Kayaking For a Class

Katie Geer
Journalism 325
Dr. Moore

Kayaking For a Class
The University of South Carolina is now offering a Physical Education class in kayaking as an elective for students who qualify. This new move of kayaking for a grade is a great way for students to get outside and enjoy physical exercise. The University of South Carolina’s students are making a mark on the local kayaking scene by drifting, paddling and racing down the river here in Columbia.
The Saluda River is sprinkled with small rapids and sections of placid water, this is the perfect combination for anyone who is interested in getting a little wet and experiencing a rush. From the avid to the newcomer, kayaking is a perfect sport for students.
The Universities' association with the surrounding city of Columbia is manifested by student organizations and the involvement of students in a public relation fashion. Part of the way the University is reaching out into the community to show their students local exposure is by offering a kayaking class for students that qualify. This class, taught by Professor Karen Kustafik, is a one credit elective which offers an opportunity to get out on the local river and learn the ropes of kayaking.
“The classes we offer are for beginners. Usually, at least half of the students report some prior experience in a kayak, canoe, raft or tube. As long as students are comfortable swimmers, they are good to go for this class” comments Kustafik, “Even if they do not pursue whitewater kayaking, the experience gained in class will help them to be safe and have fun on the water.”
Eric Lee, a senior in the English department, is currently taking the kayaking class. Having kayaked before, Eric found this class to be light, enjoyable and a great way to experience the outdoors.
“I've been working on how to roll, buddy assisted flips this year.  The USC class has really been helpful, and it gives me the chance to get out on some white water.”
Lee is taking part in Kustafik’s class, and he says the scene for kayaking in Columbia for students is somewhat a hit and miss situation.
“There are a couple classes offered each semester through the PE Department. They meet for about five weeks, starting the week after spring break.  Outdoor recreation used to rent kayaks regularly, but a few too many students kept getting hurt.  Now, students who are enrolled or took the Kayaking class can rent them because they have proven knowledge of the needed skills, or so my kayaking professor says.”
Though he enjoys kayaking here in Columbia, his favorite river to boat is in Rock Hill, South Carolina, but he quickly adds, “I'm heading to the Chattanooga with my Kayaking class; so I could have a new favorite place come Monday.”
One does not have to take a kayaking class to enjoy the activity. Robert Clendenin, a graduate student at USC has always enjoyed the river.
“Well, I've been kayaking for about 10 years.  I got into it when I was working at a sporting goods store selling them. I decided to buy one for myself and since then it's grown from just some recreational, paddle the lakes and such to some full on river running antics.  All in all, it's a good time that I am glad I got in to.”
Kayaking offers many different things to different people, some it gives the ability to work out frustration, and others, to regain a sense of calm. Clendenin compares the rush of the river and the adrenaline high from the rapids, against the calm parts, “It offers me the chance to get outside and get in touch with the world around me again, regain my little harmony bubble that I live in with the earth and such and reflect on life.”
Both Lee and Clendenin concluded that while students should go out and participate in physical activity, both cringe at the idea of the local river becoming over run by students out to goof off and not to really enjoy nature.
Clendenin states, “I don't want someone to be crowding me on the river for a grade honestly.  Go take golf or shag or something like that, but leave me be.  Not trying to sound uptight or possessive, but USC doesn't need to get into the kayak business,” he jokingly adds, “Unless they are going to build a wave house close by once they ruin the river.”  
Kayaking is at its hight in the summer and Adam Powell, a senior accountant at Confluence Water Sports, in Easley South Carolina, can attest to the rise in sales. Powell
has been working in the kayaking business for the past two years, and says that sales skyrocket right before the summer months hit.
While he will admit that kayaking was not a preferred sport before coming to the company, he has since, through the influence of his coworkers and his environment, become a new, up and coming kayaker.
“I never really had any desire or interest in kayaking or water sports until I became employed at Confluence in April 2009.”
Powell’s role in the kayaking business is on the production end. Confluence creates and manufactures kayaks and canoes like Mad River Canoe, Perception, Dagger and many more. Once the boats are ready they are shipped off to distribution centers and then on to retailers.
Local Columbian kayak and canoe rental shops near the river flourish during the summer. While the companies declined an official interview, stating it was not in the best interest of their company, they did acknowledge the fact that students do indeed contribute a lot of business during the warmer months. Saturday rentals along the river go up while students and locals have the time off to explore and play.
Lee commits that the river is a great place for students to get away and relax, “Getting outdoors is really important to me. Its the perfect relaxation sport.”
More students should take advantage of the nature that is right out side their door, even if it is not for a grade in a class, fun is right around the corner. Or as Powell says, “Kayaking is just a great way for students to take a breather from their busy lifestyles and head down to the water for a day and just…soak it in.” 

Students Keep Word

Failing to fulfill responsibilities hurts all members of campus groups
Summer vacation starts in a few weeks, and there is more to do now then ever. Classes are coming to a close, friends are getting together and the lucky seniors are graduating and scrambling to find their careers after school. While a plethora of things are no doubt nabbing students' attention, students should not neglect their commitments to student organizations or volunteer work.

Many organizations on campus see a swell of enthusiasm at the start of the semester as students come in, eager to get involved, and many students bite off more then they can chew. Organizations shape their projects and work ideas on the amount of sign-ups they get at the start of a semester. But more often then not, as the semester drags on, assignments, projects and lack of energy become pending factors in student participation, and organizers are left with a workload too large for those who have remained to fulfill.

The issue is not with the student organizations or the volunteer groups. It is the students' lack of commitment that hurts the organizations. Students should seriously consider the promise they are making when they sign up to be part of a student organization or volunteer group. When a student does not show up to a meeting or fulfill his or her responsibilities, it puts extra pressure and work on those who participate diligently. If the organization or volunteer group is student-run, the added pressure and work is put on top of the school work the leaders have as well. Backing out of a commitment is a selfish action, especially when the others working just as hard depend on group participation.

As part of the University of South Carolina's "public face," student organizations need to be run as efficiently and smoothly as possible. When a group is counting on individual participation and support, and those students back out as the semester wears on, there is a danger of the quality of these organizations dropping. Involvement of every individual is key, even up until the last day of school. Student-run organizations and the like are here to promote the university, not showcase its students' lack of commitment.

Many students join organizations and volunteer groups to build their resumes and look good on job applications. But if they are not willing to put in the time and effort into their commitments, then they have only gained words on a page but no experience or ability to show good work ethic.

Students should think before they sign up for too many student organizations and volunteer groups. It is immature to leave those in charge, who are dependent on their members' participation, with the extra load of doing all the work. Think before you commit.

Students and standards

Athletes, high-profile people deserve as much criticism as ‘average Joe’

Students come to USC for all sorts of reasons. Some come on academic scholarships, some because they have many friends here, some to be on sports teams and some with big dreams. All who enroll in the university are a part of the face of the university and should be held to that standard.

With high-profile students, such as sports players, there is a lot of pressure to perform a certain way and to uphold a certain code of ethics. But student-athletes and other students with similar statuses shouldn’t be the only ones held to a higher standard. We are all the face of University of South Carolina. We should all be equal.

People may argue that those who are on the forefront of the media coverage and whose names get thrown around a lot should be examples and should be cautious that their every action is being watched because the university reaps the consequences of what they do. But every student, no matter what class and no matter what student organization he or she belongs to, should still play his or her role in holding up the university and its policies.

Simply because a student’s name is known because he or she can run with a football, jump up to a hoop, engage in public speaking activities or put on a charity event should not make the student more prone to repercussions.

I am by no means suggesting that the standard by which the university expects its students to act should be lowered. I am suggesting that it be raised to the same level for all students. It seems that if a student’s name is recognized with an athletic team or prestigious university club, he or she somehow is awarded an extra honor code.

What about the students who are hard-working in and out of the classroom? These students are the ones the community has a daily connection with. These students are just as much the face of the university as others.

The university should not limit its expectations of students to those who are more well-known. Whether people are celebrities within the university or not, we all need to be familiar with and be held to the same rules and expectations. It is only fair.

The university does a good job recognizing those out there who play hard, win big and cause a scene, but the school should reach out to the little people on campus, hear their stories, see what they are accomplishing and, if need be, expose them to the same brunt of ridicule or respect as they do other students. Just because a student is gifted does not mean he or she should be judged harder or held to harsher standards.

Professors and advisement

Academic advisers unable to offer students most insightful guidance

This time of year, many students are rushing and stressing over finishing the semester. But preparation starts for the coming semester well before the end of the current one is in sight.

There are many issues that come up when a student deals with advisement and registration. My first semester here, I was advised to take a certain amount of classes. Being a transfer student, I did not have much say in my first semester load of classes. But the classes worked out great, and I really enjoyed what I was taking.

It was not until my second semester that I realized the advisement system needed to be revised. I was advised to take two classes out of order, which has set me back from being able to take an internship and graduate on time. Not being familiar with the courses and the requirements, I was unaware that I was taking the wrong classes at the time.

Also in my second year here, I applied, at the urging of a professor, to take a semester off and study abroad. My adviser at the time told me not to do it, that I needed to hurry up and get done. The problem is that he ignored the chance of being exposed to culture and learning by experience. His view was strictly scholarly. Advisers see it as their jobs to get as many kids through the semester as fast as possible.

Sometimes the best path is ignored, or classes are assigned because they know the courses backward and forward but do not teach and interact in the classroom to know which classes are best for their students. Advisers need to understand the reasons why they assign classes to students.

The best possible way to fix the confusion and frustration is for students to be advised by their professors. The professors know what needs to be done and what extra opportunities need to be taken for advancement in the field. Students should seek advice from the professors who have been in the field of study and know when it is important to rush through school and get done and when it is important to stop and experience things like studying abroad.

Some will argue that the professors will not have time, but I believe we can work around this. There is a need for people who specialize in academic advisement, but students should not have to limit themselves to taking advice from someone who is not actively involved with in-classroom education. Advisers are good for answering the technical questions of getting in and out of classes, but students should utilize professors as guides on how their education should take course.

Thankfully, I have been able to resolve most of my advisement and course issues, but it was up to me to shop around in my department and find an adviser who knows more about what she is suggesting.