Summertime at SOU
School's out for the summer, but Southern Oregon University student government president Kelli Horvath isn't going anywhere soon. Horvath, a senior international studies major, decided to stay on campus to get ahead for a busy school year.
She's not alone. Many students stick around for the summer to take classes, work or put in extra hours for extracurricular activities.
"I actually am surprised at how many students are around," Horvath said. "It's a little different feel. I like it. It's a little more laid back, and I at least feel a little more liberated because I have time to work on the stuff I really care about."
Horvath estimates she will put in 30 hours each week doing research on changes she hopes to implement next year, as well as developing leadership plans for all of her cabinet members. She's already pulling long hours, staying in the student government office until 3 a.m. one night this week working on a transition packet for the person taking over her old job in governmental affairs.
She's also taking a class that meets just five days over two weekends and working part-time for SOU's catering service this summer.
"Summer really is a great time to get stuff done because we don't have classes," she said.
This summer, 1,406 students so far have registered for summer classes, about one quarter of the school's enrollment during the regular year, according to Claire Cross, the director of summer and special programs for the college of arts and sciences.
About 600 students work for the university over the summer, payroll technician Paige Jensen said, compared to 200 student employees during the fall. The majority of those students working this summer are not taking classes, she said.
But student employees are needed to keep the campus running for summer classes. They assist in the library and computer labs, work in food services and clean offices and classrooms, for example.
Senior Jakki Woods found herself behind schedule after two semesters of study in Japan, and she decided to stay on campus this summer to take two classes and work as a student manager for the Stevenson Union Physical Plant. While most of her friends enjoy their summers at home, she spends 40 hours a week cleaning offices, painting and even polishing brass doorknobs.
"There's barely anyone here," she said, although she enjoys the change that brings to the job she's held since freshman year.
"It's a lot more laid back," she said.
Summer also brings a change for administrators, although they aren't any less busy then they are during the school year.
"Our work is just really different," said Deborah Myers, director of student activities and leadership. "It feels like a nice break because it's different, but it's not lighter."
Summer is the time to review policies and prepare for the upcoming year, she said. Myers' office also hires three full-time student interns for the summer to do extra research and work on major projects, such as updating the club handbook and organizing for fall registration and orientation, she said.
For Deborah Frierson, director of human resources, summer seems even busier than the rest of the year.
"Not only are we playing catch-up, we're also getting ready for new things in the fall," she said. "Administrative work never ends."
Some students see their work over the summer as a preview of life after graduation.
"Summer feels more like the real world, like you're working rather than going to school," said Philip Shilts, who is stepping into Horvath's old role as director of governmental affairs for the student government.
Shilts is busy finding volunteers for a voter registration drive, with the goal of registering 1,400 students during the first two weeks of school, and preparing for a legislative session during winter term.
Switching to a summer schedule with fewer students around can be an adjustment.
"It is kind of strange," he said. "It's weird not having homework, but I'm already stressed by summer life."
Staff writer Julie French can be reached at 482-3456 ext. 227 or jfrench@dailytidings.com.
