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(09/05/07 12:00pm)
The College is feeling the impact of state budget cuts once again with the recently recommended cancellation of six master's programs within the School of Education, according to William Behre, dean of the School of Education.
College President R. Barbara Gitenstein officially made this recommendation at the July 10 meeting of the Board of Trustees. Gitenstein said programs facing cancellation include four Master of Education programs: Elementary Supervision, Elementary Master Teaching, Elementary and Early Childhood Education and Learning Disabilities Teacher/Consultant (LDTC). Also included in the list of programs facing cancellation were the Substance Abuse Post-Master's Certificate program and the Master in Speech Pathology program .
In an e-mail interview, Gitenstein said making the recommendation to cancel these programs was not simple. "These discussions and decisions have been extremely difficult," she said. According to Gitenstein, she made the recommendation after following the "full institutional governance process."
"This process requires full campus involvement, discussion and analysis by the appropriate governance committee," she said.
Gitenstein said students were included in making the recommendation for the decision. "I know that Dean Behre, (Interim) Provost (Elizabeth) Paul and I have been in communication with several students and with some off-campus interested parties," she said. "Dean Behre has considered all the input in the crafting of his initial recommendation. Provost Paul and I have considered them in our acceptance of the recommendations that have reached us from the governance committee."
In an e-mail interview, Behre said the "budget situation" caused deans in the various academic schools to re-examine their programs. "At that time, there were several programs that I was already concerned about," Behre said. "Some were under-enrolled. Some were perpetually difficult to staff - which is a challenge when you are trying to maintain quality."
Behre emphasized that although the budget crisis was a catalyst for the recommended cancellation of the programs, the decision may have been made in the future, due to the aforementioned circumstances.
Shridevi Rao, associate professor of special education, language & literacy and graduate coordinator for the Master of Education LDTC program, said in an e-mail interview that she agrees with the recommendation made by Behre and Gitenstein.
"The conversation to close the (Master of Education) program that culminated in the (LDTC) certificate was made prior to the budgetary crisis," Rao said. "We recommended that it be closed because the program was weak."
According to Behre, the cancellation of these master's programs will be to the College's benefit. "By canceling some programs, the College can use the resources saved to maintain or increase quality in other areas."
Gitenstein expressed a similar sentiment. "There were other programs into which a program could be merged to create a better one by the combination," she said. "By eliminating some of these graduate programs, we will be able to reallocate resources, and add any additional resources that come our way to our primary mission, which is undergraduate education."
Rao said the School of Education has already begun to address this. "Most recently, we have added two new graduate programs to our list," she said. "These programs culminate in certification as a teacher of the blind and visually impaired."
"Also, we have a post master's certification program that culminates in certification as an LDTC," she added.
Students currently enrolled in any of the programs recommended for cancellation will not be affected if the Board of Trustees approves the recommendation, according to Gitenstein. "We will accommodate all students currently enrolled in programs to allow them to finish their requirements," she said.
Jenny Aydelotte, junior special education and English major, said she planned on continuing her post-graduate work at the College. "I might have looked into (the LDTC) program down the road as a separate opportunity," Aydelotte said. She added that if the program was canceled, it wouldn't affect her that much due to the newly created LDTC opportunity.
A formal recommendation to cancel the programs will be presented to the Board of Trustees in October.
OUT OF THE PROGRAM PLANNER
Elementary Supervision
Educational Leadership Option (EDEC) in which a New Jersey supervisor's certificate is pursued. Three years of teaching experience is required in New Jersey public schools and completed under a New Jersey teacher's certificate.
Elementary Master Teaching
Master Teacher Option (EDEG) designed to improve teaching competence.
Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Core courses required for all students pursing a degree in addition to specialization courses to prepare students in a specific area of interest. Students must meet the undergraduate liberal arts course requirement of 60 credits and have a GPA of 3.0 in the Master of Arts Teaching program.
Substance Abuse Post-Master's Certificate Program
Students must choose one of two options in the Department of Counselor Education. The School Counseling option (CPSA) will qualify students for New Jersey state certification in Student Personnel Services at the elementary and secondary levels and Pennsylvania state certification in School Counseling at the elementary and secondary levels. The Community Counseling option specializes in Human Services (CPSE) and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling (CPSD).
Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant
The program is for candidates who hold standard special education certificates, and is designed for teachers who wish to earn a master's degree in special education with additional certification as a learning disabilities teacher/consultant, the educational specialist on the state-mandated child study teams.
Speech Pathology
Students train to become entry level professionals who understand the basic processes and mechanisms involved in human speech, hearing, language, swallowing and other disorders. Students are prepared to improve the quality of lives for individuals affected by communication disorders.
(08/29/07 12:00pm)
After a series of open forums held at the College, a final pool of candidates for the position of Police Chief/Director of Campus Security have been evaluated and questioned by members of the campus community.
A forum was held for each of the five candidates over the last two remaining weeks of the summer break, prior to the fall 2007 semester.
The creation of the Police Chief/Director of Campus Security position was a primary stipulation of a report issued by the ad hoc Committee on Campus Police. The report, which both examined and criticized the office of Campus Police, cited, among other flaws, "an absence of leadership from the top down" within the office. According to the report, the "flawed structural hierarchy" of the office could be remedied by the creation and filling of the Police Chief/Director of Campus Security position.
The first open forum was held for H. Thomas Kelly, undersheriff at the Somerset County Sheriff's Office, on Aug. 13. In a telephone interview, Kelly said he would bring 31 years of police experience to the position, including eight years of chief experience in the Bernards Township Police Department, rising to the rank of chief. He said, "There is a lack of leadership at the top of the (College's) police department" and that this is "an extreme problem." Kelly said strong leadership will enable the "free flow of information" required for effective community policing.
Steven M. Cozza, lieutenant and administrator of Police Operations in the Borough of Bound Brook, was the focus of the second open forum on Aug. 14. Cozza, in a telephone interview, said he would bring "youth, enthusiasm and maturity" to the position. Cozza emphasized that the office of Campus Police is a service, not a department, and that "attitudes need to change" while maintaining an optimum level of security.
The third forum, featuring Capt. Edmund Johnson, took place on Aug. 20. Johnson has worked 23 years for the Rutgers University Police Department. He has an extensive background in community policing. Johnson touted the importance of networking between residence education and housing staff, the Ewing Township Police Department and other members of the campus community.
During Johnson's forum, Lorenzo Shockley, a Campus Police officer, said some officers may have become frustrated with the lack of traditional police work, prompting them to take it out on members of the campus community.
Johnson said this was "something that should not exist" as part of community policing.
The next forum, featuring commanding officer of the Lincoln Tunnel John M. Collins, was held on Aug. 21. Collins has worked for the Port Authority of New Jersey and New York for 27 years. In the process, he was involved in the counterterrorism unit and was a leader on the World Trade Center Disaster Rescue and Recovery Team.
Collins said that many issues described in the ad hoc committee's report "boil down to lack of direction and not enough purpose."
The final candidate forum featured Chief Robert Coulton of the Ewing Police Department on Aug. 22. Coulton has 24 years of experience with the Ewing Police Department, the last eight as chief. Coulton is also an adjunct professor of criminal justice at the College and lives a block away from campus.
Coulton said many of the problems identified in the ad hoc committee's report could be resolved by "having a strong leader come in."
Patrice Coleman-Boatwright, associate vice president for Public Affairs, served as the chair of the search committee for the Police Chief/Director of Campus Security. Coleman-Boatwright, who facilitated the open forums, said in an e-mail interview that "the forums are designed . to allow campus constituents . to ask questions (and) get a feel for individual style and fit" of the candidates.
The forums were well-attended by both faculty and staff, but not by students.
When asked why the forums were held while students were on summer break, Coleman-Boatwright said, "(College president R. Barbara Gitenstein) was really committed to getting someone in here before the school year began. We are pushing that timeline now. While we made (the forums) available to (the campus) we did the best we could in terms of getting folks here."
Campus-wide notifications of the forums were sent out via e-mail over the summer.
Christine Cullen, executive president of the Student Government Association (SGA), emphasized the involvement of students throughout the process, including both in the formation of the report itself and representation on the committee. Cullen was the only student representative on the search committee.
James Gant, former SGA vice president, and Steve Viola, former SGA junior class treasurer, represented the student body on the ad hoc committee.
"I am disappointed that there wasn't more student interest," Cullen said. "But it is understandable that students have a lot going on during the summer."
(08/29/07 12:00pm)
From the seemingly time-faded photographs that decorate his MySpace page, to the harmonious resonance of his finger-picked acoustic guitar, nearly everything about Anthony Fiumano's music can be attributed to the past. After a quick listen, one would assume that Fiumano's recordings could be easily found pressed between copies of Bob Dylan or Neil Young LPs at any vintage vinyl store.
Fiumano has embraced the folk rock genre while melding timeless tradition to suit the modern world. Delve into his music and you will discover poignant music wrought with heartfelt sincerity.
The Signal: Your music has a distinct vintage appeal to it and it seems that you draw inspiration primarily from 60s folk acts. What acts in particular have inspired you to create music?
Anthony Fumiano: I do draw a lot of inspiration from the music of the '60s and '70s. It was a great time for music, and if it wasn't, people wouldn't still be listening to it ... There were fewer regulations back then, and I think artists, in general, felt a little less pressure on having immediate success so their music was more honest and lasting.
The people that inspire me are the people that are making honest music outside of any restrictions. Growing up, Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Beatles, Hendrix, The Stones and all those classics all made me want to pick the guitar up. Then once I did I fell in love with the blues. I'd play along with Muddy Waters albums. Then I started listening to a lot of folk-based music. I've kind of gone through this chronologically backwards progression, but it's cumulative.
S: What got you into song writing? When did you start?
AF: Growing up, I was immersed in music. My father was always in bands and they would be practicing in the basement and I'd be sitting on the steps, taking it all in, kind of amazed of how it all came together.
Also, going to church as a little kid. The church we went to had live gospel music with a whole band playing right next to me. I can remember being 3 years old, sitting there with a toy guitar in church and playing along with the band.I thought I was part of it. I wasn't there for any kind of message; I was there to jam.
I started to write songs a few years ago. I already knew my way around the guitar a bit, so it just came as an extension of my playing.
S: Your songs convey an endearing image of home-grown music. What is your creative process?
AF: My creative process is to kind of not have one. Writing songs is something that just happens to me ... It's almost as if you're a big antennae that's waiting to get hit by a signal. Not to say that I don't get inspired by something or that my songs are completely non-topical, but my inspiration is more subliminal.
Some writers have a very different method. They're trying to get to the chorus before the track gets to the 30-second mark or they're working with a formula and slaving over a hook or bridge. I don't really get too caught up in that kind of thing. I think it's obvious if someone listens to my music.
S: The folk rock genre is particularly expressive. What makes it so appealing to you?
AF: The songs are minimalistic, but at the same time, they can be unbelievably complex. That's one of the things that first drew me into playing folk music. It's organic and pure and just feels important to me. It's something that's been around a lot longer than me, and while I don't consider myself a folk musician, there is a folk component to what I do.
S: In what direction are you taking your up-and-coming full length debut, "When Strangers Say Hello"?
AF: "When Strangers Say Hello," is a very unplanned record. A lot of bands spend a lot of time mapping a record out before they record, and that was never my approach. I didn't really see a good reason why I should have a different approach in the studio.
What it comes down to is that I play music, and regardless of whether the microphone is going to a P.A. system or it's going on tape, I'm playing it more or less the same way.
I'm hoping that when this record comes out it's an honest depiction of what I can do live, because at the end of the day I'm really a live performer. There's not going to be a whole lot of bells and whistles; it's just the songs the way that I hear them in my head ... I think people are going to hear that and I think they're going to recognize it.
(05/02/07 12:00pm)
The political science department of the College may seem like an unlikely place to find an independent filmmaker. However, William Ball, professor of political science, has been creating short films since 2003. Ball's films have been featured in numerous independent film festivals, including the Trenton Film Festival, the Cape May NJ State Film Festival and the Delaware Valley Film Festival. With his latest film in its early stages of production, Ball is sure to attract the attention of critics and peers with his evocative approach to filmmaking.
Ball began making short films for recreational purposes to provide a "break" from his work at the College. Although the roles of an educator and a filmmaker are seemingly unrelated, Ball says the two have begun to overlap in his four years of experience as a filmmaker. This is primarily the result of his incorporation of students into his films, both as actors and on the production end.
"The (students) I have worked with knew about as much about this stuff as I, so they teach me as I teach them," Ball said. "It's really not a teaching environment; it's more (like) an open-ended experiment. I find it has made me a much better editor of my work."
Ball, like many other new independent filmmakers, found filmmaking to be a readily accessible hobby due to the advent of digital technology. "Digital technology has greatly reduced part of the cost of entry level movie making," Ball said. "However, it hasn't done anything to reduce the other resource needs, mostly in terms of people and other resources needed in production."
According to Ball, cheap equipment does not guarantee quality filmmaking. "The major thing to keep in mind is that the cost of equipment has no relationship to the talent that comes to it," Ball said. "I'm not sure anything has changed to increase the scarce supply of talent and originality on either side of the camera."
Ball has certainly brought both talent and originality to his side of the camera. He describes his films as "not the sort of thing you find in the mass media." Ball's previous films, including "Almost Forgotten," "Rummy," "Lieder" and "Point of Separation," feature characters who have reached impasses in their lives and must address their individual needs for change or confront personal demons. His character-driven films are both realistic and compelling, focusing on individuals between the age of 30 and 60, a time when, according to Ball, "you begin to feel your mortality and question your abilities."
Ball's films, especially "Almost Forgotten" (filmed primarily in black and white) and "Lieder," convey the essence of a bygone era of film. His influences, rooted in the early origins of film, certainly set Ball apart from other contemporary filmmakers. "I am drawn to (the) early silent era pioneers, independent thinkers of the later black and white era and a very few people today that are way outside the mainstream," Ball said.
According to Ball, his 10-minute films are created on a budget of approximately $1,000. He typically begins pre-production work, including location scouting and casting, in the spring. The actual shooting of the film, which Ball describes as "the hard manual labor part of the process" and "not much fun," beings in late May.
Presently, Ball's latest film is in the stages of pre-production. He has solicited the assistance of students at the College, looking for members of the cast and crew. Ball cryptically described the subject matter for his latest film as "strange tiles in the road, death, the planet Jupiter and dealing with your mother." Based off of his previous results, his upcoming film will certainly prove to be both thought-provoking and imaginative.
(05/02/07 12:00pm)
The contract of Pamela Mirabelli, current fraternity and sorority affairs coordinator, is set to expire June 30. Mirabelli, who was brought on as a one-year replacement for former fraternity and sorority affairs coordinator John Stout, will not have her contract with the College renewed.
Leaders of the Greek community, including Daniel Gaughan, president of the Inter-Greek Council (IGC), and Meghan Bermudez, president of the Panhellenic Association, said they have been overlooked and left out of the search for Mirabelli's replacement thus far.
"I do not feel the College has been sensitive to the needs of the Greek community in finding Mirabelli's replacement," Bermudez said. "At this time, two weeks before the end of the semester, the Greek community has been presented with no possible candidates for the position."
According to Tim Asher, associate director of the Office of Student Activities, the decision has been made to revert to the original qualifications for the position, including "a master's degree in college student personnel administration, higher education administration or a related field and a minimum of one to two years post-master's degree professional experience." Asher added that "previous experience advising Greek chapters and a commitment to diversity goes without saying."
Asher said the vacant position will be publicized through a few online higher education job Web sites beginning the week of April 30. From there, a pool of five to 10 candidates will be identified, then narrowed down to three to four through phone interviews. After a reference check, these candidates will be meeting with what Asher referred to as a "selection committee," comprised of "students, faculty/staff chapter advisors, other faculty and/or staff the position most closely interacts with, staff from the Office of Human Resources (and) the Vice President of Student Life" in addition to Asher himself. Asher said he will make the final decision based on input from the aforementioned parties.
He said he had been in communication with Gaughan regarding the search for Mirabelli's replacement. "I have already spoken to (Gaughan) and informed him that I would like him or his designee to serve on the committee," Asher said. "I hope to identify a second student and the remainder of the selection committee soon."
Gaughan, however, said any communication with the Office of Student Activities has occurred from his own initiative. "The administration has not sought our input at all during the process," Gaughan said. "I have had to initiate all conversation on the topic to try and figure out what direction the administration was taking."
"The Panhellenic Council has not been incorporated at all in the search for a replacement for this position," Bermudez said.
Asher emphasized his "great respect" for the College's Greek community in an e-mail interview. "(They) are among the most identifiable and spirited group of students at (the College)," Asher said. "This search is very important to me." Asher added that he is "excited to be able to provide some of our Greek student members the opportunity to participate in the selection process for the position."
Gaughan and Bermudez rated Mirabelli's performance as the fraternity and sorority affairs coordinator as "very good" and "excellent," respectively. In an April 11 article in The Signal, Gaughan responded to a letter that was sent through IGC advocating keeping Mirabelli in her position. Gaughan said 24 out of 27 chapters had signed the letter.
"Reasons given for not signing were lack of experience, too close of ties to this Greek community and showing favoritism towards certain chapters," Gaughan said.
Bermudez acknowledged these ties, saying they "could not be classified as anything other than close." She added that "while one could argue these facts hinder her ability to do her job as the Greek advisor, it could also be argued that they are an asset."
"Mirabelli understands what it means to be Greek on this campus, which I can see only as a positive," Bermudez said.
"I would like to see the most qualified and knowledgeable person hold this position on our campus," Bermudez said. "However, if this is not possible, I would like to see Mirabelli remain in this position."
(05/02/07 12:00pm)
Wednesday, April 18, marked the end of the 2006-2007 term for the Student Government Association (SGA). Since late September, I have reported on a total of 20 SGA meetings. Having spent the greater part of the academic year as an objective observer, I have come to form certain opinions based on my experiences with SGA.
It seems as though students at the College have become disillusioned with SGA. This is clearly illustrated by the recent election. Out of the numerous seats within SGA that were up for re-election, only three were contested. Others within the executive board and the senate remain empty. Why are students suddenly uninterested in SGA? Has the general overwhelming sense of political apathy at the College contaminated school politics as well?
I would argue that certain members within the senate and executive board seem to have forgotten that SGA is indeed student government, and not merely an extension of the administration. I was enthused to see candidates like Dan Beckelman, former vice president of Administration and Finance, and Michael Strom, recently elected Alternate Student Trustee, campaign upon platforms of strong student advocacy.
Thanks to Beckelman and Strom, with a tremendous amount of assistance from Daria Silvestro, former Student Trustee, students now have a lobbying voice in Trenton that will fight for the restoration of state funding that the College both needs and deserves. Chris Rindosh, former vice president of Student Services, also stands apart as an advocate for students. Rindosh's numerous endeavors, including Finals Fest, The Pulse and the Resolution Regarding Residence Hall Cleanliness Upon Move-In, have all been aimed at improving the lives of students at the College.
Regretfully, the same cannot be said for all members of the executive board. If anyone were to re-examine all 20 "Eye on SGA" articles from Sept. 26 through April 18, they might notice the conspicuous absence of executive president Christine Cullen's voice from the record. Cullen sought re-election to the presidency, running on a year of experience and "good working relationships" with College administrators.
These "good relationships" can be attributed to two factors. Cullen's administration has certainly been approachable, professional and friendly. This year's executive board was without any overt signs of strain or dissention, and the members functioned cohesively. Certainly, College administrators must have found working with the Cullen administration to be pleasant. Unfortunately, the second factor for the "good relationships" is Cullen's unidentifiable stance on the hard issues.
As previously mentioned, Cullen is nowhere to be found in the coverage of any SGA general body meetings. This academic year, SGA was presented with several controversial events at the College. Early in the fall semester, the actions of the Office of Campus Police were questioned, and students filed complaints that their rights were being violated. A pipe burst in New Residence Hall on Feb. 6, damaging student property and displacing residents. These residents were offered bare mattresses without pillows, sheets or blankets to sleep on in Brower Student Center. Most recently, the administration revoked the right of 21-year-old seniors to consume alcohol during Senior Week, indirectly resulting in the cancellation of the event.
These events were opportunities for Cullen and other silent SGA and executive board members to do what they were elected to do - advocate on behalf of the students. It must be conceded that attempts were made. The ad hoc Committee on Campus Police was formed in response to the complaints and a report was written, but with executive vice president James Gant leaving office, it is doubtful that the controversial report will be unveiled anytime soon.
Additionally, I must commend the efforts of the Senior Class Council in fighting for an enjoyable Senior Week. Perhaps with the backing of a more animate senate and president, its efforts would have succeeded. Thankfully, SGA is on good terms with the administration. SGA behaved itself and nodded complacently or averted its eyes while the administration made serious mistakes. It is unfortunate, however, that somewhere along the way, the rights and well-being of the students were forgotten. From the examples of some of our elected student leaders, we can all learn to bow down to the whims of those more powerful than us and to accept the status quo.
One particular Wednesday in late November nearly destroyed my faith in SGA. On this afternoon, heated debate ensued throughout the senate, the likes of which I had yet to see. The discussion ran around a half-hour and levels of frustration were high. This was, up until that point, the most animated SGA had been all year. The cause for such discord: the senate was angry about the design of the SGA sweatshirts.
Much good has come out of SGA in past years. Open seats in the senate remain; they just need to be filled by motivated students who are willing to speak their minds and advocate on behalf of other students. It is imperative that we no longer accept such standards in our leadership and actively work to make change.
(05/02/07 12:00pm)
Given the pleasant weather of Saturday, the main lounge of the Travers and Wolfe dormitories seemed like an unlikely gathering place. Ultimately, students were drawn in from games of Frisbee and outdoor studying by the powerful sounds of rock 'n' roll emanating through the lounge's open doors. The bright sky and warm temperature didn't deter students from attending the indoor concert Froshstock.
Froshstock, featuring seven acts free of charge and sponsored by the Office of Residence Life, was well-attended by upperclassmen and underclassmen alike as well as by students from other local colleges and universities. Several of the performers managed to entertain, while two left audience members mesmerized with their refined musical abilities and raw energy.
Gene Reda, sophomore communication studies major and Community Advisor in the Wolfe dormitory, organized Froshstock. Reda used Froshstock as an opportunity to expose students at the College to a variety of music. "There's not really a good outlet on campus for good music, aside from the Rat," Reda said. Reda's distinct tastes in music were represented in his selections for Froshstock.
The closing band, Adam Streicher and the Molotov Cocktails, a power trio hailing from West Milford, N.J., left a standing crowd silent between songs and guitar changes, anxiously waiting for the next song. The crowd was wholly won over by the band's homegrown rock and blues-inspired sound, featuring infectious melodies, soaring vocals, an intricate rhythm section and captivating stage presence. At the close of the concert, the Molotov Cocktails succeeded in shaking the bleary-eyed crowd with pure rock revelry.
After a brief introduction, the Molotov Cocktails launched into "8 a.m.," a song about the doldrums of the working week and the life of a working musician. "None of my new stuff ain't got hooks, and my old shit ain't got soul," Streicher crooned, to the tapping feet and bobbing heads of enthused spectators.
This song was followed by a flawless, gapless transition into "Guilty Valentine," a song about a scorned lover seeking redemption. "It all rose to my brain, and I'm really quite insane," Streicher sang. "My senseless self will kill me til the day that I die."
Other crowd pleasers included "Sentimental Overstatement," a blues rock blast from the past with the feel of a Beatles B-side from the "Rubber Soul" era; "Puddle," a jazzy tune about "a small body of water," that was punctuated by an incendiary guitar solo; and "Do You Think You Can Save Me," a spacious rock song with a marching bass and drum line.
Conspicuous Consumption, a ska punk rock band from Monroe, N.J., filled the venue with blaring brass, pulsating drums, slap bass and precise rhythm and lead guitar. The horn section, featuring trumpet, tenor saxophone and alto saxophone, captivated the audience's attention with its intricate musical movements and choreography.
The band entertained with songs such as "Age is But a Number," which tells the story of a young man pursuing a woman of 29. "There's just one thing you should remember," Kwame Korkor, frontman and alto saxophone player, sang. "Age is but a number."
Other upbeat songs, including "CMent Kids," "One Long Night" and "Lovesick Soldier Boy," featured the same raw energy, two-part harmonies and rapid fire vocal deliveries popularized by bands such as Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto.
Of the six members of Conspicuous Consumption, only two are students at the College. The band put on a command performance, having only practiced the night prior. Despite an unapparent lack of rehearsal, Conspicuous Consumption, with a distinct blend of ska mixed with reggae and funk, produced a sound that complimented the bright, sunlit skies.
French Girls, a pop-punk band, played a variety of guitar-driven songs typified by acts such as Taking Back Sunday and Midtown. The band's live act was solidified, showing signs of extended playing experience and musical character. Both the rhythm and lead guitarists worked together to establish the driving force behind the band's songs.
Other acts included No Regrets, a ska/pop-punk band; Mucus with an Eye, an ambient metal band that played a set consisting of one synthesized extended metal jam; Spot On, a guitar duo; and Head Traffic, a thrash metal/hardcore band. Head Traffic buried the audience under an onslaught of well-constructed sound consisting of an intense rhythm section contrasted by expansive leads, similar to those played by The Edge of U2.
"This is definitely the coolest atmosphere we've ever played in," Victor Frat, vocalist of Head Traffic, said.
(04/25/07 12:00pm)
On April 20, the Center for Assistive Technology and Inclusive Education hosted a statewide conference on disability issues titled "Moving on: Promoting a Successful Transition to College or Community" at the College. The conference lasted most of the day and included 22 breakout sessions and six hands-on workshops.
The keynote speaker for the conference was Norman Kunc, an internationally recognized disability rights advocate. Kunc gave a presentation focusing on the detrimental effects of the segregation approach to educating children with special needs.
"The debate is not around inclusion," Kunc said. "The debate is around the idea of full inclusion: the idea that all disabled kids should go into regular classes in regular schools."
According to Kunc, the segregation approach to educating special needs children rests on the premise of providing them with the skills necessary for integration into the community.
Kunc related the shortcomings of this method through personal experiences. While attending school in Toronto, Kunc, disabled by cerebral palsy, was placed in a class of all non-speaking students with the same disability. This class was called "communications class."
"(This) not only violates every education principle, it violates common sense," Kunc said. "We do not segregate for the benefit of the disabled."
Kunc said the best way to educate students with special needs is by fully integrating them into the education process.
"No matter how good of a swimming instructor you are, you can't teach someone to swim in the parking lot of a swimming pool," Kunc joked. He said disabled students need to be part of the classroom, where they can witness appropriate behaviors and model them.
Early in his education, Kunc was enrolled in a speech therapy class. He had been petitioning school administrators for enrollment in a regular high school and informed his speech therapist of this desire.
"What's the point of speaking clearly if you have no friends to speak to?" Kunc asked jokingly.
After his enrollment in a regular high school, Kunc said through interaction with other students his speech improved dramatically. "Segregation undermined my ability to take something like speech therapy and apply it in a regular environment," he said.
Kunc urged educators to advocate for the rights of the disabled and to push for full integration and equality in the education process. "You're caught in the movement for social justice," Kunc said. "You're not just educators."
In attendance at the conference were special needs educators and professionals from across the state. According to Ramona Kopacz, a learning disabilities specialist at Ramapo College, the education process for special needs children is especially critical. "For a lot of these students, (the transition) winds up being a culture shock," Kopacz said. She explained that this is because special needs students are taken from a segregated education system that guarantees success to an integrated education system that does not.
Kopacz said the role of a special needs educator is often that of "a coach or a cheerleader," and that it is important not to give in to frustration. Kunc said full integration of special needs students into education would be more difficult, and potentially more frustrating, than segregation.
"When it comes to disabled kids, do we want to do what's best," Kunc asked, "or do we want to do what's easiest?"
(04/25/07 12:00pm)
Jon Borst, executive director of the Student Finance Board (SFB), presented the 2007-2008 SFB budget to senators and members of the executive board at the April 18 meeting of the Student Government Association (SGA). Borst outlined several minor changes that were made to the budget.
Borst said there "weren't any substantial changes (to the SFB budget) this year." He said the conference line of the budget was reduced to $7,000 from $10,000 to emphasize campus- based activities for student clubs and organizations.
Borst added that the lecture series line of the budget had been combined with the special appropriations line. He said this had been done with the intent of creating a "large-scale" lecture series in the future that would bring academic speakers to the College. The Passport to Programming budgetary line was increased from $3,000 to $5,000. Borst said this change was made to better train leaders of student organizations. Borst also noted the $24,700 increase to the Celebration of the Arts budgetary line, which is used to bring performers and artists, such as George Carlin, to the College.
"It's always been successful," Borst said. "(These events) have been sold out for the past two years." SGA approved the budget with a unanimous vote.
Early in the week of April 16, students at the College received a campus-wide e-mail with an attached draft of the tentative final exam policy. Steve Link, recently re-elected vice president of Academic Affairs, encouraged SGA members and students to attend an open forum on the policy draft, held on April 20.
The proposed policy, if adopted, would serve to standardize the exam policy. Under the policy, exams would "count (for) at least 15 percent but may not count for more than 50 percent toward the student's final grade for (a) course." Additionally, "students (would) not be expected to take more than two final exams on a given day," according to the draft. Other stipulations include types of final evaluations, administration times of in-class exams and due dates for projects unassociated with final evaluations.
The student organization Amistad was awarded official club status by SGA. Members of Amistad described the organization as a mentorship program for urban high school students. Through their interaction with these students, members of Amistad work to demonstrate the benefits of a college education to students who may have never considered higher education.
DeWarren Register, sophomore accounting major and member of Amistad, read a letter from a high school student who had gone through the mentoring program. The student expressed her newfound desire to go to college.
"Most of (these students) have changed their views about college and who they want to be when they grow up," Register said. Amistad has brought students from Trenton High School to campus. During visits to the College, the high school students of the Amistad program are given dinner in the Eickhoff dining hall, are assisted with their homework in the library and participate in various social events and workshops.
The student conservationist organization Roots and Shoots was also given official club status. Roots and Shoots is affiliated with the Jane Goodall Institute and has adopted "care and concern for all living things and the environment they live in" as its mission statement. Representatives from the organization said they would participate in the Revert the Earth Campaign, raise money for Tanzanian tree nurseries and construct a nature trail around one of the College's lakes.
Dan Beckelman, vice president of Administration and Finance, questioned the need for another environmentally-oriented club. "I cannot fathom the possibility that they cannot combine with another organization that does what they do," Beckelman said. "I don't understand why they need to be a separate club." Representatives from the club said the club must remain independent to maintain its international status. The club was approved with only Beckelman's vote in dissention.
SGA also awarded club status to Cheerleading and the Political Science club.
Meagan Terry, dining services liaison, clarified information regarding dining vendor proposals at the College. Presently, Sodexho's contract with the College is set to expire in June 2008. The College is seeking contractor bids from companies to satisfy its dining requirements. Sodexho is not excluded from making a bid for the new contract and may be utilized again.
The SGA meeting was marked by numerous goodbyes, as graduating senior members made parting remarks to their newly elected successors. Daria Silvestro, graduating student trustee, was presented the Blue and Gold Award by Jim Norfleet, vice president of Student Life. "It is not just rhetoric when we say that (Silvestro) exemplifies what it means to be a TCNJ Lion," Norfleet said.
"For you as freshmen that are just joining (SGA), take as much as you can from it," Silvestro advised. "Thank you so much for helping make me who I am."
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At the April 11 meeting of the Student Government Association (SGA), Chris Rindosh, vice president of Student Services, discussed flaws within the College's current housing lottery system. Rindosh outlined new problems created by recent changes made to the system and presented plans for addressing them with College administrators.
According to Rindosh, administrators decided to eliminate the "contract pickup" stage of the lottery. This particular step required students to obtain their housing contracts at a designated location to confirm their participation in the lottery. In the past, students had forgotten to pick up their contracts on the assigned day and were inadvertently left out of the lottery.
Rindosh said contract pickup created complications within the Office of Residence Assignments. Students who required campus housing for financial and other reasons were left out of the process. This prompted the decision for the elimination of mandatory contract pickup.
Rindosh said this decision introduced a new problem. In previous years, students who did not intend to live on campus would forego contract pickup. These students' lottery numbers would be removed from the list, opening the unoccupied housing space to a second cutoff of students.
The removal of the contract pickup stage meant the elimination of the second cutoff. For students on the housing wait list, this meant being placed randomly with a roommate where space was available. Rindosh said he supports the decision to eliminate the contract pickup stage. He would, however, like to see some type of punitive measure for those who intend to live off campus and do not inform the Office of Residence Life.
"If students (who intend to live off campus) don't relinquish their spots, they're inconveniencing other students who could use them," Rindosh said. He added that he will be meeting with Ryan Farnkopf, manager of housing operations, to address the situation.
SGA passed the New Residence Hall Flood Resolution with a unanimous vote. According to Meagan Terry, dining services liaison, the resolution was created with the intent of "thanking the people that helped out in the New Res flood situation." Groups mentioned in the resolution include the Office of Residence Life, the Office of Conference and Meeting Services, Building Services and others.
On Feb. 6, a sprinkler pipe that had been exposed to frigid outdoor temperatures burst and flooded a section of New Residence Hall, prompting a number of students to be relocated and causing property damage.
Rindosh, the draftee of the bill, said the flood proved both an unpleasant ordeal for students. Rindosh said affected residents disapproved of the emergency accommodations made by administrators. Students were relocated to Brower Student Center room 202 West, where they were given bare mattresses without pillows, sheets or blankets.
Dan Beckelman, vice president of Administration and Finance, questioned the necessity of the resolution. Both Terry and Magda Manetas, director for student and residential development, said staff involved in the cleanup efforts went "above and beyond" what was required.
Terry encouraged both students and SGA members to take part in the upcoming Dining Services focus groups. Sodexho's contract is set to expire in June 2008 and the College is conducting a search to find a replacement contractor. The focus groups will be utilized to determine what elements of the present dining service will be incorporated into the new service through a new contractor. The focus groups will be meeting April 13, 20 and 27.
Sheil Naik, sophomore senator at-Large, described plans for a DVD rental service on campus. Naik, along with the rest of the Student Services committee, sought to have a DVD rental vending machine placed on campus earlier in the semester. Rental companies turned down the offer, saying the size of the campus would not generate enough of a profit. Presently, a rental service has been located that will provide the machine at no cost to the College. Naik said the machine could be available as early as next semester.
SGA granted official club status to the National Science Teacher's Association (NTSA). NTSA members said though there are many clubs for the sciences at the College, none deal strictly with education. NTSA will bring alumni to the campus to discuss their experiences as educators.
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On the evening of April 10, Water Watch sponsored a presentation called "Tropical Deforestation and Climate Change: what's the connection and what can we do about it?" The presentation was given by Diane Bates, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology. Bates recounted her experience in the Amazonian basin and made recommendations for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest.
Primarily, Bates cited the economic structure of South American nations within the Amazon rainforest as a reason for deforestation.
"Most of the people who live (in the Amazon rainforest) make their living by taking trees out of the forest or other natural resources out of the land," Bates said.
Bates said it is difficult to find alternative work options for people living within the Amazon rainforest to counter this practice. Nations within the Amazon rainforest generally owe either the United States or the World Bank large sums of money. This has promoted further deforestation to generate revenues required to pay off these debts.
Bates said fair trade initiatives are the best way to slow depletion of the Amazon rainforest. Under a fair trade agreement, farmers in developing nations are paid higher wages. This allows the farmers to make a profit without growing as large of a crop. She encouraged those at the presentation to purchase fair trade products.
Bates also said she does not foresee the complete destruction of the Amazon rainforest within our lifetime.
"Not all of the Amazon is threatened," Bates said. "It tends to be a locally driven (process)."
Bates said certain mountainous regions of the Amazon are too remote to be deforested. Bates added that this does not diminish the need for additional conservation efforts.
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There are few popular bands in the music industry today that seek to create music for the proverbial "right reasons." For many aspiring acts, just as much thought is put into the band's attire as is utilized in the creation of its music. The Embassy is a rock band at its very core and through the members' back-to-basics approach to rock & roll, they are working to bring the emphasis of the industry back to the music.
The Embassy's homegrown approach to rock won the band the opening slot for The Academy Is. and Copeland on April 16 in Kendall Hall. The Embassy's infectious guitar hooks, poignant lyrics and stage presence were enough to convince the judges at the College Union Board's (CUB) Battle of the Bands of the group's abilities and potential.
According to seniors Matt Morone, guitarist/vocalist, and Andrew Ferencevych, bassist, The Embassy draws inspiration from a wide gamut of bands and musicians ranging from Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters to The Beatles and the Beach Boys.
Morone and Ferencevych attended high school together and in the process discovered the grunge acts characteristic of the 1990s "five years too late." These bands included Nirvana and Pearl Jam, both of which would inspire Morone and Ferencevych to write music together. It would be a few years until the missing components of the band, alumni Jason George, drummer/vocalist, and Mike Rabasca, guitarist/vocalist, would be found at the College in Spring 2005.
According to Ferencevych, each member of The Embassy takes a refined approach to his instrument, creating the band's original sound. The distinct musical styles of The Embassy's members emphasize each individual's importance in the band. The rock grit of Morone's voice and his captivating lyrics are complemented by Rabasca's searing leads, Ferencevych's complex bass lines and George's forceful drumming. "If someone else were playing in our band, who knows what we would sound like," Ferencevych said.
Aside from the canonical bands of rock, both Morone and Ferencevych acknowledge the influence of more recent groups. The melodic guitar riffs popularized by bands such as Thursday, Midtown and Taking Back Sunday can be heard in The Embassy's songs.
"It would be impossible for (their influence) not to rub off in some way," Morone said.
"We both went through our Warped Tour years," Ferencevych said in reference to the annual music festival characterized by emo, pop-punk, screamo and hardcore bands.
The Embassy's members, however, have certainly taken their diverse influences and created a sound that is original. "There are (the bands) who write the blueprints and the (bands) that follow them," Morone said. The Embassy is an act that will not confine itself to a trend, a look or a scene.
According to Morone, the band had a simple goal in mind while writing and recording the songs for the most recent record. Before the recording process began, Morone said, "I don't care if what we record is absolute shit, as long as we like it when it's over."
The Embassy's most recent release, "A Culmination of our Efforts," showcases the band's talent and determined approach to songwriting.
It was this same determination that nearly got Morone thrown out of a recording studio by an engineer while working on the record. "I'm like Brian Wilson in the studio," he joked, referring to the front man of the Beach Boys who was notoriously neurotic about the recording process.
Thematically, "A Culmination of our Efforts" is accessible to all 20-somethings. "Turn This Car Around" tells a story about "counting time in exit signs" in the dog days of the boredom-ridden New Jersey summer. The lyrics of "Two Martyrs" recount the last dying breaths of a relationship gone wrong: "That's the thing with martyrs, more than one defeats the purpose." Other tracks, such as "More Important Things," showcase the need for change to escape the monotony of day-to-day living.
According to Morone, The Embassy faces plenty of challenges. He said that a band in the New Jersey rock scene is confronted by many difficulties, including the state's "over-saturation" of bands and dishonest promoters. Any start-up band must struggle through putting together shows in VFW halls and teen centers across the state, stomaching the not-so-glamorous side of rock & roll.
The Embassy, however, is confronted with a truly golden opportunity: opening for two well-known acts at a professional venue. With raw energy, musicianship and determination, the members of The Embassy will rise to the occasion and continue to entertain audiences everywhere they play.
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Official complaints have been lodged against Drew Rausa, current senator at-Large of the Student Government Association (SGA), for violating bylaws governing the SGA election process sometime after April 11. He ran against Michael Strom, vice president of Legal and Governmental Affairs, for the position of alternate student trustee.
In the April 11 issue of The Signal, Rausa ran a half page advertisement on page 4. The advertisement read: "VOTE RAUSA, Alternate Student Trustee."
Jenna Klubnick, current alternate student trustee, directed The Signal to SGA's election bylaws. Rausa violated these bylaws, which say that "candidates may utilize The Signal, the student newspaper, for campaigning purposes. However, privately funded advertisements may not be used to promote a candidate or group of candidates."
Klubnick could not say what penalty, if any, Rausa was given.
Rausa could not be reached for comment as of press time.
According to Klubnick, "people have filed complaints against the candidate with the election committee." The committee does not look for violations.
The bylaws forbid a candidate from selling anything; all campaigning must be funded at the candidate's expense.
Previously, a candidate was penalized for selling T-shirts to campaign. The shirts were being sold through the Residence Life staff. Additionally, the candidate was campaigning prior to the designated campaign week. These violations resulted in the subtraction of 250 votes from the candidate's total.
The election bylaws say the current alternate student trustee, in addition to "two impartial, graduating senior members of the SGA chosen by the alternate student trustee," will be charged with administering the election and fielding any official complaints.
The alternate student trustee is then responsible for chairing a hearing involving the two selected members of SGA, the individual who filed the complaint and the candidate in question. All parties present are required to sign a confidentiality contract. Both the issuer of the complaint and the candidate reserve the right to "challenge a member of the committee if he or she feels that an individual sits (on the hearing) with a bias." Both parties present their arguments, including witnesses and evidence, then make closing statements. The hearing then moves into closed session for deliberation. The two SGA members and the alternate student trustee must then determine "responsibility for the violation," as well as the appropriate penalties.
The extent of the punitive measures is open-ended. The bylaws say that "the committee may then impose any of the following penalties, or others, on the responsible party: issue a warning with specific consequences for further violations, restrict campaigning privileges or disqualify the candidate."
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Lauren Russo
As the president of the Junior Class Council, Lauren Russo has successfully organized or planned various events, including the Student Finance Board's Halloween Dance and the junior class' Coffeehouse. Russo has also been involved in the planning of the junior class' Battle of the Bands.
Russo has been active in SGA programs and legislature throughout the year.
She participated in both TCNJ Holiday and Finals Fest at the end of last semester.
She also worked with the current vice president of Academic Affairs, Steven Link, in the co-sponsorship of a bill which added a new SGA internal position, coordinator of class councils, to its constitution.
If elected, Russo said she will continue to revamp SGA internal regulations, including revising the associate member program as well as establishing attendance and participation policies for senators.
"I think it is really important for senators to attend all meetings, general body and internal committees and also governance in order to stay informed on the business of the College," Russo said.
Russo cites her two academic-year involvement with SGA as a qualification for the office of Executive Vice President: "I am very dedicated to SGA and I am very motivated to make change and improve the functions of SGA."
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Christine Cullen
Christine Cullen, current SGA executive president, will rely on a year's worth of experience in office to both "standardize the current advocacy program" to ensure the longevity of SGA lobbying efforts and work toward the restoration of Senior Week.
"I am in a great position to negotiate with administrators as I have already developed good working relationships with them," Cullen said.
Cullen said that throughout the academic year, she used her presidency "to spread awareness to the campus about the importance of being a good, aware campus citizen." Cullen said this was done by collecting student feedback through Campus Outreach and The Pulse - the new electronic student forum.
Cullen also assisted in the facilitation of programs such as TCNJ Holiday, Diversity Week and Finals Fest.
Cullen is a member of the Residence Life staff. Earlier in the year, she worked as a Peer Advisor in the First Year Experience program for freshmen. She currently works as a Housing Assistant in the townhouses.
Cullen said her administration will consist of "an approachable, friendly group of students who understand that they are representing student interests." Cullen added that her administration will re-evaluate the student advisement system, as well as look into the need for more "recreational space and opportunities."
"People can also expect the trend of actual work being done when students raise concerns," Cullen said.
Cullen continued, "I am the candidate that appreciates the value of getting as much student input and feedback as I can and using what I gain to drive the work that I do."
Write-in candidate: Dan Beckelman
"I have been heavily involved in this year's SGA, both in terms of creating initiatives and by being a voice of independence from our school's administration," Beckelman said. "I want to inspire SGA to become a more vocal and independent voice for the students."
Beckelman, current vice president of Administration and Finance, was appointed to the internal position of lobbying chair last June. Beckelman created the resolution that established SGA as a lobbying body in September.
"I have met with NJ state legislators of both parties to discuss our budget situation," Beckelman said. "This included several meetings over my winter vacation," he added.
Beckelman has openly criticized the changes made to the College's alcohol policy for Senior Week. "I have been, from day one, a vocal opponent of the idea," Beckelman said. "(I) urged SGA to challenge the administration when this and other unpopular decisions were made by the school administration."
Beckelman's name will not be appearing on the ballot since he decided to run for the position after SGA interest sessions had ended. Beckelman will instead be running as a write-in candidate.
"I plan to campaign aggressively to give the students a choice and an opportunity for a new kind of leadership," Beckelman said.
If elected, Beckelman plans to create a partnership between Ewing Township and the College to "attain better employment opportunities on and off campus for students." Beckelman will also seek to "create a non-partisan forum for legislative candidates in the Fall 2007 elections."
Beckelman added, "(My administration) will make student government something people are proud of again."
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Drew Rausa
Drew Rausa, currently a senator at-Large in the SGA, plans on maintaining "a strong student voice in all aspects of the term."
"I intend to bring the voice of the students through in an effective and appropriate manner that cannot be ignored," Rausa said.
Rausa has served as a member of the Academic Affairs committee throughout the year.
On the committee, Rausa has worked to incorporate faculty advising into the tenure process.
He assisted in the establishment of ProfRecord and has "advocated on students' behalf on issues such as budget cuts restoration."
In addition to SGA, Rausa works as an ambassador and is a member of the Residence Life staff as a Community Advisor. Rausa is also a member of club tennis and the Pre-law society.
"The position requires a driven individual with a comprehensive knowledge of the College who is realistic in what he is fighting for, but has the communication skills and the will to voice what needs to be heard," Rausa said. "I am confident that (my co-workers) would describe me as just that person."
Michael Strom
Michael Strom, current vice president of Legal and Governmental Affairs, has "led all SGA efforts for student lobbying," having met with more than 20 New Jersey state legislators this year for the restoration of budget cuts made to higher education. Strom is also in the process of organizing the statewide Higher Education Rally, to be held on May 3.
If elected, Strom will "use connections from the position to advocate for higher education in a continual, planned out manner." Strom said he will work with the Garden State Student Alliance (GSSA), a council of student trustees from all NJ public institutions of higher learning, to "organize statewide initiatives" to create "a comprehensive strategy for restoring funding."
As the community service chair for Phi Alpha Delta fraternity, Strom organized and led a housing restoration project in New Orleans over winter break.
"I have spent a year on the executive board and (learned) students' concerns by facing them firsthand," Strom said. "Also, as the head of the committee which organized all lobbying efforts for the College, I feel I am particularly qualified to represent the College in the GSSA."
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John Ronan
John Ronan is the current speaker of the Senate. He has background in finance through an internship at Johnson & Johnson Inc., where he works as a sales and marketing financial analyst.
"If elected, my goals are to increase the efficency of SGA's fundraising and to assist the class councils on managing and planning financially all the events they will be participating in," Ronan said.
Ronan believes that his background as a finance major and constant involvement with SGA make him the most qualified for the position.
"I am very approachable and look forward to working with every member of SGA to ensure that we are spending our money in the best way to benetfit (the College's) students."
Steve Viola
Steve Viola, the current Junior Class treasurer, has been heavily involved in SGA throughout his College career. He authored the bill creating the coordinator of class councils position and he also served on the ad hoc committee on Campus Police and the ad hoc committee on Academic Integrity.
Viola swears that he will address everyday issues and hot-button topics like Campus Police conduct.
"All student issues, regardless of their size or severity, will be brought to the SGA and ultimately to the appropriate administration or staff member," Viola said.
His financial background stems from two years as a member of the Administration and Finance committee.
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The self-designed major program was introduced to the Student Government Administration (SGA) at its April 4 meeting. The program, presented by Richard Kamber, professor of philosophy and religion, allows students to obtain a bachelor's degree in either an interdisciplinary concentration or a major that is not offered by the College.
"A student who wants to take on the very challenging task of preparing a self-designed major (can now) earn a degree in a major that is not one of the official approved majors at our college," Kamber said. Kamber described the program as rigorous. "(The self-designed major program) by intent is an honors level program - very demanding."
Kamber said the program consists of 12 courses. A student must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better to even submit a proposal. The program also requires students to take part in a Capstone seminar.
Kamber said more information regarding the self-designed major program will be posted on the College's Web site. Kamber added that the program will be incorporated into all recruitment literature for the College. Kamber said two proposals for biochemistry have been approved, in addition to requests for a classical studies major.
SGA passed a bill that will provide for the creation of a class council coordinator, an internally-elected position charged with the task of overseeing the class councils. Steve Viola, junior class treasurer, presented the bill and said there was a need for a "cooperative meeting group" between the class councils. Viola said a large amount of work is expected of the class councils and the position would be a way to alleviate some of their burdens.
Viola said the coordinator's primary responsibility would be to chair biweekly meetings of all of the class councils. The coordinator will be selected through interviews with the class councils.
Realistic Individuals Saving the Environment (RISE) was given official club status by SGA. The club's constitution says it seeks to spread awareness regarding "the dangers of global warming, pollution and the present state of our atmosphere." RISE will be participating in the New Jersey Climate March and organizing an Earth Day Walk-a-thon that will raise money for the Adopt a Rainforest Agency.
Stephanie Cwynar, sophomore class treasurer, discussed the issue of garbage collection at the College. Cwynar said a number of complaints were filed throughout the year regarding the time of garbage collection. Collection takes place in the early morning, disturbing the sleep of many students.
Cwynar collected student reports of the early collection times, as well as time-stamped photographs, and presented the findings to Christopher Chamberlin, director of Operational Services. According to Cwynar, the waste collection contract will be up for renegotiation next year. A collection time ranging between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. may be implemented.
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The department of Campus Activities and the office of the Vice President of Student Life are poised to begin the hiring process to find a replacement for Pam Mirabelli, the acting director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. The search for a replacement with both a master's degree and several years of career experience began during the week of April 2.
According to Tim Asher, associate director of the department of Campus Activities, the requirements of a master's degree and career experience are not new to the position. Asher said that the position was "designed to be filled" by an employee with these credentials. The decision to search for a more qualified replacement serves as reversion back to previously established criteria.
Mirabelli's contract with the College will expire at the end of the 2007 academic year. "When I was hired I did know the position was temporary," Mirabelli said.
According to Daniel Gaughan, Inter-Greek Council (IGC) president, members of the campus Greek community are concerned about replacing Mirabelli on such short notice.
"The Greek community's concern is that the College did not start this search earlier and there is not enough time to find a pool of qualified candidates, properly interview them, hire the best candidate and allow time for Mirabelli to transition this person into the Greek community," Gaughan said.
Asher did not express the same concern and added that "Greeks will certainly be involved in (the hiring) process."
IGC reacted to the decision by creating a letter that, according to Gaughan, was "written in support of Mirabelli's (retention) for next year." However, Gaughan said not all Greek chapters of IGC signed the letter.
"Twenty-four out of 27 chapters signed the letter," Gaughan said. "Reasons given for not signing were Mirabelli's lack of experience, (her) close ties to this Greek community and (her display of) favoritism towards certain chapters."
When asked to elaborate on this statement, both Gaughan and Asher declined to comment. Asher did express his appreciation for the work of both Stout and Mirabelli and said the search for new candidates will begin before the academic year comes to a close.
Asher said the position has been held by two temporary candidates over the past two years. Tim Wilkinson served as director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs from 2001 until 2005. Wilkinson was hired having attained both a master's degree in college student personnel and several years of career experience. In August 2005, Wilkinson left the position without providing "enough time to do a full search."
This prompted College administrators to hire Stout. According to Asher, Stout was brought in as a "temporary hire" for the purpose of filling the vacancy. Stout, an undergraduate from the College, had attained his master's degree from Rider University but lacked the necessary career experience. Asher added that "this was (Stout's) first job."
During Stout's year at the College, the search continued for a candidate who met all of the original requirements. Asher said Stout was among the two final candidates selected for the position; however, New Jersey state budget cuts to funding for higher education impacted the hiring process. Asher said the funds for a candidate with both a master's degree and career experience were not available.
In light of the budget cuts, the College was forced to "downgrade" the requirements for the position to only a bachelor's degree temporarily for one additional year. As a result, Stout was offered and then accepted another job opportunity elsewhere. The position was vacant once again and needed to be filled.
Mirabelli was hired in 2006 to fill the vacancy for one year. She had previously worked as a graduate assistant for the College and had sought employment elsewhere. She returned to work for the College as director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to continue her post-graduate education as well as gain career experience.
"If asked to remain in my position for one more year I would definitely do so," she said.
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The March 28 meeting of the Student Government Association (SGA) was marked by emotional debate regarding the cancellation of Senior Week.
Tom Sales, senior political science major, expressed his opinion regarding the changes made to the event in a speech that brought some members of the administration, SGA and Senior Class Council to tears. Sales said the administration was deceiving in labeling changes made to the regulation of alcohol consumption during Senior Week as a return to established alcohol policy. He said the College's "A Guide to Residence Living" allows for students 21 years of age to consume alcohol with some restrictions.
"(The administration is) trying to change our traditions and who we are. We shouldn't let them do that," Sales said.
Sales acknowledged the work put forth by the Senior Class Council in planning Senior Week. However, he was critical of the Council's handling of the event's cancellation. Sales said the Senior Class Council, and specifically Gabe Alonso, Senior Class Council treasurer, attempted to place blame with the senior class for the cancellation. Only 7 percent of seniors chose to sign up for the event.
"(The Senior Class Council) continue(s) to shift blame away from (itself) and the administration - it's despicable," Sales said. "Blaming the rest of the senior class, as Gabe repeatedly did, is unprofessional and shameful; it's transparent and wrong." Sales pointed out that Alonso failed to purchase a ticket for the event himself. Alonso later confirmed this in an e-mail interview, saying he had chosen not to attend the event because his friends were not.
"I just hope our classmates understand that (the Senior Class Council) truly put forth an amazing effort to make (Senior Week) as fun, exciting and memorable as possible," Alonso said.
Magda Manetas, executive director for Student and Residential Development, defended the administration and Senior Class Council. Manetas reaffirmed the decision to ban alcohol consumption during Senior Week, saying the size of the event makes supervision of alcohol consumption difficult. Manetas said the decision was part of a long-term process, which included the formation of a commission on alcohol use at the College, as well as an open forum.
Manetas said Senior Week was canceled by seniors. She said despite improvements to the program, seniors chose not to attend, with the only change in the program being the elimination of alcohol consumption.
"I find it very difficult to accept when some students say that this was not about alcohol and (their) ability to use alcohol," Manetas said. "We're being honest when we say that we want this program to continue. I just need for you to acknowledge how hard the Senior Class Council worked."
SGA members questioned the appropriateness of Sales' remarks, saying they were rude and offensive and suggesting a private forum would have been more proper. Steven Link, vice president of Academic Affairs, disagreed.
"If this is not the appropriate forum to talk about student concerns, I am quite shocked," Link said.
SGA passed a Rally Resolution, drafted by Mike Strom, vice president of Legal and Governmental Affairs. Strom said he drafted the resolution as "a way to try and receive more student participation in our rally efforts." Strom and other members of his committee are in the process of organizing a May 3 rally in Trenton to protest state budget cuts made to funding for higher education.
Link discussed the outcome of a recent meeting with Interim Provost Beth Paul. Link said Paul supports the increase of student governance at the College, including student involvement in the advising process and the utilization of student academic integrity officers. Link added that Paul continues to assess the results of curricular transformation at the College. Alumni are being asked to evaluate the success of transformation in different time intervals after graduation.
The student organization Students in Solidarity was awarded official club status. Members of the organization described their mission statement as the spreading of awareness about the United States' influence in Latin America. Students in Solidarity members will spread awareness by educating students at the College about issues faced by Latin Americans. Members of the organization also hope to encourage student service initiatives in Latin America.