Welcome to Week 4 of The OPIE Zone Newsletter. Here the important events happening during the fourth week of the semester. We hope you’ll join us for some of them.
International Conversation Hour
Tuesday, Jun. 5, from 6-7 p.m. in Jefferson Hall, Room 160
International students and domestic students meet to talk about various topics. This is a good opportunity to make friends and meet people from all over the world. Free beverages and snacks are provided.
Letter from the Director: featuring Kim Young
Dear Students,
(Kim Young & Ren Peters with a friend)
Happy June, the sixth month of the year and a very interesting time of year. Did you realize that by the end of June, the year will be half over! In the northern hemisphere, we experience the “summer solstice” (the first day of summer or the longest day of the year) in June. On this day (June 21 in 2018), the sun is farthest north in the northern hemisphere and we have the most daylight. In Athens, the sun will rise about 6:00 a.m. and set about 9:00 p.m. I hope you enjoy all the sunshine. Also, in June, we celebrate “Father’s Day” on the third Sunday of the month. Other world holidays are World Oceans Day (June 8); Flag Day (June 14); and World Blood Donor Day (June 14). Eid ul-Fitr will likely occur around June 15 this year.
One person in OPIE who really enjoys June since it is the start of the summer is Ms. Kim Young.
Kim is the first person you will probably meet when you come to the OPIE office. She has been married for 33 years to her husband, Eric. They have one son, Kyle, who is a student at Ohio University. Kim has worked in OPIE for eight years. Kim said she enjoys working in OPIE because she is able to meet people from all over the world. She admires the students in OPIE because they have left home and come a long distance to study in a second language – English.
She said she doesn’t have enough confidence to do that. She can’t imagine going to another country and studying in Chinese or Arabic to receive a degree. One part of her job that she enjoys is seeing our students complete their OPIE studies and then graduating from O.U. While she is happy to see them when they graduate, she is also sad to say “goodbye” when they leave Athens.
When Kim is not working in OPIE, she enjoys riding four-wheelers (what is that?), boating, playing Candy Crush (what is that?), watching football (she is a big fan of the Cincinnati Bengals), and taking a summer vacation at Virginia Beach. She enjoys going to the beach and then in the evening eating chicken wings. Kim invites everyone to stop by the OPIE office and say “hello.”
Have a good June,
Dr. Krzic
P.S. The first student who can email me the date of Kim’s birthday will win a prize!
In-Class Cell Phone Policy
Use of cell phones (or other interactive technology such as iPads, laptops, etc.) is not allowed during class time unless permitted by your instructor. If you have a special situation, please consult your instructor before class. Students who disregard this policy will receive a written warning. Three warnings will equal one hour of unexcused absence. The purpose of this policy is to provide a classroom atmosphere that promotes language learning without disruptions for both students and teachers.
Student Problems, Concerns, and Complaints
Do you have a problem or complaint about a situation or experience within OPIE that has a negative effect on your dignity (self-esteem), learning, or opportunity to make progress? If so, OPIE would like to know about your problem or complaint and help to resolve it so that you can continue to learn in the best environment possible.
- You may take the concern or complaint to an OPIE advisor. (If you do not know who your advisor is, you may seek help from the office staff in Gordy 155.) Your advisor will help you fill out the Student Grievance Report Form.
- You may complete the Student Grievance Report Form, located on the OPIE website. (See: Student Services > Student Forms).
Screen shot of Forms Page on OPIE Website
Once your complaint has been officially recorded, the OPIE Director will investigate*. The Director may talk with you and may also talk with any people involved in your complaint. The OPIE Director will make a decision (a resolution) about your complaint. You will receive a written copy of the resolution. The OPIE Director will keep a copy of the Student Grievance Report Form and the resolution.
*Note: If your complaint is about a problem that is important to you but does not directly relate to your ability to learn and make progress in your English studies (e.g., you don’t like getting up early; you don’t like walking to Gordy), then your advisor will meet with you to discuss strategies to help you resolve your problem.
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