SPAs focus on off-campus students

Campus Times
September 24, 1999

by Damien Alarcon
Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor

Michael Houdyshell, coordinator of campus activities and commuter programs, will direct a new organization of student program assistants (SPAs) to give University of La Verne students an option to be involved in campus life.

Programs will be run by student programming assistants to keep students other than on-campus residents included in activities.

"We will focus on a few specific areas like commuter student programs," said Houdyshell, who is serving his first year at ULV. "We will also do educational, social and diversified programs. Many will be in collaboration with ASF [Associated Students Federation] and residential life.

"It is designed for students to come in and program events and activities for students as another resource."

There are six SPAs hired by Houdyshell through work study or Leadership Education And Development (L.E.A.D.) scholarships.

The SPAs for this semester are juniors Gloria Ramirez, Xochitl Ramirez, John Joines, Jazmine Echenberg, Jaymel Capinpin and senior Amy Attiyah.

"Out of all the workers, Amy is probably the lead programmer because she has a lot of experience with student life," said Houdyshell.

In the past, Attiyah was involved with L.E.A.D. the ASF Forum and the business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi.

"I'm interested in the programming aspect of student life. I've been doing that for the past three years and I want to continue with that," said Attiyah.

"All six programmers have been around ULV for a number of years and have been involved in other aspects of student life," said Houdyshell. "They will bring in their expertise from other areas."

Since this is a new program, Houdyshell is not sure as to how many programs will run during this semester as he will be "testing things out."

"We have not talked about specifics too much other than that we will focus on commuters. We have only had one meeting," said Houdyshell. The group meets every Wednesday to gather ideas and set up events.

The Club Fair on Tuesday was the organization's first formal activity, which was moved into the Student Center. In the past, Club Fair has taken place outside in the quad area.

Houdyshell said, "ASF does stuff, resident life does stuff, the Greeks do stuff, this is just another way to get programs for students."