Beginning July 1, 1994 out department is under the School of Physical Education. The new administrative home under Dean Nick Kellum replaces the 1993-94 temporary administrative home of “other programs” under Dean Carol Nathan. The opportunity to become a part of a permanent academic unit should provide opportunities for the department to grow due to the added administrative support. If you have any questions regarding this merger please feel free to contact any member of the department. They will be more than happy to address your concerns.

New Policies: Effective Fall, 1994
By Pat May

   In accordance with the IU School of Physical Education, the RHIT Department has new probation, dismissal, and academic excellence policies.

Academic Standing
Those students who consistently maintain a GPA of 2.0 (C) or higher in both their cumulative and semester records are considered to be in good standing

Academic Position
Students are on academic probation when either their semester grade point or cumulative grade point is below 2.0 (C).

Dismissal
Students are subject to dismissal when they have failed to attain a 2.0 (C) average in any two consecutive semesters and when the cumulative GPA of the student who is on probation falls or remains below 2.0 (C).

Dean’s Honor List
Recognition goes to all full-time students who achieve a semester GPA or 3.3 or better.

Reminder
All RHIT December, 1994 candidates for AAS or BS degrees must complete an application for graduation by September 16. See Pat May for form.

Scholarship Recipients
Max Shapiro Scholarship: John Strouse American Hotel Foundation: Jennifer Hechinger and John Strouse.

Become a member of the RHS Society
By John Strouse, President of RHS

   The RHS Society has been in existence for several years now. It provides students the opportunity to work together as a group in helping both their professional careers and their department. Past activities included a number of fund-raisers that enabled member to visit trade shows in New Your City and Chicago, and a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. RHS member also worked at Gus Macker for the last two summers, which allowed them to raise even more money.

   The first meeting and membership drive of the RHS Society will take place in September (TBA). Do not miss out on the fun and benefits of the great organization. Become a member!

More announcements
By Linda Brothers

RHI L291: Food Production Principles is Going Camping!

    In Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the Indiana University Alumni Association has a camp which is available each summer to alumni and their families to enjoy boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities. This camp has also been the site each summer for a class of Physical Education majors who learn the principles of camp management first hand.

   Beginning in 1994-95, all majors in our department will too have an opportunity to use this camp as a learning experience. The department has developed a schedule for June 1995 to use the camp for the laboratory of RHI L291: Food Production Principles.
This experience will greatly enhance the quality of education in RHI L291 since the class will have the opportunity to plan, prepare, and serve a large volume of food on a daily basis. More information about the camp is posted in the showcase and details about the class will be available in October.

RHIT Student Council Representatives

   Elections for five majors to represent their peers on the RHIT Student Council will be conducted September 26-29. The responsibilities of the council representatives are to plan and organize recognition for Dean’s List students, bring issues of concern to the attention of the department, and oversee the department’s student activity fee money. Any major may have his/her name on the ballot. See me before September 15 for a nomination form.

How I spent my summer vacation
By Jim Bennett

   Instructors often become too complacent with their subject matter and therefore do not update information as necessary. They also tend to only focus on individual areas of expertise or those of particular research interest. This complacency cannot exist if instructors, as educators, expect to present current trends and management techniques to the students in their academic programs.

    Having spent much of my hospitality career within foodservice operations, I have neglected to devote sufficient time to the lodging side of the industry. This is especially true of the Rooms Division, which includes many different functions depending on the size of the property.

   To this end, I applied for and was fortunate enough to receive a Teacher Work-Study Grant sponsored by the National Restaurant Association. The objective of the grant is to provide hospitality educators with direct industry experience in order to enhance teaching and provide a current and realistic view of the industry. The grant requires arrangement of 320 hours of full-time employment with one employer, working a minimum of 35-40 hours per week in an approved hospitality operation.

    Through the RHIT department’s relationship with the University Place Hotel on the IUPUI campus, I was able to secure a position as Rooms Division Trainee. This involved interaction with the housekeeping, front office, accounting, night audit, security, and engineering departments on a rotating basis. Although having prior hotel experience in several areas, I did receive much-needed “hands-on” training in many areas new to me.

   The entire staff was most cooperative and helpful during my time in each department. They seemed most eager to share their expertise and were patient with me during this learning process. I think their patience and training abilities were really tested during the week’s activities for the Brickyard 400!

    This experience allows me to incorporate much needed information into classes I teach. The knowledge gained will prove invaluable not only to me, but hopefully, to the students in the RHIT department.

Wanted

The “Informer” is in need of a number of field reporters to cover the state’s hospitality industry. If you are interested please see Sotiris H Avgoustis, Managing Editor, ET 1203D, or call 4-7649.