Jumping on the bandwagon.

I’m not sure how many of you are still reading this, and by “you” I mean people other than my mother. Some may have noticed that the link on the Admissions website to the blogs has disappeared and been replaced with another button.

In response to current internet trends Admissions has implemented this social network for applicants, Admissions counselors and a few current students who work for the Office, including myself. Invites will be sent after your application is received and the network goes live. Hopefully it will be up and running in early December for those early applicants who are already on the ball. We’ve got a few applications already being read in the office and can’t wait to get more.

The social network is Admission’s way of making sure questions are answered. I know that Facebook was still predominantly college students with hard-to-get-into high school networks when I joined back in the summer of 2006. My first friends were other Beloit students I met in the Beloit Class of 2010 group. Each year these groups are being started earlier and earlier, as soon as the first acceptances are sent out. This last January, the Beloit Class of 2012 group had a dozen people by the end of the month. Many questions were posted about housing, classes, professors, the town, parties, and entertainment on campus without any real answers. A few current students generously tried to answer as many as possible but plenty were just speculation from other future class members.

Admissions hopes that this social network will help change that. It, quite like Facebook, has groups, profiles and forums to write in, but more people are able to answer questions and support confused future first-years.

Remember, the early action deadline is December 1!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Seriously, isn't that song just creepy? And since one friend has it as a ring-back tone it is constantly stuck in my head. Thanks, Mark.

We've got 15 days left of class plus 4 days of finals before we're all out of here for the semester. I try not to rely on caffeine because I crash hard later but when November (or April) hits I'm all for an extra shot of energy after class.

Pleasant Street Coffee opened almost two years ago just off campus. Though we have the Java Joint on campus, their coffee skillz don't quite match a real shop. On Friday nights they have live music and often the place will be packed. Many times, on my way back from the public library, bookstore or grocery store, I've stopped into get a quick drink, thaw and a punch in my card. The fake fireplace is warming and the big screen TV plays news or sports silently while the radio plays a good mix of classic pop and rock. Student art lines the walls, everything from photographs to local hand stitched maps.

Often you'll find students working behind the counter, always eager for a chat about a professor or homework. Locals and students mix in a really cozy atmosphere over looking the Rock River. On a winter's night P-Street is a welcome respite against the cold winds, low temperatures and intermittent snow that falls between November and March.

And speaking of snow, it snowed today! Well, it seemed like quite a lot while in the classroom but the ground was warm and yet again, it did not stick. Within an hour there was barely a trace of snow on the ground, though the wind has stayed whipping. I think that if it's going to be below freezing, it might as well snow and look pretty.

For my first two years here, the first real snow fall of each year has landed on December 1st, oddly enough. So I guess we'll be waiting another two weeks for a real snowfall and what I consider the offical start of Christmas-music-listening season. I don't celebrate Christmas but I sure do love me some snowy medleys.

1 Dec 2007:

1 Dec 2006: