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(04/19/16 3:42pm)
By Jackie Delaney
Review Editor
Author Meena Alexander’s visit to the College has been years in the making.
When INK President and senior English major Rachel Friedman was researching poets to invite for the Visiting Writers Series in her writing communities course in Fall 2014, she was captivated by Alexander.
“I knew from the moment I started reading her I would have to get her here somehow,” Friedman said in her introduction of Alexander.
The internationally renowned poet, essayist and scholar spoke at INK’s final Visiting Writers Series of the year, held on Monday, April 11, in the Library Auditorium. The event was co-sponsored by the Asian American Association.
“And here we are about three years later, and I am proud to say that I was able to fulfill my promise to the TCNJ community that I would get Meena Alexander to campus,” Friedman said, smiling.
As a distinguished professor of English at the City University of New York, Alexander has an impressive collection of accolades. With 10 books of poetry, two novels and an autobiography under her belt, she is deserving of her assortment of awards from the Guggenheim, Fulbright and the Rockefeller foundations. Her poetry has been translated into several languages — one poem has even been set to music — and has been praised by notable writers, such as Billy Collins and Maxine Hong Kingston.
Alexander is known for her lyrical, sensory style of poetry.
“When I read a Meena Alexander piece, I am not just reading a poem. I am experiencing something with a sense of the touch and sight, as if I’m being transported to places I have never been,” Friedman said.
The audience was treated to this enchantment as Alexander read aloud from one of her books of poetry, “Birthplace with Buried Stones.”
“It’s a book of journeys,” Alexander said of the collection.
She started it at the beginning of a year-long trip that took her to India, Venice and Palestine. While traveling, she carried a book of poetry with her — the title of which translates to “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” — by the 17th century Japanese poet Matsuo Basho.
Several of the poems she shared were influenced by Basho, her travels and events that happened while she was abroad. Her poem “Near Sendai” was written after the 2011 tsunami hit parts of Asia and triggered the Fukushima nuclear meltdown. Alexander was in Italy when she wrote the poem, which recounted places Basho visited during his walking tour of Japan. She sent the poem to a friend of hers in Japan after the disaster, who wrote back, “You know, Meena, all the places where Basho walked are underwater now.”
Alexander’s other poems featured rich imagery from her journeys to Venice and Palestine. She wrote the poem “Impossible Grace,” which arranges itself in short couplets, during a night in Jerusalem. The poem has been turned into a song, but Alexander stressed, “I can’t sing, so I will just read the poem to you.”
It still sounded like music.
(03/08/16 5:43pm)
By Jackie Delaney Review Editor
Ask the students on campus about their opinion on the food from Eickhoff Hall and you’ll get a mixed response. Some love the variety of options and are simply content with the quality, while others avoid the dining hall at all costs.
The main dining location is a common conversation topic for students — whether it’s about what is being served at Quimby’s Kitchen for dinner or if the popular soft-serve ice cream machine is up and running.
“You run into the occasional discolored meat or under-cooked pasta, but on a good day, the food isn’t terrible,” junior special education and English double major Julia McKinnies said.
Like McKinnies, freshman communication studies major Danielle Silvia has a changing opinion of the food in Eickhoff Hall.
While she said that the food is “not terrible but not great,” she stated that “it is pretty decent for college food,” but still with room for improvement.
Other students feel differently.
“It’s not as bad as people make it out to be,” junior physics major Shreyas Shirodkar said, referencing the common complaints heard around campus from students.
Junior psychology and history double major Kevin Moncayo listed convenience and variety as his favorite parts of Eickhoff Hall, but said that sometimes, these aspects are affected by the volume of students.
“My least favorite part about Eick is that at times, it gets so busy and the lines get really long,” Moncayo said.
With all these varying opinions of Eickhoff Hall, how does Dining Services collect student feedback and respond to it?
Sodexo General Manager Patrice Mendes cited many ways for students to provide Dining Services with their opinions and suggestions.
Comment cards are located at the dining hall’s registers, allowing students to write and submit their concerns. Electronic comment cards are also accessible on the Dining Services’s website.
Mendes said that “a student can ask to speak to a manager (in Eickhoff Hall) at any time.” Her contact information, as well as emails for Operations Director Steven Reader and Registered Dietician Aliz Holzmann, can be found on the televisions at each food station.
Mendes mentioned that Dining Services is on both Twitter and Facebook for students to contact. There is a texting service available for students to use, as well. Students can send a text to 82257 with the keyword “TCNJDining” with a message or question. Mendes said that they will receive a response back within 24 hours.
“Responses that require immediate action are given to the appropriate person to handle,” Mendes said.
Student concerns and suggestions from these feedback avenues are discussed in Dining Services Committee meetings, which are a direct way to share suggestions with Dining Services. The meetings, which are held by the Dining Services Marketing and Culinary teams every other Wednesday at 2 p.m. in room 324 of the Social Sciences Building, began in the ’90s, according to Mendes.
Turnout to these meetings has been sparse, Mendes said, with five to seven students usually attending with dietary concerns or requests.
But Mendes said that these meetings are a great way for students to make sure their voices are heard.
“We are always looking for and encouraging students to attend and be heard. The more students we have at these meetings, the better the entire campus community is represented,” Mendes said. “We discuss all student comments submitted and the possible resolutions.”
The next Dining Services Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9, according to Dining Services’s website.
According to Mendes, most of the improvements they have made to increase the variety in food are the result of this open forum.
She said that grilled chicken and quinoa in the salad bar, soy milk options, infused water and the soft-serve ice cream machine have all been changes in Eickhoff Hall as a result of student feedback.
Even with all of these outlets for voicing concerns, many students do not take advantage of these services.
Moncayo has never submitted a feedback form to Dining Services because he “never thought that would accomplish anything.”
Silvia, on the other hand, was unaware of the feedback options for students to use. But now knowing about them, she said “in the future I will have to keep an eye out for them.” She thinks it is important for Dining Services to collect feedback, because “there is no way that a situation can improve” without it.
McKinnies agrees that sharing one’s opinion is the only way to spark a dialogue and bring about change.
“Every student here that is paying for a meal plan has an opinion or preference on what they’re eating, so I think it’s extremely important to take their ideas into consideration,” McKinnies said.
Mendes stressed that feedback is also very important to Dining Services.
“This is the student’s program and we want their input and suggestions to ensure that the atmosphere, menu and service are all meeting their expectations,” she said. “If students want to be heard, we want them to know we are listening.”
(02/02/16 9:24pm)
By Jackie Delaney
Review Editor
If you’re searching for a wild party, outrageous laughs and a big-name cast, look no further than “Sisters,” which delivers exactly what you’d expect from the comedic pairing of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
The film fulfills every obligation for a comedy from the two: a far-fetched plot, crude (yet sidesplitting) scenes and a cast straight out of a “Saturday Night Live” sketch.
“Sisters” is exaggerated and improbable, but if you are a fan of Fey and Poehler’s comedic chemistry, then you’ll be satisfied with their most recent movie together.
When Maura (Poehler) and Kate Ellis’s (Fey) parents put their house on the market, the dynamic duo reluctantly returns to their childhood home to clean out their bedroom and relive high school memories. The characters are cliche from the start — Kate, an irresponsible mother with no job or home, is the wild child of the family, known for scaling the brick chimney in their living room during parties. Maura, on the other hand is a goody two-shoes and recently-divorced nurse.
When the sisters reunite and attempt to sort through the glittery, pink mess of their childhood bedroom, they decide to throw a party to relive the glory days of high school.
The movie begins the same way Maura and Kate’s nostalgic house party does — a little sad and a bit boring. The film does its best to carry a believable plot, but ultimately falls short. Kate’s relationship with her teenage daughter is the main conflict, which sees its resolution when a sinkhole caves in the backyard and Kate comes to the rescue of her daughter. Maura’s pursuit of neighborhood love interest James (Ike Barinholtz) is catastrophic — a fall through the attic floor and an encounter with Maura’s old ballerina music box make sure of it. But in a film that relies on outrageous characters and their quick one-liners, it’s no surprise the plot is improbable. In fact, it’s almost expected.
The cast features notable stars like professional wrestler, rapper and actor John Cena and Barinholtz of “MADtv” and “The Mindy Project.” A fair share of former and recent “SNL” cast members, such as Rachel Dratch, Kate McKinnon, Maya Rudolph and Bobby Moynihan, play high school blasts-from-the-past for Poehler and Fey.
By the end of the movie, it’s clear that it is the cast that carries the humor in “Sisters” and brings the laughs. Fey’s quick wit keeps scenes fast-paced and funny, especially when quipping back and forth in the supermarket with her old high school rival, played by Rudolph. Poehler is the lovable dweeb who rescues dogs and awkwardly flirts her way through scenes with Barinholtz — their interactions range from sweet to cringe-worthy.
But it’s really the combination of Poehler and Fey that keeps the movie going. From their coordinated dance routine to party dress shopping, it’s these two who make the movie worth watching.
New York Times critic A. O. Scott wrote, “‘Sisters’ is a movie to go out and see when you’ve run out of television to watch.” Maybe he’s right — the unlikely plot and slow start does take away from the film — but a few things could be added to his analysis: “Sisters” is a movie to go out and see if you’re looking for silly entertainment, if you’re a fan of Fey and Poehler or if you just need a good laugh to lighten your day.
(12/01/15 9:07pm)
By Jackie Delaney Production Manager
The College Union Board presented for a string of shows for the upcoming spring semester at the Student Finance Board’s Wednesday, Nov. 18, meeting.
The board allocated $30,096 for CUB’s Welcome Back Comedy Show — a change from the Welcome Back Lecture typically offered by CUB in the spring semester. The group said it made a “conscious decision” to change to a comedy show this year because of rising popularity for CUB comedy shows and “humorous lectures,” according to the information packet.
CUB is hoping to bring Thomas Middleditch, Ben Schwartz or Ross Matthews to campus for the event. Middleditch, a Canadian actor, comedian and television writer, is best known for his role as Richard Hendricks on HBO’s “Silicon Valley.”
Actor, comedian and writer Ben Schwartz is known for his role as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” as well as Showtime’s “House of Lies.” CUB said it has the option for Schwartz to perform a traditional comedy show or for him to perform improv comedy with his acclaimed troupe “Snowpants.”
Ross Matthews is an American television personality who has starred on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” as well as “Celebrity Fit Club” and “Chelsea Lately.”
The comedy show is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 27, Saturday, Jan. 30, or Sunday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. in Kendall Hall Main Stage. CUB hopes to host the event to “celebrate students’ arrival at TCNJ after Winter Break,” the information packet said.
CUB was allocated $37,435 for the Welcome Back Concert, which aims to provide “a fun and entertaining environment to students upon arrival for the spring,” according to the information packet.
Possible talent for the concert is rapper Waka Flocka Flame, R&B/hip-hop singer/songwriter Kehlani or rapper Danny Brown.
The concert is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30, or Sunday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. on the Kendall Hall Main Stage.
CUB’s request for $2,740 for its 2016 Super Bowl Celebration was fully funded by the board. The group traditionally holds the event for students to watch the game as well as “enjoy a photobooth, desirable raffles and delicious food,” the information packet said. The request included funding for pizza, wings and a variety of raffle prizes, including gift cards and football fan apparel.
The event will be held on Sunday, Feb. 7, at 5 p.m. in the Lion’s Den.
CUB was funded $219,143 for the Spring Concert, its annual large-scale event that attracts a large portion of the student body every year.
CUB’s top picks for the concert include Jason Derulo, Fetty Wap, Chance the Rapper, Kid Cudi or The Chainsmokers.
“We aim to make this concert one of our largest and most high-energy events of the year,” CUB wrote in the information packet. CUB said it aimed to present a show that offers a range of genres, arranging a concert that a large portion of students would be interested in. The concert is scheduled for April 2016.
Lastly, CUB was allocated $55,596 for the annual Spring Comedy Show. The top choice headliner is Bo Burnham, the well-known comedian and singer/songwriter who gained popularity from his YouTube videos. CUB’s second choice headliner is comedian and actor Chris D’Elia, who currently stars in NBC’s “Undateable.” CUB also cited comedian, actor and author B.J. Novak as an option. Novak has written for and starred in “The Office.”
Openers for the show are still to be determined, as well as the date, according to the information packet.
The TCNJ Treblemakers received $313 for its annual Winter Concert to be held on Saturday, Dec. 5. The event, which is open to the campus community and the public, will showcase the music the group has “arranged and learned over the course of the fall semester,” the information packet said.
The request included funding to book Mayo Concert Hall, which includes expenses for student staff, ushers and Mayo Hall supplies. These supplies include microphone and sound system fees, according to the Treblemakers. The concert, which is free, will run from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
I-Tunes A Cappella was allocated $361 for its Winter Concert, which aims to “provide students with cultural music from around the world performed using a cappella arrangements,” according to the group’s information packet.
“We like to try and give music from around to the world to students,” said I-Tunes member Cameron Schiff, a senior accounting major. The multicultural a cappella group said that it hopes the concert can provide stress relief for students before finals. It will be held in Mayo Concert Hall on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Leadership Development Program (LDP) was partially funded $1,309.89 for Leadership Lock-Up, an annual event that includes workshops, presentations and group activities to build communication, team building and cooperation skills. The event, which is in its 12th year now, is traditionally “attended by all sorts of organizations such as CUB, Greek Life and many other student leaders,” according to Jackie Kaletski, a member of LDP.
The board discussed the requested funding, $4,700, for the guest speaker, Tyson Wooters. Wooters, a mascot for the University of Oregon and motivational speaker, was selected by LDP because of his engaging nature.
“When we were looking for a speaker, we didn’t want someone who would just talk to an audience… we wanted someone who would engage and really pass on these lessons,” Kaletski said.
The board was torn on the funding of Wooters. Some members felt the price was not justified for a speaker that may not be well-known, while others argued that the guest speaker was not a draw for the event.
The board fully funded the event except for the speaker, tabling the request and asking LDP to return with three speaker quotes for comparison.
Leadership Lock-Up is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Business Building Lounge. Students who participate are allowed to move in a day early, since the event takes place before the spring semester begins, according to LDP.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(11/17/15 8:53pm)
By Jackie Delaney
Production Manager
The Student Finance Board was met with several requests for events that will help close out the fall semester at its Wednesday, Nov. 11, meeting.
The class of 2016 was allocated $600 for its Senior Cooking Class, an event that offers an “opportunity for seniors to learn how to cook” in preparation for “their post-graduation transition to the ‘real world,’” according to the information packet.
The cooking class has been held the past two years and has been “super successful,” according to the senior class council. Last year, the class’s menu included beer-brewed pot roast and chicken dumplings. The class of 2016 is still discussing this year’s menu for the chef, but they hope to include a dessert, said senior class council President Emily Montagna.
There are 40 spots for the free event, which is for seniors only. A Qualtrics form will be sent out for sign-ups, the council said. A wait list will be created if all spots fill up. Students who sign up will be asked to confirm their spot before the class on Wednesday, Dec. 2. It will take place at 5 p.m. in the 1855 Room.
TCNJ Italian Club was funded $1,125.95 for La Bella Notte. This event aims to “commemorate Italian culture,” the club said in its proposal.
“Every year, we host a bus trip to the San Gennaro festival in New York, but unfortunately, this year we were unable to have that, so we want to bring that element to TCNJ,” President Gabriella Guardascione said.
The event will incorporate food from Palermo’s and a presentation from Italian professor Simona Wright on the history of Italian festivals.
“We really want our event to be authentic,” Guardascione said. “We want to bring history and tradition together to TCNJ students.”
The board discussed the club’s plan for charging tickets for the event. In line with SFB’s aim for consistency with funding, they discussed the previously SAF-funded and recently held Multicultural Buffet, hosted by the Asian American Association. The event, which was held on Tuesday, Nov. 10, charged $3 for food and $1 for bubble tea.
La Bella Notte, however, was funded with the stipulation that there is no charge for tickets after board members expressed concerns on attendance, since the event is new to the College. It is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the Decker Hall Social Space.
The Indian Student Association was allocated $675 for ISA Coffeehouse, the club’s annual event that is “meant to bring students from all over campus together to enjoy a performance-filled night,” according to the information packet. The coffeehouse typically features performances from TCNJ Saathiya, Jiva, Sher Bhangra, Taiko, Treblemakers, Synergy and Step Team, as well as individual acts from students, ISA members said.
The event is “a great way for people to relieve stress” right before finals, ISA President Swet Patel said. “It allows people to showcase their talents.”
The coffeehouse will provide light refreshments for guests, including Indian desserts, donuts, cupcakes, muffins and cookies. It is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Lion’s Den and the Brower Student Center Atrium.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(11/10/15 7:00pm)
By Jackie Delaney
Production Manager
The Student Finance Board allocated funds for TCNJ Holiday, a popular event featuring crafts, giveaways and horse carriage rides to celebrate the upcoming holidays, hosted by the College Union Board (CUB) and Student Government.
The event, which was funded $23,550.70, “beautifully encompasses cultural diversity with a sense of togetherness in a fun, stress-free and educational environment,” the groups said in the proposal.
The event, featuring a “Candyland” theme this year, is planned to bring a variety of holiday-themed activities to campus, including an iceless ice rink, Stuff-a-Plush penguins, a giant inflatable snowglobe that students can take pictures in front of, holiday desserts, a hot chocolate bar, horse carriage rides, giveaways and crafts from other organizations.
Organizations already on board to help with crafts for the event include Chabad, Delta Phi Epsilon, Catholic Campus Ministry, Circle K International, Lambda Tau Omega, TCNJ EMS, Theta Tau Alpha, Environmental Club, Teachers of Young Children, Residents Hall Association, Alpha Xi Delta, German Club, TCNJ Barkada and the Haitian Student Association.
The board funded the event with several stipulations. CUB and SG planned to giveaway free CUB-themed gloves, but the board stipulated that they have to be holiday-themed or TCNJ-themed. They also stipulated that shipping for the requested items, like decorations, cannot be expedited if there is extra funding remaining.
Lastly, the board reduced a line of funding for Building Services employees. The presented number was incorrect as the cost for two employees for four hours at $30.30 an hour is $242.40, not $300.
TCNJ Holiday is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Activities will be held in the Brower Student Center Atrium, the Social Sciences Building Atrium and on Green Lawn.
The TCNJ Manhunt Club was fully funded $198.66 for its “Shelter In Place” game to be held on Friday, Nov. 20. The “strategic zombie apocalypse roleplaying game” will provide an on-campus live action roleplaying experience for students, the club said.
Members explained that the game involves humans attempting to survive a zombie apocalypse by gathering parts to a radio to call for help. The event will be held on the fourth floor of the library from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be two rounds of play, each with spots for 10-25 participants. The funds allocated by the board will be used to pay the library staff for supervision.
The board allocated $250 to TCNJ Swing Dance Club for its “Swing Outs and Snowflakes Swing Dance.” The group plans to bring in a quintet from the TCNJ Jazz Ensemble to play at the dance. The club typically holds a dance event in the spring, but aims to host a smaller dance this semester for new members.
“This year we want to hold a smaller dance in the fall semester because we have a large amount of new members and they don’t have social dance experience, which is really important to swing dancing and swing culture,” President Anna Gracey said. The dance will be held in the Allen Hall Main Lounge on Friday, Dec. 4, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. It is open to all students.
The Junior Class Council was fully funded $2,064.70 for a bus trip to Philadelphia. The trip will include time to walk around the South Street area of the city.
“Overall, it will be a pretty fun day,” junior class council Vice President Levi Klinger-Christiansen said. The trip is for juniors only and is planned for Saturday, Nov. 21. The two buses will leave the College at 10 a.m. and leave Philadelphia around 6 p.m. Each bus holds 55 students, so 110 can register for the trip.
Students can sign up in the Brower Student Center. There is a $10 deposit, but students will receive their money back on the day of the trip.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(11/04/15 3:02am)
By Jackie Delaney
Production Manager
The Student Finance Board allocated funding for several multicultural requests at its weekly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The Chinese Student Association was allocated $3,038.28 for “CSA Tea House,” an event that promotes “the sharing and exhibition of student talents and Chinese culture through on-stage performances and cultural cuisine,” according to their information packet. The board funded the event with the stipulation that the sound technician they use is from the College. The event will feature a variety of teas, Asian cakes, pastries and other food, as well as performances from the group’s traditional dance team, “Dragonflies.”
“It’s a very nice, relaxing event,” the Chinese Student Association said. The event is planned for Friday, Nov. 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Travers/Wolfe Lounge.
The Indian Student Association was fully funded $1,610 for its Diwali dinner, an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn.
“It’s a time or period of prosperity, where a lot of the North Indian community comes together… it’s a night of festivities, fun and excitement,” the Indian Student Association said. “We want to bring this to the TCNJ community.”
The dinner will include traditional Indian food from Persis Indian Grill in Hamilton, N.J., as well as games and activities for attendees. It is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Education Building, room 212.
The Muslim Student Association was allocated $109.32 for its Monthly Academic Speaker Series. They plan to bring Imam Sohaib Sultan from Princeton University to speak about “being thankful and looking for guidance in times of stress,” according to the information packet.
Sultan has a Master’s in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations, as well as a graduate certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy. He is currently the chaplain for Princeton University’s Muslim Student Association.
The event is open to all students.
“The purpose of the talks and the content of the talks would not just be focusing solely on Islamic topics, but also more topics about reflections on life and reflections on whatever is happening,” MSA said.
The speaker series will start Monday, Nov. 23, at 8 p.m. in the Business Building Lounge.
MSA was also funded $18.92 to provide refreshments at their Jummah prayers, which are held every Friday throughout the semester. The “congregation prayer” begins with a sermon and is followed by the prayers. Afterward, “it breaks off into a social gathering” for students to meet each other and interact, MSA said. The request included funding for light refreshments for this part of the event. The prayers have been held on campus every Friday for the past two years, according to the group.
“Over the years, I’ve seen the congregation growing and I’ve also seen an increased interest in non-Muslims who have attended and started attending our Jemmah prayers regularly,” MSA treasurer Urma Jalil said. “I want to bring some refreshments in just to make it more welcoming… and (it’s) a nice way to regroup after the congregation.”
The Jummah prayers are held every Friday throughout the semester in the Spiritual Center at 1 p.m.
The Student United Way was funded $438.49 for its “Oxfam America Hunger Banquet.” The event is a nationwide movement “with the mission to end poverty and hunger.”
The banquet features a role-playing scenario “of what it is like to being in the three classes — upper, middle and lower,” according to the request. The group is aiming to start a conversation about income and hunger, according to the packet. The banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Business Building Basement Lounge.
Delta Epsilon Psi was fully funded $917 by the board for its “Sugar Free Comedy,” an event that will be part of the group’s philanthropy week. The comedy show will feature Chelcie Rice, who performs for corporate businesses and audiences across the country, raising awareness for Type 1 Diabetes, according to the group.
The fraternity hopes to raise awareness about Type 1 Diabetes and “educate people about the lifestyle adaptations (and) dietary restrictions it entails in a light and humorous (way),” the information packet said. The event will be held Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Education Building, room 212.
The Panhellenic Association was allocated $4,639.40 for “Let’s Talk About It,” an award-winning lecture by speakers, educators and activists Kelly Addington and Becca Tieder. Addington and Tieder, both survivors of sexual assault, “connect with audiences in a way that leaves participants thinking differently about sexual assault, bystander behavior and the opportunity we all have to leave our communities than we found them,” the information packet read. The program is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 8:30 p.m. in Kendall Hall.
The Sophomore Class Council’s request for a moonlight cruise was revisited by the board at the organization’s Wednesday, Oct. 7, meeting. The event was previously zero-funded after a request for $9,914.40, but the board waived its bylaw and allowed the council to re-present, as it aim for consistency in their allocation of funds.
At this meeting, the event was funded for $8,694.90. The cruise, which is a “class unity event,” according to the packet, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The Inter Greek Council was allocated $22,141.42 for TCNJam, a year-long fundraiser that “culminates in a 12-hour dance marathon,” according to the group’s information packet. The money raised supports medical research and the families of children with cancer through the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
“We are leading our entire community to come together and achieve a unified mission of both financial and research advancement,” the council wrote in the information packet. TCNJam will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, from noon to midnight in the Rec Center.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(10/27/15 7:51pm)
By Jackie Delaney
Production Manager
The Student Finance Board was met with several multicultural requests as well as a high-volume request from TMT on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
TCNJ Musical Theatre requested $23,700 for their 2016 Black Box Production, “Xanadu.” The show was fully funded and is scheduled to run from Tuesday, March 1, through Saturday, March 5. The full-scale musical production is “professionally directed and musically directed,” according to the information packet.
TCNJ Barkada was allocated $1,753.45 for “Barkada Barangay,” the club’s annual cultural show that features traditional dances, foods and performers.
The event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the Lion’s Den, is Barkada’s “way of trying to spread culture to everyone on campus,” the group said. “We take Barangay as an opportunity to foster Filipino cuisine and authentic traditional dances, but rather than just straying with the straight and narrow, we like to take a little spin with all of our dances and with our acts.”
The group plans to have performances from the Treblemakers, Eskrima (the Princeton Academy of Martial Arts) and the Circus Club, as well as bring singer/songwriter Eileen Young to perform.
Sigma Lambda Beta, the College’s Latino-based multicultural and social fraternity, was allocated $1,697.40 to bring Kenneth Jones to speak about homophobia in multicultural student organizations.
“We thought that this would be a great program to have because of the issues that multicultural communities face,” members of the fraternity said. The event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Education Building, room 115.
The Black Student Union was fully funded $1,859 for a trip to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. The event aims “to inspire conversations about the beauty, power and diversity of African arts and culture,” according to the information packet. The trip will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7.
TCNJ Jiva was allocated $305 to alleviate costs for the National Indian Classical Dance competitions. The funding includes costs for the competition application and registration fees. The group’s membership has increased and costs have risen, the group said. They have been competing at two competitions each spring for the past two years, according to the information packet.
Hillel was allocated $1,140 for Jewish Education Week, a “week of different events centered around Judaism as a religion and a culture,” according to the request.
The group plans to feature a different event each night of the week, from Monday, Nov. 2, to Friday, Nov. 6. Events include challah bread making, a speech from Holocaust survivor Charles Middleberg, a movie viewing, a Krav Maga (Israeli Self Defense) workshop and a formal Shabbat service and dinner.
Chabad was funded $4,060.36 for their annual Hanukkah Celebration to be held on Monday, Dec. 7, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Business Building Lounge. The event attracts both Jewish and non-Jewish students, according to the group. The goal of the celebration is to “bring the campus community together to celebrate and learn about the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah,” the information packet said.
The board allocated $116.90 to TCNJ Manhunt Club for “Color Swords,” a week-long game for students to participate in. According to the information packet, the event will be an “engaging and fun game for the campus community.”
In Fall 2014, a similar event was held by the group. It received a large turnout, with over 40 students participating in the game.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(10/20/15 11:38pm)
By Jackie Delaney
Production Manager
The Student Finance Board allocated funds to bring “Full House’s” Dave Coulier, comedian Trevor Moore and “Humans of New York’s” Brandon Stanton to campus, at its meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
CUB’s $12,090 request to bring Coulier, best known for his role as Uncle Joey on “Full House,” to lecture at the College was fully funded by the board. The comedy-themed event plans to feature stand up from Coulier as well as a question and answer session. It is scheduled to take place on Friday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m. in the Mayo Concert Hall.
CUB was also allocated $11,320 for “An Evening with Trevor Moore.”
Moore is an actor, comedian, writer, director, producer and musician. He is a founder of the popular comedy troupe “The Whitest Kids U’ Know.” The show “would provide students the opportunity to take a much needed break later on in the semester and relieve stress,” the request packet said. According to CUB, Moore’s show would include stand-up comedy, musical performances and a question and answer session. It is scheduled to be held on Monday, Nov. 2, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Mayo Concert Hall.
The board fully funded CUB’s request for $31,630 to bring “Humans of New York” photographer and author Brandon Stanton for a lecture, question and answer session and book/autograph signing opportunity. The popular photoblog has over 14.6 million followers on Facebook and 3.7 million followers on Instagram.
“An Evening with Humans of New York” is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 8:30 p.m. in Kendall Hall.
CUB was also funded $13,770 to bring the Lucas Brothers for an evening of comedy on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 8:30 p.m. in Mayo Concert Hall. The brothers, alumni of the College, have “gained traction in the entertainment industry,” according to the information packet. They have appeared on the popular T.V. show “Arrested Development” and in the supporting cast of “22 Jump Street” as the Yang twins. They currently write, produce and voice the main characters in their animated series “The Lucas Bros Moving Co.” on FOX. CUB, Lions Latenight and TMT were allocated $950 for their event to screen “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” in the Lion’s Den on Friday, Oct. 30. The movie, which has been a pop culture phenomenon since its release in 1975, “will be an exciting way to students to come together and watch the movie with audience participation,” according to the information packet.
The Freshman Class Council’s request for $10,439.58 to host a semi-formal this semester was tabled. The request included expenses for the banquet hall, disc jockey Paul Desisto and a photo booth.
The board was concerned with the quote from Cedar Gardens Banquet. The council presented the same quote that was given to the Freshman Class Council last spring for a formal. The board discussed funding events that are ticketed, a topic they debated on when zero-funding the Sophomore Class Council’s request for a dinner cruise earlier in the year. In addition to tabling the Class of 2019’s request, the board waived the bylaws to allow the Sophomore Class Council to represent for their previously zero-funded event. SFB is aiming for consistency with its allocation of funds, according to the board.
Student Government was allocated $8,094.87 for a T-shirt swap to be held on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from noon to 3 p.m. on the Green Hall Lawn. Following the success of the T-shirt swap held last fall and spring, SG plans to purchase a larger amount of shirts to giveaway. The event allows students to bring a high school or other college T-shirt and swap it out for a new Lions Homecoming T-shirt.
“We would like to make the event bigger and better than the past,” according to SG’s proposal. The first 500 students to swap a shirt at the event will also receive a free smoothie and koozie.
The Student Film Union was partially funded at $190.00 for their Halloween Spooktacular Film Festival to be held on Friday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. in Physics Building, room 101. The board allocated funds for food, decorations and prizes, striking requested funds for posters. The student-driven film competition “exposes the entire student body to the filmmaking field and provides everyone with the opportunity to have a hands-on experience in making a film,” according to the information packet. The event is a “mock” Campus Moviefest to prepare students for the national event in the spring.
The Pre-Dental Society was allocated $255.51 for their event titled “Keep Your Fangs Clean on Halloween.” The event aims to “encourage the campus community to maintain proper oral hygiene habits during sugar-filled holidays such as Halloween,” according to the information packet. The Pre-Dental Society plans to have a table in the Student Center on Friday, Oct. 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with displays, flyers and goody bags featuring toothbrushes, toothpaste, Halloween fangs and sugar-free candy.
The Spanish Club’s request for $1,339.80 for a trip to the Museum of Modern Art was tabled. The trip, which was scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, would take place during Homecoming events. The board was concerned that the club would not be able to draw enough attendance to fill the bus.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(10/06/15 4:44pm)
By Jackie Delaney Production Manager
The Student Finance Board funded a glow-in-the-dark “Silent Disco Latenighter” as well as several INK events at its weekly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
The College Union Board was fully funded $18,103 for its “Silent Disco Latenighter,” set to be held on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The event, which will be held outside on Green Lawn, will feature a silent disco. Each student will receive a pair of headphones that “wirelessly transmit music” from two live disc jockeys, according to the information packet. CUB will also provide various glow-in-the-dark items, such as bracelets, necklaces and metallic tattoos.
Next, INK, the College’s creative writing organization, presented for several events to bring published and successful writers to campus. All of the events were fully funded by the board, and will take place over the course of the fall and spring semesters.
INK received funding for “The Goods,” an all-day event held bi-annually that offers students a chance to “showcase their talents,” which include reading written work, playing music, giving lectures or even performing circus routines.
Their fall semester event was allocated $2,500 to bring Rachel Kann, a spoken word and slam poet who has also read poetry for TEDx, to headline the festival.
“We think she would be a good fit for our end-of-the-semester festival,” INK President Rachel Friedman said after explaining that slam poetry has become popular on campus.
“The Goods” event to be held in the spring was allocated $350 to bring poet, historical writer and journalist Anthony Buccino to perform. Buccino, who has been awarded for his journalistic blogs, is a local writer from Nutley, N.J., according to Friedman. She stressed that by bringing in a local writer, “we want to definitely showcase what is available for students outside of the College.”
For $7,530, INK will bring published poet, author and essayist Meena Alexander to the Visiting Writer Series to be held on Monday, April 11.
“Her work is taught within the TCNJ classroom, so she is relevant to the curriculum,” Friedman said.
For the Visiting Writer Series to be held on Thursday, March 10, INK was funded $1,000 to bring Sarah Blake to perform. Blake, an alumnus of the College, recently published a book of poetry on Kanye West.
“We love to showcase what our school has to offer in terms of what you can do after you graduate,” Friedman said.
Blake has a background in the publishing industry, according to Friedman.
Chi Upsilon Sigma returned to present for the “Making an Achievement Continuous” Conference. Last week, the board tabled the request because of concerns about the food and decoration budget. The sorority returned with a quote from Sodexo, as well as additional requests to bring workshop facilitators to the conference.
The $8,650 request was partially funded at $8,267, eliminating funding for centerpieces for the conference. The board also discussed storage for these items after the event. Chi Upsilon Sigma does not currently have storage space at the College, according to the sorority. If there is no on-campus storage for a presenting group, the board cannot fund the items.
The senior class council was allocated $1,840 for buses to bring seniors to the Mercer County Food Truck Festival on Saturday, Oct. 17. The council wanted to provide “an opportunity for seniors from various groups to hang out together” at the popular event, according to the information packet. The trip would be part of the Senior Year Experience.
Later, All College Theatre was funded $2,255 for “An Evening of Shorts,” its annual production of four student-directed, one-act plays. The shows “offer a wide array of opportunities for actors, directors and stage managers, as well as other production positions,” according to the request. The event will be held in Kendall Hall on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The Mathematics and Statistics Club was allocated $842.50 for a trip to visit the National Museum of Mathematics in New York City. In the information packet, the group said this trip would “allow students at TCNJ to further explore the hidden side of mathematics and hopefully develop an even deeper love for the subject.” The trip will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17, from noon to 5 p.m., and tickets are $9 each.
TMT’s “Broadway Night,” a cabaret performance the theatre group holds every fall, was funded $150.88 by the board. The event gives the group’s members an opportunity to “sing songs from any Broadway show either alone, in pairs or in groups,” according to the information packet. The show will be held on Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, both at 8 p.m., in the Library Auditorium.
The Asian American Association was then allocated $3,937 for its annual Multicultural Buffet, an event that showcases food from various Asian and non-Asian cultures. The event will also feature performances from TCNJ Taiko, CSA Dragonflies, TCNJ JIVA and the circus club. The event will allow students to “try new foods from cultures other than their own and develop an appreciation for cuisines of various cultures,” according to the information packet. It will be held in the Decker Social Space on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Finally, the Chinese Student Association was fully funded $1,503.36 by the board for its MOCA and Chinatown Bus Trip. The trip will include a visit to the NYC Museum of Chinese in America, as well as offer students a chance to explore Chinatown. It will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(09/29/15 7:54pm)
By Jackie Delaney
Production Manager
The Student Finance Board decided on funding for Homecoming events, as well as a request for an educational conference run by Chi Upsilon Sigma, during its weekly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Student Government was allocated $8,385 by SFB for Homecoming 2015, “a college tradition and one of the largest events held on campus with a very high attendance from students,” according to the information packet.
This year, Student Government looked at student feedback and responded to comments about last year’s Homecoming event. They plan to bring back disc jockeys Joe Dicarlo and Paul Desisto, as well as a third cultural DJ. SG also plans to hire K-Sound LLC, a professional sound, video, stage and lighting company. This addition is in response to complaints that sound was “muffled” last year across the lots.
“This year we really want to up the production value,” Executive Vice President Javier Nicasio said.
The funding also includes expenses for a bagel breakfast and water giveaway. The breakfast will be held in Lot 4, a change from last year’s event, which took place in the Travers/Wolfe Lounge. SG hopes to attract more students with this switch.
“What we’re really trying to do with Homecoming is foster a sense of school spirit and tradition, and unity as well,” Nicasio said.
Homecoming is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24. Events will be held in lots 3, 4 and 6.
Next, Chi Upsilon Sigma’s request for $8,800 to fund their “Making an Achievement Continuous Conference” was tabled by the board.
The conference is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second floor of the Education Building. It “aims to mobilize and educate the public on the effects of politics on our everyday lives,” according to the information packet.
The conference plans to feature four workshops and a “panel with professionals” from different career fields, according to the sorority. The workshops will cover topics like immigration, health policies, voting registration and interacting with law enforcement. The group presented for funding for food, decorations and to bring keynote speaker Kevin Powell to campus. Powell is an “acclaimed writer and political activist,” Chi Upsilon Sigma said. The board tabled the event because of concerns for the food budget.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(09/23/15 6:27pm)
By Jackie Delaney
Production Manager
The Student Finance Board allocated $25,735 for well-known activist Gloria Steinem to speak on campus and received requests including fall holiday celebrations and a cruise for the sophomore class, at their weekly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
The Women’s Center requested the funds to bring famous feminist organizer, writer and political activist Steinem to campus. Steinem, best known for her work as a leader and spokeswoman for the feminist movement in the late ’60s and early ’70s, has a wide range of accolades.
In 1968, Steinem helped to found New York magazine, and in 1972, she co-founded Ms. magazine. She has travelled internationally as a speaker and activist, and she is a frequent media spokeswoman on issues of equality. In 2013, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, by President Obama. Currently, she is working on a book about her experience as a feminist organizer, in which she has more than 30 years of experience, according to the event proposal.
“She is such a well-known figure, not only in the feminist movement, but in just, social equality movements,” said Jennie Sekanics, president of the Women’s Center and co-executive chair of Women in Learning and Leadership (WILL).
At the College, Steinem will “speak about prevailing barriers to equality — including what she called a ‘backlash’ against reproductive freedom — and will argue that changing the paradigms around work and gender would benefit both men and women,” according to the information packet.
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 2, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Kendall Hall. Co-sponsors include the provost, the Women’s and Gender Studies Department, the dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and WILL.
Hillel also presented to the board with a request for $175 to fund its event for Sukkot, a biblical Jewish holiday celebrated in September. According to the information packet, Sukkot “is a harvest festival that commemorates the 40 years that the children of Israel were wandering the desert.”
The organization requested funding for pumpkins as well as supplies for the event, which is held in the sukkah — a structure built in front of the Social Sciences Building every year. SFB fully funded the event, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The last request of the meeting was for $9,914.40 for a sophomore class moonlight cruise, hosted by the sophomore class council. After the council’s freshman formal last year “wasn’t as successful” as they hoped, they looked into an event that would “set it apart from anything else,” according to the information packet. A cruise on the Delaware River, they thought, would do this.
The board, however, was concerned with attendance, especially for a ticketed event. Attendance would be capped at 150 people, with each ticket priced at $39.90 per person. If the attendance goal was not met, SFB would still be required to pay the amount for 150 guests. The cruise was scheduled for 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. With these concerns in mind, the cruise was zero funded by the board, which means the sophomore class council cannot return and present for another cruise event.
(09/17/15 3:35am)
By Jackie Delaney
Production Manager
Jeannie Howe’s first few jobs out of college weren’t anything special. Howe, with a Master of Arts in theater under her belt, first worked for the University of Denver until moving to an entry-level position in ticket services at a Houston, Texas theater. But it’s what happened two weeks later that set off her career.
The first Brown Bag Series of the semester, held on Friday, Sept. 11, in Mayo Concert Hall, featured a leader who has dabbled in everything from theater to consulting to fundraising — which is how she believes is the way it should be.
Howe began her presentation by running through her numerous career positions and accolades, starting with a theater degree from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and ending in a position that has the power to influence and aid the Baltimore cultural community.
After the first two weeks of her ticketing service job at the Alley Theatre in Houston, she was recommended for the box office manager position, which she interviewed for and received. Then, Howe worked her way up to a position in fundraising for the theater, giving her a taste of the nonprofit industry. After that, she moved on to United Way, starting at another “entry-level” position, she said, in telemarketing and direct mail. But the job wasn’t for her — and soon enough she was in Maryland, seven months pregnant and looking for a new job.
Now, Howe has held numerous positions at a variety of organizations. She was the founder and president of BayCliff Associates, a firm that provided management and fundraising consultation to nonprofit organizations. In this position, she led a successful capital campaign for Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, raising $17.7 million. She has held leadership positions with nonprofits like Baltimore Reads and The Marrow Foundation (now Be the Match Foundation).
Howe, while going through her accolades, advised the audience to, “think about your life as a very rich tapestry” and to “keep yourself open to opportunities around you.”
Being open is what brought Howe to where she is today. She is currently the executive director of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA), which is “a membership and service organization that nurtures and promotes a vibrant, diverse and sustainable arts and cultural community essential to the region’s economic success and quality of life,” according to the alliance’s website.
“I don’t know if there’s any perfect message here, but just know that your life is something that is not a straight line or not ever going to go as you expect it… and not to be disappointed if it doesn’t,” Howe said, “because it’s really a tremendous opportunity to be able to be open, to be curious about things that come your way.”
Howe describes Baltimore as a “really rich DIY community,” and a “cultural hub” of artists and organizations that GBCA aims to support and fund. They look at how they can help the cultural community, providing funding programs such as grants and awards to aid artists.
After the protests in Baltimore this past year, Howe looked back on the images that were broadcast of the city.
“What they were showing was not Baltimore,” she said. “How do we take back the narrative of our city?”
Howe described many projects that the GBCA supports. One is The Baltimore Love Project, an organization that “expresses love by connecting people and communities across Baltimore City through love themed murals,” according to their website. The murals depict four hands spelling out the word “love,” and are spread throughout communities in the city to display their message.
Howe stressed that even after the uprisings, “there is a lot of reason for optimism in the arts community” within the city.
“What you see with Jeannie is a woman who has taken control of her life and decided (to) make a difference as an individual and make the world a better place to live, using her talents and skills,” said John Laughton, dean of the School of Arts and Communication.
(09/15/15 8:20pm)
By Jackie Delaney Production Manager
The Student Finance Board met on Wednesday, Sept. 9, to review requests for several events rich in culture and diversity.
First, Student Government requested $615.69 for a new event called “A Touch of Home.” According to the information packet, the purpose of the event is to “promote cultural awareness through the participation and demonstration of dances, Greek strolls, music and food.”
Vice President of Equity and Diversity Priscilla Nuñez described the event as “culturally based.” She said SG plans to offer dance workshops, a Henna tattoo station and “a map where students are able to put a sticker on where they’re from.” "A Touch of Home" will be held in Alumni Grove on Monday, Sept. 28, during Meal Equivalency hours. It was fully funded by the board.
Next, the Muslim Student Association presented for $7,315.86 for its annual Eid Dinner. This event is MSA’s biggest event of the semester. The holiday celebrates “the sacrifice that Abraham made for the sake of God, a major event in all three Abrahamic religions,” according to MSA’s proposal. This dinner will be the group’s 10th Annual Eid Dinner, which has in the past helped to “bring campus together” and “shed light onto what Muslims are like and what our traditions are,” MSA President Heba Jafri said.
The event will feature a performance by well-known Muslim comedian Azhar Usman. Attendees will receive a wristband after he performs, which will be used as a ticketing system to eat dinner afterwards. The event, which was fully funded, will run from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, in the Decker Hall Social Space.
Chi Upsilon Sigma, the College’s Latin sorority, then presented for four different events. The first request was $180 for a tabling event in the Student Center called “De-Talks,” a program that plans to “educate the campus community on healthy ways to detox,” according to the sorority's proposal.
The table will be facilitated by a nursing student, who will provide samples and recipes that aim to detox in different ways. The request was fully funded, and the program will run during Meal Equivalency hours, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25.
Chi Upsilon Sigma then requested $93 for a program called “I Am Not My Hair.” The organization aims to discuss the culture of hair, providing “natural remedies to use for their hair,” said the group. It is designed for “women of color who, due to the type of hair they have, usually suffer from insecurity issues,” according to the proposal packet. The organization plans to use natural ingredients like avocados, aloe vera and eggs to create hair products for attendees to take home. SFB fully funded the event, which will take place on Monday, Sept. 21, at 8:30 p.m. in Social Sciences room 225.
The sorority then presented for “What Not to Wear: Career Edition,” an event it is co-sponsoring with the Career Center. The event aims to “educate the campus community on what to wear for a professional setting, including interviews or in a career field,” according to the sorority. The sisters of the sorority will be modeling different outfits and the Career Center will critique how each is appropriate or inappropriate for the professional world. There will also be a raffle for two $55 gift cards, which SFB stipulated must be from a clothing store, for winners to spend on professional clothes. The program was fully funded and will be held in Education Building room 115, on Thursday, Sept. 24.
Chi Upsilon Sigma’s last proposal was for "Diamonds of Sierra Leone," an event that will educate the community, covering “the history surrounding diamonds of Sierra Leone, the Civil War of 1991, the new Kimberly Process, life within Sierra Leone during the late 1900s, as well as the horrors its people faced until recently,” according to the information packet.
The request, which was $50 for plastic diamond rings to distribute to the audience, was fully funded by SFB. The program will start at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, in Social Sciences Building room 223.
(09/09/15 6:11pm)
By Jackie Delaney
Production Manager
The Student Finance Board was met with only one appropriation request at their second meeting of the semester on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Student Government presented for “Advocate,” an initiative to educate the campus community on how to advocate and lobby for different issues. The event features a series of workshops, led by the Student Government Resource Center, selected to aid students in becoming more active politically. The day-long event, according to Vice President Javier Nicasio, is “an initiative by Student Government to jumpstart advocacy efforts and really just educate students on campus about lobbying and advocacy, especially as the College moves to more political engagement.”
The workshops include “Lobbying 101: Communicating with Decision Makers,” “Parliamentary Procedures,” “Running Effective Meetings” and “Participating in Shared Governance,” which is “important especially at the College, where we have a unique shared governance system,” Nicasio said. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26, in the Decker first floor lounge.
The event was fully funded by the Student Finance Board at $1,850, which includes the expense of bringing in the Student Government Resource Center to do workshops, as well as a catered lunch from Mamma Flora’s.
(05/06/15 8:49pm)
By Jackie Delaney
News Assistant
The Student Finance Board met to decide on the last funding requests for this year as well as several high volume College Union Board requests for next semester on Wednesday, April 29.
First, SFB presented for its Base Budget Retreat, a two-day meeting the organization holds annually to review every SAF-funded organizations’ base budget request. According to the proposal packet, over $250,000 is allocated over the duration of the retreat. The retreat was fully funded $1,700 by the board.
The College Union Board then proposed for $2,000 for its annual Summer Retreat and Training trip in August.
The retreat serves as “an opportunity for the new executive board to bond with one another through various activities while also having a designated time to train,” according to the proposal packet. SFB tabled the proposal after discussing the time frame requested for the event, which was planned for three days and two nights. The board was torn over whether the three day trip was too excessive.
CUB then requested $37,620 for the Fall Lecture to be held next semester.
The organization’s top choices for lecturers include Laverne Cox, Shawn Johnson, Steve O and Tyler Posey. Cox is an American actress known for her role as Sophia Burset on “Orange is the New Black” and for her advocacy for LGBTQ awareness. Johnson is a retired American gymnast and a 2008 Olympic gold medalist. Steve O is an actor, stunt performer and comedian, among other titles, and is known for his stunts on the TV series “Jackass.” Tyler Posey is an American actor and musician, best known for his role as Scott McCall on MTV’s “Teen Wolf.” CUB hopes to bring one of these speakers to campus in the fall and expects a high turnout, as these lectures have been “successful every time.” The event was fully funded by the board.
Next, CUB proposed for the Fall 2015 concert. The annual event usually features a band that the “TCNJ music community has expressed interest in” and that appeals to a large amount of students.
CUB’s list of possible bands include The 1975, Bleachers, Walk the Moon, Cage the Elephant and The Gaslight Anthem. In deliberation, the board discussed eliminating a charge and ticketing for the event.
The event was fully funded at $79,068 and will still be ticketed, but will be free to students if agreements can be worked out with the band that is chosen.
CUB then presented for the Fall Comedy Show as its last request. The organization asked for funding to bring its first-choice headliner Bo Burnham to campus, or the second-choice headliner Nick Kroll. Alternate comedian options include Hannibal Buress, Cecily Strong and Kate McKinnon. SFB fully funded the event for $53,130.
Student Government then requested a total of $728.99 for Finals Fest 2015, which is set to take place from Tuesday, May 12, through Friday, May 15. The event “helps to raise student moral and energy on campus during the stressful week of finals,” according to the proposal packet. The board fully funded the event.
Lastly, TCNJ Musical Theatre proposed for $11,140 for their fall production, “Godspell.”
The show’s purpose is to “entertain our peers, provide our organization’s members with valuable experiences and use the theatre facilities on campus in constructive and creative ways,” according to the proposal. The annual Black Box musical will take place from Tuesday, Nov. 17 to Saturday, Nov. 21 next semester in the Don Evans Black Box Theater. It was fully funded by SFB.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(04/30/15 5:22pm)
By Jackie Delaney
News Assistant
The Student Finance Board met on Wednesday, April 22, to review appropriation requests from two popular a cappella groups on campus, as well as a new club request for a non-profit organization.
The TCNJ Treblemakers requested $133 for the group’s Spring Concert, which will showcase the music arrangements they have learned over the spring semester. The group will perform a “variety of genres and styles arranged to suit the unique sound of an all-female a cappella ensemble,” according to the proposal packet. The free concert will be held for the first time in Mayo Concert Hall on Saturday, May 9. The event was fully funded by the board.
The TCNJ Chapter of To Write Love On Her Arms requested to be recognized as an SFB-funded club. It is a “non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness about mental health issues, specifically depression, suicide, self-harm and addiction,” the presenters said. The organization holds fundraises and also has several general body meetings, which are divided into two categories: light meetings and heavy meetings. Light meetings are for members to get to know each other, while heavy meetings are to discuss mental health issues. Last year, the organization held an event called the “Hope-N-Mic Night.” According to the request form, the event was a “night of expressing hope to the TCNJ community and discussing mental health issues.” TWLOA was picked up as a club eligible for SAF funding.
Lastly, iTunes A Cappella presented for $361 for their Spring Concert. They will be performing the songs they have learned over the last semester, which include samples of international a cappella music. The concert was fully funded and will take place on Sunday, May 10, in Mayo Concert Hall.
The board also approved the SFB Master Budget. Next week, it will go to the Student Government for endorsement and then to Vice President of Student Affairs Amy Hecht for final approval in May.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(04/25/15 8:58pm)
By Jackie Delaney
News Assistant
The Student Finance Board convened on Wednesday, April 15, to decide funding for the last few events set to occur this semester. The last two meetings of this semester will review funding for events scheduled for fall 2015.
The New Jersey Christian Fellowship presented for scholarships for its yearly retreat for members in May. After losing funding from the school the group usually appeals to every year, NJCF proposed for $2,000 from SFB to fund scholarships for new executive board members. The five-day retreat will include team-building activities, allowing the group to “collectively communicate as a team.” It was fully funded by the board.
Student Government then requested $7,544.48 for Finals Fest, the traditional event to help students unwind during the most stressful weeks of the semester. According to the proposal, the event “helps to raise student moral and energy on campus during the stressful week of finals.” This semester, the event will include a free ice cream giveaway as well as offer massages, smoothies and bagels. SFB decided to fund SG with $8,044.48, which includes an additional $500 for extra pizzas for the free MammavFlora’s pizza giveaway. Finals Fest will take place Tuesday, May 12, through Friday, May 15.
Finally, the freshman class council proposed for the previously tabled funding of helium tanks for TCNJ Cares Week. The board funded the event last week with the exception of the helium tanks to see if a rental was possible. SG worked out an agreement to have the balloons blown up by an outside company for $1,780. The request was fully funded. TCNJ Cares Week will take place starting on Monday, April 27 through Friday, May 1.
The board was also met with two new club status requests. Sigma Lambda Beta, a fraternity that upholds ideals of brotherhood, scholarship, community service and cultural awareness, was picked up as a new club. The fraternity hosted the “Take A Walk in Our Shoes” program last semester. Lambda Theta Alpha, an organization dedicated to educational programs, philanthropies, social activities and promoting cultural awareness on campus, was also picked up as a new club.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(04/15/15 4:42am)
By Jackie Delaney
News Assistant
The Student Finance Board was met with requests for a sustainability event, as well as a trip to Washington, D.C., at its meeting on Wednesday, April 8.
First, PRISM requested $1,044.53 for its last event of the year, a “Transgénero en Nueva Jersey” brunch. This event will provide an open discussion between trans-Latina individuals from the surrounding Ewing and Trenton area and students from the College. There will also be food from Mexican Mariachi Grill. PRISM said that this event would allow for “discussion about the issues that (these individuals) are faced with daily.”
The event, which will be held on Wednesday, April 22, in Loser Hall 123 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., was fully funded by the board.
The Black Student Union then approached the board for more funding for its Black Castle fashion show, which was funded last week for $1,150. BSU asked for more money for a stage rental and another designer, following the loss of one of its previous designers. The event was fully funded with $620 more by SFB and will take place on Friday, April 24.
Next, Water Watch requested $750 for the “Sustainability Education Initiative Kick-off,” which is being held by the School of Education in celebration of Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22. The event will feature booths from both on-campus and off-campus organizations.
Water Watch’s booth plans to educate about upcycling and recycling. Club members hope to bring Dan N. Smith as a keynote speaker to campus. Smith, the director of the Kateri Environmental Center in Wickatunk, N.J., worked under Al Gore in 2007 and has “been educating about climate change, green technology and other things” for a long time, according to Water Watch. The event was fully funded.
The Student New Jersey Education Association then proposed for $558 for the Leadership Matters Conference, the largest student education conference in N.J. The conference provides workshops for students to attend and allows them to to build their resumes and learn more about the education profession. SNJEA hopes to provide buses to this event so that underclassmen who may not have access to transportation can attend. According to the proposal, it is a “great professional development opportunity” for education students. The proposal was fully funded.
Chi Upsilon Sigma presented for “CUSSIE Boot Camp,” a program designed to give students a chance to experience a “boot camp” by Marine veteran gym instructors. According to the proposal packet, this event will “give people the opportunity to take a step in the right direction toward health and fitness.” The event, which will take place on Thursday, April 23, in the Packer Hall South Gym, was fully funded $400.
The Spanish Club then requested $1,524.44 for a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the Mexican Cultural Institute, which is celebrating its 25th year. The center will be holding an exhibition of 25 Mexican and Mexican-American artists. The trip, which was fully funded for bus costs, will take place on Saturday, April 25.
Lastly, the freshman class council presented its proposal for $8,173.30 for TCNJ Cares Week. The event, according to the proposal, “seeks to unify the campus community with goals of raising awareness, breaking down stigmas and building support around the area of mental health.” The event, which will be held on Friday, May 1, was funded for $4,568.30 while the proposal for helium tanks were tabled to see if a rental is possible.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(04/10/15 3:56pm)
By Jackie Delaney
Staff Writer
Approaching the board for the first time since its special hearing on the violation of several Student Finance Board policies, the Inter-Greek Council proposed for the popular Greek Week event “Air Band” at the meeting on Wednesday, April 1.
The council — which was deactivated and fined $3,000 by SFB earlier in the semester for several violations at TCNJam — was allowed to propose its request to the board for the Greek Week event. IGC apologized to the board after funding was decided and said they would strive to follow all regulations correctly in the future.
The council requested $7,289.80 to fund “Air Band,” the closing event of Greek Week that features performances, such as dances and skits, from participating organizations. The performances “show off sorority and fraternity talent on campus,” according to the council’s proposal.
The show, which is open to all students, will be held on Friday, April 17, at 6 p.m. in the North Gym. It was fully funded by the board.
Next, the BlackOut Step Team proposed for its very first step show, titled “Step Out University: Break the Stage.” The team is hopeful that the show will become their annual trademark event. It will feature several other step teams, including the Rider Step Team, and will be an opportunity for the group to showcase what they have been working on all year.
The show was funded $3,939.40 and will take place on Thursday, April 18 at 6 p.m. in Brower Student Center room 202.
Chi Upsilon Sigma, in their first appropriations request, asked for $565 for “Dance Around the World,” an event to educate and showcase different cultures. The event will include presentations from different organizations on food, clothing, dance, music and language of each culture, as well as lessons for guests to learn cultural dances. The group said this event is an “intimate program,” allowing attendees to “have more meaningful conversations about culture and ethnicity” through an interactive set up. It was fully funded and will take place on Tuesday, April 21, in Brower Student Center room 202.
The Black Student Union then requested $1,300 for “Black Castle,” their annual fashion show that “showcases local talent.” The event, which promotes local designers and features students from the College, celebrates culture and different definitions of beauty. The event was partially funded at $1,150, which excludes photographer fees. It will take place Friday, April 24, in the Travers/Wolfe Lounge.
The French Club later proposed for a bus trip to Philadelphia to visit the Barnes Foundation, a museum that features impressionist art. The itinerary of the trip, which includes co-sponsorship from the Spanish Club, suggests dinner at Beau Monde for a French dinner or at Lolita Philly for a Spanish dinner. According to their request packet, the club wants to hold this trip “to give students the opportunity to experience French culture in a way that is not possible on campus.”
The trip, which will be held on Saturday, April 18, was fully funded $1,008.50 to cover the cost of the buses.
The College Union Board then presented its proposal for “A Night with Streetlight Manifesto’s Toh Kay.” The show will bring Tomas Kalnoky to campus for a free acoustic show in the Library Auditorium. Known by his stage name Toh Kay, Kalnoky has played lead vocals and guitar for ska bands Catch 22 and Streetlight Manifesto. The show, which will be held on Friday, April 17, was fully funded at $5,790.
CUB then proposed for funding for staffing T-shirts for its high-volume event, Funival, the annual spring carnival on campus. The funding for the T-shirts was tabled when CUB presented for funds for the event previously in the semester. The proposal was tabled again by the board. According to Hurler, CUB asked for $1,000 based off of last year’s purchases, but the Board wanted the group to look for a current quote — one that is cheaper.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.