McKaig speaks to University Club about class of 2012

Since he started working at IU in 1971, Dean of Students Dick McKaig has always been able to relate well to students.

When he took the podium Friday at the University Club luncheon, “Class of 2012,” he played the part, dressed in cargo shorts and an IU t-shirt. McKaig also sported a backwards ball cap and had his iPod earphones in, a cell phone and a backpack.

McKaig, who announced last week he will retire at the end of the school year, spoke to club members and stressed many differences between students today and students when he first came to IU.

To begin his presentation, McKaig pulled from his backpack an informational handout on the trends of college students and then handed out a pop quiz.

Some of the trends he pointed to were increased diversity, use of cell phones and less time studying.

He also spoke about electronics, pretending to send a text message from his cell phone. He said 75 percent of students say they use instant messenger frequently and many are on Facebook.

“I have 621 friends on Facebook,” he said. “They are updating me as I go along.”
The pop quiz in the form of true and false questions also sought to compare today’s students with those of 1991, when McKaig first became dean of students.

To the surprise of some people, fewer students are interested in joining the Greek community today and more are expected to earn higher grades, McKaig said. Fewer students today reported drinking, while more have faith in the ability of an individual to change society.

Gene Stern, a member of the University Club and part-time worker in the IU admissions office, appreciated the results of McKaig’s findings.

“I’m very pleased to see how positive the kids are about the University,” Stern said.
With 40 percent of IU students coming from out of state, McKaig said many had different expectations and views of the world, being displayed in the way they dressed.

“They were dressed in styles that can only be described as New York clubbing,” he said.

McKaig also shared a story about watching freshmen “migrate” from their dorms to suspected parties on the day they arrived. Although McKaig reported 72 percent of students said they chose IU for its academic reputation, he admitted most students spend slightly less time studying and more time partying.

Overall, McKaig said he has a favorable impression of students today and at IU.

“Students are confident and sociable and expect to have a good time and get good grades,” he said.

Dale Nelson, the president of the University Club enjoyed the presentation and found it informative and funny.

“The dean is always very entertaining,” Nelsen said. “He is very well-liked by the students.”

Through all of McKaig’s work, he said he has enjoyed working with the students the most.

“They energize me,” he said. “I have been honored to work with them during my time at IU.”