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Boyce abuzz with preparations for new semester
August 17, 2004
By Ericia Boggs

Operation “student life” is in full swing at Boyce College. The campus is abuzz not only as it prepares for the arrival of both new and seasoned students, but also as it makes preparation for many exciting changes.

One of the most noticeable changes is, of course, the increase in the number of students.

“We will reach between 650-700 students this semester,” said Chip Collins, associate dean for student life. “It is amazing to see how our enrollment continues to increase. Every year we’ve grown about 100 students a year.”

Another change is the formation of the Boyce Cabinet, which is under the leadership of Dean Jimmy Scroggins and consists of Collins; Dave DeKlavon, associate dean for academic administration; David Adams, associate dean for applied studies; and Chad Brand, associate dean for biblical and theological studies.

“The cabinet meets on a regular basis and discusses Boyce College,” Collins said. “Through the cabinet, the faculty is becoming more aware of student life and student life is becoming more aware of the faculty. We are working as a team even more than we were before.”

A plan for naming a full-time assistant director of student life by Jan. 1, is also among the changes facing Boyce. Kristin Wicker will continue to be to the women’s student life coordinator, but with the graduation and departure of Jonathan Leeman, the former men’s student life coordinator, Collins will be assuming more of those responsibilities.

“We’re also forming a broader base of student leadership consisting of our student council, 12 Howdy leaders and two new women resident leader positions, bringing us up to eight RLs, four for the men and four for the ladies.”

This group of student leaders will have even more responsibilities than in the past, including organizing student life activities, assisting with new student orientation and preview conferences and even mentoring fellow students.

Collins said that the increase of responsibilities for student leadership will create more of a “student life presence.”

Another change is that each student will be charged a student life fee. The money will be used for free concerts and activities to benefit student life. Collins will have the responsibility of contacting and promoting bands and concerts coming to minister on campus.

Other changes coming to Boyce include a “face lift” to the Carver Building, complete with new paint both inside and out, more parking spaces and a television, and new carpet and new furniture in the Patio Room to help create more of a college atmosphere.

Office changes will accompany the face-lift. There will be a student life office located in the Carver Building. The office will be manned by members of the student council and will be used for meetings and counseling. In addition to the student life office, the resident supervisors will have an office located in the Carver Building as well.

The newly renovated Rankin Building, which formerly housed the Child Development Center, will now be home to the International Center for Youth Ministry offices, as well as more classroom space.

Collins will be moving to his new office — the former youth ministry offices on the second floor of Carver.

“I’ll have more office space and Audrey Chanin will be my secretary,” Collins said.

Collins added that these exciting changes give the college a “greater Boyce identity. We are very privileged and glad to be a part of Southern Seminary, but we want to create more of an identity for that group of traditional students that are 18-21.”

Among all the changes that will be taking place, Collins’ vision for Boyce remains the same.

“I don’t want us to be just another Bible college,” he said. “I want to treat our students like they are already ministers, because they are. I want us to appeal to them on the basis of their high calling of being ministers for both now and in the future.

“I want them to be motivated from within instead of from without. Discipline and accountability should come from within the student body and I want us to create an atmosphere where we allow and encourage them to act like who they are in Christ.

“I think instead of concentrating on all the things that students can do wrong, we must expect the best out of them and not look for the worst. Certainly there should be guidelines, but I want our students to embrace the guidelines as protections rather than obstacles to get around. This is what Christian freedom is all about. Galatians 5:13 says that we are called to freedom for the purpose of serving one another.”

Collins, who came to Boyce in 2002 after 15 years of missionary service in Suriname, added that he is “so happy and privileged to be a part of Boyce College.”

“I am motivated now more than ever to help students fulfill their ministry calling both now and later,” he said.

 

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