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(05/02/07 12:00pm)
She's written dozens of columns in the past year-and-a- half and answered questions you wouldn't dare ask your closest friends. You've read her articles every week and you've always wondered, "Who is she?" As she gets ready to begin the next chapter in her life and pass on her column to a new advice guru, Kayy has finally decided to reveal a bit about herself, her plans for the future and (of course) leave you with some parting words of wisdom.
As a sociology and women's and gender studies major who briefly dabbled in the journalism program here at the College, Kayy could not have been more suited to bring a relationship column to the pages of The Signal. Women's and gender studies taught her about sex, femininity and masculinity, while sociology taught her how people's identities and experiences can mold them into unique individuals.
"My two majors along with my personal experiences have taught me so much," she said.
Kayy has always been an avid sex researcher and the person who her friends turned to for advice - but she wanted to do more.
"A lot of papers have a relationship column," she said. "I wanted to do something alternative that addressed all these questions that students have."
But even more than her desire to help answer her fellow students' questions, Kayy wanted to use her column to convey a simple message: it's okay to be curious about sex.
"I wanted people to realize that they're normal and that hundreds of people have thought about the same things," she said. "Sex and relationships aren't as simple as TV and magazines make them seem, and you shouldn't be afraid to communicate with your partner and friends about different issues."
While she's covered scores of topics (and received her share of hate mail along the way), Kayy's favorite column to write was one of her first: "To come or not to come," which addressed the issue of female orgasms (or lack thereof!).
"It was one of my first columns and I've grown so much since then, so there is a lot that I would change about it," she said. "But the truth is, people just don't talk about it. Guys don't know what to do and women don't know enough about their bodies to say what they want. We should be taught how to say yes and how to say what we want, or we'll never be satisfied."
In the past three semesters, Kayy has answered some pretty touchy questions - and dealt with fear of backlash before some of her columns, like those about fetishes and anal sex, were printed.
Still, there's no subject she felt was too taboo to tackle: "As long as it is legal and consensual, do whatever the hell you want as long as no one is hurt in the process," she said. "There are enough people in this world telling you what you can and can't do, and I don't want to be one of them." Her goal, she said, was never to tell students the difference between right or wrong, but rather to give them the information that they needed to make informed, healthy decisions.
So what's next for Kayy? She's put her existing columns into book form and is planning to copyright them in the hopes of making a sex manual for college students. Other than that, her future remains up in the air.
"I'm figuring things out, and I'm comfortable with that," she said. "I'm taking this time to figure out who I am and what I want to do with my life, because I'm interested in 10,000 different things."
Of all the wisdom she's imparted in her writing, she hopes the message that stays behind is one of being comfortable with yourself and your sexuality.
"Don't be afraid of your bodies and your physical and emotional feelings," she said. "Recognize them and think critically about them, because they are a very big and important part of your life. Be yourself and keep your lines of communication open."
While her days of writing for The Signal may be over, this will probably not be the last that we hear from Kayy.
"Looking back at three dozen columns, I feel like every one was fresh and exciting," she said. "I had a lot of fun doing it. I absolutely loved it. It was a great experience and it's something I want to keep doing in the future."
(11/15/06 12:00pm)
This past Tuesday was Election Day, and there was, as always, a great deal at stake: the election of new congressmen and senators, control of the House and Senate, and - perhaps most importantly - women's reproductive rights, as an abortion ban ballot initiative was voted down 56 to 44 percent in South Dakota.
For Kelly Baden, Class of 2001, the threat to these liberties led her far from home on a journey she won't soon forget.
A former political science and women's and gender studies major, Baden always had a keen interest in women's issues. She parlayed her experiences here at the College into a job as the director of public affairs with Planned Parenthood in Trenton, where she has worked for the past two years.
Last March, her job took a new turn when South Dakota legislators passed a ballot initiative that would ban all abortions in the state with no exceptions - including for rape victims, incest victims and in clear cases of danger to a women's health. The initiative ultimately left it up to South Dakota voters to decide the fate of the proposal.
It was, as Baden wrote in an e-mail to The Signal, "the most extreme anti-abortion legislation ever passed in the U.S. and cannot legally stand as long as Roe v. Wade stands." Roe v. Wade was the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in 1973.
When the initiative passed, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America introduced the concept of sending its staff to South Dakota in order to make sure that the implications of the ballot were clearly understood.
A coalition called the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families was formed and Baden was eager to volunteer her time to its efforts.
"This wasn't just about how the ban would affect Planned Parenthood," she said. "It was more about how extreme this initiative really was."
Baden had worked on a political campaign in South Dakota before, so she knew what to expect when she arrived in the days leading up to Election Day.
"South Dakota is not really a hotbed of political activism because there aren't many large cities or towns," she said. "It's a fascinating place. Culturally, it's like no other state I've ever been to."
Largely conservative, South Dakota was never a welcoming place to seek an abortion, even before the passing of this initiative. There is only one Planned Parenthood in the state, Baden said, with no doctors willing to perform the procedure. Instead, a doctor must be flown in from Minnesota once a week to meet with patients.
When Baden arrived in South Dakota, her work consisted of making phone calls, going door-to-door to spread the word about the initiative and encouraging people to vote it down.
"In certain towns, the reaction was not great," she said. "You'd get people yelling at you, calling you a baby killer."
On Monday and Tuesday, Baden worked exclusively on the phones, perhaps the most eye-opening experience of all.
"Some calls would be five to 10 minutes long, and we would get very personal," Baden said. "I'd hear things like, 'My priest is telling me to vote yes, but I'm still not sure.'"
But no matter what the beliefs of the person on the other end of the line, each conversation was valuable.
"These one-on-one conversations about abortion are so important because they create an open dialogue and strip away politics," Baden said. "There's really a power about making it a conversation between two people."
Despite fears that the citizens of South Dakota would allow the initiative to pass, Planned Parenthood posted a sign outside its door stating, "These doors will stay open." That was another purpose of the coalition's efforts - to let people know that Planned Parenthood is about so much more than performing abortions.
"Planned Parenthood's number one goal is to provide health care to people who need it," Baden said. "One in four women will visit a Planned Parenthood in their lifetime, but less than 10 percent of those will seek an abortion. Our campaigning was really more about the idea that doctors and women should make health decisions, not legislators."
On Tuesday night, the volunteers gathered anxiously to await the results of the vote - and when word came they "erupted in cheers," Baden said. "It was very emotional. The head of Planned Parenthood spoke, and we brought in the banner we had posted outside."
Planned Parenthood could have chosen to fight this initiative in court, Baden said, but instead, the organization chose the ballot because they wanted to give the American people a chance to decide.
"We really wanted to send a message," she said. "South Dakota could have made exceptions in this initiative, but they chose not to go that route. They thought the people were ready for a full ban, but this was too extreme. These results show that the American people are not interested in passing a full ban on abortion."
Baden is especially pleased with the progress that was made in South Dakota in such a short period of time.
"We went from a state with no organized coalition supporting reproductive rights to one with 3,000 volunteers," she said.
But despite this latest victory, Planned Parenthood's work is far from over.
"There's certainly a possibility that new legislation might pass again with broader exceptions," Baden said. This type of legislation might be harder for Planned Parenthood to successfully fight against.
The organization wants to work with pro-choice advocates to introduce preventative legislation - like comprehensive sex education, access to contraceptives and family planning funding that "are actually proven to make a difference."
"We will continue to work on a state and federal level," Baden said.
Here in New Jersey, Planned Parenthood has several pieces of legislation on the table, including a bill that would make sure that rape survivors are given information and access to emergency contraceptives, and another that would allow contraceptives to be covered by employers' health insurance.
"We're lucky to be in New Jersey because the people and government are supportive, but that doesn't mean things are perfect," Baden said.
While the future is uncertain and there is still a great deal of work to be done, Baden emphasizes that last Tuesday's results should not be overlooked.
"Two years ago, people wouldn't have believed that this could happen," she said. "It's a real victory."
(08/30/06 12:00pm)
As Welcome Week 2006 comes to a close and many upperclassmen begin their last year at the College, it's a time of looking ahead for some - and looking back on fond memories for others.
As most are aware, Welcome Week is an event sponsored by the College for incoming freshmen that encompasses five days of "getting-to-know-you" activities.
This year's schedule offered a variety of sports tournaments, a barbecue, community service opportunities, a speech from Vice President of Student Life James Norfleet and the ever-popular PlayFair .
But just how successful was Welcome Week in unifying past freshman classes? Do its former participants look back on it as a great time or an irritating obligation?
"At the time, I thought it was a little corny and felt like I was at camp," Amy Rabenda, senior elementary education/math, science and technology major, said. Being forced to wake up at the crack of dawn to attend lectures about choosing a major or the dangers of alcohol poisoning can put a damper on the first week of college; but in hindsight, Rabenda realizes that Welcome Week might have helped salvage her freshman year.
"Looking back, I realize that it was probably the best way to meet people and settle into a new and scary environment," she said. "I didn't bond with my roommate at all and if it weren't for the friends I met at Welcome Week, there's a chance I would have left (the College)."
Dave Greenblatt, senior political science major, agrees that Welcome Week was a great way to jump-start his college career, especially as one of the College's few non-New Jersey residents. He feels that the "camp-like" atmosphere was what made it so enjoyable.
"I remember it was like camp, but when classes started it didn't really end," he said. "I made friends, had some fun and got to know (the College). I think it's great because it gives freshmen a chance to acquaint themselves with campus without being intimidated."
Greenblatt keeps in touch with many of the people he met during Welcome Week.
"They may not be my best friends, but they're definitely still friends," he said.
But there are other upperclassmen who believe that Welcome Week isn't the only - or the best - way to meet and foster long-lasting friendships on campus.
" At the time, it was fairly enjoyable," Scott Sadowsky, senior history major, said. "The first week, people still pretended to care about (making a good first impression). It wasn't until October when people started to separate into groups."
Sadowsky notes that while Welcome Week may have been helpful in breaking the ice, it did little beyond that to enlarge his social circle.
"I think the situation of everyone moving and knowing no one else brought us together," he said. "Then we got to know one another more and decided who to hang out with."
These days, Sadowsky meets most of his friends through "classes and campus activities, or through other friends," he said.
Whether your memories of your first week as a froshie are good, bad or ugly, one thing seems certain: Welcome Week is here to stay, with its list of programs and activities growing larger each year.
Hey, maybe it's not such a bad thing. With the real world and job hunts looming come May, we could probably all use a standing ovation.
(08/30/06 12:00pm)
Your freshman year is a time for meeting new people, adjusting to living away from your parents, having new experiences and - if you're not careful - gaining the dreaded "Freshman 15."
Unfortunately, a number of studies conducted in recent years show that weight gain does occur during a student's first year of college. Researchers at Cornell University discovered that students gained around four pounds during their first 12 weeks at college. This rate is almost 11 times higher than the typical weight gain for a healthy 18-year-old.
With so many traps, including Carte Blanche meal plans, late-night snacking, alcohol consumption, and a lack of parental guidance, many students find it difficult to maintain the healthy lifestyle they were accustomed to while living at home and attending high school.
"Being away at college was definitely a new routine," Lauren Svec, senior political science major, said. "A big part of socializing on campus centers around food, whether it is in the dining halls or ordering out late at night with your friends. It's important to make healthy eating a priority."
But before you swear off Eickhoff and frat parties forever, a reassuring note: According to a study published by the Journal of American College Health in 2002, only 59 percent of students gained weight during their freshman years - and the average gain was only 4.6 pounds.
Still, any unnecessary weight gain can be a source of worry for students, especially at a time when they are trying to look their best and appear attractive to those around them.
"I was definitely worried about all the 'Freshman 15' talk when I entered college," Kelly Dowd, senior sociology major, said. "So I came here with a plan to stay healthy. I've tried to make sure that I fit in time for exercise, no matter how busy my schedule."
With a little planning and self-control, Svec, Dowd and many others across campus have managed to beat the "Freshman 15." And while it may seem like a daunting task, there are a few simple things you can do to join the ranks of these upperclassmen.
Avoid Late Night Snacking
Although two large pies and a cheesy bread for $5 might be hard to resist at 1 a.m. after a killer party, try to eat your meals at a sensible time.
Sometimes a busy class schedule and extracurriculars make it impossible to eat at a normal hour. If this is the case, stock your room with healthy items like fruits, soup and cereal to compensate.
Eat Only Until You Are Full
Often times, freshmen fall victim to "all you can eat" meal plans, loading up on more food and desserts than they really need. Instead of worrying about getting your money's worth, worry about satisfying your hunger - and stop eating when you have reached a point where you feel comfortably full.
Make Healthy Choices
Although the food at Eickhoff is probably nothing like what mother used to make, you should still attempt to eat a complete and balanced meal each time you swipe into the dining hall. Sure, it's tempting to eat grilled cheese and fries every day, but make sure that you include fruits and veggies in your diet. Although a lot of the food offered in Eickhoff is high in fat, you can always rely on soup, salad and pasta as healthy alternatives.
If you are trying to keep track of your fat and calorie intake, this information is usually posted at each food station within the dining hall.
Exercise!
The best way to keep from gaining the "Freshman 15" is to maintain the active lifestyle that you had while in high school. The College offers plenty of intramural and club sports to suit everyone's interests.
"In my opinion, the best way to stay in shape is to join a club sport," Callan Wright, senior international business major and member of the TCNJ Women's Rugby Club, said. "It is less demanding on your schedule than a varsity sport, but still allows you to exercise while meeting new people and doing something you love."
Even if you are not interested in participating in an organized sport, you can stay in shape by hitting the gym or swimming laps in Packer Hall, running the Loop, playing volleyball or taking advantage of the exercise classes offered in the Travers/Wolfe fitness center.
There are plenty of different ways to avoid the "Freshman 15," but just remember that the most important thing is that you stay healthy and enjoy your freshman year at the College.
Information from - kidshealth.org
(08/24/06 12:00pm)
Being away from home for the first time can be tough - especially when your new living quarters have about as much charm as a prison cell. Luckily, there are tons of cheap, easy ways to make your room feel more "you" - and to have it feel like home. Read on for tips on how to make the most of your new living space!
Storage Options
A small dresser and a tiny closet will almost certainly not provide you with all of the space you need to store your clothes, shoes, toiletries, utensils, food and other dorm necessities. Since you probably packed everything you own and then some, you'll need to get creative to make sure that everything fits in your half of the room.
If you don't already have them, plastic storage bins, trunks or Yaffa blocks can help keep your room organized - and most come in a variety of colors, so you can match them to your color scheme.
To keep your closet under control, consider a hanging shoe rack or collapsible shelves for your sweaters and hoodies. That way, you'll have more room for the things that really matter - like your toga-making materials!
As you probably know from countless pre-college shopping expeditions with your parents, these items can be purchased at stores like Target, Walmart, Linens 'n Things and Bed Bath & Beyond. If you're missing these items, hop on the Loop bus (which stops at a number of local stores and the Quakerbridge Mall several nights a week) to pick up what you need.
Seating
Your room isn't just a place to sleep anymore - it's also a kitchen, dining room and place for all of your new friends to gather. Whether you're sharing a midnight pizza or watching "Old School" for the hundredth time, you'll want your space to be comfortable and inviting.
If you thought bean bag chairs were for little kids, think again - they're also the college student's seat of choice! With a variety of colors, sizes and shapes to choose from, these popular chairs take up little of your precious space and are far more comfortable than your dusty floor!
If you don't have the room or cash to invest in real chairs, consider creating a space filled with large pillows for your friends to hang out on - and if all else fails, most storage containers (like the ones mentioned above) can double as fairly sturdy seating options.
Decorating
You'll want your space (no matter how small it is!) to say something about you -- your personality, hobbies and interests. And of course, no dorm room is complete without a wallpapering of posters!
Check out allposters.com for a huge selection with everything from favorite bands to television shows, movies, tropical scenes, inspirational quotes and reproductions of famous artwork. The Brower Student Center also hosts a poster sale twice a year where you can pick up a new print or tapestry to spruce up those cinderblock facades.
The best way to make your new room feel like home is to bring a little bit of home with you. You can display pictures of your friends and family by creating a collage, decorating frames or buying a cheap photo board to attach to your wall. This way, you'll never forget your high school memories - no matter what new adventures come your way at the College.
Most importantly ...
Have fun! This is the first time you'll get to personalize a space without the help (and in most cases, bother) of your parents! With a little bit of creativity, your room will feel like home in no time!
(03/29/06 12:00pm)
For most students, summer break means a time to mix fun in the sun with working or interning in order to further their careers. For Meghan Garrett, junior psychology major, this summer break means a chance to make a difference in the lives of others across America.
This summer, Garrett will bike coast to coast across the central United States in order to raise money and awareness for Bike & Build, a charitable organization focused on providing affordable housing.
"Bike & Build's slogan is 'Pedaling to End Poverty Housing,' and that's our main mission," Garrett said. "We believe that everyone has the right to sufficient and safe living conditions, and we feel that providing low-cost home ownership to those families in need is a step in the right direction."
Garrett found out about Bike & Build from two friends who participated in last year's summer trip. After seeing photographs of their journey and hearing about their experiences, she knew she had to get involved.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience to not only see the U.S. in a unique way, but also to help out so many families and communities," she said. "I obviously thought about my decision for a long time as Bike & Build is a huge commitment, but now that my trip is less than two months away, I know I made the right one."
According to Garrett, since Bike & Build was founded three years ago, the organization has raised close to $450,000 for affordable housing groups and projects. Bike & Build plans to raise another $300,000 this year alone, which will be allocated to housing projects along the various biking routes.
Bike & Build is sponsoring five different trips this summer, and Garrett will be participating in a central United States route that will begin on May 18 and conclude on July 23. During that period, she will travel through 13 states: Virgina, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon.
Each night, the bikers will stop in different churches or community centers that have agreed to house them. In certain locations, the bikers will stop for several days in order to assist in the construction of affordable homes. But according to Garrett, the press that the bikers receive can be just as important as the physical aid that they provide.
"As we ride and participate in 'builds,' we also attract a lot of media and community attention to the need and importance of affordable housing," she said. "Through newspaper articles, TV segments, town hall meetings with community leaders and informal interactions with those we meet along the way, we promote our message in over 32 states and to thousands of people. So basically, we help fund local housing projects and groups which we participate in while on the road, and we help spread public awareness about the need for affordable housing."
In order to participate in a Bike & Build trip, each rider is required to raise $4,000, most of which goes toward local housing groups, such as Habitat for Humanity, that involve both students and adults.
"It's like a grant program, because they send us an application, and we help fund their efforts," Garrett said. "A portion of the money we raise also goes to the housing organizations and projects that we will participate in during the trip (which may be different from the groups funded by the grants). Either way, the majority of the $4,000 goes directly to ending poverty housing through supporting these groups and projects."
A small portion of the money raised by the bikers also goes toward funding the trip, and is used to provide bikes, meals, supplies and housing.
At this time, Garrett has raised $1,500.
"I still have a long way to go," she said.
Garrett, a community advisor, is currently holding a coin collection competition in Decker Hall to benefit Bike & Build. She will also have a table in Eickhoff Hall and Brower Student Center to collect donations beginning in April.
Although it may take some work to raise her remaining funds, Garrett knows that it will all be worth it.
"I chose to work with B&B, because I believe that everyone not only deserves a place to call 'home', but they deserve to feel proud of and safe in that place as well," Garrett said. "Having a sufficient home can change someone's life in so many ways, and I want to be part of something that provides this for families in need. And, unlike donating money to research or participating in a local organization, which are both very good ways to contribute to charity, Bike & Build offers me a way to actually get my hands dirty and be physically (and emotionally) involved in helping to change people's lives all across the country."
For more information about Bike & Build, which is still accepting applications for summer trips, visit bikeandbuild.org or e-mail info@bikeandbuild.org.
If you would like to make a donation, e-mail Meghan Garrett at garrett4@tcnj.edu.
(03/08/06 12:00pm)
As college students, we are expected to broaden our horizons and become more acquainted with the world around us. Most of us accomplish this through our studies, soaking up different cultures through textbooks and lectures. But a lucky few get to do something even better - they get to live it.
The difference between the two can be life-altering. Just ask Anish Doshi, junior seven-year medical student, who spent 100 days last spring traveling the world during his Semester at Sea.
While Semester at Sea is an option available to all students interested in spending time abroad during their career at the College, it is not generally encouraged by the office of Undergraduate Global Programs because its hectic touring schedule does not allow students to become fully immersed in the cultures they visit, Doshi said.
Still, Doshi feels that his experience taught him more than he ever imagined.
"It's true that Semester at Sea won't give you an enriched view of all the different cultures you visit," he said. "But we are so boxed in our American culture. I wanted to broaden my horizons. I learned more in the seven days that I spent in each country than any professor, class or textbook could ever have taught me."
During his 100-day journey, Doshi visited Canada, Hawaii, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil and Venezuela.
Doshi traveled with hundreds of other students on a cruise ship.
"The ship was just like a college campus, except for the beautiful view of the ocean 24/7," he said.
Doshi and his fellow travelers spent about two to three hours in class each day. The curriculum was based around the countries that they would be visiting.
"The classes were so diverse," Doshi said. "They ranged from African drumming to cross-cultural psychology."
Perhaps the best part of the learning experience was the close relationships Doshi developed with his professors.
"There is 100 percent contact with the professors at all times," he said. "We would have great dinner conversations about these countries. For example, we would talk about dowry, genital mutilation and the Vietnam War. These were all issues that were touched upon daily. Your professors are the people you're in class with, eating with and even partying with."
While the Semester at Sea program did offer planned trips for the students to participate in, they were optional. Students could spend their time however they liked when they arrived at a new country.
"I had never traveled this way before," Doshi said. "I was always afraid of doing something on my own and having it go wrong. But that's another thing you learn about yourself on this trip - how independent you can be."
Although Doshi was hard-pressed to choose his favorite country, ultimately he said he found Vietnam to be the most eye-opening.
"Vietnam struck me as such a friendly country with so much history," he said. "Their perspective on the war was so different from what we are taught here. We're fed American propaganda. It was eye-opening to see the destruction and catastrophe we caused there."
While Vietnam was one of the more educational stops on Doshi's journey, he said the variety of his trip was what made it truly special.
"My experience was so broad," he said. "It ranged from visiting Nelson Mandela's cell in South Africa and learning about apartheid to skydiving in Hawaii."
Although Doshi has had nearly a year to reflect on his experiences, he is no less in awe of how he grew and changed as a person.
"I've learned so many lessons," he said. "It's really incredible. You think on the first day that you won't change, but you come back a completely different person. I thought I knew what poverty was until I was mobbed by 60 children wanting a piece of my cookie in India. I thought I knew hospitality until a woman without anything invited me to her small house, fed me on her nicest chinaware and offered me the only framed picture of her family she owned. I thought I knew what the the world was like - but really, we're stuck in this little box. We think the world is okay, but we don't realize that so many people are living in misery."
So, would Doshi recommend Semester at Sea to others? The answer is a resounding yes.
"At the beginning of the trip, my goals were to visit each country and get a cool souvenir from it," he said. "But I have come out of the trip gaining so much more. The values, morals, cultures, education, people, ideas and worldviews that I came back with are priceless."
For Doshi, this experience was merely the beginning of his globetrotting plans.
"I want to travel as much as I can," he said. "I've already been to six of the seven continents, so I'd say that's a pretty good start."
(01/25/06 12:00pm)
At one time or another, you may have wondered: Why do I have to take math if I'm an English major? Why do I have to learn about cave paintings to get my diploma? Just what, exactly, is the point of all of these general education requirements?
But since 1993, the General Education (or, as it is now called, Liberal Learning) Program has had an enthusiastic champion in its director, Robert Anderson.
Anderson joined the College's faculty as a member of the Sociology Department in 1967, serving as chair from 1973 to 1988.
"I chose to study sociology because it is the broadest way of looking at the world," he said. "I'm interested in the big picture and am very much an advocate of broad learning."
Eventually, though, Anderson decided that it was time to move his career in a different direction.
"I realized that sociology is just one way of learning, and it wasn't enough for me," he said.
He was given the opportunity to serve on the General Education Advising Council (GEAC), where he realized just how important general education courses can be in a college student's curriculum.
"An interdisciplinary perspective is an important one," Anderson said. "I'm going to paraphrase something I heard at a conference once: a college should have two curricula. The first is vertical, which is your major. The second is horizontal, or general education, which provides you with some breadth. They're equally important. Students need experience in a given field, but that isn't always enough."
But what of the arguments that college students should spend as much time as possible focused on their major area of study?
"We need to avoid narrowness," Anderson said. "Of course, a student needs experience in their major or given field, but that's not enough. Half of college students change their major, or don't end up working in their major when they graduate. Why put all your eggs in one basket?"
As the director of the Liberal Learning Program, Anderson has a wide range of responsibilities.
"I oversee the program and make sure that it is working right, but I don't do it alone," he said. "I help by advising students, working with many members of the faculty and approving courses and programs."
Since the College transformed the general education curriculum in 2003, Anderson has seen his workload multiply.
"I spend a lot of time communicating to the campus the importance of liberal learning, because it's amazing how little they know," he said. "Since the transformation occurred, I have many more students coming to me because of a lack of clarity."
These issues, along with general concerns about the direction that students are taking, keep Anderson busy - a look at the schedule on his computer showed that during the first week of the new semester, he was already booked solid.
"I see hundreds and hundreds of students each semester," he said.
Most of the questions that Anderson ends up fielding concern differences between the old and new major program planners. Luckily, though, he is optimistic that confusion over liberal learning will soon come to an end.
"The transformation really only affected the College's upper-class students," he said. "Within the next year or two, all students enrolled in the College will be following the new program planners."
While Anderson is happy to see any students with questions or concerns, the results are sometimes a bit frustrating.
"Sometimes you'll get students in here who complain that they don't want to take a foreign language simply because they have better things to do," he said. "Or they'll complain to me, the director of the program, that liberal learning is pointless. Once, I even had a parent call me asking if the College offered 'conservative learning' as well."
But Anderson doesn't let these small bumps in the road lead to discouragement. In fact, there's no place else he'd rather be.
"I like what I do here," he said. "I wouldn't be here all these millions of years if I didn't."
(01/25/06 12:00pm)
Winter break may have just ended, but it's never too early - and soon, it may even be too late - to book your ultimate spring break vacation.
Every year, thousands of college students are given one week (usually in late February or March) to leave behind a world of nagging professors, projects, papers and exams and escape to paradise.
But since most of us are on a tight budget, planning is key. Read on for some tips about how to land your dream destination for the spring break of a lifetime, without breaking the bank.
Plan Ahead
If you haven't done so already, now is the time to discuss going away with your friends. Decide how many people will definitely be taking part in your vacation and settle on a budget that you all can agree on.
If half of the group has their hearts set on a five-star spring break and the other half can only afford the Budget Inn, you may want to consider splitting up. But don't worry - as long as you are spending the break with some of your closest friends, you're sure to have a great time.
Choose Your Destination
According to the Travel Channel's official Web site, this year's top 10 spring break spots are: Panama City, Fla.; Cancun, Mexico; South Padre Island, Texas; Lake Havasu, Ariz.; Jamaica; Mazatlan, Mexico; Daytona Beach, Fla.; Key West, Fla.; Rosarito Beach, Mexico and the Bahamas.
Although not featured on this list, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas, both in Mexico, are also becoming known as hot spring break hangouts thanks to their beautiful beaches and abundance of nightlife.
The Travel Channel's list proves that it isn't necessary to leave the country for a memorable spring break experience. However, those who have not yet turned 21 are better off choosing an international location if they hope to indulge in any sort of alcoholic fun.
Cami D'Innocenzio, junior secondary education/English major, recently booked a trip to Punta Cana with three of her friends.
"I chose Punta Cana because it seemed to be one of the most popular places this year," she said. "It had the best prices for the most included."
D'Innocenzio will be paying $933 for four days at an all-inclusive resort, including airfare.
Shop Around
The earlier you book your trip, the better chance you will have of scoring a great deal. As the months of February and March near, airfares to popular locations will skyrocket. Still, don't rush - it's important that you shop around to make sure that you are receiving the most you can for your hard-earned money.
There are plenty of resources on the Internet to guide you in your trip planning, and many, like studentcity.com and springbreaktravel.com, cater specifically to college students on a budget. Studentcity.com offers a payment plan for all trips, as well as bonuses like free meals and free drinks for booking far enough in advance.
There are many other reputable travel sites known for their discount pricing, so be sure to also browse orbitz.com and travelocity.com before settling on a trip. Of course, a trip to a travel agent can also be a helpful way to gather tips and important information.
D'Innocenzio ultimately booked her trip through a travel agency, but she did plenty of research beforehand.
"We looked on Expedia, Orbitz, Springbreaktravel, Travelocity and two travel agents before we chose a specific agent and trip," she said.
Pack Accordingly
If you are traveling to Mexico or another international location, you will need to bring along proof of your American citizenship in the form of a passport or original birth certificate with valid photo ID.
In addition, make sure to bring enough spending money for clubbing, bars, shopping, water sports and other activities.
It's a good idea to leave behind any valuables that are not necessities. And most importantly, don't forget your bathing suit and sunscreen!
Have Fun!
Spring break is a great chance to escape the stresses of college life, bond with your friends and create memories that will last a lifetime.
"I've never been to the Caribbean," D'Innocenzio said. "This will be my last chance to go away with my friends during college because I will be student teaching next spring semester."
So take advantage of this week, because it will be over far too soon. Before you know it, the palm trees and beaches will be a mere memory as you head back into the classroom - and for seniors, into the real world.
(12/07/05 12:00pm)
All little children have big dreams - they want to be ballerinas, doctors, firefighters, or United States presidents. But Liz Lackey, senior education/music major, had different plans - she wanted to be a "Jeopardy" contestant.
The popular television game show, which features host Alex Trebek and airs on ABC, has fascinated Lackey for as long as she can remember.
"Watching 'Jeopardy' is one of my very first childhood memories," she said.
Last Wednesday, Lackey's dream came true when a show taped in early September aired and she took second place in the evening's competition.
For Lackey and for most Jeopardy hopefuls, the road to Trebek's stage can be a long one.
The process began when Lackey signed up for a tryout taking place in April in New York City while visiting Jeopardy's Web site. Although she had signed up for both teen and college tournaments, she finally received an invitation to an adult audition.
At the audition, each of the participants was required to take a 50-question test that covered 50 different categories. Upon completion, the test was graded immediately and those who had passed were notified.
"They never tell anyone what their score was," Lackey said. "So if you fail the test, you can tell everyone that you missed it by one point. Out of about 70 people in my audition, only six passed, including me."
Since she had passed the test, Lackey was asked to stay to play a mock version of the game and be interviewed. Even then, though, Lackey's chances of actually being picked to appear weren't a sure thing.
"(They said) if they wanted us to be on the show, they'd call within a year," she said. "But don't wait by the phone, since they don't call everyone."
Finally, in August, Lackey did receive a phone call. A day later, a FedEx package arrived with a contract, forms to fill out and instructions on what she should wear.
Since her show would not be taped until Sept. 13, Lackey spent the next few weeks preparing for her date with Trebek.
"My dad bought me an almanac so I could read up on general knowledge," she said. "I studied categories that commonly showed up on 'Jeopardy,' like presidents, world capitals, state nicknames, Oscar winners, etc. Did any of these actually show up in my game? Of course not."
Finally, the day of her taping arrived. Lackey explained that an entire week's worth of shows are taped in one day, and that the show is taped in real time. The only pauses are for commercial breaks or to discuss discrepancies in contestants' answers.
"At the beginning, my heart was pounding and I had to put my hands on the podium to stop them from shaking," she said. "I calmed down as the game went on."
Despite a bout of nerves, Lackey stacked up quite well against her competitors - Josh Danson, a marketing communications consultant from California, and Vik Vaz, a medical student from Texas. She ended up taking second place, with Vaz, the defending champion, taking first.
"I got my best category (music) twice during the game," she said. "When 'Musical Compositions' came up as a category in the 'Double Jeopardy' round, I was so shocked that I didn't even hear Alex read the last two categories! The game goes so quickly that you rarely have time to look up and see the scores. I didn't realize how close everything was until I saw it on TV. You just try and buzz in first and get it right."
Although she didn't come out a winner, Lackey has no hard feelings towards her competitors.
"I had one goal and only goal only going into this: make it to 'Final Jeopardy,'" she said. "Don't end up in the red. Since I had $10,400 going into 'Final Jeopardy,' I accomplished my goal. Vik and Josh were both good players, and Vik happened to know a lot of obscure stuff that got him on top. I'm not ashamed or anything to have lost to him, even if he did lose the game right after mine."
And of course, win or lose, Lackey did get the chance to meet host and game show icon Trebek.
"You can't really talk to Alex that much, since he knows all the questions for that week and he doesn't want to let anything slip," she said. "During a commercial break, he started talking to me in an Irish accent. I think the red hair and freckles gave him an idea. He also has a very firm handshake. He almost crushed my hand."
While Lackey is contractually obligated to abstain from appearing on another game show until at least next year, she is open to trying her luck again in the future.
"I believe 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' tapes in New York, so that's easier than flying to L.A. for most other game shows," she said. "So ... who knows?"
But for now, Lackey is content to know that she was able to have one of her childhood passions come to life.
"I had such a wonderful time being there, so I really couldn't have asked for more," she said. "Well, maybe except the winning part."
(11/30/05 12:00pm)
We've all been there. You're stumbling home from a random party at 2 a.m. and you're starving. All of the dining halls on campus are long closed, and operating a car, or any other type of heavy machinery, is definitely out of the question. Suddenly, a familiar voice cuts through the night: "Pizza! Five dolla!" Relief and gratitude wash over you as you fumble for a $5 bill. And just like that, your night is saved. And you can thank Hassan Emara, the College's favorite pizza deliveryman, for doing the saving.
While Hassan is perhaps one of the most recognizable figures on campus, most students know little about him except the obvious: he sells wonderfully cheap pizza, can spot a potential customer from a mile away and works as hard as most college students party.
Yet questions remain - where is he from? Just whose idea was it to sell leftover pizzas for $5? And, most importantly, how does Hassan always know just when to show up at an off-campus party?
Luckily, Hassan was eager to talk (over a cheesy bread, of course) about his life, his career and the many friends he has made since he began visiting the College.
A native of Egypt, Hassan, who will turn 40 on Dec. 30, moved to the United States 15 years ago to be with his family. Now married and a father of four, he has worked to support his family as a deliveryman for 11 years.
Just six weeks ago, Hassan left his long-term post at Domino's Pizza in order to work for family and friends at Dominator's, a new pizzeria also located in Ewing.
"I've never been fired from any job," he said. "But like everybody, I want more. Working at Dominator's, I get more benefits and more money. But I love Domino's. I feel like it's my second house. It's hard to find a place you like that much. I still visit all the time."
It was during his time at Domino's that Hassan came up with the idea that
has made him a campus celebrity: his $5 pizzas.
"It was my idea," he said. "I asked the manager and he said 'OK.' It helped the store, and I also made a percentage from it."
On these late-night trips to the College and surrounding area, Hassan has made more than extra money. He has also made friends.
"My favorite part about my job is going to the College," he said. "I love it there. I have a good time, and I'm making good friends."
Hassan knows that he is loved by students, and is even aware of the honorary degree bestowed upon him by The Signal. Still, he says, he sometimes feels bashful about all the attention he receives.
"Sometimes I feel shy," he said. "Some people I know, and some I can't always remember. But everybody knows me, and that means I love everyone."
Of course, it isn't all about making friends - the more students who recognize Hassan, the more pizzas he'll sell.
That's why he starts coming early, establishing himself as a recognizable face on campus as early as Welcome Week.
"I come behind Travers and Wolfe during the week that freshmen move in just so they start to know who I am," he said. "Sometimes they've already heard about me and they'll come right up and ask, 'Are you Hassan?' My brother Sam helps me too, and comes behind Wolfe sometimes."
Once the school year really gets rolling, Hassan knows that the prime times to sell his $5 pizzas are between midnight and 2 a.m.
During these hours, it's not at all surprising to open the door of an off-campus house and see Hassan standing on the porch with a smile on his face and a stack of warm pies in his hand.
"A lot of times when people are having parties, they will call my cell phone and tell me to come over," he said. "Twenty-one house is one of my favorites. I always go over there. I also go to frat houses, the swim house and a few others."
If it turns out that no one is interested in a pizza (which is a rare occurrence), Hassan is still happy to spend a few minutes chatting with his College friends.
"If nobody buys any pizza, I'll just say hello to everybody and sail from here to there," he said.
Sometimes, Hassan's duties extend beyond those of merely delivering pizzas.
"A lot of people invite me to play beer pong or drink, but of course I say no," he said. "And sometimes people will ask me for a ride home. Sometimes I'll say yes if I really know the person and I know that I am helping them get home safely. But most of the time, my car is too full with pizza."
Last year, Hassan was even invited to judge a dance competition held by students in Brower Student Center.
"It was a lot of fun, and I was really glad they invited me," he said.
Although his job entails many late nights, Hassan still makes sure he has plenty of time to be with his wife and four children.
"My wife doesn't work," he said. "She has a hard enough job taking care of our family, so I want to take care of her."
To that end, he makes sure to stay home with her during the day, and takes off three days a week. He also takes off when the local college students go home for breaks.
"I take off with you guys in the summer and at Christmas," he said. "I take my family on vacations to the Poconos and other places."
In addition, Hassan drives an ice cream truck in the summer for fun.
"It's a nice change of pace," he said. "I deal with college kids, and then I get to deal with little kids too."
Recently, Hassan has started making trips to Rider University as well.
"I only started going there a few weeks ago, and already people are starting to recognize me," he said.
But if he had to choose, his loyalty would still remain at the College.
"I have lived in Ewing since I moved to the United States, and I love it here," he said. "I have good times and good friends. I love my job and I wouldn't trade it for anything."
(11/16/05 12:00pm)
Some came because a class required it. Others came out of sheer interest. But no matter what the reason, all those who attended "Resistance in a Choiceless World - A Holocaust Survivor's Story" last Tuesday had one thing in common: they came to remember.
The program, held in the Music Building and sponsored by the Jewish Student Union (JSU) during Holocaust Remembrance Week, featured the words, poetry and prose of Holocaust survivor Judith Sherman, now a New Jersey resident.
"It is very important for our generation to listen to the stories of Holocaust survivors, because we are probably the last generation that will be able to hear their stories told directly from their lips," Sarah Brown, JSU Social Action/Jewish Awareness vice president, said.
Fittingly, Sherman was asked to speak on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, a raid on Jewish synagogues, homes and stores that occurred on Nov. 9 and 10, 1938. Today, this night of terror is often credited as the true beginning of the Holocaust.
"Tomorrow is Nov. 9. The anniversary of Kristallnacht," Sherman began. "It happened in 1938, and became known as 'the night of broken glass.' My tale is a part of the darkness foretold by Kristallnacht."
Sherman's tale is a dark one indeed. At age 13, she and her family were forced from their small Czechoslovakian village and deported. Although she and her sister were able to hide with a Christian family and later in the forest for a short time, they were eventually imprisoned in the Ravensbr?ck death camp in Germany. Ultimately, Sherman lost much of her family, including her mother and eight-year-old brother, before she herself was liberated from the camp in April 1945.
"Resistance in a choiceless world," Sherman said. "Everything that is life-directed is resistance, because the goal of the final solution is death. I'm here to demonstrate the resistance that I knew almost 60 years ago."
Sherman chose to relate her experiences by reading aloud selections from her recently published book, "Say the Name: A Survivor's Tale in Poetry and Prose."
While the book has been received with a great deal of praise, Sherman took years to gain the courage necessary to speak and write about all that she had been through.
"It was a long gestation period," she said. "It took me 55 years to start talking about the Holocaust. I never said anything about it, not even to my family or friends. Not even my husband knew what I had been through. He knew I had been involved, but he did not know the details."
Sherman was finally inspired to share her tale after auditing a class at Princeton University entitled "Religion and the Terror of History."
"I was so impressed and moved by the way the professor tried to explain the Holocaust and make it relevant to his students' lives," Sherman said. "Afterward, I went up to him and confessed that I was a Holocaust survivor."
The professor, David Carrasco, encouraged her to speak to the class and later, to put her thoughts onto paper. When the book was published, she dedicated it to him with a simple inscription: "You lent ear to my silence."
Sherman's poetry, which is written in the voice of a 14-year-old girl, covers topics including her peaceful life before the Holocaust, her time spent in hiding, her eventual capture and her internment at Ravensbr?ck death camp.
"I think my book picks up where Anne Frank left off," Sherman said. "Not in terms of quality, but because of the fact that Anne's story ends when she dies going into camp. And that is really where my story begins."
Sherman explained how after hiding in a forest, she and her relatives were caught by the German army and imprisoned. Her brother, mother and other relatives were sent to Auschwitz, never to be seen again.
"My brother will forever be eight," she said.
Sherman was slated to be sent to Auschwitz as well, but on the particular day that her transport arrived at the concentration camp, it was turned away. Apparently, the camp was too full and could not take any more prisoners.
"Every survivor has a miracle story," Sherman said. "Mine - no room in Auschwitz for that one day."
Even today, Sherman remains haunted and affected by the Holocaust. She refuses to wear striped clothing, will not watch bad news on TV and will only choose fruits and vegetables from the top of the pile while grocery shopping. Rummaging for the best ones, she said, is too suggestive of the selection process that occurred at Auschwitz.
"I live on two tracks, always," she said. "I am here and there."
Still, Sherman hopes that her book and lecture can make a positive difference in the ways that the Holocaust is viewed today.
"I think it is important for the world to know about the Holocaust," she said. "Not just in remembrance, but to stir us into action. These are our future leaders, the people who will have impact on the world. They should remember the Holocaust, and use it as an example of what to do and what not to do. I want to show the negative impact of hate, racism and intolerance."
Sherman closed her presentation by reading a poem entitled "This Time," a plea for people to open their eyes and prevent another Holocaust from ever occurring.
"I think this poem sums everything up," she said. "This is the essence of it. This time we can act, and we can't claim ignorance anymore, unlike the last time."
At the close of her program, a line of students eager to purchase her book and meet Sherman snaked through the Music Building's lobby.
"I bought this book because I was so struck by the words she said and her readings," Alida Liberman, sophomore English and philosophy major, said. "It was so emotional and eloquent. This is a subject I'm very interested in and passionate about. It's about survival, human rights, the problem of evil in the world. I think she's an incredible woman. I can't wait to read the whole book and share it with others."
For a woman who has kept her haunting past a secret for so long, it is clear that Sherman has been able to accomplish a great deal in a short time, and to touch the lives of many in the process. But she won't stop there.
"I think you can sum up what I want to do with a Hebrew phrase," she said. "'Tikun Olam'-it means 'for the betterment of the world.'"
(11/09/05 12:00pm)
Have you ever sat down at your desk, prepared to study or write a paper, and found yourself chatting with a friend on AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) instead? Have you ever logged on simply to check your e-mail, then glanced at the clock to realize that hours have gone by?
Today, with the Internet playing such a large role in our lives, it is easy to get swept up in a virtual world - and even easier to let precious minutes that should be devoted to work or socializing slip by in doing so.
"The Internet is transforming life because people are now spending hours on the computer," Larry Gage, associate director for counseling in the Psychological Services office, said. "Good things can come from the Internet, like research and shopping. Computers are not evil - my main concern is when folks use them to excess."
For college students who are able to stay logged on to the Internet 24 hours a day, excess is certainly an issue.
In fact, a recent survey conducted by psychologists at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. found that "approximately 10 percent of Internet-using students have used the Internet to the degree that their usage meets criteria that are parallel to those of other forms of dependence."
So, can the Internet really be considered as addictive as gambling, drugs or alcohol?
"I have tried to quit, but I think it might be more addicting than nicotine," joked Mike Slattery, junior psychology major, when asked about Internet use.
The Rensselaer survey goes on to list seven criteria used to determine substance dependence which, according to Gage, can also apply to students with an Internet compulsion.
"I encourage students to look at these criteria and apply them to the time they are spending online," he said. "Many students don't realize that the Internet can negatively impact their social lives and academics."
The criteria include tolerance; withdrawal; using larger amounts over a longer period than was intended; the desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control the substance use; a great deal of time is spent obtaining, using, or recovering from the substance; social, occupational or recreational activities are reduced because of substance use; and substance use continues in spite of negative effects.
Although it might seem outlandish to consider excessive Internet use a dependence or addiction, look at it this way: if your Internet goes out for a few minutes, hours, or even days, do you feel frustrated and antsy? Do you feel like you are missing out on something, and have trouble finding a new way to occupy your time?
"If my Internet was down for longer than a few hours, I would feel cut off from the world," Callan Wright, junior international business major, said.
Junior computer science major Mike Woods said it would be his "first priority to get (the Internet) back up before anything else."
According to Gage, if the Internet takes such importance that other responsibilities are eclipsed, it can lead to serious trouble.
"People in these situations can crash and burn when it comes to academics," he said. "This has the potential to create crisis."
For most college students, academic struggles can result from a failure to manage time.
"I find that IMing, Facebook and other things are very distracting when I have work to do," Slattery said. "I continuously check them hoping that something has changed in the last five minutes."
According to Gage, even worse than the Internet's use as a tool of procrastination are its negative social implications.
"I'm concerned when I get students in here that don't have social skills because they spend more time on the computer than with other people," he said. "What issues will they be forced to wrestle with in the future because of this deficit?"
Gage said the solution is simple - balance.
"Half of interaction with people ought to be face-to-face," he said. "If students begin to interact primarily through the use of electronics, they will lose an edge when it comes to perceiving things. They will lose their ability to interact with one another."
Many students at the College, though, believe the Internet serves them as a supplement, rather than as a replacement, for personal interaction.
"I see talking to people online as an extension of talking to them face-to-face," Woods said. "If anything, it adds more to my relationship with that person."
In an online world where nothing might be as it seems, Wright said it is more important now than ever to make sure social interactions take place in person.
"You can never replace a good verbal conversation with a typed one," she said. "People can edit themselves over AIM, and it's important to make sure you are getting the real thing."
In order to preserve important social skills and to ensure that school work does not fall by the wayside, Gage suggests that students take a long, hard look at the amount of time they are spending online.
"As a general recommendation, I suggest keeping track of where your time goes for a week and deciding how this compares with where you'd like to see your time go," he said. "If addicted, students can work toward a goal of moderating and determine what activities have been neglected."
According to an article published by The New York Times in December 2004, excessive use of the Internet does indeed cut into time once spent on other things.
The article notes that an hour of time spent on the Internet reduces face-to-face time with friends, co-workers and family by 23.5 minutes. It also shortens sleep by eight-and-a-half minutes.
According to Gage, students should start small in their quest to lessen the amount of time they spend on the Internet and to regain control of their lives.
"Set specific goals for change," he said. "If you are spending 30 hours a week on the computer, try for 20 hours. See what is in your comfort zone. I advocate that people spend some chunk of (their) day when everything is off, but it comes down to your individual comfort level and need."
- Information from http://studentaffairs/com/ejournal/Winter_2001/addiction2.htm, http://news.com/Internet+use+cutting+into+TV+viewing+and+socializing/2100-1026_3-5507547.html.
(11/02/05 12:00pm)
It's that time of year again. The leaves are changing, the clocks have been turned back and even die-hard flip-flop wearers will soon be forced to trade their Reefs for a pair of snow boots. While it's normal to pine for long days at the shore and the relaxed atmosphere of summer, there are over half a million people in the United States alone who suffer from symptoms of depression with the onslaught of the cold winter months.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a winter depression that affects scores of people every winter between September and April, with the most severe cases occurring in December, January and February. Although we haven't had our first blizzard yet, it's never too early to learn about SAD - and to prepare yourself should you come down with a case of the winter blues.
Symptoms of SAD may appear at any age, but are most likely to occur between the ages of 18 and 30. Therefore, this disorder is something that college students in particular should be aware of.
Indicators of SAD can vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms are a desire to sleep later and difficulty staying awake, a lethargic feeling as you go about your daily activities, a craving for carbohydrates or sugar-rich foods that results in weight gain, a desire to avoid social interactions, feelings of anxiety or depression, sudden mood changes and the loss of a sexual appetite.
If these symptoms have affected you for more than three consecutive winters but vanish in the spring and summer months to be replaced with periods of hyperactivity, it is most likely that you are a SAD sufferer.
For Michelle Boccia, a junior engineering major at Northeastern University in Boston, Ma. who calls the Jersey shore home during the summer months, the harsh New England winters have certainly had an adverse affect on her life.
"Even though we get snow in New Jersey, I wasn't prepared for my first Boston winter at all," she said. "It's just so cold and gray here. Everyone is on edge, and I think that most students have symptoms (of SAD) during the winter months."
With the first blanket of snow descending upon her campus during Halloween weekend, Boccia must prepare for the prospect of her third winter of sub-zero temperatures and barely any sunlight.
"I cope by going to the gym a lot and being with my friends," she said. "Otherwise, I think that the darkness and terrible weather would make us all go crazy."
According to the National Mental Health Association (NMHA), darkness does indeed play a factor in causing SAD. It is believed that melatonin, a sleep-related hormone which may cause symptoms of depression, is produced at accelerating levels in the dark. This means that as days get shorter and darkness falls at an earlier hour, the production of the hormone increases.
In order to combat this issue, many SAD sufferers turn to phototherapy or bright light therapy, which involves sustained exposure to a bank of white fluorescent lights on a metal reflector and shield with a plastic screen.
If light therapy doesn't work, people experiencing extreme SAD symptoms can see a mental health professional or be placed on an antidepressant drug.
Yet, if symptoms are mild to moderate, something as small as opening your curtains to let in the sunlight can make all the difference. Spending time outdoors or rearranging your bedroom or office so that more natural light filters in may help lessen your symptoms. In fact, the NMHA cited a recent study that found that "an hour's walk in winter sunlight was as effective as two and a half hours under bright artificial light."
Although SAD may make it difficult to get through the bleary winter months, there is a bright side (no pun intended) to this disorder. No matter how dreadful the winter may be, it won't be long until the summer sun is shining once again.
- Information from sada.org/uk and nmba.org/infoctr/factsheets/27.cfm.
(10/19/05 12:00pm)
"Here on campus, we refer to our housing as 'residence halls,'" Larry Gage, associate director for Counseling in the Psychological Services office, said. "But we used to call them 'dormitories.' And where did that word originate? It comes from 'dormir,' the Spanish verb for sleeping."
But in this day and age, with so many distractions facing today's college students including instant messaging, online gaming, projects, exams and partying (to name a few), is there really a lot of sleeping going on? Are we getting the amount of shut-eye we need to be healthy, productive citizens in society? The answer, it seems, is a resounding no.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, the most natural sleep cycle for teenagers and young adults is 15 hours of daytime and evening activity followed by nine to nine and a half hours of sleep each night. Adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night to feel their best.
"It's probably best to get nine to 10 quality hours of sleep at one time," Janice Vermeychuk, a family nurse practitioner and associate director of Health Services, said.
Yet with fluctuating class schedules, midterms and finals, maintaining a strict sleep schedule can be a difficult, if not impossible, task.
"This semester, I'm lucky if I get seven (hours of sleep) a night," Adam Brusotti, junior secondary education/history major, said. "I feel tired and run-down all the time. At about 12:30 p.m. or 1 p.m., I hit a wall. I start to doze off wherever I am. Driving, in class, sitting down, reading - it doesn't matter."
Brusotti's problem is one that most college students seem to face.
"It's so important to get good sleep and students usually do so poorly," Gage said. "With so many distractions, people run the tank dry. When you are between the ages of 18 and 22, you can rebound more, but at some point you're going to reach your limit."
Over time, lack of sleep can have serious consequences for your body and your mind. And although it may seem unfeasible to alter your current lifestyle, there are ways to change and get the amount of sleep that you truly need.
Health Risks
At this particular time of year, with midterms and project deadlines looming, Health Services sees an increase in the number of students it treats. According to Vermeychuk, lack of sleep is often the culprit.
"Take a look around. Everyone is sick," she said. "When we ask how much sleep they have gotten each night over the past week, they laugh and say two or three hours. It's midterms. The demand for appointments for colds increases when academic demands increase. Your susceptibility to illness increases with less hours of a 'good night's sleep.'"
Recent studies have shown a strong link between the amount of sleep a person gets and their immune system's ability to ward off illness and disease.
"Some studies have suggested a reduced immune cell activity from just one night's missed sleep," Vermeychuk said. "Repeated sleep loss means longer stretches of impaired immune system function."
Thanks to her experience treating students, Vermeychuk has noticed a difference between the sleeping patterns of upperclassmen and new additions to the college community.
"I think most upperclassmen have learned how to manage their time better and have learned the importance of getting a good night's sleep, so we find they make a point to get at least eight hours of sleep each night," she said. "However, most first and second year students 'burn the candle at both ends' and average four hours of sleep per night. It is difficult the first year or two of college to prioritize tasks and manage time - time gets away from these students and all of a sudden, all these things are due and they have very little time to get them done. Thus the late nights. Many students are so wired with caffeine and long hours at the computer that they can't fall asleep."
"I sleep about six hours a night on average," Steven San Filippo, freshman biology major, said. "Lack of sleep makes it difficult for me to be fully awake during class, and I might not be in a good mood then, especially if I slept even less than average."
Yet even for upperclassmen, the struggle to balance academics, a social life and sleep can be daunting.
"I definitely have sleep deprivation," Allison Hays, junior elementary education/English major, said. "I get anywhere from five to eight hours a night, but I wake up a few time a night so you need to subtract that."
Hays realizes that most nights, she is not getting nearly enough sleep. "I think I would need to get about seven hours a night every night to feel good," she said.
"But I think more than how much sleep I get is having a set schedule to abide by. For example, waking up and going to bed each day at the same times would make me feel better. But that is what is hard about a college schedule - classes are all over the place and our schedules are not the same every day, so it's more difficult to stick to a structured schedule."
Having a constant sleep schedule is important, but Vermeychuk understands college students have trouble planning each day so that it begins and ends at the same time.
"(Your body) needs the same amount of sleep every night," she said. "The best sleep can be achieved by setting up a regular bedtime and wake time schedule Monday through Sunday. This is the hardest thing for college students to do."
Many college students try to compensate for their lack of sleep during the night by catching a quick nap whenever they have a few minutes to spare.
"When I don't get enough sleep, I feel like I definitely need a nap," Tyrone Worrell, senior communication studies major, said. "I'm more concerned about getting back to my room to sleep than getting work done for the day."
But according to Gage, this can cause more harm than good.
"The problem with naps occurs when they get to be more than 15 minutes long," he said. "A 15-minute nap doesn't affect your sleep cycle because it doesn't allow you to enter into a deep sleep. But if you let a longer nap occur outside of night hours, you do it at the peril of disrupting your sleep cycle during your regular time for sleeping."
Mental Health Risks
Sure, getting a cold because you missed a few nights of sleep can definitely be a pain, but what happens when lack of sleep begins to affect your emotions and relationships with others?
"The flip side of not getting enough sleep is a huge increase in stress," Gage said. "With that comes grumpiness and problems with relationships, whether they be friendships or romances. When you don't get enough sleep, you are not going to concentrate as well. You will be less effective when studying on your own or working in groups."
Hays said she has noticed that lack of sleep affects the way she interacts with others.
"I'm definitely more grumpy when I don't get enough sleep, and it's harder to work in groups because every little thing bothers me," she said. "Plus, I feel like it's more of a countdown of when I can go back to sleep, so I don't get as much out of my classes, activities or assignments that I have a responsibility toward."
In extreme cases, though, the effects of a sleepless night can be far more dangerous - and frightening - then a disagreeable attitude.
"In extreme cases, like during pledge season, a lack of sleep can lead to things like hallucinating and losing touch with reality," Gage said. "It's as if your body says, 'I've put up with this foolishness for as long as I can, but now I have to sleep.' The danger arises if this occurs while you're behind the wheel. I understand the traditions involved, but people need to see to it that there are reasonable breaks for sleeping and refueling the body."
With this knowledge, Psychological Services wants to help students without appearing overbearing.
"We don't want to come across as finger-pointing parental figures," Gage said. "But really, it's all about balance. There is a lot of resilience in humans, and most have the wherewithal to stay up late and still function well. But eventually, there is a price you pay. We want our students to have fun, but we want them to be healthy, too. It's all about moderation."
Gage advocates a strategy he calls "sleep hygiene" for helping students to improve their habits.
"The most crucial thing is to allow your system to wind down before you go to bed," he said. "IMing and even watching TV involve engagement of your mind. Take a half hour to go through your pre-bed ritual, like brushing your teeth and washing your face. Do things to calm yourself, like writing in a journal, that are slow and non-active."
It seems that an overhaul of bad routines is needed, but for some students, it seems doubtful that they will ever catch up on their missed "Z's."
"I think the only way I could catch up on my sleep would be to drop out of school," Brusotti said.
For most, that approach is a tad extreme. So for those who strive to achieve the perfect balance of activity and down time, take small steps. It won't be easy, but with time, you can change your sleeping habits for the better.
So throw on your favorite jammies, curl up under the covers and veg out for a change. Sweet dreams. You deserve them.
(10/05/05 12:00pm)
For most college students, the idea of a visit to Costa Rica conjures images of lazy days spent on pristine beaches, surfing and an exotic nightlife.
But for Brian Potter, assistant professor of political science and international relations, Costa Rica serves as much more. In his opinion, it is a blueprint for all Latin American nations, and even for the United States. And from Jan. 1-16, Potter plans to show a lucky group of students just that.
Potter, along with John Pollock, professor of communications, and Douglas Peterson, assistant business professor, plans to take between 25 and 30 students on a study tour of Costa Rica during the College's winter recess.
The tour will be done in conjunction with courses in international business, cross cultural management, cross cultural communications and international politics.
"Costa Rica is a model country in economic and political development," Potter said. "It is more advanced in terms of wealth, the education system and the status of women than perhaps even we are. It is not a Latin-American norm."
Potter, a specialist in Latin- American policy, has had a deep interest in studying these nations for as far back as he can remember.
But of all the Latin-American countries they could have chosen, why does Costa Rica have Potter and his colleagues so enraptured?
"Costa Rica has done something right that other Latin American countries have not," Potter said. "Its success rests on a combination of democracy, economic policies that involve investing in people for the long term and environmental protection."
The study tour will focus on all of these areas.
"This tour is going to be a demonstration of what Costa Rica has done right with explanations from people in eco-tourism and management," Potter said.
Students and faculty chaperones will spend the first three days of the tour in San Jose, making stops at the Costa Rican Human Rights Institute and INCAE, the Costa Rican Graduate School of Management, where they will learn about the country's economic development.
After focusing on the business aspects of the country, students will then embark on an ecological tour of both coasts of Costa Rica, stopping at many of the country's renowned national parks, nature trails, beaches, rainforests and biological reserves.
"You can't separate the environment from business in Costa Rica," Potter said. "Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is a main part of the economy. About one-fourth of the country is made up of national parks and reserves. In the United States, we consider environmental protection a luxury that costs money. They consider it an investment, and have managed to profit from it."
Aside from its stellar environmental policies, Potter believes that Costa Rica's economic and political approaches also merit examination and praise from the rest of the world.
"The world is basically divided into wealthy and developing nations," Potter said. "Latin America is a middle ground. While most Latin American countries didn't get their freedom until the 1960s, Costa Rica has been free since the 1820s. It provides an example of what nations that have recently gained their independence should strive to do."
According to Potter, one of the main things that other Latin-American nations should focus on is becoming more globalized.
"Costa Rica has many international corporations operating there," Potter said. "Most of Latin America is still filled with maquiladoras, and even those are moving to China where it is cheaper. But in Costa Rica, Intel is opening computer chip factories."
Potter stressed that the United States could learn something from what is often viewed by Americans as little more than a vacation hotspot.
"Costa Rica is a more equitable model based on business, politics and how it frames the issue of sustainable development," he said. "It has a better human rights record and educational system than we do. It also has more widespread access to basic services like health care, pensions and internet access."
With its specialized itinerary encompassing so much of the Costa Rican nation, Potter hopes students embarking upon the study tour will see the country's success.
"I think they've (Costa Rica) done a good job," he said. "Hopefully, by the end of the tour, the students will agree."
(09/28/05 12:00pm)
Imagine graduating from high school and deciding to start fresh in a new, exotic location. Imagine shopping for supplies, packing and saying goodbye to your closest friends. Imagine boarding a plane and arriving at your college of choice, the place that will serve as your home for the next four years. Now, imagine your dreams shattered as, after only half an hour, the threat of a deadly natural disaster forces you to evacuate.
For John Gagliardi, now a freshman open-options major at the College, this scenario is reality. Enrolled as a student at Tulane University in New Orleans, Gagliardi had barely set foot on campus when he and his father were forced to flee the wrath of Hurricane Katrina.
Gagliardi and his father arrived in New Orleans on Friday, Aug. 26.
"We had heard reports that a hurricane was likely, but no one expected it to be as severe as it was," he said.
Gagliardi spent Friday and Saturday getting acquainted with his new home city.
"I chose to go to Tulane because I wanted a change of pace," he said. "I wanted something new, and New Orleans seemed like such an exciting place to be."
On Friday, he sampled some of the city's native cuisine. On Saturday, he and his father toured the infamous Bourbon Street, which is home to New Orleans' yearly Mardi Gras festivities.
"That was a lot of fun, and I'm really glad, especially now, that I got to visit it," he said. "It was the most memorable part of the trip."
On Sunday morning, Gagliardi arrived at Tulane at 9:30 a.m. to begin the check-in process.
"I was lined up in front of a residence hall with a crowd of other freshmen waiting to get checked in," he said. "All of a sudden, one of the people in charge stood up on a table and announced that we had to evacuate by the afternoon."
Before departing, Gagliardi had time to leave some of his belongings in his room and meet his would-be roommate.
"We had a short period of time to move our belongings in before we had to evacuate the campus, so the last thing I did was make my bed," he said. "I left with a backpack."
Leaving New Orleans by air was impossible, because the airports had already shut down. They had to leave, though, so Gagliardi, his father, his roommate and roommate's family decided to drive out of the city in a rental car.
"It took 12 hours to get out of the New Orleans area," Gagliardi said. "The city was a maze due to contra flow, which is when they turn both sides of the highway flowing out of the city. When we finally did get on the right road, we were inching along or stuck in gridlock for hours."
Gagliardi was amazed at the different reactions that New Orleans residents had about the storm.
"A lot of people were boarding up windows of houses and businesses, but some people were really nonchalant about the whole thing," he said. "I remember the janitor of the hotel was taking his sweet time polishing the wood on the front door."
The most harrowing part of their escape occurred when Gagliardi and his fellow travelers had to cross the bridge over Lake Pontchartrain.
"The lake had risen so that the bridge was not very high off the water and the waves were getting pretty rough," he said. "We had to park on the bridge because it was total gridlock, so we got out of our car and started talking to some of the other people. Suddenly the storm hit with a lot of rain, and the wind was so strong it shook the car."
They spent the rest of the day driving west across Louisiana in a frantic attempt to outrun the storm.
That night, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans, causing catastrophic destruction that has since become ingrained in our collective conscience.
There were no hotels available, so the group sought refuge at a hurricane shelter in St. Francisville.
"The living conditions there weren't great," he said.
Luckily, a volunteer at the shelter offered to house them for the night, and they gladly accepted.
"We stayed there until the next afternoon after the hurricane passed, and then we went back on the road," he said.
Gagliardi's father was able to get a flight out of Jasper, Texas home to New Jersey. Meanwhile, Gagliardi spent a week in Austin at the home of his roommate.
"We watched a lot of the coverage on the news and we were just blown away," he said.
In his opinion, all levels of the government wronged the people of New Orleans.
"I don't think the people of New Orleans got the government aid that they needed," he said. "This was a national crisis and the government didn't seem quick to come and help. The people who stayed in New Orleans aren't to blame as much as people may think. They've been told to evacuate in the past when there was no storm and many of them couldn't have gotten out of the city easily if they wanted to."
But this time, of course, there was a storm - and eventually, Gagliardi had to accept the fact the he would be unable to return to Tulane for the fall semester. A resident of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, he began examining his in-state options.
"I saw that (the College) was recruiting kids from the South and advertising on its Web site," he said. "I chose to come here for two main reasons. First of all, the school has a really good reputation. Second, I already had a friend here, so at least I would know someone when I got here."
The application process was easy and painless.
"I sent in a transcript and got in pretty quickly," he said. "Everyone was very accepting."
About two weeks after evacuating from Tulane, Gagliardi moved in to Cromwell Hall and officially began his freshman year - albeit not at the institution where he had originally planned.
Still, Gagliardi is making the best of the situation.
"I'm loving it here so far," he said. "I've been asked a lot of questions about my experience, especially when I first moved in. But everyone has been really nice and sympathetic."
As far as Gagliardi knows, Tulane plans to reopen next semester.
In a letter to Tulane students and faculty posted on Sept. 14 on the school's official Web site, President Scott Cowan wrote, "Based on everything I know today, Tulane University will be open this spring for our faculty, staff and students. Let me assure you that my optimism is based on facts, not wishful thinking. Every day our team reports improvements in all areas critical to our recovery."
When Tulane does reopen its doors, it is likely that Gagliardi will return so that he can study architecture, a major not offered here at the College.
"Most likely, I'll go back," he said. "But it is still a decision I need to make."
Surprisingly, he shows no sign of worry at the prospect of another hurricane hitting Tulane and the city of New Orleans in the future.
"I'm worried about the shape the city might be in now more than another hurricane," he said. "My family and I have a lot of trust in the school, and feel that it will create a safe environment for its students to return to."
(09/21/05 12:00pm)
"Believe it or not, we are a nationally recognized undergrad powerhouse in communications studies."
Coming from some, this remark might be considered a bit haughty-but not when the speaker is John Pollock, one of the professors who has helped to revolutionize the communications studies department-and received accolades from the United Nations (U.N.) in the process.
Last fall, Pollock, who is a member of the International Communications Association (ICA), received a memo about an opportunity to work with the U.N. on a project dealing with health communication.
"I applied immediately, because I knew this was for me," he said.
Eventually, Pollock was one of three scholars chosen by the health communications division of ICA to work on U.N. materials in the fall of 2004.
A firm believer in working side by side with his undergraduate students, Pollock immediately assigned the project to the International Communications course he was teaching that semester. His students broke into teams, with the objective of studying cross-national coverage of U.N. efforts to fight AIDS. They used a "structural approach" to their research, comparing a nation's coverage with things like its literacy rate and Gross Domestic Product.
The class made a number of findings and realized that in many cases, a nation's economic status influenced the way that their media outlets covered the AIDS epidemic.
"We found that industrialized countries were most concerned with funding of research," Pollock said. "Meanwhile, access to treatment and supplies was of great interest to developing countries, especially the Sub-Sahara and African continent."
Pollock believes that this study was important for a number of reasons, most notably for revealing disparities in the ways that various countries treat those citizens who are infected by the HIV or AIDS virus.
"A major problem in other countries is the stigma that surrounds people living with AIDS," he said. "Here in the United States, this disease has gone from being a death sentence to a chronic illness."
Last May, the work of Pollock and his dedicated students was rewarded when he received the first ever joint U.N./ICA "Seed Grant," worth $2,000, at an ICA conference in New York City.
"This award had been announced a few years earlier, but none of the applications that ICA received were deemed worthy," he said. "So I was pleasantly surprised to have my proposal chosen for this honor by a panel of some of the most distinguished scholars from around the world."
Looking back, Pollock says that his desire to participate in this study, along with the help of his undergraduate students, stems from three things: the fact that, as an undergrad himself, his professors allowed him to work with them on various projects, his love of international politics and his love of communications studies.
"As an undergraduate at Swarthmore and while getting my Ph.D. at Stanford, I was always encouraged to work cooperatively with my professors," he said.
When he later went on to become a professor, teaching international politics at Rutgers University, he followed suit.
"I've been working with undergraduates forever, beginning in the mid-70s when I was at Rutgers," Pollock said.
In fact, his unique method of teaching and conducting research has earned a special nickname: the "Pollock model." Raquel Cohen-Orantes, chief of the Evaluation and Communications Research Unit of the United
Nations' Department of Public Information, coined this phrase because "she was struck and so pleased that so many students were involved. She was fascinated, and not accustomed to it," Pollock explained.
But for him, the choice was an easy and obvious one to make.
"Working with students is much more fun than working alone," he said. "I get my best scholarly work done during the school year because students ask obvious questions that I often overlook, and I can bounce ideas off of them. Undergraduates have a freshness and curiosity that is not often visible in graduate students, because they become jaded."
Pollock's deep connection with international affairs goes even further into his past. His mother grew up in China before moving to the United States and he spent time abroad as a young adult.
But it is the topic of communication-specifically, health communication-that really gets Pollock talking.
"The fastest growing field in communications is health communications," he said. "If we in the communications field can help people lead less risky lives by eliminating things like smoking and obesity, therefore reducing cases of heart disease and cancer, we will have made quite a contribution."
In his opinion, health communications will soon have its time to shine.
"If you think about it, economics was not taken seriously as a subject until after the Depression," he said. "Political science was not widely recognized until after World War II. Soon, health communication will demonstrate its importance to everyone on a national and international level."
To that end, Pollock has created a health communications concentration within the communication studies major, and is currently at work on a minor as well.
Although some might be satisfied enough with recognition from the U.N., Pollock shows no signs of slowing down.
This fall, his International Communications course is once again hard at work on a team project concerning the AIDS virus.
This time, his students will be studying the efforts by groups other than the U.N. to fight AIDS, and their paper topics will range from individual responsibility (such as practicing safe sex) to the question of whether or not government and social institutions bear some type of responsibility as well.
In his forthcoming book, "Tilted Mirrors: Media Alignment with Political and Social Change; A Community Structure Approach," Pollock dedicates an entire chapter to nationwide media coverage of HIV and AIDS, based on research conducted by his students in the '90s.
As if all of this wasn't enough, Pollock, along with Brian Potter, assistant professor of political science, and Douglas Peterson, assistant professor of management and international business is attempting to set up a trip to Costa Rica next January so that students can participate in an ecological tour of a country that he thinks should be "a model for all of Central America."
Despite his string of successes since joining the College's faculty 13 years ago, Pollock refuses to take all of the credit for the leaps and bounds that have been made by the communications studies department during that time.
"I certainly don't want to give the impression that I am responsible for the high quality of the students in the communications department," he said. "We have a very strong faculty, and I am just one of the members of that faculty. I have been very fortunate to work with these people, and to see the department become what it is today."
(09/14/05 12:00pm)
Thanks to the College's well-publicized Sesquicentennial celebration, most, if not all of us, are aware that the school was founded 150 years ago in 1855. Yet despite this knowledge, it can be difficult for a student in 2005 to imagine what the College was like so many years ago and to accept, in fact, that it actually existed.
What did students at the Trenton Normal School do to keep in contact without cell phones and AIM? What types of classes did they take?
Some of these questions can now be answered, thanks to a collection of artifacts recently donated to the office of Development and Alumni Affairs. It all started with a phone call.
This past summer, Stephen Hopper, a resident of New Jersey who was getting ready to move to Florida, stumbled across a group of items in his attic which he thought would be of interest to the College.
After contacting Lisa McCarthy, the acting director of Alumni Affairs, he sent her what he had found, along with a letter explaining his family's longstanding connection to the College.
McCarthy was delighted by what she ended up receiving: an autograph book that belonged to Hopper's great-uncle, who graduated from the Trenton Normal School in 1880; and another autograph book and lecture notes that belonged to Hopper's grandfather, a member of the class of 1885.
The entire collection is in near-perfect condition. Each autograph book contains signatures from classmates including their hometowns and quotations by which they wished to be remembered.
One notebook contains Elocution (speech) notes, while the other, used for an Herberium class, contains perfectly preserved samples of pressed plants and flowers found on Trenton Normal School's campus.
"It's just amazing that all of these things have been so perfectly preserved," McCarthy said.
According to his letter, Hopper's grandfather, Samuel A. Robertson, found great success after graduating from the Trenton Normal School in 1885. He went on to become the principal of the No. 7 School in Bayonne, which was eventually named after him in the late 1930s. He was also the founding president of Bayonne Savings and Loan in the 1920s. The bank was in operation until 2003, when it merged with a larger bank.
Hopper's great-uncle, Horace Robertson, practiced law through the 1940s.
"These brothers came from a small farm in Baptistown, N.J. where my great-grandfather grew mustard for a cash crop," Hopper wrote. "Trenton Normal School must have provided them with quite an education!"
For the time being, these articles will remain in the possession of the office of Development and Alumni Affairs. Eventually, they will be transferred to the archive section of the New Library where they will be available for student viewing.
McCarthy's office has stumbled across a number of other exciting artifacts in recent months, including slides and reels of video which depict the dedication of Crowell Hall and the cornerstone laying of Kendall Hall.
"We are thinking of exhibiting these artifacts to the public at some point, but they must first be copied to video or DVD," McCarthy said. "We are trying to figure out how to go about doing that."
McCarthy is most excited about film that her office has recovered depicting the celebration of the College's 1956 Centennial celebration.
"What a great gift for this year's reunion class to receive," she said.
If students, staff or faculty members come across any items of historical significance that pertain to the College, they should not hesitate to donate them to the office of Development and Alumni Affairs.
"We'd love to see anything that shows the history of the school or is generally going to be of interest," McCarthy said. "We'll take anything because we never know what we will find or what we can get out of it."
(09/07/05 12:00pm)
True, the College can't brag about the Olsen twins walking its hallowed halls. There are no paparazzi hidden under tables at Brower Student Center or trailing students as they walk to their English classes; no bodyguards securing the dining hall before lunch; no torrid tabloid incidents taking place on our campus. For the most part, we're just a bunch of regular, wholesome college kids ... or are we?
As a matter of fact, the College is home to some unique faces that have made headlines in the last few years.
Who can forget Lauren Wanko, the junior communication studies major who allowed MTV cameras to follow her around and document her senior year for an episode of their hit series "True Life"?
What about Kate Stelnick, a sophomore business management major who, last year, made both local and national headlines by being the first customer ever to down a six-pound hamburger at a popular Pennsylvania pub?
Read on to find out what two of TCNJ's most recognized campus celebrities have been up to since they first made news at the College!
Catching up with "MTV Girl"
Back in 2003, prospective college students could tune in to the popular cable channel MTV and watch a New Jersey teen coast through the ups and downs of her last year of high school and, after much debate, decide to attend The College of New Jersey in the upcoming fall. That teen was Lauren Wanko.
While some might grapple with the choice to air their lives on national television, the decision was an easy one for Wanko.
"My background in high school was drama and TV production," she said. "So therefore, when I was told that MTV was coming to school to look for some candidates for a reality show, I thought it would be an amazing opportunity for me, given what I was interested in pursuing in the future."
After participating in a casting call in her high school's library, Wanko was selected by MTV producers to be profiled for "True Life: I'm a High School Senior." Taping began one week after the initial interviewing process, and MTV's cameras followed her around from February until her graduation.
Although the special aired months before the College's freshmen moved in for Welcome Week in the fall of 2003, Wanko was still recognized by the majority of her classmates.
"I did not expect to be recognized as much as I was when I arrived on campus," she said. "Total strangers were commenting about how I changed my hair color. I was definitely surprised by the amount of students who watched the show. I quickly realized just how large of an audience MTV had."
Although it has now been two years since the show first aired, people still ask Wanko about her "True Life" experience and make an array of comments to her about the way she was portrayed - both good and bad.
"Being on a reality show such as 'True Life' wasn't really my life story but what the producers wanted to create for their ratings and their audience to enjoy," she said. "After two years, I've learned that people will either get to know me, a typical college student who is no different from anyone else, or choose to make their own assumptions about me based on a reality TV show that I had no control over."
These days, Wanko has taken charge of launching her career, without the help of MTV's cameras. Last April, she signed a contract to work at NJN (New Jersey Network), located in nearby Trenton. She is both a reporter and associate producer for a weekly, half-hour program called "New Jersey Works."
"When I'm not in school, I spend my time at the station, writing stories, covering stories, or shooting my news casts," she said.
So, was appearing on "True Life," and later hosting a marathon of "True Life" episodes for MTV, worth the more difficult adjustment into college life?
"Looking back, would I do it again?" asked Wanko. "If it would give me more opportunities in the industry, I definitely would!"
Catching up with "Burger Girl"
It's been a little more than seven months since Kate Stelnick journeyed five hours, along with her freshmen floormates, to Denny's Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield, Penn. And although it's been more than half a year since Stelnick downed the pub's famous six-pound hamburger, complete with over five pounds of condiments, not much has changed.
She is still recognized all over campus, and wonders if she will always be known as the "burger girl."
"I didn't think people would hear about it or recognize me, so I was surprised at first," Stelnick said, speaking of the attention she received soon after The Signal published its first article on her record-breaking hamburger binge. "It still hasn't stopped. I think this burger ordeal will forever haunt me."
With the close of her freshman year, Stelnick tried to restore some semblance of normalcy to her life. She did not participate in any competitive eating events this summer.
"I've been getting tons of e-mails from people in competitive eating organizations asking me to enter contests," she said. "Quick Chek hosted an eating competition and offered me $1,000 just to enter, but I turned them down because I'm not really into eating competitively, though it was nice that I got that offer."
After being a guest last year on both "Good Morning America" and "The Tony Danza Show," the offers for Stelnick to appear on national television have yet to abate.
"Jimmy Kimmel asked me to appear on his late night talk show, but I turned him down as well," she said. "I'm trying to let this fame die down a bit."
For the time being, Stelnick does not have any other records she'd like to break.
Surprisingly, something as small as eating a giant hamburger has taught Stelnick a great deal about society at large.
"Eating this hamburger made me realize how much people do not focus on the more important things going on in the world," she said. "I ate a giant hamburger and it was on the 11 o'clock news! I guess, sometimes you need a break from all the crime and other serious issues, but it was just so crazy!"
Perhaps more important than the lesson that Stelnick learned about others in the world are the lessons she learned about herself.
"I've gained a great deal of confidence (from appearing on live TV), and I've learned to be comfortable with myself and not care so much what others think," she said.
While reactions to her stunt have ranged from idolization to hatred, Stelnick has taken only the positives away.
"I am not going to let anything hold me back," she said. "I want to experience everything there is to experience - even if that means driving five hours to beat a record I knew I could beat all along."