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Changing
it up Cheril Becker said she sat in her car frustrated one day last week. She couldn’t find a parking space.
So when a Student Foundation member offered to sell her a raffle ticket which promised the winner the chancellor’s parking spot, she bought it. Becker, a senior speech communications major, won the annual “Big Switch” day where a student and the chancellor can switch places for a day. “I didn’t even hesitate to give her a dollar when I heard I could have his space if I won,” she said. “When they called me to let me know I won, I was so excited because I have never won anything before.” Becker said the parking spot was a good start to a great day. Kristin Holt, a junior political science major and president of Student Foundation, said the main purpose of the “Big Switch” is for students to see what it is like to be the chancellor and for the chancellor to see what it is like to be a student. We set up a schedule so Becker could meet with some members of the departments on campus and where the chancellor can be in some classes,” Holt said. The foundation has raised a total of $600 from a campus-wide raffle, with tickets selling for one dollar each, and more money is still coming in, she said. Kevin Nicoletti, assistant director of alumni relations, said this raffle helps students in the TCU community when they are in emergency situations. “One example of an emergency situation is when an international student had a death in the family and we used this fund to help get her home,” Nicoletti said.
Becker said she was abIe to meet with five vice chancellors where they gave her different situations the real chancellor would experience. “I talked to each of them individually about new programs, funding for campaigns and future plans for the university,” she said. “They would then ask me what I would do in that situation.” Chancellor Michael Ferrari said becoming a student was a fascinating opportunity for him. “I had no problem finding parking,” he said. “I parked near the athletic department, walked to The Main and it took me a total of six minutes.” Ferrari said he attended Becker’s Topics in Mathematics class and he then went to an honors political science class. “With both classes, I was amazed with the degree of participation by the students,” he said. “The professors were just as great because they encouraged students to participate and to get involved in the class.” Rhonda Hatcher, associate professor of mathematics, said she was excited to teach the chancellor. “It was the first time I have ever taught a chancellor,” Hatcher said. “He sat in the front row and asked and answered some questions. He was smart enough to answer the questions he knew.” Ralph Carter, professor of political science, said Ferrari definitely played the role of a student. “He did participate in class and I could tell he was intellectually involved,” Carter said. Ferrari said his day ended by talking with Becker about the switch. “I gave her all of my notes I took for her in class and I know I didn’t let her down,” he said. “I have done this three out of the four years I have been here and it’s always fun to be a student again.” Becker said after the day was over she realized that the chancellor faces a lot of challenges everyday. “The great thing is that he surrounds himself with very professional and confident people,” she said. “He is a compassionate man and he does a great job running the university.” Raul
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TCU Daily Skiff © 2002 |
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