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(02/15/06 12:00pm)
It happens to women in Japan. It happens to wives in Brazil. It happens to female college students in New Jersey.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), violence against women is one of the most significant health and human rights issues today. WHO calls it a "universal phenomenon," affecting millions of women worldwide, regardless of culture, class or social status.
In the United States alone, approximately one in six women has been a victim of an attempted or completed rape, according to the Rape, Assault and Incest National Network (RAINN). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 5.3 million women a year are victims of intimate-partner violence, resulting in nearly two million injuries and 1,300 deaths a year.
In Bangladesh, a rejected marriage proposal can result in an acid attack, defined by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) as an assault in which a man throws sulfuric acid - commonly found in car batteries - at a woman's face. Bangladeshi courts only recently began responding to these attacks with stiff punishments.
In some traditional Islamic societies, if a woman is suspected of being sexually active, she may be the victim of an "honor killing," an ancient practice in which men kill female relatives in the name of "family honor." A woman may be killed even if she is the victim of rape.
In some cultures, it is custom to "circumcise" a girl when she reaches puberty. The Western world refers to this as female genital mutilation, and it can range from the removal of the tissue surrounding the clitoris to the total removal of external genitalia. Though it is illegal in most countries, the law is not always effectively enforced.
But what so many international governments choose to ignore, V-Day brings to the surface.
V-Day is a global movement to stop this rampant violence against women. Formed in 1998 by Eve Ensler, the playwright behind the Obie award-winning "The Vagina Monologues," the organization promotes creative events to increase awareness and raise money for anti-violence initiatives.
In 2001, Worth Magazine named V-Day one of the "100 Best Charities." In seven years, the V-Day movement raised over $25 million to stop worldwide brutality toward women.
Through Women in Learning and Leadership (WILL), the V-Day spirit is alive and well at the College, one of the 1,100 campuses nationwide that support the movement. WILL, with backing from organizations like the Student Government Association, College Union Board, Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, Voices of Planned Parenthood (VOX), the Bod Squad and the Women's Center, is responsible for the popular campus production of "The Vagina Monologues," now in its fifth year.
This year, the show premieres on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Saturday night will feature a gala performance honoring V-Day alumni, with a reception to follow, Mary Lynn Hopps, director of WILL said.
All proceeds from "The Vagina Monologues" go to anti-violence charities. The profits from the College's shows will be donated to Students Active for Ending Rape and the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq.
Additionally, proceeds will benefit the 2006 Global V-Day Campaign for Justice for "Comfort Women," civilians who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II. V-Day has joined with Eastern and Southeastern Asian groups to fight for an official apology and reparations from the Japanese government.
According to vday.org, "when all women live in safety, no longer fearing violence or the threat of violence, then V-Day will be known as Victory Over Violence Day."
(02/08/06 12:00pm)
Kwame Jackson is a lot more than your typical reality-TV contestant.
The first runner-up of Donald Trump's hit business challenge show, "The Apprentice," has an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a master's from Harvard Business School. He is the founder of Legacy Holdings, LLC, a blossoming diversified holding company.
But despite his many personal accomplishments, "it always comes back to the rich guy with the puffy hair," he said, referring to Trump, at his "Lessons from the Boardroom" lecture held in Brower Student Center Feb. 1.
The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) presented "Lessons from the Boardroom," co-sponsoring it with the Center for Academic Success, the School of Business and Inter-Greek Council. Wanda Anderson, director of the Center for Academic Success, Emmanuel Osagie, dean of the School of Business, Pattie Karlowitsch, program assistant in the School of Business, Christine Zelenak, assistant dean of the School of Business, and Erik Moses, Jackson's friend and business partner, provided additional support.
In the spirit of Black History Month, Jackson opened the program with a request that the audience observe a moment of silence in honor of Coretta Scott King, who recently died of ovarian cancer.
Then it was down to business. First and foremost, what is the deal with Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, TV Guide's "most hated reality show contestant of all time?"
"Yes, unfortunately, she's for real," he said.
He admitted to picking her to be on his team for the final challenge on "The Apprentice," a move that may have cost him the win.
Then why, with so much at stake, did he select her for his team?
"Since Bill (Rancic, Jackson's competitor and Trump's eventual 'apprentice') had the first pick, she was going to be on my team anyway," Jackson explained. "I picked her early to boost her confidence. I'm not Nostradamus," he added, implying that he didn't realize what a problem she would be.
With that pressing issue resolved, Jackson moved on to the real focus of the program - "what they don't teach you at Fancy College 101."
As a graduate of two prestigious universities and an employee at Goldman Sachs, one of the world's largest investment firms, it seemed as though Jackson was well on his way to financial success.
But Jackson spent "the worst three-and-a-half years in equity development" on Wall Street. It was during that time that a college friend forwarded him an e-mail about casting for the first season of "The Apprentice." Viewing the show as a possible springboard for their own personal ventures, the two contacted the show's producers, who were impressed with their credentials.
Using a borrowed camera, Jackson filmed a short audition video in his cramped studio apartment.
"I placed the camera on my oven, sat on my bed (and) began to tell the story of why my life sucked," he said.
And the rest, as they say, is history. Jackson beat out over 250,000 applicants to be a contestant, and left his position at Goldman Sachs to pursue the apprenticeship.
After the show wrapped in spring 2004, Jackson formed Legacy Holdings, LLC with two of his undergraduate fraternity brothers. The company is currently working on a multimillion dollar real estate project in Maryland.
"Opportunities don't always come in packages you recognize," Jackson said.
And despite coming in second place on "The Apprentice," he has used the recognition from the show to make a name for himself as a popular lecturer on the motivational-speaking circuit.
Jackson's "lessons" revolved around staying positive, taking chances, being a diplomatic leader and most importantly, being yourself.
"Kwame's not a role. That's who I am," he said. "It's never too late to be what you might become."
(09/28/05 12:00pm)
Nicole Levins, junior journalism major, attended the March on Washington to end the War in Iraq on Sept. 24. The march was sponsored by United for Peace and Justice. Following is Levins' personal account of the march.
If there's anything I hate more than getting up early, it's war. That's how I ended up boarding a Progressive Student Alliance-sponsored bus at 7 a.m. last Saturday, bound for a massive anti-war protest/march in Washington, D.C.
Though I've always had strong political convictions, thanks to being raised in a wildly Democratic household, I haven't been nearly as active as I'd like to be. I was captain of my (winning) anti-war debate team during my senior year of high school, but clearly, my victory had little impact on public policy, so now, three years later, it's time to take it a step further. Welcome to my protesting debut!
We got to the National Mall around 11:30 a.m. Helicopters circled overhead, and I imagined secret agents inside, scouting for new victims of the Patriot Act. Is there a blacklisting in my future?
Kelly Dowd, junior sociology major and my traveling companion, noted that she "just saw a girl with hairy armpits." Oh yeah, we were in activist territory.
Pre-march, we wandered around the tent area at the base of the Washington Monument, where bleeding-heart organizations demanded the liberation of Palestine and suggested books as a substitute for bombs.
Kelly bought her mom a souvenir, a "Jesus loves Republicans, but he votes Democrat" pin. I tried to avoid being smacked in the face with protest signs while I admired their ingenuity.
There was the usual "Make love, not war," "Peace is patriotic" and the ubiquitous "The only Bush I trust is my own." As a lover of all things fabulous, I was particularly attracted to a group of gay men who had glittery, feathered pink peace signs seemingly growing out of their backs. Sassy!
Eventually, it was time to hit the streets for some non-violent dissent. As we marched, various groups chanted about what they wanted ("Peace!") and when they wanted it ("Now!").
If there's anything holding me back from being the ultimate super-protestor, it's the chanting. I can't do it without feeling ridiculous, so I just clap and try to look as supportive as possible.
It's pretty unnerving to be walking down the street with hundreds of police officers wielding huge clubs seven feet away from you, ready to beat you senseless if you look like you're getting too enthusiastic.
It's even scarier when you glance upward and there are five snipers perched on the roof of a nearby building, waiting to shoot you if your enthusiasm can't be controlled with a nightstick.
There weren't as many anti-anti-war protesters as I thought there would be. Honestly, I felt like laughing at the few camped out on the side of the road, because to me, wearing a "W '04" T-shirt is equivalent to wearing a T-shirt that reads "What's up? I'm an idiot." But whatever, I'm all about the first amendment, so I fully support their right to wear dumb shirts.
I'm glad I finally ventured into political activism. Apathy
is very unattractive, and I wish that more of my peers would get involved. If your beliefs are more liberal, why not become a member of the Progressive Student Alliance? If you're conservative, I can't help you, but maybe try to get in touch with College Republicans.
And take advantage of your right to peaceably assemble. Attend a protest or rally for whatever it is that you care about or find interesting.
You'll have fun, and there is nothing cuter than a little old lady wearing grandma slacks, a cardigan sweater and a "Fuck Bush" pin. Personally, I'd like to attend a women's rights march next. I'm already growing out my pits. Just kidding.
(11/11/03 12:00pm)
Applying to the College through early decision is a popular choice for some of New Jersey's best students.
"As of right now, we are seeing an increase in early decision applicants," Lisa Angeloni, dean of Admissions, said. Though an exact number is not yet available now, the number of applicants tends to increase each year, and the quality of students.
The deadline for all early decision applications is Nov. 15.
All signed applications and supporting documents, including SAT scores, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation and a personal essay, as well as the $50 application fee, must be received by the Admissions Office by that date in order to be reviewed for early decision admittance.
The date of the notification of acceptance is Dec. 15.
The College looks for the same qualities in an early decision applicant as in a general applicant. Applicants should successfully complete the most "rigorous program that their high school offers,"
which differs from school to school, Angeloni said.
Community involvement, recommendations, essays and standardized test scores also play a vital role in determining a student's acceptance to the College.
"Because the school is small enough, we are able to read everything," said Angeloni, which is a practice that is not always followed in the admissions departments at larger universities.
According to Angeloni, about half of all early decision applicants are accepted, which is higher than the rate of acceptance during the regular application period.
She noted that when an applicant applies early, he or she is usually fairly confident of be acceptance.
However, some applicants are deferred to the general pool, and some are denied, according to Angeloni.
The Admissions Office does not want to give unworthy applicants the "false hope" that they may be accepted out of the general pool, she added.
Kristin Sincavage, freshman English major, applied to the College early decision last fall.
"After visiting TCNJ, I really felt as though it would be a great school for me, and I felt that it would be advantageous to apply early," Sincavage said. "In all honesty, I'm not sure what kind of bearing my early application had on my admission, but it was very reassuring to know that I was accepted to my first-choice school during the fall semester of my senior year."
"I heard from my counselor in high school that your chances of being accepted were better if you applied early decision," Eric Mele, freshman international business major, said. "TCNJ was my first choice, so I wanted to know as soon as possible if I'd get in. That way, if it didn't work out, I could still apply to other schools."
"I applied early because I was applying for the school of nursing, and I knew they didn't accept too many people, so I figured I'd have a better shot if I applied early," Kim Bucher, freshman nursing major, said.
Applying early was the best decision for many students, including Mele.
"I didn't have to worry throughout the end of high school about where I was going in the fall," Mele said.
"I was very secure with my decision, and I still feel as though applying early was the right choice for me," said Sincavage. "I really couldn't imagine myself at any other school now."
"It was the right decision because I love TCNJ, and I'm very glad I got in and decided to go here," Bucher added.
The increase in the number and quality of applicants throughout the years is no mystery to Angeloni.
"TCNJ offers the best public education in the state," she said. "It's becoming a first choice for the smartest kids in the state."
"Our retention rate is the highest in the nation (approximately 95 percent) for a public or private school our size," she said. Additionally, "our grads get good jobs."
According to the evaluation survey given to those who take tours of the College, the most impressive thing about TCNJ is the campus itself.
She said her staff always receives positive feedback about the College.
"I think that early decision is a means of measuring that TCNJ is becoming more students' first choice," Angeloni added. "It is further validation that the College is doing something right."