. We have an entire program (AccessUVA) designed specifically for people in financial straits. But back to clothing. I think the preppiest thing I own is probably a pair of fleece lined Sperry's. Can't help it, they're warm and perfect for winter time. Not all students walk around with popped collars and plaid shorts. To blanketly stereotype UVA students would do us a huge disservice.
The rest of this mistaken reputation may come from the fact that UVA graduates tend to sing our alma mater's praises whenever we're asked about her. Again, can't help it. UVA is an amazing place to be and people are just really happy here. Everyone gets so involved and fired up about their organizations. Students are genuinely passionate about what they study. We have the benefit of attending school in an amazingly beautiful campus. Charlottesville city is a really nice place to be. We're proud of what we have here. And alright, we may be a bit too proud. But how many colleges can boast having a President as one of their founders? On Thomas Jefferson's grave, he has the epitaphs of 'Writer of the Declaration of Independence' and 'Founder of the University of Virginia'.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
london bridge is falling down..
Well, more like UVA Grounds is falling, and no, we're not really collapsing on ourselves. There's just construction going on everywhere and it's always a guessing game to decide where to take my tour. Several additions that I'm really excited about are the new drama buildings. They're getting a huge building for classrooms and workshops, and they just had a parking lot finished. I imagine that'll draw even larger audiences for drama productions.
I'm kind of wondering how the new Curry building will be like, hopefully with some underground parking? We can't afford to lose anymore parking space...
One development that I don't like so much is the South Lawn project. I understand the need for more classroom space and more academic buildings, but to extend our Lawn? Meh. We're not even knocking down the buildings that will divide the two Lawns. (Interesting tidbit: I've heard that it would be much too expensive to knock down Cabell Hall as it was built at the end of WWII -- it can withstand an atomic bomb. O_O) We had to raze our JPA parking lot to build the Lawn, and make it pretty inconvenient for Brandon Avenue residents to get to class. Meh, I'm not a huge fan. But it looks like it'll be really pretty, cheers for paying homage to Jefferson's preferred architectural style!
If you ever come for a campus visit, you'll notice that all the buildings look pretty much the same with colonades, white paint and red brick. We're really proud of our history and traditions here, and strive to respect most of Jefferson's wishes. This was his favorite architectural style -- his home at Monticello was built in the same way. I rather like the uniform look of the buildings as a result of that -- you don't have some musty 50 year old buildings in some random dump on Grounds. Rather, the buildings provide an aesthetically pleasing front.
I'm kind of wondering how the new Curry building will be like, hopefully with some underground parking? We can't afford to lose anymore parking space...
One development that I don't like so much is the South Lawn project. I understand the need for more classroom space and more academic buildings, but to extend our Lawn? Meh. We're not even knocking down the buildings that will divide the two Lawns. (Interesting tidbit: I've heard that it would be much too expensive to knock down Cabell Hall as it was built at the end of WWII -- it can withstand an atomic bomb. O_O) We had to raze our JPA parking lot to build the Lawn, and make it pretty inconvenient for Brandon Avenue residents to get to class. Meh, I'm not a huge fan. But it looks like it'll be really pretty, cheers for paying homage to Jefferson's preferred architectural style!
If you ever come for a campus visit, you'll notice that all the buildings look pretty much the same with colonades, white paint and red brick. We're really proud of our history and traditions here, and strive to respect most of Jefferson's wishes. This was his favorite architectural style -- his home at Monticello was built in the same way. I rather like the uniform look of the buildings as a result of that -- you don't have some musty 50 year old buildings in some random dump on Grounds. Rather, the buildings provide an aesthetically pleasing front.
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