Tammie Clavert Webmaster

NIACC Net Bytes, a group dedicated to those with an interest in computers and technology, isn't just a club for students in the Information Systems Technology or E-Commerce fields. It's open to all NIACC students with an interest in computer technology.

"Our goal is to get the entire campus of students involved in the NIACC Net Bytes," Chad Upmeyer, current club member and president, said.

The group formed this year because students suggested the idea as a way to expand membership to not only IST students but everyone.

NIACC Net Bytes currently has 26 members and students are welcome to join at any time throughout the academic year.

An annual fee of $10 is all that is required for membership.

NIACC Net Bytes is lead by student officers including Upmeyer, Vice President Pamela Larson, Secretary Shana Rogstad, Treasurer Kristi Majewski, Recorder/Historian Tyler Larson and webmaster Brian Thompson.

All are nominated, voted upon and must have a majority with at least 60% in favor of a nominee to win the position.

Officers hold their offices for the entire academic year, including summer terms. Terms end upon their graduation, transfer or election of a new officer.

Members of NIACC Nets Bytes will also serve on two active committees this year. Scholarship Planning & Fund Raising Committee will plan, develop and implement a scholarship for current members.

NIACC Net Bytes plans to offer a $1,000 scholarship for current members.

A Scholarship Selection Committee, served by various industry and educational advocates, will determine the recipient of the scholarship. The funds raised will be used to plan additional activities and means for making planned events and activities possible.

NIACC Net Bytes has a lot to offer students.

"The club gives students a chance to meet new people, learn new software and plan activities that interest the students," adviser and NIACC instructor Mary Mosiman said.

Future activities that NIACC Net Bytes has planned include a trip to tour Gateway 2000 in South Dakota, a trip to tour Digital River and the Science Museum located in Minneapolis and a trip to River City Internet, a web server provider to learn how the Internet Service Provider works.

They also are planning different types of contests and other activities. Students interested in the NIACC Net Bytes can contact Chad Upmeyer at NIACC NETBYTES@hotmail.com.

Bethany Wihlm
Staff Reporter

Midterm is over and many students are busy planning upcoming vacations or trips home over semester break.

While students plan what they will do for the break, they should also keep in mind that classes also need to be decided upon before they leave campus. Registration for the spring term at NIACC is here and in full swing.

Sophomores, (those having 27 credits or more), could have made appointments as early as October 21, and registration actually started on October 28.

With these students planning on graduating in May, class selection and choice should be on their minds.

A certain number of credits are needed to reach the graduation marker and they get first choice.

They should sign up as soon as possible to better the chances of getting into the classes that are needed.

Freshmen, (those having 26 credits or less), were also encouraged to sign up as early as October 30, and registration for them started on November 4.

The same holds true for freshmen. Just because they get second chance, doesn't mean that signing up should be last minute.

It should be all the more important for freshmen to get signed up early so they can get into the classes that they need or want before the few slots that are left unfilled.

Jennifer Aydelotte, the secretary at the Student Service desk, strongly urges students to take care of registration as soon as possible.

"Don't worry about being prepared for the meeting, that is the counselor's job to assist you and tell you what you need," Aydelotte said. "All you need to do is show up and set up an appointment and we will guide you from there."

So many students put this task off until they see what their friends are taking, or what classes they think are easy.

"On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays there will be an open counselor for 'walk-ins'," Aydelotte said.

Sarah Lowrance
Staff Reporter

Many college students dream of going to different countries to visit. NIACC students have that chance starting February 13, 2003. The American Institute of Foreign Studies, along with Iowa community colleges, has provided a program for Iowa community college students to study abroad.

The Iowa Community College Study Abroad Consortium combines all the community colleges of Iowa to send a group of students to London, England to study and generally experience a new culture.

Paul Nagy, the instructor in charge of the program at NIACC, said that this program allows more community college students to participate in this rare treat in that each college can generally only send one or two students. With one or two from each college in Iowa, the program sends 15-17 students to London.

"It's a consortium of community colleges to pool our resources," Nagy said.

The program offers six courses, all taught by an Iowa community college instructor, and one class, British Life and Culture, taught by a British national.

This year's instructor will be Dr. Stephen Holland, the chair of the English department at Muscatine Community College.

Classes offered this spring will be English Composition II, Contemporary World Issues, Principles of Speech, Introduction to Literature, Creative Writing and Dramatic Literature.

Students interested in participating in the program this coming spring are required to fill out an application and pay an enrollment deposit of $450, due by December 6, 2002.

The program fee is $4,145 and includes accommodations in London with some meals provided, a London Transport travel pass, the orientation program, two theater performances, a full-day guided excursion to Cambridge, a full-day guided excursion to Stonehenge and Salisbury and a full-day excursion to Brighton.

However, the program fee does not include round-trip airfare, $250 refundable damage deposit, textbooks, passport fees and personal expenses, such as laundry.

There are opportunities for reduced rates on airfare, through the AIFS.

Students participating in the program remain NIACC students during the spring semester and are required to pay NIACC tuition as well.

Students also have many opportunities for fun between classes.

"Students usually only take 12 credit hours so that they have time to travel and do some sightseeing," Nagy said.

Nagy also mentioned the possibility of receiving student rates on theatre shows and concerts while they are there.

While students are in London, they participate in a homestay program with a British family.

A homestay isn't like staying with a host family, like a foreign exchange student might.

The British treat the students as paying lodgers, providing breakfast Monday through Friday for the students. This is included in the overall fee for the trip.

NIACC instructor Mark Messer had the opportunity to be a part of this program a few years ago as the instructor picked to teach with the program.

"I think it's an excellent opportunity for community college students," Messer said.

Messer said that the British culture is extremely interesting. The culture is very similar to that of American culture, and yet, there are many differences as well.

Messer said that while we speak the same language, there is more of a historical aspect in England that one might not see as often in the United States or Iowa.

Messer also has great faith in the safety of foreign students in London.

"London is very safe, a lot safer than some of the metropolitan areas (in the US," Messer said. "You really learn the value of public transportation."

Students interested in finding out more about the study abroad program can get any information and applications from Nagy, Beem Center 204.

The application and deposit deadline is December 6, 2002, and final payments will be due December 20, 2002.