Menlo’s Growing Enrollment: It’s a Great Problem to Have!

By Nadia Le'i
Oak Staff

The 2012-2013 school year is several weeks into the Fall semester and the numbers are in. There are now 687 students enrolled at Menlo College, an increase of 7% from a year ago. 

More students means more challenges. For example, parking has become an issue with more  student cars needing  to be accommodated.  In order to do so, the lot behind the library was opened to students. Menlo administrators  also worked harder at promoting Zip Car rentals, which helps to cut down the amount of cars on campus. 

Can you identify these people? If not, scroll down!

More students also translated into an increase in demand for on-campus housing. There are currently 458 students living on campus, nearly two-thirds of the Menlo enrollment. 

“We are actually over capacity ... we put a couple of male students in temporary housing. We converted our El Camino Lounge into a temporary room but hope to have those students moved into permanent rooms by the end of the week,” stated Residential Life Coordinator, Adam Montez. “Even though we are short on rooms, this is a great problem to have. The demand for on campus housing is high which must mean the on- campus atmosphere is a must-have experience!”

The large influx of fresh new faces this year has also brought a lot of ideas. For the first time in school history, 57 clubs were established, exceeding the cap of 40 clubs established by the school. While some clubs were asked to team-up with others in order to decrease the overall number, faculty and staff are only seeing this as a positive problem.

            “It’s challenging, but exciting because more students adds more enrichment. There are more ideas, more programs and more growth,” Dean of Student Affairs, Yasmin Lambie-Simpson stated.

What’s next? More on-campus jobs and leadership opportunities will be needed. Recently, the school opened up its renovated workout center, creating on-campus job opportunities for 15 students. Other offices such as SERV and The Union have increased employment opportunities in order to help accommodate the growing enrollment. Other offices are working hard to make sure the campus remains safe and successful.

“It’s a great, the only thing to figure out now is how to ensure great opportunities for all these students,” stated Lambie-Simpson.

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In the photo: Student Christ Dailey (left), Residential Life Coordinator Adam Montez, and  students Andrew Vargas and Cheyenne Lopez

Get a Job NOW!

 By: Riley Thorning 
 Oak Staff

Attention all broke Menlo College students with spare time, there are local jobs waiting for you!

 During   five-year career at Menlo College I have played for the soccer team, and served as the vice president of the Surf Club. While I was doing all of this I was constantly on a budget.

 For all of you who are in the same financial boat, and who have spare time and can balance working part-time and studying, here are a couple suggestions for jobs within walking distance or a short train ride of our campus.

Café Borrone: This is a  family-owned-and-operated café that serves delectable organic foods, great coffee, and has an extremely friendly atmosphere. It is located less than one mile from campus on El Camino Real. The jobs at Borrone can range from server, cashier, table busser to barista. I have known at least seven Menlo students that have worked there and balanced school well. Cameron McKelvie, a Menlo alum worked there for two years.   “I was always able to come home after my night shifts with good tip money and enjoyed working so close to school," he said. Another alum, Shawn Villilrea, added,  “The job was great, we get to wear our own clothes, and I feel like the attire policy adds a laid back atmosphere to the café.”  

                                       

Bull Dog Spots and Fitness: This Fitness center specializes in personal training and customized workouts to fit an individual’s goals and needs. Bull Dog is located right across the street from Menlo College making it the closet job available for students. For many years Bull Dog has employed students throughout the summer for football camps. It also provides trainer position for other sports and, of course,  personal training. Shawn Winters a Menlo alum, said “Not only did I get to work, I get to teach and help coach people in transforming their workouts.”

                                                         

Starbucks: I’ve worked at the Starbucks about two miles from campus on El Camino Real near the Menlo Park Safeway shopping center for about two years. It provides a real sense of home town coffee even though it’s a fast paced corporation type job in other locations. The Menlo community that surrounds this smaller and slower-pace store is quit friendly, as compared to the stores at the Stanford shopping center or on Santa Cruz Avenue. The slow pace allows baristas to interact with customers and build friendships because we see the may of the same people every day. I know many people who own local business and work locally, too. Because of this job, the Menlo Park area has definitely become my second home.  I would recommend this job to anyone for the trade is easy to pick up and the hours of work are flexible.

                                             

Bucca Di Beppo: An Italian-style restaurant that caters to banquets and large crowds located 2.5 miles from school and one stop on the Caltrain from the Menlo Park station to Palo Alto. The jobs available can range from server, hostess, waiter and bartender. According to Scott Winby another Menlo alum, “The work was fast paced and busy at nights, but the big banquets always paid off, and since I don’t have a car, the access to work from the train and cool locations in downtown Palo Alto were really enjoyable.”

                                   

If you are interested in following through with any of my jobs suggestions the best way is to show up at the business,  ask for a manager and an application, and remember be persistent. Good luck!