K-State College of Agriculture -- An Inside View

Getting my money's worth...

As a Kansas State student, every semester, you pay a certain amount of student privelege fees.  These fees help fund different complexes or programs that are available for student use.  This past weekend, and throughout the week I have taken full advantage of my student fees.

One main area where student fees are used is the Recreation Complex.  "The Rec," as it is called by students, has several volleyball and basketball courts, cardio equipment, machine and free weights, racquetball, and other great activities for students to enjoy.  I try and visit the rec at least three times a week, whether that be for a quick 30 minute workout, or to play basketball for several hours.  On Sunday, I was a playing in an intramural basketball game, and unfortunately rolled my ankle (or maybe worse.)  This sent me on to another location where a large portion of student fees are spent, Lafene Health Center.

At Lafene, KSU students can received medical treatment at no charge.  The only thing that you must pay for is x-rays or lab tests, and medications.  The doctor and nurses I visited with treated me very well at Lafene.  They explained to me my X-Ray results and have sent me on further to an Orthopedic Specialist (unfortunately that won't be free!) I will even be able to go back to see a Physical Therapist at no charge once it is determined what steps need to be taken to recover.   

These are just a few of the priveleges you get of being a KSU student!  I just hope I can get better fast, because I leave for my study abroad trip to Italy in 3 weeks!

Food Safety

Many people often ask me why I chose to study the Food Science field.  The answer I often give them, is that I am very interested in Food Safety.  Kansas State is one of the leading universities in the nation in this field, already home to the Biosecurity Research Institute.  The $54 million institute is housed in Pat Roberts Hall, directly east of Bill Snyder family stadium and the Peters Recreation Complex.  The Institute is a level 3 biosafety facility that allows researchers to study pathogens that threaten humans, food, crops, and livestock.  Furthermore, Kansas State is one of 4 finalists for the National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility.  This building would have a biosafety level 4 (the highest level) and would allow for cutting edge research to be done directly in the city of Manhattan! 

This week I also had the opportunity to start working at my first part-time on campus job.  I began working in a Food Safety lab in Call Hall.  On my first day, I helped with a research experiment involving E. Coli and Salmonella in beef jerky.  The experiment required that the beef jerky be tested at various temperatures to compare what levels of the E. Coli and Salmonella had been destroyed.  It is a really great part-time job.  Not only do I get paid, but I get relevant work experience to my field to help build my resume, and I get lab experience that I will likely use in a real world job someday!

For more information on Food Safety at K-State, visits this site: http://fss.k-state.edu/

For more information on Kansas State and the NBAF selection process, please visit: http://www.k-state.edu/media/nbaf/

K-State Proud,

Tyler