the academy journal
continues to make efforts to enhance programming and provide positive social experiences for residents . One strategy implemented in 2016-2017 is to host smaller scale , but more frequent events . For example , residence life staff launched “ midweek midnight snack ” on Wednesday nights from 11 am – 12 am . It is a weekly event that provides snacks and beverages as well as treats from local Be Well Café as a study break or pick-me-up for resident students . Games , music and hang out space are also provided to encourage students to stick around and mingle with each other . This event received very positive feedback and had regularly good attendance . It is continued and improved in 2017-2018 .
Orientation programming enhanced the transition experience for about 125 new students during the fall , winter and spring orientations . Student activities increased student involvement by offering more campus-wide events . Additional programming such as multicultural focus group series , Kente ceremony , diversity day festivities and a black history month program heightened multicultural programs making our campus community more inclusive with diverse offerings .
Athletic department highlights include a student-athlete GPA was a 3.02 for the year ( up from a 2.85 in 15-16 ) and the retention rate was 92 %. The program had eight teams qualify for post-season play . ( Men ’ s and women ’ s cross country , men ’ s and women ’ s basketball , men ’ s ice hockey , men ’ s lacrosse , men ’ s tennis and men ’ s golf ) The men ’ s Hockey team made it to the national semi-final . It was the first year of women ’ s soccer at the College , and they were recognized nationally for their commitment to academic success with a team GPA of 3.22 .
Throughout the division of student affairs at Bryn Athyn College , it is of primary importance that students are actively and fully involved in shaping their college experience . In this way , student affairs can fulfill its vital role in advancing the goals articulated in the institutional mission , building more inclusive and purposeful learning communities , and encouraging and supporting student success .
Swedenborg Library Report
Carol Traveny , Director of the Swedenborg Library
Staff There were many changes in the library during the past year . Most noteworthy was the retirement of Library Director Carroll Odhner after 30 years of service . She has gone on to fill a new , part-time position as Director of Swedenborgiana and New Church Research . Carol Traveny was appointed to the position of Library Director in July 2016 . We also welcomed two new staff members : Kelly Liberona , who is serving as the Evening Reference and Access Librarian ; and Tara Ernest who is the library ’ s Office Manager , replacing Bri Kern . Both positions are part-time . Finally , we are very pleased that the College ’ s Chief Information Officer , Lelia Howard , and her staff have located their offices in the library . The opportunity for discussion and collaboration on shared goals is an exciting and productive added benefit .
User Services As demand for online resources increased , we added three new databases to our electronic resources offerings : Science Direct Health and Life Sciences ; WSJ Online ( Wall Street Journal ); and Statista . We have also contracted with OCLC to implement EZProxy — a web-based proxy server that will provide off-campus access to our electronic resources . Additionally , we have streamlined the faculty ’ s ability to search for and request books for purchase by providing online access to Choice Reviews : an essential resource of peerrated book reviews for academic collections . We also launched SirsiDynix ’ s Enterprise : a ‘ discovery layer ’ that enhances the searching functions of our existing online catalog .
We are constantly looking for ways to improve our users ’ experience , and are committed to providing exceptional service in small ways and large .
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