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(04/22/14 10:10pm)
PRISM was the sole presenter at the Student Finance Board’s weekly meeting on Wednesday, April 16.
SFB fully funded PRISM with $650 to hold a Queer Culture Day in New York City. The club will travel to the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, followed by a discussion about the Stonewall riots at the Stonewall Inn. The funding from SFB will cover the bus quote for the trip on Saturday, Sept. 20.
PRISM was also zero-funded to host a PRISM Center Open House for prospective students to explore the club. As SFB typically doesn’t fund open-house events, the request for funding was denied.
Disclaimer: Though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place.
(04/19/14 11:44am)
The Art Students Association was fully funded for two requests during the Student Finance Board meeting on Wednesday, April 9.
SFB allocated $233.50 to ASA for its Wearable Art Workshop.
“I like it a lot and I think it’s cool,” programming director Brian Green said. “(ASA’s president Sophie Kay) always does a good job with all of her events,” Green said.
The event will allow students to paint tote bags and T-shirts and is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 30, at 12 p.m. in AIMM 125.
It was also allocated $100 to pay for the fee to use the wall oustide of the Brower Student Center for its previously funded event, Street Art Workshop, on May 5.
Following, Water Watch also presented to SFB for its Earth Week events that will take place during the week of Monday, April 21, and will be co-hosted by the Bonner Center.
“I think it’s a great week-long event and really advocates for what they want to acheive,” assistant Student Government representative Hajar Lakhouili said.
The week will have different themed days every week that are planned to include Monday’s “flower sale,” Tuesday’s Earth Day, Wednesday’s “Water Day,” Thursday’s “Green-Consumption Day” and Friday’s “Clean Up Day.”
The board was unanimous in its decision to fully fund the request for $120 to fund a reusable bag giveaway, water bottles for a water taste test, organic chocolate strawberries for “Green-Consumption Day” and a banner for advertising.
The event will be co-sponsored by Student Chemists’ Association, Alpha Kappa Delta, Beta Beta Beta, Alpha Phi Omega and Sigma Kappa.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(04/08/14 10:15pm)
In preparation for the upcoming Greek Week, the Inter-Greek Council was allocated $2,200 to bring a stage and equipment to campus by the Student Finance Board during their weekly meeting on Wednesday, April 2. The equipment will be used to host the annual Greek Week Airband.
Airband highlights the lip sync and dance talents of groups in the Greek community in the event that draws crowds outside of Greek life. The event is scheduled to be held in the Brower Student Center on Friday, April 18.
The second highest request came from the Black Student Union, hoping to host a roller-skating night for $1,910. However, as SFB typically doesn’t fund costs for admission on trips and only provides funds for transportation, BSU was allocated $910 for two buses that hold 50 people each.
The trip will take place at the Millennium Skate World at 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 17.
Following, the Pre-Dental Club was funded with $643 in effort to spread Oral Cancer Awareness. The money will be used to provide toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss picks, ChapStick and oral analgesic tubes during their awareness campaign on Wednesday, April 23, in the Brower Student Center.
In addition, Voice of Hope was fully funded with $250 to host its annual Voice of Hope Spring Concert, in which they will perform in the Education Building on Saturday, May 3.
Finally, the Senior Class Council was funded to host a cooking class to prepare students for post-graduate life by teaching them how to cook healthy meals on a budget. This event was funded for $300 to bring Chef Ott to campus on Thursday, April 10.
Disclaimer: Though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place.
(04/01/14 10:09pm)
The annual “Copa Night” is ready to go after receiving funding from the Student Finance Board at their weekly board meeting on Wednesday, March 26.
Union Latina was allocated $3,445 to host this event in the name of celebrating Latino Awareness throughout the campus community.
It will include a live performing band presenting traditional Latino music to allow students to experience the culture. It is scheduled to be held on Thursday, April 24.
In addition, the month of April will kick off with a series of activies that recognize leaders and highlight leadership potentional on campus after the Leadership Development Program was funded to host its annual LEADWeek.
Originally requesting a speaker for $3,510, SFB tabled the event as they felt it was too expensive.
However, LDP was able to find a cheaper motivational speaker and was funded with $2,515 over an email vote.
The activies are scheduled to be held during the week of April 7.
The final request was presented by the Women’s Center for their annual “Take Back the Night” event.
SFB fully funded the group with $2,900 to bring Crystal Leigh Endsley to campus for the event. Endsley has had a credible reputation in the field of women’s studies and has earned several honorable mentions and made other “Take the Back the Night” appearances.
It will be held on Thursday, April 17, at 6 p.m. outside of the AIMM building and will include a walk around Metzger Drive.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(04/01/14 10:09pm)
With clothes strewn on racks and accessories placed neatly on shelves, students were able to find hidden gems amongst all of the donations that were given to the College’s first-ever on-campus thrift shop.
The “Be the Change” clothing exchange turned a cold, rainy day into a creative and interactive way for students to enjoy themselves, recycle clothes and benefit a good cause simultaneously, right on campus in the T/W lounge on Saturday, March 29.
“The purpose of this event was to teach kids that they can let go of things,” sophomore CA Jennie Sekanics said of the event, which was hosted by WILL and FYE. “(We) definitely wanted to emphasize that you can reuse things and you can recycle and that one person’s trash is a next person’s treasure.”
Students who donated clothes to the cause received tickets in exchange to use at the thrift shop to purchase other clothes there. Others were able to sift through the clothes, shoes and accessories with prices ranging from $3 to $8, with all money going toward funds for WILL’s community service activities.
“It’s not about the money aspect and it’s not about the people who did it,” Sekanics said. “It’s really about (knowing) we can let go of things, but we can pick up new things, too.”
As this event was the first of its kind here on campus, FYE and WILL are looking to make it a legacy alongside the help from other organizations on campus.
“We have such an overwhelming support with other organizations on campus that makes our job so much easier and makes events like this so much more enjoyable and fun to do,” said Eddie Easse, a sophomore CA who planned it alongside Sekanics.
“I think it’s something cool when you co-sponsor with different groups. You get to see everyone’s assets,” he said in response to the efforts of their co-sponsors Delta Phi Epsilon and Delta Lambda Phi, who helped in advertising and collecting clothes to make the event a success that raised over $500 in the name of community service.
“I think it really shows that a lot of people don’t realize that there are resources we can reuse and re-purpose,” Easse said. “We can really make people aware that you can reuse and you can recycle clothing and you’re doing a really great service to yourself by recycling and collecting donations for a charity.”
As students walked in and out of the secondhand boutique with bags full of new clothes, they have not only participated in an environmentally friendly act and donated to a good effort, but now have also allowed retired clothes to continue their journey with someone else, in an innovative way to re-purpose materials.
“I think what’s cool about this is that you’re buying it from other students, so everything is in style,” Sekanics said. “Everything is super cute and so much fun and usually super expensive. It just goes to show that we can all use each other and all benefit from each other.”
(03/18/14 8:07pm)
SFB funds several events including ‘ROCK.’ (Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor)It’s the time of year again for improvisational comedy to welcome in the spring season. All College Theatre was fully funded for their event the “ROCK” by the Student Finance Board on Wednesday, March 5. The event will be free to all students.
Following performances by the Mixed Signals and other local troupes, UCB Tourco, a professional improv comedy group, will perform.
“They’ve brought them every year,” executive director Brian Hurler said. “It’s a really cool event.”
With that, SFB passed the motion to fully fund the event for $4,150 to be held in Kendall Hall on Saturday, March 22.
Last meeting, the Haitian Student Association was funded to host their event “Ambiance” without their requested band, totalling $6,000. This week they returned, requesting once again for funding for the band, meeting the board with a split decision.
“I like the event, but I’m not sold on spending $6,000 for a band,” freshman representative Sarah Speight said alongside junior representative Kevin Harty who didn’t “think it (was) worth it at all” to spend that amount of money for a band.
Additionally, assistant SG representative Hajar Lakhouili felt “they didn’t really make any sacrifices” in regard to changing their previous proposal.
However, programming director Brian Green disagreed and said, “I think it’s fair culturally. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t have it when other cultural clubs do.”
“It’s important for these small clubs to have these bigger events,” sophomore representative Tom Athan said.
Ultimately, the board passed the motion to fully fund HSA with the band for $6,000 in order to fully represent Haitian culture at the event that will take place on Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m.
The Asian Student Association came back after being tabled to request funding for “Mystique of the East” with a clear breakdown of expenses — as they were previously lacking one. Members were concerned about the amount of money being asked for concerts, but several agreed that they really wanted the event to happen.
It was funded for $3,338 to host performances from Taiko, Barkada, Jiva, CSU, Erhu and Saathiya to feature Asian cultures. It will be held on Saturday, April 5, at 7 p.m. in Kendall Hall and will be free to all students and charge $10 for non-students.
The Women’s Center was also among the presenters of the day, asking for $3,430 in funding to bring Lillian Faderman to the College to discuss Lesbian marriages, as a part of Women’s History Month.
The event was fully funded by SFB and will be held on Wednesday, March 19, in room 115 of the Education Building.
The Synergy Dance Company also presented for another performance event, their annual Synergy Spring Spectacular.
They were funded with $1,400 to hold the event in Kendall Hall but were not funded for their request of $396 to fund costumes. It will be held on Saturday, April 12, at 1 p.m.
Following, “Orchestrating Orgasms,” a workshop by Megan Andelloux, was funded as SFB allocated $1,509.59 for Vox: Voices for Planned Parenthood to hold the event on Thursday, April 24, at 8:30 p.m. in room 115 of the Education Building.
Andelloux, a Clinical Sexologist and certified Sexuality Educator, will discuss the latest advances in sexual science and bring to light conversation topics that students might be hesistant to ask.
This spring semester will also seek to host INK’s The Goods once again —showcasing student artists and providing interaction with poets and authors.
The event will headline poet Dorothea Lasky and will be held in the The Rathskeller on Saturday, April 12, as it was funded for $2,275.
Chabad was also allocated $2,390 to host a Passover Seder on Monday, April 12, in the 1855 room.
SFB also funded the Spanish Club to host a Washington D.C. Bus trip on March 29 for $1,947.
Also, look out for the Art Students Association Street Art Workshop that was funded for $1,007 to provide a form of visual art on a mural outside on campus.
The Senior Class Council was also allocated with $230 to take a bus trip to the Riverhouse Brewing Company.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
(03/04/14 11:13pm)
The sophomore class council is getting ready for the spring season, as they were allocated $7,127.60 to host the annual “Spring Back” event for the classes of 2016 and 2017.
“Spring Back” looks to help freshmen transition into their upcoming sophomore year by having them interact more directly with upperclassmen. This year, the event will include a volleyball tournament, in addition to a three-lane obstacle course, a three-sided EuroBungy, a wrecking ball, a gladiator joust, a mechanical bull and several other activities for the students to enjoy free of charge.
“I really like this because ... as freshmen, we get cooped up in our rooms for so long, and to bring us back outside is really nice,” freshman representative Sarah Speight said.
SFB’s board members agreed with Speight and voted to fund the event, which is scheduled to take place on the T/W lawn on Sunday, April 6.
The next highest requests for funding came from the Asian American Association — however, they were met with concern by the board.
The organization requested $5,820 in funding to host their annual “Mystique of the East” show, featuring several of the College’s performance groups. However, AAA asked for money to go toward buying new costumes and equipment for each group — a request that met the SFB board with disfavor.
“I like the event, and I really like the concept of the event,” Speight said. But, regarding their request to fund materials for other clubs at the College, Speight said that she “(feels) like they’re trying to pull one over on us.”
The board was in complete agreement and unanimously decided to table the event.
AAA also presented for a $4,666 multicultural buffet to be held this semester, despite having the same event last semester.
“Given the balance in our special appropriations fund, I think this would be a terrible allocation,” assistant financial director Kevin Lakritz said.
Soon after, a motion to zero-fund the event was passed.
The Haitian Student Association was also amongst the multicultural groups presenting during the day, requesting $9,103 for their event, “Ambiance.”
The board was in favor of the event, which highlights Haitian and Haitian-American culture through a comedic host, food, a dance company and more.
Within their request, HSA asked for $6,060 to fund a band. The board members, however, felt the request was too expensive, stipulating that they look for an alternative band or look into a DJ as they allocated $3,343 toward the event.
“Ambiance” will be held on Saturday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m., in Room 202 of the Brower Student Center.
In addition, Student Government’s class of 2015 requested $4,016 for the “5th Annual TCNJ’s Got Talent.” However, SFB agreed only to allocate $1,741, suggesting that spending hundreds of dollars in creative publicity would be fiscally irresponsible. Rather, they could find a photographer for cheaper than $300.
The Student Government requests continued with a presentation by the class of 2017, which asked for $1,249 in order to fund a freshman class trip to Colonial Bowling and Laser Tag in Lawrenceville, N.J.
As they requested about $1,050 to cover the costs of the bowling and laser tag games for each student, members of SFB mentioned that they didn’t particularly fund CUB or any other organization for the cost of the events during bus trips — they only fund the bus. As a result, SFB passed the motion to fund only the buses, allocating $200 to the group.
The event will take place on Sunday, March 23, at 4:40 p.m.
The class of 2017 was also allocated $3,013.95 for a freshman class New York City bus trip on Saturday, April 12.
CUB also presented their event “Frozen Sing Along,” which was unanimously funded by SFB. The board allocated $375 to cover the costs of assorted candies, ice cream and other supplies, allowing students to build edible snowmen during the movie screening.
The event will take place on Saturday, April 12, at 8 p.m., in the T/W lounge.
Finally, the Art Students Association was fully funded with $175 for their “Tile-Painting” event on Wednesday, March 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Brower Student Center.
The event, which will allow students to get together with a hands-on activity and paint tiles, was unanimously funded by the SFB board.
“ASA always has amazing events,” sophomore representative Tom Athan said. “The only problem is that they run out of supplies because too many want to go.”
(03/04/14 8:46pm)
The College’s website visibly changed over this past weekend with a “mark of distinction,” as the new seal was premiered.
It was approved by the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
“The design incorporates significant elements of our Trenton State College shield, which was used from 1958 until the school changed its name to The College of New Jersey in 1996,” said John P. Donohue, vice president for College Advancement, according to an article on the College’s website. “This is appropriate given the fact that TCNJ is the extraordinary institution it is today because of everything — and everyone — that comprises its rich history.”
According to the article, the goals of the design were to highlight the quality of the College’s educational experience as well as pay tribute to its past and “carry it into the future.”
(02/25/14 8:37pm)
It’s a conversation rarely had, as its struggles are often revealed only by a mirror’s reflection or a toilet seat containing the remnants of one’s shame. It’s talked about only in hushed tones or in an internal battle within one’s mind, yet typically over 90 percent of girls and 10 percent of boys on college campuses suffer from eating disorders in one way or another.
But on Tuesday, Feb. 18, it was discussed by students alongside Kirsten Haglund, Miss America 2008, in an intimate setting in the Cromwell Lounge, in an effort to bring the issue out in the open in honor of Eating Disorder Awareness Month at the College, sponsored by CAPS.
It’s often inferred that people fighting eating disorders acquired them from being in environments of high stress and participating in body image competitions such as pageants and modeling. Haglund actually used these opportunities to aid her in recovering from anorexia nervosa.
Haglund didn’t grow up dreaming to be a pageant queen and she wasn’t raised in a setting like the children in “Toddlers and Tiaras.” She grew up wanting nothing more than to be a ballerina.
“I was the good kid,” Haglund said. “I fell in love with ballet. This was my entire life, this was my identity.”
But as she begun to stake her life on being a ballet dancer, Haglund realized she might not be good enough or even thin enough to do the things other dancers were doing, and that’s when her self-esteem took a dangerous toll.
“To feel like you have no future because you’re not good enough and not thin enough — that is awful,” Haglund said.
And it was that feeling that led Haglund to begin her disease like so many others, with a small diet and a goal to lose just five pounds.
“You lose (weight) and you feel euphoric for a few days,” Haglund recalled. “But this voice comes back saying, ‘You could lose more.’”
Haglund continued on in a tearful yet elegant tone, explaining that she couldn’t understand why she still felt insignificant and worthless even though “she followed all of the rules” in an effort to obtain the perfect physique for a ballerina. She detailed not a childhood of playing with friends or gossiping over the latest drama, but one of sleepless nights, because the hunger was too painful and all she could do was cry on the bathroom floor and hide alone, drowning in her depression.
“It’s a deceptive disease,” Haglund said. “It’s hidden very easily.”
However, as her condition grew worse and became more apparent, Haglund’s mother dragged her to the doctor kicking and screaming, and that was when she was no longer able to hide her darkest internal struggle.
“I didn’t want to get better,” Haglund admitted, despite being forced to receive medical attention. “I thought all of the doctors were just trying to make me fat.”
It wasn’t until six months later at 16 years old that Haglund blacked out and fell off of a treadmill during a workout. It was at that moment she realized she could actually die.
“It actually kills you,” Haglund bluntly stated to the audience. “It sets you up for death. You will die if you keep up your eating disorder.”
But upon her realization that she was putting herself in severe danger, “a seed of hope was born inside” of her and she decided she “wanted to live.”
“(It was) a very small seed of hope, but that is all you need,” Haglund said.
She went on to detail that the recovery process was “hellish and long and really, really hard.” After two years of working, Haglund finally reached a healthy weight and was deemed to be “recovered.”
However, she felt her real stamp of recovery during her involvement in the Miss America pageant.
She detailed a funny anecdote about her finding herself in a situation where she had to wing a spontaneous speech in front of an audience during a 9/11 memorial.
“I had never spoken in front of an audience,” Haglund said. “The only thing I (could) do (was) speak from my experience.”
As she was approached afterward by people thanking her for what she said, she realized that, “I offered something unique and different just because of who I was.”
Feeling the impact made by her small speech, Haglund began to share her recovery story during pageants, which most people assume are filled with superficial women.
She explained that people didn’t care about perfection or a speech about world peace — it was her struggles that made her real in that world.
As Haglund’s story was clearly touching to the silent audience engrossed in her words, she lightened the mood during her story by passionately exclaiming, “You need carbs! If you leave with nothing else, you need carbs!”
She closed her story — one that began as a result of a need to be perfect — asking the students to replace perfectionism with gratitude because then life becomes simpler.
“This is a conversation that needs to be had,” Haglund said about the realities of eating disorders. “I just want us to leave here with a culture of openness … because we don’t talk about these issues as much as we should. We’re all in this together.”
(02/25/14 7:41pm)
Coming back to present a list of possible bands to play a concert at this year’s Funival, CUB Rat received funding for $33,000 by the Student Finance board on Wednesday, Feb. 19. $8,936 of the funds comes from both CUB Rat’s base budget and high volume request budget within the student activity fee, while the remainder of the total, stemming from CUB’s box office line, consists of extra ticket revenues made over the years.
CUB hopes to bring a band from its list of headliners, including New Politics, Cash Cash and Motion City Soundtrack, alongside its list of possible openers, including Magic Man and W.C. Lindsay.
CUB was also funded for $19,595 in hopes of bringing an “Alice in Wonderland” themed spring latenighter to campus.
The event is planned to include a gladiator joust, hypnotist, fun house mirrors, black light mini golf and wax hand designs, amongst several other activities. It is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 28, in the Brower Student Center at 8 p.m.
CUB was also fully funded by SFB in the hopes of bringing the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey to the College in order to perform “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and teach two workshops of 30 students each. The proposed event will take place on Saturday, March 29, in the Black Box Theatre.
All of the previous events will be free to students.
The Deaf Hearing Connection also presented to SFB this week and was fully funded with $6,790 to bring a double headliner comedy show as part of a “Deaf Awareness Day.” They plan to bring CJ Jones and Keith Wann, both of whom incorporate American sign language into their performance and are renowned in the Deaf community. The event will be free to all students and will cost $5 for non-students. It is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 5, at Kendall Hall.
SFB allocated $4,899.33 to the Alternative Break Club to host a Mardi Gras Masquerade in an effort to bring New Orleans culture to the campus by providing authentic Cajun meals, music and cultural events. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 2, at 8:30 p.m.
Chabad was also among the presenters of the day, asking for funds for two events, “Hilarious Purim” and “Friday Night Live.” The events were originally tabled last week, as the board felt that both events didn’t necessarily bring cultural awareness and were not fiscally responsible.
However, this week, they were funded for $1,830, despite asking for $3,330 in funds, as they were not funded to bring a $1,500 Purim feast to the event. The event will include a visit from Robert Rivest to host Laughing Yoga in celebration of the joyous holiday of Purim.
Chabad was also allocated $2,312.94 to host “Friday Night Live,” exposing the campus to a traditional Shabbat meal.
Finally, SFB received three conference requests that were each fully funded.
The Inter-Greek Council was funded with $2,197.50 to send four members to the regional Northeastern Greek Leadership Annual Conference from Thursday, Feb. 27, to Sunday, March 2. It will provide workshops for the participants to develop new programming opportunities for the College.
New Jersey Christian Fellowship was allocated $1,390.75 for four members to attend the Basileia conference to bring back leadership development tools to campus.
Student Government was also allocated $447 to send three students to the regional ASAGA Philadelphia SG Training Conference in June.
(02/18/14 4:22pm)
After about 45 minutes of debate and discussion, the Student Finance Board allocated $107,348 to CUB, SG and SFB, who hope to bring Funival 2014 to the College. They tabled funding $37,000 for a band and equipment until they receive a list of possible talent for the concert for them to go through.
SFB had trouble concluding whether they had the right to decide if certain attractions should be funded, as CUB is programming, but SFB is co-sponsoring.
“It’s the little things that add up to make the event great,” assistant financial director Kevin Lakritz said. “I trust CUB’s programming. They’re the programming experts.”
As members were in disfavor of funding things, like a $3,000 balloon artist, they ultimately decided to leave programming up to CUB, especially ones that they were personally funding with their contribution of $29,000. SFB held the stipulation that they come back for concert funding with a list of talent, as members agreed with financial director Nick Ruppino who felt that he’s “not really comfortable allocating $37,000 for a concert where we don’t even know what they’re bringing.”
The organizations hope to bring a ferris wheel, drop tower, zero gravity, bumper cars, windjammer, mobile zip-line, laser tag, rock wall and several other activities for the students to partake in. Funival is scheduled to take place on Friday, May 2.
CUB was also funded with $4,550, alongside its co-hosts To Write Love on Her Arms, in hopes of bringing Kevin Breel to campus to talk about his struggles with depression in a truthful and comedic way on Tuesday, April 8, at 8:30 p.m. in Roscoe West 201.
Protestant Bible Fellowship was also among the many presenters to SFB with their event “Jesus is Greater than Religion,” a presentation by YouTube sensation Jefferson Bethke. It was funded by SFB for $5,015. PBF hopes to bring him on Wednesday, March 19, in the Brower Student Center.
On the multicultural side, SFB had several heated discussions on what to fund as a result of the minimal amount of money left in the multicultural budget.
However, the Muslim Student Association was allocated $6,275 to host its event, “Celebrating Women in Islam: Muslim Women Doing Arts” as a part of Islamic Awareness Week. The event will focus on bringing to light the neglected Muslim American Women by holding a week to educate the student body on their accomplishments with a series of lectures throughout the week of Feb. 24.
In addition, the Indian Student Association was allocated $3,598.77 to host “Bollywood Night” on Saturday, March 29, at 8 p.m. The event will showcase the culture of India with tradition Punjabi food and dance performances.
The final multicultural request came from the Black Student Union to host a “Sankofa Ball” as the closing for Black History Month.
SFB agreed to fully fund the club for $1,035 for the event to have catering and decorations. It will be held in the Brower Student Center 202 on Friday, Feb. 28, at 6:30 p.m
BSU was also allocated $1,805 to host its annual fashion show, with the theme “Class is in session.”
SFB was impressed with the presentation, as it was more organized than in previous years.
“I think they’ve made a lot of compromises, and they’ve been very manageable,” sophomore representative Tom Athan said.
It will take place on Friday, April 4, at 7 p.m. in room 202 of the Brower Student Center.
Back on the special appropriations requests, Canterbury received $3,850 in funding to host its “What I Be” project during the week of March 24. The project’s purpose is to unify the campus by creating an environment of acceptance. They will be taking pictures of students holding up papers written with their insecurities throughout the week, which will be posted in the library and around the campus.
SFB unanimously voted to fully fund the event as they agreed with representative at large Parth Patel, who felt that it was “something we haven’t seen before.”
Next up was the TCNJ Swing Dance Club ,who received funding for $3,314.73 to host “Carnvial Swing Dance.” They hope to host the event with the Joshua Fialkoff Quartet on a $1,257.25 dance floor that will be placed in the T/W Main Lounge for the event on Friday, March 28.
Finally, PRISM was funded with $705 to host its annual Queer Wedding. This year, they have added a reception in room 202 of the Brower Student Center. The weddings will take place in the Allen Drawing Room before the reception, on Tuesday, March 4.
(02/18/14 6:00am)
With 4:45 left in the overtime period and 20 seconds on the power play, the ice was crowded with tired legs and sore bodies — but the heart of the Lions proved to be unrivaled as they worked until that last shot hit the back of the net for the golden goal.
The College’s game winner was scored by the player who perhaps epitomizes the ultimate athlete — one full of heart, leadership and unbelievable talent — senior captain and MVP recipient, Scott Rothlisberger, giving his team the GNCHC Championship title with a 4-3 OT win over rivals Millersville University.
“I just saw the puck hit the crossbar and go in, and immediately the only thing going through my head was to get my helmet and gloves off and meet my teammates to celebrate,” Rothlisberger said. “It was an unbelievable feeling that’s almost indescribable.”
And an indescribable feeling seemed to be a mutual one amongst the boys as their pure joy was obvious to any viewer who was watching a group of college kids throw their gloves into the air, cheering louder than ever and falling into hugs. It was certainly bittersweet for the team, as they accomplished their goal of winning the championship — their second in three years — all the while knowing it was the last college game they’d be playing with the team’s seniors.
“It’s a special group, it really is,” head coach Joseph Cucci said. “I’m kind of at a loss right now to explain how special they are. For this team, for everything that they accomplished this year, I think we had a little bit more pressure on ourselves with just how good we were. Expectations were so high that it was a little bit heavier for the seniors to come out here and complete it like they did. It’s just the ultimate testament to their character. They’re not just great athletes, they’re great kids.”
But the win didn’t come all that easy, as both teams came out to play, with the College also looking to redeem themselves after a loss to Millersville only about a week before.
Millersville ended the first period with a 1-0 lead, despite seeing some of the season’s best plays by players from the College’s defensive lines, including Rothlisberger, junior Nick Wilechansky, sophomore Matt Martin, junior Daniel Guglielmo and sophomore Gary L’Heureux.
However, the College’s offense lines never gave up, putting up 45 shots against their opponents. Their first goal came about three minutes into the second half — from the gold line consisting of seniors Anthony Santisi, John Czarnik and junior Alex D’Alessio — sporting a goal by Santisi off of an assist from D’Alessio.
With the competition level at its season’s highest, the College went down once again with another Millersville goal, until Rothlisberger put in a rocket from the point off of a pass from freshman forward Luke May, tying it up four minutes into the third. The line’s goal came after a continuously strong fore-check during the game from May’s line, including freshman Will Sulpizio and sophomore Evan Herrington.
“It was a spectacular game,” Cucci said. “I thought it was one of the best games we’ve been a part of this year. It was extremely well played on both sides. It was an emotional rollercoaster, but this team has had good mental toughness and they don’t give up. No matter what it is, we’re down a goal, we’re up by a goal — it doesn’t matter, they bring the same intensity, same effort and we were able to manage the momentum swings very well.”
And that they did, taking the lead for the first time in the game with 9:18 left in the third as sophomore Sal DiBrita blocked a shot in the College’s zone, only to bring the puck down to the opposing zone with line mates seniors Kush Patel and Jed Plester. It was Plester who scored the third goal of the night, with the assist going to DiBrita.
Millersville ultimately found their way back late in the third, though, tying it up and forcing the game into overtime. It proved not to be enough with the College coming out on top under the leadership of Rothlisberger.
“When we got into the locker room before overtime I just wanted to make sure the team was going to have energy moving forward,” Rothlisberger said. “I was just telling them that this is the moment that we as hockey players live for. I just (focused on) keeping the team loose and excited to have a chance to be a hero.”
But Rothlisberger wasn’t the only obvious hero of the game, as junior goalie David Laub, also an MVP recipient, played a phenomenal game, saving 49 of 52 shots for the College.
“During the game I was just trying to stay focused and calm and not let the pressure of the game get to me,” Laub said. “I was just thinking that we have to win. Losing wasn’t an option. (Winning) was the best feeling I’ve ever had and also the biggest relief. I just kept telling myself that we had to win and I wasn’t going to let them score on me, because as a goalie, confidence is everything.”
As the College came out on top with a statistical win to get the championship title, it was undeniably apparent to the audience that it wasn’t just a win for the books or themselves, but a win for each other and especially for the seniors.
“I love all these guys like my family and we’re like a family on and off the ice,” Rothlisberger said. “I think that it showed with the chemistry of the team. We won a championship because we were willing to do anything for each other and we work so well together. This means the world to me, (I’ve) been a hockey player ever since I was rollerblading around my house when I was two years old, and to go out on top like this with these guys is an amazing feeling.”
And although it’s the end of an era for the future graduates in their college careers, it’s certainly a feeling they’ll remember and a moment they’ll always be able to share together as a team.
“The fact that this was my last game hasn’t really hit home yet,” Rothlisberger said. “(I’m) way too excited and happy for our team right now, although it’s going to be tough not being able to strap it up with these guys again. It’s going to be an adjustment to not be a hockey player anymore, but for now I’m going to enjoy this one with the boys.”
(02/11/14 6:00am)
It was a physically tough weekend of game play for the Lions ice hockey team on their home ice, but perhaps even more so, it was emotionally difficult — and the emotions won’t stop there.
Despite losing two competitive games by the close scores of 4-3 against both Millersville University and Princeton University in the same week, the Lions know they must look forward onto what really matters now: the playoffs.
However, before getting into the playoff mindset, it was an emotional experience on their home ice at the Loucks Ice Center this past weekend. The Lions celebrated senior night, marking the last home games of the senior players’ college hockey careers.
“Playing my last home game feels like a chapter closing in my life,” senior forward John Czarnik said. “A lot of time has been spent at our home rink over the years and knowing it’s the last game ever wearing TCNJ colors is tough to accept.”
As several of the seniors have been playing together under the tutelage of head coach Joseph Cucci, they’ve certainly adopted a clear team chemistry on and off the ice throughout the years.
Winning the championship in 2012, the upperclassmen are hoping to repeat it for their last year. But regardless of the outcome of next week’s playoffs, the seniors have certainly set an influential tone on the ice from the strategic game play of forward Anthony Santisi, to the leadership of defenseman Scott Rothlisberger, to the determination of seniors forward Kush Patel and former line-mate forward Nick Lisciandro alongside the aggressive playing of forward Jed Plester, forward Zach Zuczek and Czarnik.
Regardless of stats, though, these seven players certainly left their hearts on their home ice at the Loucks Center and their legacy will live on through the underclassmen as they follow in the seniors’ footsteps.
“It’s a crazy feeling, knowing that you have one week of hockey left,” Czarnik said. “It’s going to be emotional, considering the fact that it’s all over after this, but there’s no better way to end your career than going out as a champion.”
And go out as champions is exactly what the Lions plan to do next week during the upcoming playoffs.
“To be successful in the playoffs, we have to play at a higher level and intensity and we know we are capable of it,” Czarnik said. “We have to play very strong defensively as a unit, which was the main reason we won the championship two years ago. Everyone knows their role on the team, and if we execute the way we know how, we will be very successful in the playoffs.”
The Lions will take on their first playoff game next weekend at Grundy Arena on Friday, Feb. 14.
(02/05/14 12:44am)
The Student Finance Board stood united this past week — the body unanimously fully funded each of the four events they were presented with during their meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
The College Union Board was fully funded with $5,250 to host “A Night With Rob Delaney.” The event will feature comedian Rob Delaney, “The Funniest Person on Twitter,” as claimed by Comedy Central.
“I feel like something like this — to pass it up — I don’t think that would be smart on our part,” operations director Sara Stammer said.
Despite the concern of funding too many comedy shows so far in the year, members of SFB felt that this event was economically viable and a great opportunity that would appeal to students. CUB hopes to bring the comedian to the College on Saturday, March 29, at 8 p.m. in the Brower Student Center in room 202.
SFB also funded CUB with $2,960 to hold a Country Music Showcase at the College. Members were in agreement that the show is cost efficient and will be a “unique” event on campus.
“(Country music) is something that’s lacking at TCNJ,” assistant SG representative Hajar Lakhouili said. “I think it’s a great idea.”
The show will feature a two-hour-long set by Mockingbird Sun, an up-and-coming band who has opened up for Toby Keith. They will perform on Thursday, March 6, at 8 p.m. in room 202 of the Brower Student Center.
On the multicultural side of requests, it was the Eurasia/Middle East Society (EME) who was fully funded for $5,090 to have a Syrian Music Night.
Certain members were on the fence, feeling that they’ve already funded plenty of similar events. Eventually, however, they decided it was different in that the Syrian theme incorporated both current events and pressing issues.
The Syrian Music Night will be held on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Library Auditorium.
Finally, the Chinese Students Association was funded with $2,480 to hold their Chinese New Year Celebration on Thursday, Feb. 13, in the Lion’s Den at 8 p.m.
“I really like this event,” programming director Brian Green said. “I went to it last year and it did really well.”
Green also explained that as certain multicultural events tend to be a mixture of groups, this event is purely about Chinese culture and therefore holds a more particular cultural appeal.
(02/05/14 12:43am)
Coming back after winter break, Student Government President Tyler Liberty welcomed back the members in preparation for the upcoming semester on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the general body meeting.
During the meeting, VP of Academic Affairs Adam Bonnano was recognized for receiving the governance participation award for his hard work and effort representing the students of the College, according to a press release.
VP of Governmental Affairs Alex Brown explained a new process for questioning clubs: as organizations arrive to present their ideas for funding this semester, SG will instill a more direct method to gain information. This will avoid overwhelming clubs with questions that were previously answered in their Governmental Affairs presentations, according to a press release.
In addition, junior class president Brian Garsh introduced the junior class selling of TCNJ decals for $2 each to fundraise for senior week. He also informed the general body that “TCNJ’s Got Talent” will take place on Thursday, April 17, at 8 p.m.
Finally, the sophomore class council will conduct a sunglasses sale alongside their plans to host “Springback” in front of Travers and Wolfe halls.
(01/28/14 11:03pm)
Waking up to the sound of screams at 5:30 a.m., George Leader, an Archeology professor at the College, ran outside to tend to what looked like a fallen woman on her way to work. However, as he approached the scene, it was clear that what was actually occurring was much different.
“I looked outside and saw a lady in the middle of the street (lying) on her back,” Leader said. “I quickly put on slippers and ran out there thinking, if this lady hurt her back, don’t move her. So I got out there, and it was quickly apparent what was happening ... That’s when I realized that the baby was coming.”
With the help of Leader, Shirley Bonanni successfully gave birth to Bella Bonanni on a green sled atop an icy hill in Philadelphia.
Leader explained that as a result of the big snow storms this year, four-wheel drive couldn’t climb the steep hill that leads to Bonanni’s house, among other local residents.
“(Fabian Bonanni, the father), had parked his car there during the night of the storm, and that morning the mom ended up going into labor,” Leader said. “So he put her on a sled to try and get her down the hill in a controlled way to get to the car ... Our street was just snow and ice. He got her about halfway down the hill on the sled, which is right in front of my house, and that’s when I heard the screaming and went outside.”
Leader, who has no experience in the medical field, never having kids or witnessing a live birth, called 911 and verbalized directions to the mother.
“(I) only (knew) what you see in the movies,” Leader said. “I was yelling to her, ‘breathe slowly, big breaths through your mouth, the baby’s head is coming … he’s face down’ and they’re saying okay that’s fine and within about two minutes, the baby came right out.”
According to Leader, the father grabbed the baby, broke the umbilical cord with his hands, wrapped the baby in a blanket and they both immediately sprinted up the hill with the baby into the warmth of their house.
“It was -15 degrees with windchill and I was just frozen, we needed to get the baby inside,” Leader said. “Once the baby was crying and it looked OK, I ran back to the mother. She was just freezing and shaking and I ran to get my roommates … they ran out and we all grabbed a corner of the sled and moved the mother into our living room because our house was the closest.”
Minutes later, the fire department arrived but couldn’t get up the hill either. About five firefighters ran up the hill, some attending to the baby, the rest to the mother as they awaited the arrival of the paramedics.
“(It was) pretty wild,” Leader said. “Not in a million years” did he ever think something like that would happen to him. “That stuff only happens in movies.”
(01/28/14 8:00pm)
Walking off their home ice this weekend with two consecutive wins, the College’s ice hockey team is looking ready for the upcoming playoffs in a few weeks.
Sporting a 5-3 win over Rutgers, a team they lost to earlier in the season after a plague of injuries took out five of their top players, the Lions redeemed themselves at the Louck’s Ice Center on Saturday, Jan. 25.
“The Rutgers game wasn’t our best performance,” senior defensmen Scott Rothlisberger. “But we finished every period strong and pulled out a big win. We were having some trouble scoring against their goalie, but with some great set-ups, I was able to get three goals.”
Rothlisberger has been a consistent leader for his team, blocking shots, contributing a powerful slap shot from the point and providing emotional leadership as a team captain.
“It was a great feeling to be able to get a hat trick against Rutgers,” Rothlisberger said. “Losing to them earlier this season was tough and I know all the guys wanted to win that game pretty badly. As a senior and a leader, it was amazing to be able to lift the team by getting key goals against what we consider one of our big rivals in our division.”
However, the excitement of the weekend started on Friday with a 6-0 domination against Seton Hall, giving goalie David Laub the much deserved shutout.
With the addition of two new transfers in this season, the team is still working on finding chemistry with the new changes.
“With the new additions, we have worked hard to find out the best possible combination for our top lines,” Rothlisberger said. “Anthony Santisi being back has helped since he has great chemistry with John Czarnik and Alex D’Alessio. I think it will take some time to build chemistry with the new guys, but our returning players have worked really well together so far this semester.”
However, one pair that has picked up right where they left off over break is freshmen Luke May and Will Sulpizio.
The duo scored perhaps the most beautiful goal of the night, highlighting their ability to always find each other as May shot the puck on the breakaway and Sulpizio was right there to score the rebound before the opposing goaltender could even shift sides.
“This weekend was about not losing the momentum we have built over the season,” Rothlisberger said. “We now have a 14-game winning streak and despite some poor play at certain points over the weekend, I was proud of the team to keep the win streak alive and keep playing hard even against less talented teams.”
(12/04/13 1:57pm)
It’s a feeling that’ll never be forgotten for all athletes who have ever cared about their sport. The final two minutes of their last high school game on their home field — being told that there are bigger and better things to come, but all the while knowing that the moments of an athletic career’s glory days might be scarce in the future.
To some it’s not a big deal, as they’ve already committed to continue play for their college. But to others, club sports can be the savior that provides four more years of the game they love while also highlighting the skills of the most talented players.
This semester, the Lions’ ice hockey team welcomed freshmen forwards Will Sulpizio and Luke May to the ice, and they have benefited greatly in the process.
With a combined total of 56 points for the team this season — Sulpizio contributing 29 and May with 27 — the two freshmen have been consistent point getters, proving themselves worthy of minutes on the ice.
“It’s been good to be able to go out each and every game (and) have the chance to make a difference and be able to help the team in any way possible,” May said.
The chemistry of the two players is undeniable, as they’ve comprised their points almost equally between goals and assists, while boasting seasoned stickhandling skills, powerful skating and sharp awareness of the puck on the ice.
“Playing with Will has been good so far,” May said. “We do a good job of supporting each other and working together. We have good chemistry and it’s been fun playing together.”
Coming in as freshmen with a lot to prove to a bunch of older boys who have already played together can sometimes be a challenge, but the rookies have handled it with confidence and composure — playing with fire, passion and hard work — while undoubtedly earning them the respect from their new teammates.
But putting the points and obvious talent aside, it’s the clear camaraderie of the team that is so special.
“Everyone on the team gets along and works well together,” Sulpizio said. “It’s been a great experience. I’ve had a lot of fun getting to know everyone.”
On the ice, everyone has the same goal in mind. But it’s not often to find a team such as this group of boys where the members support each other off the ice as well, regardless of differences in their ages.
“The upperclassmen have been great,” May said. “They do a great job making sure everyone feels comfortable on the team but also keep everyone in line (to) make sure they get the job done.”
Sulpizio added that the upperclassmen help with off-ice advice about classes and schoolwork, too.
Regardless of what sport or level you are playing in, when you have two freshmen separately saying that their favorite parts about playing hockey at the College are “hanging out with the team” and “having a great group of guys to hang out with,” there’s definitely something special going on.
As a group of college boys has come together in the name of a sport, it’s obvious they’ve formed stronger bonds than just teammates — and while winning on the ice is great, they’re definitely winning in more ways than one.
(12/03/13 7:21pm)
The College Union Board is underway in its planning of the annual spring concert after being allocated $185,576 by the Student Finance Board to try and bring headliner Fall Out Boy and opener Hoodie Allen.
Other headliner options for CUB include Paramore, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino.
“I’m happy with the potential to reach two different audiences,” programming director Brian Green said in regard to CUB’s plan to have a rock headliner paired with a rap opener or vice versa.
The second high-volume request from CUB came with its presentation for the spring comedy show. SFB allocated CUB with $50,890 to try to bring cast members from “Workaholics.” Other options include Nick Offerman from “Parks and Recreation,” Bill Hader from “Saturday Night Live” and stand-up comedian Ralphie May.
Both requests were passed with little dissent from members. However, CUB’s request for another spring lecture, in place of its canceled fall lecture, met with a very split vote.
Several members displayed concern with the amount of money CUB has been funded this semester and were concerned that both of CUB’s spring lectures will be too close together.
However, the event was fully funded as SFB allocated $26,190 for CUB to try to bring its first choice of Kal Penn with back-ups of Bill Nye the science guy, Mitch Hurwitz and Mark Boal.
CUB’s final presentation met SFB with such a split decision that one of the several motions met with a tie.
As CUB presented to bring George Watsky for a workshop and a spoken-word performance, about half of SFB felt that this was too similar to several events that have already been held this semester, while senior representative Liz Kamel and Student Government representative Tom Verga noted that this special appropriation money could be better used elsewhere for other clubs on campus.
SFB ultimately tabled the event indefinitely as they could not come to a definite decision, with members thinking the event is great, but ultimately unnecessary.
SFB also allocated the Black Student Union with $6,025 to host Black History Month in February. The money will be used to fund events during the month including a Welfare Poets workshop, Wula African dance and drum ensemble, Lea-Civil Rights Movement concert, movie rights for “The Butler” and “Get on the Bus” and the raising of the African-American flag.
The ISA also presented to SFB for its annual coffeehouse and was allocated $500 despite requesting $1,080 for Mexican food to go along with the event.
Members were conflicted on whether to fund the food until junior representative Gordon Sayre explained that the SFB manual dictates that they shouldn’t fund food if it’s unnecessary and goes against the feel of the event.
The Gospel United Ministries was also funded by SFB as they were allocated $856 to fund their event, “Winter Nights/ City Lights.” The event will feature a live band playing tradional jazz and Afro-Caribbean music.
(12/03/13 6:46pm)
Students have seen the fliers, deleted the email blasts and been invited to the Facebook events. But it’s still rare to find students who actually know why they are voting for a specific candidate in the Student Government elections, if they even vote at all.
This past fall, 1,200 of the 6,700 students at the College voted in Student Government elections, 606 less students than last spring’s turnout of 1,806, according to alternate student trustee Ryan Boyne.
“I think year to year we see a change in who votes for what,” said Student Government president Tyler Liberty, who explained that they changed this year’s elections to add more freshman spots. “I think that definitely contributed (to the decrease) in that upperclassmen actually draw a lot more votes than you’d think because they have their friends vote for them and people that they’ve made connections with over the past two to four years, who vote more than freshmen who just got here.”
A survey conducted of 152 students at the College showed that 63 percent of students vote in elections and 37 percent of students don’t. When asked why they didn’t vote in elections, several responses suggested that they didn’t know where to vote or why they should vote for the candidates.
“I think on our end, we could’ve done a better job publicizing it,” Liberty said. “I think there’s always room for improvement in how you advertise elections.”
Of the people who answered yes to voting in the survey, 40 percent of students claimed to vote based on which candidate they thought is best based on their ideas. However, a close 37 percent admitted that they voted directly for their friends.
During election season, it’s often found that the academic and dormitory halls are bombarded with fliers advertising a candidate’s name and picture. However, there is no information given on why students should vote for these candidates besides the fact that their name rhymes with something catchy and their picture is cute or funny.
“I don’t vote because I don’t feel adequately informed about the candidates, and I don’t want to make an uneducated vote,” one response from the survey read.
Other responses dictated that several students vote based on name recognition only, meaning that candidates were successful in garnering votes because they campaigned well, most likely by handing out lollipops or stickers with their names on it. However, this campaigning still doesn’t give any information as to why the candidates will be suitable for the job — it merely provides a tasty snack in between walks to class.
“I think in the past we had a candidate forum,” Liberty said. “But the only people who would go were people in Student Government, so I think it’s a toss-up between, ‘Hey I want know who I’m voting for but I don’t want take time out of my day to listen.’”
There is, however, an undercover way to get information about candidates. Their bios can be viewed by clicking on the candidates’ names on the ballot — but this is only offered during the actual day of elections.
“I think that comes back to us,” Liberty said on the feature of viewing bios on the ballot that is highly unknown to the student body. “It’s tough for us because for people who have been in Student Government for three or four years now, we sort of know everything and are used to it.”
As students are not well-informed of election details or candidate ideals, the results of elections often stem from the amount of organizations a candidate is in, as they are able to receive votes from friends.
However, Liberty explained that although a person may be acquiring several votes from friends, it is still imperative that they get outside votes in order to win against other candidates.
“I think it is important (to vote),” Liberty said. “I think that you’re electing the people who want to represent you. We’re lucky that on this campus, we have a lot more say in the way that things run than most student governments do across the nation, and we’re able to do that with a strong general body.”