Miami University

1999-2000 Starts strong at Miami

08/20/1999

Friday, Aug. 20, is a busy day in Oxford. It's summer commencement and move-in day for incoming freshmen at Miami University.

Some 679 graduates receive degrees at commencement and about 3,600 first-year students haul their possessions into residence halls. Classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 24.

Miami President Dr. James C. Garland confers degrees at the 10 a.m. commencement ceremony in Millett Hall, and then with his wife, Carole, delivers cookies while greeting new students and their parents during freshmen move-in in the afternoon.

Freshmen start their academic careers having shared a summer reading assignment. Miami's 18th Summer Reading Program this year had first-year students read "Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago." The authors of that book, reporter David Isay and LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman, former teen residents of Chicago's oldest black public housing development, will address the university's convocation at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 23.

The convocation kicks off an academic focus for the year on the American city and on Chicago in particular. Special events, art displays and lectures will be featured.

Residence halls open to all students Sunday, Aug. 22.

Miami anticipates about 16,100 students in Oxford this year. They registered for classes via telephone.

New on campus this year:

--Juniors join seniors in being allowed to have cars on campus.

--Students can register cars online with the university's parking services office.

-- The university moves into final phases of Y2K compliance. Most offices have transferred to a new software system. Student registration and records make the transition from Sept.-Nov.

-- Faculty are using more technology. A survey last fall showed 100% had "comfortable" access to the WWW and e-mail. 97% used technology at least somewhat for professional productivity (e.g. writing exams, research) and half use it to directly enhance teaching and student learning.