The Tribune Stouffer-Mayer
Volume 2 September 2014
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The Journey of Love
HERE’S this really special place in the Heart of Stouffer (D-Section) that’s a bit hidden. Can you name this place? Hint: There’s a sign for it. If you haven’t seen this area yet, this issue of the Tribune will reveal it’s place and even it’s origin of how it was created. It follows the story of a City Sac, a massive bean-bag chair sold by the Love Sac company, that has had its ups and downs through the years from being bought, sold, even kidnapped, and returned to the rightful owners. The history of the City Sac started in 2011 when House Coordinator, Ryan Weicker, wanted to purchase something to spruce up the place a bit. It later traveled to our former GA, Kathy Houng, where it was also kidnapped by Penn residential services. Earlier that year, it was purchased by a head-strong group of Stoufferites at the 2014 Dutch Auction for all Stoufferites to use. Follow it’s journey throughout this issue of the Tribune. 1
Letter from the Editor H
EY EVERYONE!
I hope all is going well with everybody in Stouffer College House (AKA Best House)! By now, everyone’s usually in the thick of things with classes. At least, that’s how my year is going so far, and I know my roommate just had his first “midterm” exam. It wasn’t until I got to college that I found out a single class could have multiple midterms. Why they don’t call it “quarterly” exams or something else, is beyond me. To me, it’s sort of like adding 1/2 two or three times and saying it equals 1. Anyway, whether you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, the semester will be full of ups and downs. It’s always best to remember that through the issues that arise, you make time for yourself to keep a good mental health standing. Our GA, Michael Kaltenbach, has written a blog about keeping sane through the year that I highly recommend you all check out (See page 5). If you’re a freshman, you’re probably enrolled in a Freshman Seminar and/or a Writing Seminar (hopefully on a topic that you enjoy!). Writing Seminars have arguably the heaviest workloads of any of the courses here at Penn. I’m not saying it will be the most difficult you’ll ever take, but it does demand a lot from incoming students. I think it really depends on finding a topic that you enjoy. While the heavy workload of writing seminar might hinder some of you from adapting to your first semester away from home, it’s the freshmen seminars that help balance that workload among your classes. They don’t generally require substantial amounts of work, and they’re awesome for meeting other first-years. As a junior, I still keep in close contact with many of the people I met in my freshman seminar. Again, it’s all about picking something in either seminar that you think would really interest you! Goodluck with all upcoming midterms!
See You All Around, Isaiah Harris CAS 2016 Stouffer Communications Manager harrisi@sas.upenn.edu 2
Mysterious Beginnings and the Good Old Days
Laura Doherty
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Article By: Laura Doherty Special Events Manager
he Lovesac’s origins within Stouffer College House remain a mystery for us all. Some say it was purchased by House Coordinator Ryan Weicker before 2010. Others say it was actually House Coordinator Robert Leary in 2011. Wherever the truth may lie, one this is certain; the Lovesac was a welcoming sight for the tired residents of Stouffer after a long day of class and studying. Students would stop by the House Office for a nice chat, to borrow some tape, to buy a Stouffer sweatshirt - any excuse to get a chance to sit on the Lovesac. Residents would bring books with them. They would bring blankets and take a nap. The Lovesac was loved...(See page 6).
Memes by Naomi
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You Are Average And That is Awesome
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Article by: Phil Nichols, Faculty Master
HANCES are pretty good that you are like most people at Penn. Most people at Penn were at or near the top of their high school class in terms of grades. Most people at Penn had test scores in the highest percentiles. Most people at Penn were active in co-curriculurs. So, most people at Penn are not like most people. Except for the other people at Penn. You are average at Penn, because the average at Penn is awesome. It is probably a funny thing to be average after years of not being average. I know that there are people who get their first grade other than an “A” while at Penn. It is okay. There are people who for the first time do not get elected president of the club. It is okay. There are people who for the first time are not going to be able to finish an examination early and stroll out to the jealous looks of all the other students. It is okay. College may or may not be the best time of your life (if it is, then good luck with the next sixty or seventy years), but it is a truly excellent time. Obviously you should be diligent in your studies and respect what is going on in the classroom. But college is not an endurance test or some horrible 4
obstacle to overcome in order to get a job. College is a rare moment when you are given the time to figure some things out, when you can take the time to explore new things and meet new people. Penn does offer more than its share of special and unique events, and everyone should take advantage of lots of those. No person, however, without Hermione’s time turner could ever take advantage of all of the special things that Penn has to offer. Every person, on the other hand – every single person – can take advantage of the opportunity to take the time to just think, and to meet people and to hang out. There are people who put tremendous amounts of pressure on themselves to not be average at Penn. Some of those people work so hard to stand out that they miss out on the things that make college amazing. And there are some people who decide that if they cannot stand out they just won’t do anything. And they too miss out on the things that make college amazing. Most people, however, do find that spot where they can become full and well-rounded and engaged people. You are almost by definition average at Penn. And that is fine, because to be average at Penn is awesome. And to be in Stouffer College House is even more awesome.
Coming From Far Away Places
Demetri Morgan
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HECK out these awseome maps created by our very own, Demetri Morgan, that show where our Stouffer Residents come from internationally and within the US.
Graphics by: Demetri Morgan D-Section GA
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How to Stay Sane Within the Insanity of College Life!
Michael Kaltenbach
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Article by: Michael Kaltenbach Graduate Associate in Mayer Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist in CA and PA
D
O WE HAVE survived another month of many
months to come in the college life. For some of ` just been another start of another school you it has year, but for those New Students look where you are today compared to where you were at last month. College life is filled with many exciting new experiences. Some of these experiences will be life chang responsibilities we have to do on a daily basis. It is all about time management. Make a schedule and plan out the tasks you need to do each day. Make sure you make time to do the things you enjoy. Make time out of your busy day to take study breaks and socialize with friends or make new friends in the process. If you are having difficulty meeting people, try to participate in activities you enjoy and eventually you will meet people that share the same interests. Be yourself and enjoy your time here at U Penn and at Stouffer College House!
Rejection and Nowhere to Turn
EEMING the Lovesac “unfit” and “filthy” by former House Coordinator Sarah Davis (and kind of by our House Dean Amanda), it was thrown out to pasture in the Stouffer seminar room. Replacing it in the house office was a smug black leather couch. GA Kathy Houng took charge of the Lovesac, putting it in her room on the 6th floor of Mayer; but the fun could not last, as Kathy would be graduating and the Lovesac would soon be homeless again. With the summer quickly approaching, plans needed to be made for the Lovesac. After a suggestion from House Dean Amanda, the Lovesac was put up for auction at the Stouffer Dutch Auction in April of 2014. A group of students (which, unsurprisingly, included Faculty Master Phil Nichols) decided to pool in money for the Lovesac. It would be placed in its rightful home, D-section, for everyone in Stouffer to use. Everything seemed to be going great. Until….(See Page 7). 6
Article By: Laura Doherty Special Events Manager
Rickreation Stouffer Sports Update S
TOUFFER College House has gotten off to a fast start to the year in intramurals as we are already on top of the House Cup Standings (as always). Events for the year kicked off with a Texas Hold’Em Tournament, which was won by 2nd Floor resident, Nicolo Marzaro, and Matt Eernisse also won a spot at the final table. The following week, Madden Night took place at Pottruck where Mayer resident, Joe Mollo, managed to grab third place points for Stouffer. The Stouffer Strikers have started the year strong in intramural soccer with a big 3-0 win over the dental students. Martin Puchacz scored twice and yours truly chipped in with one. Flag football manged to squeeze out a 27-21 win over Rodin in a highly contested 5 v 5 game. Isaiah Harris was MVP of the game with 2 touchdowns and caught 2 interceptions as well. Josh Parasar also had a big game with 3 passing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown. Last Thursday, Stouffer also managed to dominate the Dodgeball Tournament with the help of Josh Parasar, Varun Desai, Nicolo Marzaro, Ash Sethi, and Tomas Piedrahita. Thanks to your efforts, Stouffer leads the House Cup standings with 35 points. Harnwell and Rodin are a distant second with 7 points. Great start to the year! LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Article by: Rick Pezzullo Recreation Manager
Sabatoge and the Right Ventricle R
ESIDENT Carolynn Sullivan decided to try and outbid the group of students, causing the price to skyrocket and creating a large truckful of unnecessary stress. The group prevailed, however, and the Lovesac was reclaimed. It wasn’t all that safe, however, between the Dutch Auction and the start of this year. The Lovesac resided in Kathy’s room until the end of the 2013-14 academic year, until one day, it went missing. It was taken out from Kathy’s room by Penn Residential Services. It wasn’t until after a day-long search and rescue that Kathy stumbled upon an open door in Mayer, Room 409 to be exact, when Kathy located the Lovesac in residential services’ possession. She puffed out her chest, walked into the room, grabbed the Lovesac, and said, “This is mine!” while eyes glared at her for her justified intrusion. She recovered the kidnapped Lovesac and saved the day. The Lovesac now resides in the “right ventricle” of the “heart of Stouffer”, in D-section. It is a cozy place open to all Stouffer residents, located near the piano and vending machine. Please stop by to experience the wonders of the Lovesac; and do it soon, because who knows where it will end up next. 7
Awesome Stouffer Events STOUFFER DINNER SERIES
COME TO A STOUFFER DINNER SERIES WITH YOUR FAVORITE GAs AND SENIOR STAFF!
Join our Graduate Associates and Senior Staff for dinner!
October 7th 6:00PM in Amanda’s Apt.
RSVP FOR: OCT. 7TH @ 6:00pm OR NOV. 6TH @ 7:00pm
November 6th 7:00PM in Phil’s Apt. Enjoy an informative Q&A with GAs, where they’ll discuss their graduate studies, professional development, career goals, and personal growth along the way!
REMEMBER TO DONATE TO THE PREVENTION OF EBOLA CAUSE! MAKE DONATIONS TO YOUR FLOOR/SECTION GA BY Thurs. 8/2
Fundraising Against Ebola Stouffer College House partners with Power Up Gambia (PUG) Sulayman Junkung General Hospital (SJGH) to help the fight against the spread of Ebola.
Deadline for fundraising: Thursday, October 2nd
The money raised will directly go to the Executive Director of PUG, with whom I have personally worked. She will use the money to buy crucial supplies: gloves, rainboots, goggles, infection control suits, etc. She will be flying to the Gambia on October 7 with the supplies she has bought.
WHY THIS CAUSE IS IMPORTANT:
SHAUN T COMES TO PENN ON OCTOBER 1
1. The threat is real because The Gambia is fully surrounded by Senegal with a porous, rarely enforced, border. It is only a matter of time before the virus crosses the border into The Gambia. 2. Resources and funds at the Gambian Ministry of Health are stretched thin. International funding is going largely towards containment in actively infected areas. But money is not flowing to the places where Ebola is headed. 3. Power Up Gambia, a U.S. based 501(c)3 non-profit has long partnered with SJGH, is now turning its sights on helping the hospital get Ebola-ready in an effort to contain the epidemic once it hits. PUG is a nonprofit that has long and deep relationship with the hospital. It knows what exactly the money is being used for. It works not only with SJGH, but also the Gambian Ministriy of Health, so efforts to prepare for Ebola are well orchestrated. 4. SJGH is one of 5 general hospitals in the country, and the money is going for specific items because these are the items that the hospital has expressed need for. 5. PUG was started by a Penn Med student to address the energy needs of SJGH. The nonprofit's goals have evolved in tandem with those of SJGH and the Gambian MoH to address the changing health care challenges. PUG sends not only financial capital, but human capital and other resources. Penn students, such as Jemi, are active participants in the organization, well after their term of internship in The Gambia.
FOR MORE INFO VISIT THESE PAGES
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Jemi’s Summer Internship
Power Up Gambia
CROWDRISE
Donate any amount of money, even spare change! Your GA will have a collection jar for your floor. The floor that raises the most money, wins a healthy food party!