This semester alone The Net, an online club for nontraditional students, has doubled to 400 members. Stemming from the original group Once Again Students Organization (OASIS), The Net was created in 2005 to address the specific issues of nontraditional students, which make up is 28 percent of the ETSU student body this academic year.?
?”With families and other obligations separate from school, [nontraditional] students can feel disconnected and get discouraged,” said Jeff Howard, assistant director of Adult Commuter and Transfer Services (ACTS). “The Net is an online support group . a virtual club for transfer and nontraditional students.”
Nontraditional students are generally defined as those who do not enter college directly from high school, return after an absence from college, or transfer from other two- or four-year universities.?
The Net started as OASIS and met once a month for a breakfast to discuss specific issues they faced as adult students.? Over time those that made it to the meetings became fewer as other obligations required their time.?
To resolve these schedule complications, The Net was created three years ago, first utilizing Blackboard and now Desire to Learn (D2L) to link adult students.
Shalena Peterson, one of the selected leaders of The Net, said, “After finding The Net and the advisers in the ACTS office, I feel like I am part of what is happening on campus.”
Peterson, a mother of three kids, earned her associate’s degree in history and general studies from Northeast State Technical Community College.?
After trying a position as business manager, she decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health sciences.
“There were a lot of issues,” Peterson said, “I went from full-time income to full-time student. Now I have to study all the time. I also don’t get to spend as much time with my kids as I want to.”
Along with providing support, The Net also links students’ families with their academic life. Free Family Movie Night is planned for Friday, Nov. 20. The showing will be of the animated movie Ratatouille.
Beverly Leigh, graduate student and assistant to The Net directors, explained that the group is planning activities for children and parents such as chef hats, door prizes, games and giveaways.?
This Net-sponsored event is free and open for all students. Flyers will be posted with more information at a later date.
“I love that The Net has sponsored events that allow [my children] to be involved,” Peterson said. “I firmly believe that the more connections you have to campus, the more successful you will be in achieving your goals.”
Along with helping to involve students’ families, The Net encourages participation from students through services on their Web page. It has lists providing its members with information ranging from leadership training to job openings.
Services such as tips and help with child care, tutoring, scholarship information, and “relaxation rituals for busy people” are also offered.
Leigh says that another aspect of the group is that there is help anytime it’s needed, as long as you can get to a computer.
“So even if it’s the weekend and the offices are closed, they know they can find help,” she said.
To join The Net, students are asked to drop by the Adult Commuter and Transfer Services office, on the second floor of the Culp Center or to call 439-5641.

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