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(02/28/17 3:37pm)
By Ashton Leber
Social Media Editor
“You don’t know me. You don’t even know my name. You don’t even know how to say it. ”
For freshman accounting major Sherida Hinckson, coming to the College was like entering a new world, as she had only attended schools with Black and Hispanic students until now.
“When I came here, I had things said to me that weren’t nice because of my race, my hair or my name. It made me realize I can’t hide anymore,” she said.
Students gathered on Tuesday, Feb. 21, in Cromwell Lounge to hear empowering stories from their peers in the “A Walk In My Shoes Monologues” hosted by the College’s Educational Opportunity Fund program.
Others took the stage to share their daily struggles.
Robin Friedman, a freshman interactive multimedia major, talked about the difficulties of battling depression while discovering his true gender identity.
A shift in his sleeping patterns, disinterest in things he once loved and frequent thoughts of leaving the world made Friedman realize he was changing.
“I kept telling myself none of this world was real,” he said. “I felt like a stranger walking through a dream.”
On the surface, Friedman may have appeared happy, but internally, he was fighting to keep it together.
Friedman explained that depression isn’t just feeling sad — it is skipping showers, having no motivation and losing the will to live.
He slowly learned to control his depression and discover his true self. This month, it will be a year since he came out as transgender to his parents.
“I look at gender in a fluid way, and I feel like no matter what my outward expression is, I still want to be son, boyfriend, he, him,” Friedman said.
Friedman’s friends and family have accepted him through his depression and transition. However, for other students, the process of acceptance is still ongoing.
Every morning, Stav Ron, a freshman women, gender and sexuality studies major, picks out what she’s going to wear to class, which isn’t easy.
Ron worries about what class she is going to and if students know she is transgender.
“You go about your day doing whatever you’re doing, constantly being called ‘sir, he, him’ even though you’re in a flowery skirt and a cute, queer and angry sweater,” Ron said.
She also fears getting attacked for using a certain bathroom while on campus, so she has to weigh her options.
“You can either A: Go into the men’s room and risk harassment, B: Go into the women’s room and risk harassment or C: Hold it until you can get somewhere where you won’t be risking harassment,” Ron said.
Most of the time, Ron chooses C.
Desiree McSulla, a junior elementary education and psychology double major who is biracial, shared her story, as well.
McSulla, who is both Black and White, said coming to the College made her feel comfortable in her own skin. She didn’t need to act like one race or the other, but was able to be herself.
“Coming here has been so much more comfortable because I have so many friends and sorority sisters that are very accepting of who I am,” she said.
The monologues moved many students in the audience, especially one who was there to support two of the speakers.
“I spend a fair amount of time with my two transgender friends,” said Silas Jones, a freshman English and secondary education dual major. “It was interesting to hear them talk about their whole lives in such plain terms.”
Friedman said he was proud of those who chose to come to the event and listen to other’s stories. He believes they should never stop listening to what others have to share.
Students need to educate their peers on diversity and accept their differences, according to Hinckson.
“I can’t hide, I just have to accept it,” she said. “I think now I am more accepting of who I am and what I look (like).”
(02/06/17 9:12pm)
By Ashton Leber
Social Media Editor
High-tech recording systems, individual screening rooms and up-to-date equipment creates a top-notch learning environment for soon-to-be healthcare professionals.
The new fully equipped Nursing Simulation Laboratory in Forcina Hall enables students to practice hands-on, patient-based care.
Prior to the laboratory's opening in the Fall 2016 semester, the nursing department struggled with space in its laboratories located in the Paul Loser Hall basement.
The 3,000-square-foot Forcina Lab is dedicated to providing students the opportunity to learn in a sophisticated environment with several new features.
“Forcina Hall has a dedicated room for debriefing, which is essential after any simulation experience,” said Norma Brown, the Simulation and Clinical Learning Resource Center coordinator. “However, this space could and can also be reconfigured for a simulation room and will be used to simulate a community home health visit this semester, which will help prepare students for the actual home visits.”
The lab also includes two examination rooms and four beds to simulate providing care to patients using adult and pediatric mannequins, according to Brown.
Essential to the debriefing session, the lab has recording equipment and the mannequins have monitors in them, which allows students to go back and critique areas that need improvement.
Simulation is crucial to the nursing curriculum, according to Brown.
“Simulation is an excellent educational modality to foster this creative challenge to incorporate preventative care into all aspects of healthcare,” she said.
Kristina DeMilt, a junior nursing major, said the lab operates like a real hospital.
“We have a drug dispenser, we’re able to call the doctor for orders and we can view the vitals on an overhead TV,” she said.
DeMilt said the lab gives her the opportunity to apply what she’s learned in the classroom.
“I am less nervous when I am in the hospital because I have already spent countless hours in the lab perfecting my skills,” she said.
While the labs in Loser’s basement will remain operable, students now have additional space to practice in Forcina Hall.
“In the Loser lab, the patient beds are crowded and close together, which makes practicing our skills challenging at times,” said Paige Hammel, a sophomore nursing major. “For example, stretchers and wheelchairs do not fit in between the beds very well.”
Hammel said the labs in Loser are outdated, but the new beds in Forcina are nearly identical to the ones used in hospitals today.
While Hammel said the technology in Loser is sufficient for learning basic nursing skills, she is eager to become an upperclassman so she can regularly use the lab in Forcina.
Forcina’s lab is mostly used by upperclassmen because the newer technology helps them prepare for real-life scenarios.
“The mannequins go through different scenarios and students must respond,” Hammel said. “This could be something like cardiac arrest where the nursing student must use the appropriate nursing interventions to bring the patient back to health.”
According to Brown, the College is “recognized by the National League of Nursing as a school that demonstrates sustained, evidence-based and substantive innovation in student learning and professional development.”
As a result of these achievements, the program has set high standards and will continue to improve its quality of education for those pursuing a profession in healthcare.
Nursing students are required to pass their exams with scores greater than a 75 percent and are asked to drop a course if they receive more than one grade below this standard.
“The biggest achievement (of nursing students) is not failing the exams,” DeMilt said. “Or doing something in clinical that we practiced in the lab, such as inserting a catheter or giving an injection.”
The nursing department is thrilled with the up-to-date technology and the significant amount of room within the Forcina lab.
Hammel said the one thing missing from Forcina is a mural like the one in Loser.
“A few years ago, the art club painted a mural on the wall depicting windows and the scene of a hospital to add some color and brightness to the room,” Hammel said. “This helps make the Loser labs feel more homey.”
Luckily, nursing students will get the best of both laboratories.
“Having the nursing labs in Loser with the addition of the nursing simulation lab in Forcina creates opportunities for our students here at the College to become outstanding professional nursing leaders,” Brown said.
(01/29/17 8:03pm)
By Ashton Leber
Social Media Editor
Students and faculty can now access information about the College in the palm of their hands thanks to TCNJ App, a mobile app released on Jan. 24.
The Office of Information Technology banded together with the Office of Communications to design and create the app.
“Our students live and work through their mobile devices,” said Sharon Blanton, vice president and chief information officer of Information Technology. “We need to provide one place for them to go to for access to all of our major systems.”
According to Blanton, the College partnered with DubLabs, which specializes in creating apps for higher education and currently works with more than 150 schools worldwide with more than 3 million users.
Blanton explained that the main purpose for the new app is to provide easy access to information regarding the College and campus community.
Students can now stay up-to-date with activities taking place at the College and news from various on-campus media outlets like The Signal. They can also access programs such as PAWS, Canvas and the bookstore directly from their smartphone.
Students are already finding the app practical.
“The convenience of easily being able to see what time my courses are is very useful to me,” said Ethan Kochis, a freshman computer science major.
Kochis also said he likes that various parts of the College’s website are easily accessible.
Communications Officer and Senior Web Architect Matthew Winkel said the team was highly involved with continuous testing to make sure the app worked properly and was compatible on iOS and Android devices.
There were many additional steps the College took to ensure the new app would be successful. Winkel said he worked extensively with others like Lauren Kaplan, the senior web designer in the Office of Communications.
Winkel said he configured the app functions with media feeds while Kaplan designed the graphics to match the College’s logos and branding.
“The project was well-organized, and it was a pleasure to work with this team of professionals,” Winkel said.
There are currently 1,449 downloads of the app by Friday, Jan. 27, according to Blanton.
Blanton also said the department will continue to add new features and is interested in hearing students’ feedback. Kochis only has minor complaints.
“I am having some trouble with getting the app to show my courses' assignments and grades. But other than that, it works fine,” Kochis said.
(01/22/17 8:21pm)
By Ashton Leber
Social Media Editor
The Arab nation of Oman has accepted 10 inmates from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, informally known as “Gitmo” during the final days of the Obama administration, according to NPR.
According to ABC News, the detainees, whose names and nationalities remain unknown, were released to Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a request from former President Barack Obama.
This release comes in lieu of Obama’s promise to shut down the prison via an executive order within one year after his inauguration in 2009, according to CNN .
Washington Post reported congress prevented the closing of the facility and would not allow the prisoners from Guantanamo to be relocated onto U.S. soil.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that “in consideration of their humanitarian situation,” the prisoners will remain in Oman “for a temporary residence,” according to CNN.
While the U.S. government has not made any public statements, an anonymous U.S. defense official has confirmed the transfer, Washington Post reported.
According to Fox News, Guantanamo first opened in Cuba on Jan. 11, 2002, to house those captured during the invasion of Afghanistan under the George W. Bush administration, as fear of terrorism was high due to the 9/11 attacks.
According to Washington Post, the terrorists behind the 9/11 attacks have not been tried yet.
During its peak, there were nearly 700 prisoners at Guantanamo, according to NPR. The report stated 242 detainees remained at the beginning of Obama’s presidency.
Forty five of them are still at the detention facility today, according to CNN.
The Obama administration has relocated several detainees to outside countries, most of which were released to Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, according to Fox News.
A total of 30 former Guantanamo inmates have now been released to Oman, as “four Yemenis were sent there in January 2015, six more in June 2015 and another 10 Yemenis in January 2016,” according to CNN.
The Wall Street Journal stated that Guantanamo Bay has “drawn criticism from human-rights groups and foreign governments over indefinite detentions without charge and the alleged torture of detainees by personnel there.”
The prison operates “outside the U.S. legal framework,” which has caused more criticism from humanitarians and legal experts, according to Washington Post.
NPR reported on President Donald Trump’s differing thoughts from the Obama administration about Guantanamo.
A tweet from Trump on Jan. 3 reads, "There should be no further releases from Gitmo. These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield."
Trump has said the detention facility will remain open and he plans to “load it up with some bad dudes,” Fox News reported.
(12/07/16 7:35pm)
By Ashton Leber
Staff Writer
The TCNJ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team accepted the 2016 New Jersey Outstanding Volunteer EMS Agency award at the New Jersey Statewide Conference for EMS at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, N.J., on Friday, Nov. 18.
Alumnus Stephen Vetrano (’94), the medical director of TCNJ EMS, nominated the group to the New Jersey Office of EMS, which hosts the event every November.
The group was one of 10 EMS volunteer agencies from municipalities across the state that were nominated for the award.
“The award means a lot to us because it’s great to be recognized by the state of New Jersey for all of the work that we do,” said Kaitlyn Dickson, president of TCNJ EMS and a senior chemistry major.
TCNJ EMS was founded in 1998 as a student club and is now recognized under the division of Campus Police.
The College’s EMS responding team is composed entirely of student volunteers who are either certified in First Aid, EMT or both, providing its services to ensuring campus safety.
“This award just reassures for me that TCNJ EMS is truly a top-notch emergency medical agency in the state of New Jersey,” said Scott Sferra, supervisor of TCNJ EMS. “I’m very happy for each member of the organization that made this award possible.”
After 20 years in EMS, Sferra said TCNJ EMS provides some of the best care he has seen in the emergency response field.
The group is funded through the College with its own uniforms, equipment and vehicles, according to Dan-anh Tran, chief of TCNJ EMS and a senior psychology major.
Throughout the school year, students volunteer on weeknights, responding to the campus’s 9-1-1 calls starting on Sundays from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. and 24 hours on the weekends.
The response room is located in Decker Hall, where the student volunteers work on homework and can sleep while waiting to be dispatched. A majority of the calls are due to incidents involving an intoxicated person, according to Dickson.
If a student is interested in becoming a part of TCNJ EMS, but is not qualified, they can become an auxiliary member who helps with campus outreach, fund-raising and other administrative responsibilities, Tran said.
Dickson started as an auxiliary member of TCNJ EMS in the spring of her freshman year and took classes to become a certified emergency medical technician (EMT) that summer.
Now serving as president, Dickson has watched members of her squad grow and learned from her team members, too.
“I love everyone on the squad, and I love being around people who are so dedicated,self-sacrificing and eager to help," she said.
Dickson hopes to pursue a career in the medical field and will apply the skills and qualifications she has learned through TCNJ EMS.
In addition to serving the College’s community, TCNJ EMS promotes health and wellness, and teaches hands-only CPR classes throughout the academic year.
“Both past and present members have put a great amount of time into constantly improving TCNJ EMS,” Dickson said.
Vetrano has seen many changes since he joined the TCNJ EMS team when he was a student at the College. Vetrano has many hopes and aspirations for the program’s future.
“My goal is to improve the system one class at a time, one squad at a time, one EMT at a time," Vetrano said.
(12/01/16 2:47am)
By Ashton Leber
Staff Writer
At least 11 people were injured on the morning of Monday, Nov. 28, at Ohio State University (OSU) after a student ran over pedestrians with a car and then stabbed passersby with a butcher knife, according to The New York Times. A campus police officer then shot and killed the man suspected of committing the violent acts, OSU Public Safety Director Monica Moll said at a press conference on Monday
Campus police officer Alan Horujko responded to the call less than a minute after the dispatch at 9:52 a.m. and shot the suspect seconds after he exited his vehicle, according to Moll.
“We believe the threat was ended when the officer engaged the suspect,” Moll said. “We’re very fortunate that an OSU (police department) officer was there and took action and we believe that injuries were minimized as a result of that.”
Abdul Razak Ali Artan, 18, was a logistics management major of Somali descent at the university. According to The New York Times, he graduated cum laude with an associate of arts degree and was on the Columbus State Community College’s Dean’s List before transferring to OSU.
The victims’ identities have not yet been released, but they remain in the hospital with injuries while one is in critical condition, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Andrew Thomas said at the press conference.
OSU Police Chief Craig Stone said the incident is still an ongoing investigation, but was definitely not an accident.
“To go over the curb and strike pedestrians and then get out and start striking with the knife — that was on purpose,” Stone stated during the press conference.
Student Jacob Bower told CNN he saw the attacker on campus by Watts Hall where the incident took place.
“He pulled a large knife and started chasing people around, trying to attack them,” Bower said.
According to CNN, the university sent an emergency alert out to students at 9:56 a.m.: “Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on Campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College.”
Students ran for shelter at numerous locations throughout the campus. Student Cydney Ireland spoke about the incident to WBNS-TV from a restroom.
“I’m a little shaken up at first,” Ireland told WBNS. “I do feel safe based off the room I’m in.”
Fox News reported the alert was lifted at approximately 11:30 a.m.
According to the same news outlet, authorities said the FBI is currently investigating whether or not the attack was related to terrorism and are searching for others who may have been linked to the incident.
The university is one of the largest in the nation with approximately 60,000 students currently enrolled at the main campus in Columbus, Ohio, according to CBS.
OSU President Michael Drake announced at the press conference that he plans to visit those who were injured in the attack.
“I want to give our thoughts and prayers and hopes and wishes for speedy recovery to all those who were injured,” Drake said.
(11/29/16 2:03am)
By Ashton Leber
Staff Writer
The Chinese Students Association (CSA) hosted its annual Teahouse event in the T/W Lounge on Friday, Nov. 19, to celebrate Chinese heritage.
The event offered a taste of Chinese cuisine and tea, along with a variety of performances scheduled throughout the night.
The ambiance and lights set the mood for a relaxing evening and a night of fun and laughter amongst friends.
Hubert Hsu, president of CSA and a junior nursing major, said the purpose of the Teahouse is to bring the community together for a lighthearted evening of entertainment and refreshments.
“It’s to have a night of performances from the community while serving tea,” Hsu said. “It’s basically to relax.”
With more than 100 people in attendance last year, Hsu said he expected more than 150 people this year. Hsu was not disappointed — a steady crowd streamed into the event. Soon, the lounge was overflowing with students.
Senior biology major Zachary Lo was the first performer of the night. In his opening act, Lo performed “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers and “Prettiest Friend” by Jason Mraz.
“I wanted to perform because this is an event that’s really close to my heart,” Lo said.
Lo has been involved in CSA since the organization began four years ago. He decided to perform this year as a way of giving back to the organization.
Lo said he also got involved to show other students what the Teahouse event was truly about.
“It’s to spread Chinese culture,” Lo said. “The purpose was to get people acclimated with Chinese food and teas. We wanted people to get a taste of that.”
During intermission, students formed lengthy lines for a taste of Chinese cuisine, and many went back for seconds.
Katlyn Leong, a member of CSA and a sophomore psychology major, said she was excited to see the performances at this year’s event.
“I thought it would be fun and entertaining, especially to see the talent of the other people,” Leong said. “I look forward to watching the CSA Dragonflies.”
The CSA Dragonflies is a group of student dancers who exemplify traditional Chinese dancing. Following their act, the evening continued with a variety of performances from dancers, singers and martial artists.
The event was made possible by several cosponsors, including TCNJ Asian American Association, TCNJ Barkada, TCNJ Japanese Students Association, TCNJ Korean Student Association and TCNJ Dining Services.
The Teahouse event allowed CSA to showcase Chinese culture to the greater College community. Members of CSA said they are always open to new students, whether they are of Chinese descent or are simply looking to become familiar with the culture.
“I would advise students to get involved by coming to meetings and seeing what CSA is all about,” Leong said.
(11/15/16 3:05am)
By Ashton Leber
Correspondent
A group of 16 students in the College’s study abroad program in Heidelberg, Germany, banded together to address the growing refugee crisis in Europe.
In their spare time, these students have taken to volunteering at a nearby village abound with refugee children from the Middle East and Africa.
Countless child refugees between the ages of 4 and 13 have taken shelter at the Patrick Henry Village in Heidelberg. Students of the College are helping these children learn math and German, as well as how to read and write, in a structured and organized classroom setting.
The volunteer opportunity known as TCNJ Kids at Play (KAP) was started this semester by junior finance major Julian DiNoia and junior marketing major Jack Purcell.
“(The program) includes TCNJ students that have a passion for teaching poverty-stricken kids, and providing them with an education that they have never had the chance to pursue,” DiNola said.
The students volunteer at the refugee center three days a week from 8 a.m. to noon. They travel an hour each way, and their commute begins by tram, followed by bus and ends with a 20-minute walk to the Patrick Henry Village.
The program is overseen by marketing Professor and Heidelberg program adviser Karen Becker. According to DiNoia, nearly 30 children at the refugee center show up for the lessons each day.
“The reason why we wanted to get involved was due to the influx of refugees that have entered Germany due to the crisis in Syria,” DiNoia said.
In a short time, the College volunteers have already connected on a personal level with the children. They said volunteering at the Patrick Henry Village has left a lasting impression on them.
“Prior to our experience, the word ‘refugee’ had a very negative connotation to us,” Purcell said. “But after our experiences volunteering, we have gained a lot of sympathy and respect for these people and their courageous journey.”
In addition to teaching, the student volunteers have started a GoFundMe account for the KAP program, which has raised 2,100 Euros or $2,232 dollars. The money raised through GoFundMe has allowed the students to supply materials and other resources to the village.
Through KAP, students have learned more about the day-to-day hardships that the refugees struggle with.
Many of the volunteers call the experience life changing. They plan to continue volunteering when they return home and hope that the KAP program continues for years to come.
“We hope our work here is inspirational enough that it continues into future semesters and becomes a permanent part of the Heidelberg experience,” Purcell said.
(10/25/16 1:12am)
By Ashton Leber
Correspondent
Students gathered in Bliss Hall lounge to warmly welcome transgender activist and YouTuber Skylar Kergil, who spoke on Tuesday, Oct. 18, for PRISM’s annual Queer Awareness Month.
The evening was filled with insight into the LGBTQIA+ community. The Bliss Hall lounge provided a safe space for students to discuss the often taboo topic of transitioning from one gender identity to another.
“(Kergil is) an important role model, specifically for trans youth,” said Lauren Broadwell, PRISM vice president and a sophomore psychology and women’s and gender studies double major. “It’s nice to get different perspectives on different people for the campus.”
Kergil, who hails from Boston, kicked off the evening by explaining his transitioning process from female to male.
“The last time that I was on this campus, I was binding my chest looking like a punk little rascal,” Kergil said. “Other people on the College tour were looking at me and my mom like, ‘Where is that one from?’”
Kergil opened up about his journey and the difficulties that came with struggling to accept one’s gender identity. He reminded students that he was fully comfortable talking about his transition and encouraged those in the audience to ask him about anything.
Kergil told students that he knew from a young age that his gender identity did not align with his given name, Katherine. His first coming out experience happened between 3 and 5 years old while visiting his grandfather in California.
Kergil firmly told his family, “You can call me Mike.” That summer, Katherine disappeared and Mike was the only name to which Kergil responded. Things became even clearer as Kergil grew older.
“As I went through middle school, puberty hit me — and not in the direction I wanted it to,” Kergil said.
This marked a tough time for Kergil. In addition to his identity issues, Kergil faced a number of family issues — his mother was diagnosed with blood cancer and his brother abused drugs and alcohol.
But it wasn’t long until Kergil started dating his first girlfriend. The pair became the first queer couple at the school, drawing even more unwanted attention to Kergil.
“I didn’t understand why this was so weird,” Kergil said. “People saw us very clearly as a lesbian relationship. I’m not gay. I’m not bi. I’m straight.”
Kergil knew he was a man, not a woman. This prompted him to cut off his hair and embrace his identity as a transgender man.
While Kergil felt empowered by the decision, he remained reluctant to tell his mother, who was struggling with cancer.
But his mom was accepting — her only worry being that someone might try to hurt Kergil. After telling his mother, Kergil began to tell teachers to identify him with ‘he/him’ pronouns and asked to be called by the name Skylar.
In October of his junior year of high school, Kergil began testosterone treatments. To document the coming changes, Kergil began recording his voice and making YouTube videos.
By freshman year of college, Kergil officially changed his name to Skylar. But the biggest step in Kergil’s transition was top surgery, after which Kergil said he felt fully free to be himself.
Today, Kergil exudes self-confidence. He works as a bank teller in Massachusetts. In his free time, Kergil is a singer, songwriter and transgender activist who travels the country to share his experiences with others.
YouTube has allowed Kergil to reach the transgender community around the world and serve as a role model to others struggling with identity issues.
“I thoroughly enjoyed hearing him speak,” said Sabrina Gomez, a freshman communication studies major. “It’s nice to hear someone make jokes and try to create a light atmosphere about their coming out transition.”