Thoughts from the Dean of Students

from Xavier E. Romano,
Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students

November, 2009

Fall Term Reflections And So On...

 It seems fitting that with final examinations beginning at the end of this week, the weather has turned gray and rainy with temperatures drifting steadily south towards the mid-30s tonight. And the outlook for this last week of fall term is for more of the same, which is strangely positive. One does not want our collegians at Knox remotely tempted with any form of distraction and certainly not anything that could accidentally be mistaken as "fun." Finals and fun are terms that seem incongruent during what we emotionally refer to as "Week 9" at Knox. Others simply refer to this finals week as "the end" and fittingly so. For so many of us it seems like only yesterday when we were welcoming 399 excited new Knox students to campus. Nine weeks at Knox has been equated to an academic year at some universities, based on the fact that Knox students are so very engaged in the collegiate experience both in and outside of the classroom.

The "standard" equation for time at Knox -- which is something each and every parent should know -- is something akin to the following:

Knox time = 24 hours = 4.5 days at State University "A"
OR
One 9-week Knox term = 2.5 semesters at State University "B"

Students tell me that this has much to do with amazing amounts of reading coupled with over 75 clubs and organizations and the nocturnal nature of updating FACEBOOK profiles and/or TWITTER sites. But there is sleep at Knox, or at least the very deep appreciation in knowing that soon after Knox Commencement, sleep patterns will return to something resembling "normal."

Soon it is time to return home to you, friends and loved ones. Know that there will be much to share with you about seminars, new friends, "interesting" personalities, and the very real fact that no two Knox students are remotely alike. These differing personalities create a community of some 1,350 students, each of whom is not only trying to figure it out, but coming to learn in time that one person can, in fact, make a difference in the world at large and certainly on the Knox campus.

The world is changing and so, too, are your sons and daughters. They come home to you tired from the end-of-term "spirit" which, for some, lasted all nine weeks (!!!), forever wiser because of what they have learned from their professors in classes, and far more savvy about the world at large because we have learned that "the world" continues to come to Knox as they have since the early 1800s. Astonishing, when you think about the multitudes of journeys from all parts of the world to Galesburg -- did I mention, "to Galesburg?"

Once home, know that "our" young adult is going to want to share with you their perspectives in their "brave new world" but probably not right away over dinner. They, too, need time to reflect on this past term, the people they have met, the experiences they have had, and, ultimately, compare notes, as it were, with their friends and former classmates. They know, at least superficially, that their Knox experience is "different" from that of their friends -- especially if their friends are going to a research university and/or state university. Different...really different!

Knox life in Galesburg does not come to a standstill, contrary to popular belief. For example, Old Main is actually a hive of activity as meetings continue, work sallies forth as we tackle the "administrivia" that brings the fall term to a formal close, and we begin to changeover systems for the onset of our Winter 2010 Term, which begins  January 4, 2010.

The campus is also alive with activity in classrooms, residence halls, and every facility imaginable. This "downtime" (which is anything but) is used to fix, clean, prep, access, and -- if we are lucky -- maybe even take a day or two here and there. Because of our seasonal change, we are winterizing literally everything, including the 'conversion' of our electric "carts" to mini snow plows.

What most people find surprising is that our term of greatest on-campus capacity is not fall term as with the majority of collegiate campuses. Knox's period of maximum on-campus population is actually this winter term as our second- and third-year students (with a very small handful of fourth-years) return from their off-campus experiences that have taken them from Africa, Latin America, and a multitude of locations in Europe.

All of this is a long way of saying that it is time to bring the fall term of 2009 to a close. It has been a very good term for Knox. I say this with an eye towards my past 11 fall terms at Knox -- the reality of the H1N1 scare in America (so far, so good; lots of flu, but nothing outside the norm, but knocking on wood realizing that our historical flu season -- winter term -- has yet to come), the apparent "success" of our accreditation visit by the Higher Education Commission of the North Central Accreditation region, outstanding enrollment and retention (which will lead to a new housing lottery system that we will have in place for our housing lottery process this spring), and, ultimately, what I can only define as truly amazing students.

And to that, allow me to simply thank you for your support of your amazing son or daughter and your support of Knox College. It is never lost on me that your role is absolutely critical in the success of our community members. I am truly fortunate in knowing that I cherish the fact that I have the best position at Knox College. As Dean of Students, it is never lost on me that what we attempt to do at Knox is truly different and distinctive from that of our peers. There is no template for student success at Knox. There is, however, our continued commitment to meet the needs of our collegians -- one student at a time -- in a fashion that is truly distinctive and holistic. I recognize that ours is a level of student support that is incredibly time intensive. But we would have it no other way.

Wishing you and your family a joy-filled holiday season. It has been a remarkable fall term at Knox College, largely because of the role your son or daughter plays on the Knox College campus. And to think that the best of the academic year is yet to come. Now that is really quite something to contemplate!

Best wishes and take care!
Xavier