Best Smile Provost Ahmed Abdelal
No matter the subject matter, he is always smiling. When speaking to students or faculty he is always fair and his demeanor is always constant — pleasant. Maybe it is because Provost Abdelal has already converted a university from a quarter calendar to a semester system when he was in Georgia. Maybe it is because he is a fully capable administrator, or maybe it is just because he loves what he does. The News tips its hat to Abdelal for being a person who kept his cool throughout the conversion process and was always on the ball. Thanks for showing us your pearly whites, we appreciate it.
Semester Conversion MVP Executive Vice Provost Coleen Pantalone
Coleen Pantalone was given the daunting task of rounding up the faculty and staff in order to prepare the university for semester conversion. Pantalone for the past three years, has also been the point person for the calendar switch — a daunting task in and of itself. Through it all, Pantalone has remained positive and upbeat. So many people on campus have been singing her praise not only for her hard work, but her dedication to getting the job done and doing it right. Not only concerned with preparing the administration and the faculty, Pantalone has also raised a number of concerns regarding students. With each step throughout the process Pantalone has kept the student body of NU as her number one concern — and it shows. Not often do student leaders praise administrators so highly, this is the exact opposite when it comes to Pantalone. Student Government Association Vice President for Academic Affairs Andres Vargas told The News at the beginning of the quarter that Pantalone is the glue that holds the semester conversion office together. He was right.
Most Athletic Senior Vice President Philomena Mantella
Though she could probably win this category in a literal sense, Senior Vice President Mantella has won most athletic because in her two years at NU, she has proven that she is conditioned to always run that extra mile. As a high ranking administrator, semester conversion is just one of the many items on Mantella’s plate, but somehow she manages to juggle them all successfully. She works late and arrives early all in the best interest of the students and the university. Her resume is a fine example of her administrative conditioning, and though semesters may just be a sprint to the finish, Mantella is primed for the long haul to the finish line.
Longest lines: College of Business Administration
An infamous ratio may forever be etched in the minds of those present at the Provost’s Luncheon winter quarter. In the College of Business Administration there are 3300 students for 6.5 advisors to handle … yes, point five. Dean Ira Weiss presented the ratio and may have regretted it as soon as it left his lips. Problems have plagued the college in terms of effectively advising students. It may be because the students in the college are so diligent and anxious that the lack of advisors cannot handle the flood of students before its gates. Whatever it is, the lines have no doubt been long and winding.
First to publicly jump ship: SGA President Richard Schwabacher
SGA President Richard Schwabacher’s choice to graduate early, bypassing semesters, was widely publicized in The News, especially in this section. Passing on co-op or the possibility of studying abroad, Schwabacher decided to cut his losses and move on to commencement day instead of a converted calendar. Certainly not the first and definitely not the last, hats off to “The Schwab” for standing up and sticking to his guns, even if that meant sticking it to upper administration. The next logical question is, will Schwab-esque students affect retention in upcoming years?
Most likely to go down with the ship: SGA President-elect Michael Romano
SGA President-elect Romano is not going anywhere anytime soon. Recently elected to a full-year term and considering the fact that he is a sophomore, soon to be middler, Romano will remain a familiar face at Northeastern. Regardless of the limitations of time, Romano said at the recent SGA elections that he feels obligated to serve the student body — and he will. Romano will undoubtedly become an advocate for students scorned by semesters, whether the number is large or small, remains to be seen. Either way, he given his word to the Student Senate that he will give his all, this promise also pertains to semesters. When your back is against the wall — remember Mr. Romano, that’s what he was elected to do.
Shortest lines: Student Financial Services
The latest NUPulse survey showed that the majority of students have not yet met with their financial aid advisers. This means that Dean of Student Financial Affairs Seamus Harreys has been willing to lend a hand to students, but has instead been waiting with open arms … and waiting. Despite clever communication through mailings and flyers the tide of students has not caused a flood of questions flowing through the office. And this is why the financial aid office has won shortest lines. Help a brother out and visit the office, tell them that Seamus sent you.
Best couple: Director of Customer Service David Winch and University Registrar Linda Allen
No, no there won’t be any matrimonial vows anytime soon for these two, but their offices will soon be united. The Registrar’s Office and the Customer Service Office will merge in order to better serve the most important asset to NU — the students. Services will be streamlined, freeing up valuable time and energy that can be dedi-
cated to one on one conversations and advising. With this “perfect union” students will become the main concern and will receive more attention and face time, NUers will no longer “just be a number” at this large university. The only problem that this couple faces is a name. Any ideas?
Most likely to become president: Richard Freeland
Most likely to become president: Richard Freeland Hell, he’s already the president. But this little thing we at Northeastern now call semester conversion was the brain child of President Richard Freeland. The idea had been tossed about for a number of years, even before Freeland came to NU in 1996, but he was the man that picked up the ball and ran with it. Now, staring in the face of semester conversion the mission may have finally been completed, some may say without a hitch, though only time will tell. Through the headaches, lines, expletives and info graphics this calendar conversion will put NU on the same level as other universities nationwide — it may even put Northeastern on the map. And to think, it all began with Freeland.
