C
College Life
2013 FALL 2014
Jobs On Campus
Now Online at OswegoCollegeLife.com
Freshman Survival
About 2,000 students work on campus. Be one of them
You’re new to college, but that doesn’t mean you have to make the mistakes other freshmen made in the past. Story inside
Lessons Learned
... 10 years after I graduated from Oswego
VALUABLE COUPONS INSIDE
Campus Going 100 Percent Smoke-Free Starting Jan. 1
Alternative to Graduate Educator Speaks Out School Oswego now offers new Against options for grad school Dating New President Violence
Study Abroad
Wanted at CCC
3 Million Resumes Show Perfect Formula
Fulbright Student Julie Schofield is SUNY Oswego’s first Fulbright Scholarship recipient in more than a decade 1
Fall 2014
Are Today’s Seniors Ready to Graduate? Well....
Students Share Their Overseas Experience
College Life
C
CAYUGA COMMUNITY
New President Wanted
A search committee is in place, but interim president may stay until 2015 and beyond By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
C
oswego.edu/international
hange and growth might make good keywords for Cayuga Community College this year as the school seeks new leadership and introduces new programs and a few renovations to improve student life. The college has formed search committees for a new president and vice-president of finance. The college hired Gregory T. DeCinque, interim president, in November 2013, following the retirement of Daniel Larson. DeCinque will serve through November 2015, an extension of his original one-year contract. “I said if they were interested, I would consider a second year,” DeCinque stated in a press release. “I really felt that was the right course to get the institution where it needed to be not only for the fiscal health and future of the college but also to be attractive to a strong pool of candidates for the presidency.” Fulton Interim Dean John Lamphere said that regardless of the president’s search, the college is full steam ahead. “We’re trying to meet the needs of the community,” Lamphere said.
One of those is more occupational therapists. “With the number of people needing care, this is a growing market,” Lamphere said. The idea for an occupational therapy program originated from healthcare professionals in the area, including professionals at Oswego Hospital. The college has also hired more personnel to bolster its existing medical technician program. The nursing program is growing as well, the interim dean said. “We have doubled the size of our state award-winning nursing program,” Lamphere said. “For three years straight, we’ve had 100 percent passing placement. Instead of offering it every other year, we have a new lab space up here and will offer it every year. That will effectively double the size of the program. The Fulton campus is also finishing its physics lab and planning to offer a program in electrical technology. “We’re expanding our history, criminal justice, and many other programs,” Lamphere said. “We’re offering a lot of new stuff. We’re here to stay.”
Jeff Edwards, board chairman, said that the school was recently approved by SUNY and the New York State Educational Department to offer an advanced manufacturing certificate. Considering the region’s long history in manufacturing, the new program is believed to be a perfect fit. The campus will also partner with BOCES to offer community workforce development, using campus space as an occupational training site. “We’ve opened our doors to any worthwhile community venture,” Lamphere said. Any nonprofit organization offering a community service or educational outreach may use space on campus free of charge. To enhance student life, the Fulton campus kicked off a renovation project that will add a student lounge and fitness center, slated for completion by the end of the fall semester. “We’re also going to have affordable student food on campus from a major chain vendor,” Lamphere said. “We hope this helps with student retention.
Sculptures On Campus
ELECTRIC GO KART RACING STUDENTS $5 OFF
LOCATED ON 3rd FLOOR IN DESTINY USA
Kart Speeds Up to 45mph Adults & Kids Karts (Must be 48” tall) Video Games & Sports Memorabilia Group Event Packages Gift Certificates Available for Purchase Discount valid Discount valid Monday-Thrusday. Monday-Thursday.Must Mustpresent presentstudent studentIDID
9090 Destiny USA Drive Syracuse, NY 13290 315-423-RACE (7223) This location is an independently operated franchise owned by Destiny Raceway, LLC
Artist Eric Stein of Huguenot sands imperfections from “Cutter,” one of six large sculptures that have begun rising along heavily used walkways near SUNY Oswego’s Marano Campus Center for a two-year exhibition. “Shape Shifters” by Coral Lambert of SUNY Alfred is at left.
Fall 2014
2
C
College Life
REACH FOR MORE A MORE PERSONAL, CAREER-FOCUSED EDUCATION AND A GREAT COLLEGE EXPERIENCE • We’re a small, private college that offers a world of opportunities close to home. • Our bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs can lead to great futures in healthcare, business, technology and the legal field. • Day, evening and online classes available. • Residential housing available at our Syracuse campus, plus men’s and women’s soccer and cross country teams as well as track & field. • Financial aid and scholarships available for those who qualify. Call or visit us today.
CALL TODAY TO REGISTER FOR OUR FALL SEMESTER
Bryant & Stratton College Personal Education. Lifetime Success.® Since 1854
Syracuse Liverpool
315.804.4004
www.bryantstratton.edu
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures.
3
Fall 2014
College Life
New minor to build theatrical skills for producing live events
S
UNY Oswego’s theater department is offering a new minor in live event design, which can lead to potential careers in lighting, effects, stage management, makeup, sound design and multimedia to enhance special
events of all kinds. “A lot of us in the department know people and are friends with people who started in theater and then made their careers outside the theater using technical theatrical skills,” said Jessica
Hester, theater department chairwoman. For example, she said, “friends of mine work in a corporate events setting.” Live events—rock concerts, political rallies, broadcasts, museum exhibitions, educational demonstrations,
To Stewart’s Shop
OCO To Byrne Dairy
Fulton Pizza Hut
CCC Campus
Lake Neahtahwanta
Welcome Students! CO. RT.
trade shows and other promotional events—often demand skills traditionally honed in theater, Hester said. Job duties in such events can include production and stagecraft of all kinds, from carpentry to sound design. The live event design minor consists of a variety of classes, from core courses such as “Introduction to Technical Theatre” and “Advanced Theatre Production” to such skills-driven elective courses as “Stage Electronics and Mechanics” and “Computer Applications for Theatre” and classes in traditional crafts such as lighting design, costuming and makeup. “It’s easy to think of fine and performing arts as these discrete fields that make culture worthwhile,” Hester said. But, she noted, theater skills transferable to other fields can
C
enhance the future employability of students whose major field of study is not theater. Hester said the department expects to attract students to the new minor from major programs as diverse as broadcasting, technology education, business, music and visual arts. Outstanding Oswego alumni working in theater technical arts include Brian Ronan, who has won Tony Awards for sound design for Broadway musical hits “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” and “The Book of Mormon,” and Jef Billings, an Emmy-winning costume designer who has worked with a variety of productions including “Stars on Ice,” designing costumes for figure skaters Kristi Yamaguchi, Katarina Witt, Sarah Hughes and Scott Hamilton.
College Life
Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Melissa Stefanec, Linda Germain, Sarah Higgins, Sarah McCrobie, Chad Brooks, Ken Little, Matthew Liptak • Advertising: Peggy Kain, Shelley Manley • Design: Chris Crocker Office Manager: Laura Beckwith College Life — For students at SUNY Oswego and Cayuga Community Collge, published two times a year by Local News, Inc. at 185 E. Seneca St., Oswego. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126. Phone: 315-342-8020; Fax: 315-342-7776
89
To Rudy’s
RUDOLF
ST.
Campus
Oswego
Pizza Hut Eby’s Law C’s Beverage Center Byrne Dairy
DuFore’s In Vogue
Premier Suites
Green Planet Grocery Thrifty Shopper Food Chow City
Stewart’s Shop
E. SEVENTH ST.
St. Joseph’s Church JC Penney Plaza
St. Stephen the King Church
Fall 2014
4
C
College Life
Freshman Survival 10 tips that will help you survive your freshman year By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Y
ou’re new here, but that doesn’t mean you have to make the mistakes other freshmen made in the past. Keep these tips in mind.
1
You attend college to both learn and have fun. Too much of either isn’t good. Manage your time well so that you complete studying first and then you can relax and enjoy downtime without putting your grades in peril. Never taking a break from studying makes students miserable and can prove counterproductive.
2
College is in some ways a lot harder than high school. The academic bar is higher. But in many ways, such as the value studying and doing good work, it’s the same. Don’t let a heavy academic schedule overwhelm you. If you plan ahead, you can do it all.
3
You may not be best friends with your roommates. But don’t write off a roommate who seems different from you. You may have more in common than you first realize.
4
Learning doesn’t happen only in the classroom. College is full of life lessons in many areas. Soak it all up.
5
Fall 2014
5
Take advantage of the many opportunities college offers, such as playing sports and joining clubs. You will make many new friends. Those relationships and experiences can be so enriching.
6
Don’t take one bad test grade too seriously. Examine how you went wrong (Too little studying? Didn’t understand the test questions? Read the wrong chapters?) and figure out how you can do better next time. Find the best way for you to study. Some
Your Authorized Pandora Dealer in Oswego
like group study; others prefer solitude. Some like to re-write their notes. For others, reading their notes aloud helps.
7
Never even consider plagiarizing a paper or cheating on a quiz or test. It’s wrong and you also cheat yourself out of the education you’re paying for. Even subjects that don’t seem related to your future career goals can teach you many things.
www.duforesfordiamonds.com
343-3340
94 West Second Street • Oswego
8
Ask the professor for help as needed. That’s what the professors are for: to help you learn. Ask for extra credit projects if you feel your grade is lagging.
9
Get off campus now and then and check out the town. It offers many unique opportunities for culture and recreation unavailable at home.
10
Enjoy your college experience. It won’t last long. Take pictures and videos. Consider journaling. In 10 or 20 years, you’ll be interested by what you were thinking in college and how you have grown since.
Students & faculty...save
f f o % 25
is coupon! rchase with th your entire pu go store only. we Os at lid Va college ID. /31/14. Must present es. Expires 10 id on day of sal Coupon not val
r good
Shop for a greate
OSWEGO
57 East Bridge Street • 315-342-6625 #iShopThrifty Visit ishopthrifty.org for other store locations, and hours
College Life
C
10 Years After Graduation Lessons I learned after I graduated from SUNY Oswego By Melissa Stefanec
OPEN EVERY DAY FROM MID-MARCH THROUGH OCTOBER!
“And yet not a dream, but a mighty reality — a glimpse of the higher life, the broader possibilities of humanity, which is granted to the man who, amid the rush and roar of living, pauses four short years to learn what living means” W.E.B. Du Bois
Casual! Family Fun!
>< 78 Ct. Rt. 89 “On the Loop” Oswego
315-343-2671 GET HOOKED!
rudys lakeside drive-in
“On the first day of a college you will worry about how will you do inside the college? And at the last day of a college you will wonder what will you do outside the college?” Amit Kalantri
I
love quotes. Who doesn’t? Maybe I love quotes so much because I am an old lady. Admitting this will likely bar me from any future contributions to the College Life newspaper, but this year marked 10 years since I graduated from SUNY Oswego. (I am going to pay my mortgage and call the county assessor’s office while I let that sink in.) College seems like it was so long ago and yet not so far away. Ten years seems like just the right amount of time to offer some reflection. I would like to share my list of what I’ve learned in the past decade. Hopefully, readers can take a useful nugget or two along on their post-college journeys. 1 — Have a little bit of money in the bank when you graduate. Unless you are going straight back to your parents’ house, you’d better have a little bit of money set aside for post-graduation life. Splitting rent with five other people isn’t likely in your future, so be ready to strike out on your own financially. You might just have to split rent two ways, but be ready to hunker down the old bank account. 2 — No job is ever beneath you. Some people leave college expecting the world. Smart people leave college knowing they will have to work for the world. Do what you have to do to make ends meet. If you have to work a side job or take a job outside your field,
don’t berate yourself. Just keep working toward your end goal. 3 — Smile and work hard. You probably won’t find the job or the employer of your dreams right out of college. Your first job will probably involve some boring, grunt work. Do it with a smile. Your degree won’t grant you any special privilege. Doing menial tasks well and with a smile will. Prove yourself and keep moving forward. 4 — Unless you were already financially savvy, the financials of being an adult are a beast. I may have mastered how a credit card worked during college, but I didn’t know jack about mortgages, property taxes, life insurance and health insurance. Like it or not, you will have to know about these sorts of things. They are frustrating, complicated and often require the consumption of stiff beverage after navigating them. Talk to people who are knowledgeable about these sorts of things. Get yourself a financial adviser. Money won’t make you happy, but being unprepared, ignorant, taken advantage of or clueless is going to make you even less happy. 5 — Don’t get a flashy new car just because you can afford one while you are single and have cheap rent. I saw a lot of acquaintances regret this move. If you have the money for a hefty car payment, reroute that money. You don’t have to keep driving the car with duct tape on it from college, but keep it modest. Use your extra money to build a savings or pay down your school debt. You never know when your circumstances might change, for the better or worse, and having a little nest egg and less debt will always save you. 6 — Savor your independence and lack of responsibilities. College is tough. A lot of people work hard inside and outside of the classroom. There are plenty of obligations. That being said, your responsibilities are only going to increase when you get that diploma. There’s no going back. So, savor your nights on the lake, a mall trip with friends or a
drink with your group. Free time is precious. 7 — Don’t beat yourself up too much. The real world is tough. It’s tough to get a job, stay on top of all your demands and succeed. Too often, I thought about where I should be in life. About six months before I turned 25, I was on deck for an early mid-life crisis. I wasn’t where I wanted to be professionally. I was beating myself up each time I got a rejection email or letter. I was a mess. It was all for naught. There will be times in your life when you don’t approve of your own circumstances. That’s fine and natural. Just keep working toward something better and appreciate what you have in the present. 8 — Adults are boring. During our 3 a.m. laments, my friends and I swore we would always be cool. We would never be exactly like our parents. We would find a way to act like adults and have a lot of fun at the same time. When my friends and I get together now, we spend some time talking about some boring crap like taxes, banking, health care and politics. It’s inevitable. However, keep some of your young energy alive. Take nights out; act like you are 22 again for a couple of hours. Maintain hobbies that stimulate you. You are going to get older and change your priorities, but never stop finding enjoyment in life. 9 — Keep in contact with the people that matter. Once you graduate, you aren’t likely to have a 20-person crew at your disposal. You will inevitably drift apart from many of your college pals. Facebook will be the only way you know what’s going on in many people’s lives, but don’t let that happen with everyone. Keep in touch with the people whom you treasure. Pick up the phone, jump on a plane, log miles on your car or send a birthday gift. Real friends are worth the effort. 10 — College was some of the most fun you will ever have in life. Period. Enjoy it.
Fall 2014
6
C
College Life
Future Plans
Are Seniors Ready to Graduate? Getting a job, starting a career or traveling are among some of the plans for those expected to graduate in 2015 By Sarah Higgins
W
hen one chapter ends another begins, the graduating seniors prepare their bittersweet goodbyes as they embark on the next journey of their lives…the real world. How prepared can a student be for such a drastic change? For four years, students find comfort in the campus and the lifestyle they have become accustomed to. In the classroom, students obtain new information and opportunities to become more confident in their work and speaking openly among their peers. The question remains, are seniors really prepared for the real world? The college may guide soon-to-be graduates on the right path for careers, but it is ultimately the studentss burden as to whether they are mentally and emotionally prepared for what’s ahead. Rebecca Unger, a junior majoring in language and international trade with a
Unger
7
Fall 2014
concentration in Spanish and German, plans to graduate in May 2015. Unger has been looking for an internship since January, but unfortunately her search has been unsuccessful. “My goal is to find a job wherever I can. I want to travel the world and see new places. I feel prepared for the job force, but unprepared to be an adult and start my new life. I’m going to miss living carefree and without a worry while I’m still young and don’t have major responsibilities,” says Unger. Unger has been an active student on campus and has joined several clubs and organizations to keep her as busy as possible and to boost her image for potential employers. She has her EMC license and plays intermural sports in dodge ball, softball, broomball, and football. She is also the treasurer of a national sorority and works parttime in her hometown in Buffalo. Similarly, junior Jennifer Meza has been active on campus and spends her free time being as involved as possible. Majoring in biology with a minor in health science, Meza plans on applying to graduate school in New York City to become a physician’s assistant. She also has her EMC license and has worked for SAVAC as well as the dining hall and in the office of the department of communications. “I don’t really feel prepared for the real world yet. I’m not ready to say goodbye to everyone I’ve met here,” says Meza. Many students feel the same once graduation comes around, and the nerves of change can be overwhelming for some. But for junior Amanda Austin, although she will miss the bonds formed, she is ready to take her memories with her on her next adventure. Graduating in May 2015, Austin is majoring in mathematics and double-minoring in applied statistics and health science. She plans to become an actuary, which requires passing a difficult exam. Her main goal in life is to find the reasons behind and solutions to childhood obesity in the U.S. She plans to use definite statistics and her background
FOOD CHOW CITY III CHINESE RESTAURANT
45 E. Bridge St.
(at Corner of E. 2nd St)
Oswego, N.Y. 13126
WE ALWAYS USE FRESH INGREDIENTS
AWARD-WINNING CHEF Tel: (315) 343-3202 / 343-3265
FREE DELIVERY Minimum $12.00 - $1 Delivery for Orders Under $12
Austin in health science to solve this issue. She is also working on an independent study for her honors thesis where she surveys Oswego students to determine how lifestyle choices — eating healthy and exercising — family background and environmental factors influence the risk of obesity in young adults. Other than schoolwork, Austin holds responsibilities in the different organizations she has been involved with. For a year and a half, she was a part of the campus’ cheerleading team. “During the first year I stepped up to fundraise as a new member of the team, and was able to successfully raise enough money to bring us to nationals in Daytona Beach. While this was a small step, it helped give me the confidence to know I could do anything I set my mind to,” she says. In addition, she is an active member and vice president of the national organization Sigma Delta Tau. She states holding this position has a lot of benefits, but can be stressful when making executive decisions amongst her peers. “I do not have everything set in stone. I know what I want to accomplish with my life. Given that, I know I will achieve my goals and become a successful adult. While it is scary to think about how close that time is approaching, it helps to keep my long-term goals in focus,” says Austin.
BUSINESS HOURS:
Mon.-Thurs.: 10:30 am - 10:30 pm
Fri. & Sat. 10:30am - 11:30pm Sunday: 11:30am - 10:00pm
Robert J. Lighthall Program Coordinator
Oswego County Public Safety Center 39 Churchill Rd., Oswego, NY 13126
315-349-3210
HELP WANTED TELEMARKETING
12 HOUR / WK • OSWEGO’S EAST SIDE Ideal for students who want to make extra income. 12 hours per week. $9 plus bonus. To sell print and online advertising and magazine subscriptions. People with prior experience in sales preferred. Excellent work environment. Located at 185 East Seneca St. in Oswego (you may need to have your car to get to the office). Please email resume to LocalNewsInc@gmail. com or mail it to P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126.
College Life
Meet Julie Schofield, Fulbright Scholar SUNY Oswego’s first Fulbright Scholarship recipient in more than a decade, Julie Schofield will spend a year in India working with former sex trade workers By Melissa Stefanec
J
ulie Schofield is SUNY Oswego’s first Fulbright Scholarship recipient in more than a decade. Starting this fall, she will spend a year in India studying the language and then working with former sex trade workers and people who are in danger of becoming part of the trade. She graduated from SUNY Oswego in December 2013 with a double major in women’s studies and English and plans to put her skills to use by publishing a book of poetry written by the people whom she will be working with in India. Schofield shares her experience and expectations with College Life readers. A.: Can you give us a rundown of what the Fulbright scholarships are all about? Q.: According to its website, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching and primary and secondary school teaching worldwide. The program awards approximately 1,900 grants each year and operates in more than 140 countries. A.: What was the application process like? Q.: It was definitely a lot of preparation and it helped that I was able to travel to the country of my choice beforehand to make the initial contacts necessary for a project affiliation. I started my draft — Statement of Purpose — in April of 2013, and I did not find out if I won the award until April of 2014, so it was a long ordeal. The thrill of being able to live and work abroad for nine months is surely worth the effort, and I had lots of support from my professors, friends, and family. A.: How competitive is this process? Q.: The country I chose, India, has in previous years had a little over 200 applications for the 50 grant recipients allocated for student research.
My advice is to choose a country first and then decide on whether you would like to pursue a specific project or work as an English teaching assistant. Always keep in mind that for research it is all about the strength and feasibility of your project and not how many other applications there are. A.: Why did you decide to go through with a Fulbright application? Q.: I had never heard of the Fulbright program until my professor told me about it after I returned home from my trip to India in January 2013. When I looked at the website I was at first intimidated by the list of alumni and thought it would be out of my reach. It was only after speaking with my family that I decided to at least go through the application process as it would prepare me for later in my academic career when I need to pursue grant money for other pursuits. Once I was invested in my project idea, it became much more real. I began to tell myself that I had a solid chance. A.: What is the title of your proposed project and what does it entail? Q.: The title of my project is, “Addressing the Mind, Body and Spirit: Cultural Therapy and the Arts as Healing and Empowerment for Survivors of Sex Trafficking in Kolkata India.” I plan to spend the majority of my time volunteering with various organizations that work with young women who have been brought out of the brothel system after being forced to work in the sex industry or those who are in danger of being put into that situation against their will by family members or because of lack of options and extreme poverty. My project will look at the ways that creative
arts therapy restores dignity and helps to develop greater self-awareness and self-confidence for these young women. I am also planning to run poetry and oral storytelling workshops. A.: How will you overcome the language barrier? Q.: I received funding for three months of intensive language learning for the first part of my year in India. A.: You had visited India prior to receiving this scholarship. What lured you back to that area? Q.: To be honest, it was my love of Kolkata, India, that drove me to pursue the Fulbright. I knew that I wanted to get back and do some kind of work with the non-governmental organizations that I had a chance to interact with on my initial visit. A.: Why did you choose to dedicate a year of your life to workers who were
once in the sex trade? Q.: The issues surrounding human trafficking are complex, but I strongly believe that sex workers should be recognized as laborers and protected from exploitation. It is a double burden to be born a woman and poor in India; therefore, the options for a living wage are severely limited, making it is impossible to judge these women for choosing an occupation that others might see as morally reprehensible. It is vital to try and combat the stigma that causes them undue mistreatment. Any effort to change these attitudes will greatly benefit survivors of sex trafficking as well. . A.: What do you plan to do with the knowledge you gain from this journey? Q.: For a start, I hope to help change some negative perspectives about India,
C
particularly the victim mentality assigned to women. When there are rape cases reported in the media you find a lot of people respond by chiding India and calling it a backward country, when really there are just as many or more instances of gender violence here in this country that don’t get reported or are glossed over than there are in a country much that is more densely populated and still developing economically. I am not making excuses for the terrible things that happen, but I don’t find India to be any less progressive than America when it comes to addressing issues of gender equality. There is a fierce feminist movement happening in India with a long history of action and reaction to an entrenched patriarchal system that is centuries old. I am there to learn from the Indians who are working hard on the ground to make changes and create better futures for the next generation of girls. In my future work as an academic, I want to promote transnational feminism as a way to build bridges between women all around the globe, so they can learn from each other and support each other in total solidarity. A.: What advice do you have for other students who are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholarship? Q.: Do it! It is not something just for Ivy League students or the smartest or the most well-traveled student. Even if you have never been abroad before in your life, you should consider applying and take a chance, as I truly believe it will change your life for the better.
Schofield
Fall 2014
8
C
College Life
LIFESTYLE
Smoke-Free Campus
Starting Jan. 1, SUNY Oswego campus will be 100 percent tobacco-free By Melissa Stefanec
S
tarting Jan. 1, 2015, SUNY Oswego will become a tobacco-free campus. The use of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars and electronic cigarettes will not be allowed anywhere on campus, whether inside or outside. The restrictions will include vehicles that are parked on campus property. The new initiative is called the Tobacco Free 2015 campaign and it builds on a previous initiative that made all the residence halls smoke-free. Jerald Woolfolk, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at SUNY Oswego, is spearheading the effort, along with members of the SUNY Oswego Clean Air Committee. The new policy was supposed to take effect in 2014, but the proper marketing hadn’t occurred to make the effort feasible. Oswego will now join the ranks of more than 30 colleges and universities in the New York state system that are already smoke-free. According to Woolfolk, the decision to ban smoking on campus was made as a result of a healthy body of research. A 2012 survey of more than 1,200 faculty, staff and students, which was conducted by the Clean Air Committee, reported that 16 percent of students said they used tobacco in the last 30 days. Only 7.1 percent of the surveyed faculty and staff said they use tobacco on a daily basis. This demonstrated that tobacco was used by only a minority of people of campus. “The research showed that overall, there was an overwhelming positive feeling that the campus wanted to go tobacco-free,” said Woolfolk. “We have gotten a lot of positive feedback from the campus community. They have been very supportive.” This past spring, on Earth Day, SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley announced the tobacco-free initiative. During the Earth Day celebrations, students supporting the effort passed out flyers, buttons and T -shirts promoting the campaign. There were also peer educators going across campus to educate fellow
9
Fall 2014
Vashaw’s Collision Service John A. Vashaw • John M. Vashaw
students about the initiative. Woolfolk stressed the initiative isn’t telling anyone he or she can’t smoke, though the new restrictions will make it a lot harder for people on campus to sneak in a tobacco fix. The initiative is part of a holistic program that intends to make the campus cleaner, decrease people to the exposure of second-hand tobacco and be more environmentally friendly. “We aren’t telling people to quit,” said Woolfolk. “We are saying our campus is going to be a tobacco-free zone.” The committee is hoping the initiative will cause a cultural shift in attitudes toward tobacco use and eventually decrease the use of tobacco among students. Students who want to quit can obtain smoking cessation supplies at the Mary Walker Health Center, as long as they have a prescription from a doctor. There are not currently any penalties in place for students or staff who violate the policy by using tobacco while outside or in vehicles. The policy is being integrated into the SUNY Oswego code of conduct. People will be on their honor to obey the new policy, and they will be asked to refrain from tobacco use if they are engaging in it on campus property. “We are hoping people will self-govern,” said Wool-
folk. Although much of the reasoning for the decision centered on people’s health, the environment was also an important factor in the tobacco-free decision. Woolfolk is hoping this initiative gets students and staff thinking about how their actions affect other people and the world around them. Protecting the campus from various forms and pollution and litter was an important consideration in this decision. “We want the campus to be here for generations to come, just as beautiful and pristine as it is now,” said Woolfolk. Woolfolk doesn’t think the new initiative will be much of shock to the campus community. With the ban of smoking in residence halls, she says many of the students already thought the campus was tobacco-free. She said you don’t see a lot of people smoking on campus, and there is already an awareness of health and safety among the campus community. According to Woolfolk, these factors, combined a general positive reaction from the campus community, should make for an easy implementation of the Tobacco Free 2015 campaign. “Students have said they are happy we are doing this,” she said. For more information on the campaign and to view the official countdown, visit www. oswego.edu/OzQuits.
269 West 2nd Street Oswego, NY 13126 Phone (315) 343-7406 Fax (315) 343-0820 www.vashaws.com
BARTENDER TRAINING • 40 Hour Hands-on Training Program • Evening & Weekend Classes • Job Placement Assistance • 18 Years & Older Bartender Professional Training Institute 500 Old Liverpool Rd., Liverpool, NY Call 1-315-299-7331 www.bartenderprotraining.com “Learn to Earn”
Lic. by NYS Ed Dept.
SYRACUSE • ROCHESTER • BUFFALO
College Life
C
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Should You Pursue a Master’s Degree? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
I
f students seek a new career path or wish to advance in their current industry, a master’s degree may help. Or maybe not. Terrie Osborn, certified professional resume writer and owner of Resumes Etc. in Central Square, said that in some situations, a master’s may not be worth it. “Sometimes, it’s more useful Griffin to build up your areas of skill than get a master’s degree,” she said. “Especially for people who are younger, hands-on knowledge will help more.” Of course, some career paths absolutely require a master’s degree such as education and many management positions. And certainly in business administrative roles, that MBA could be a prerequisite. In creative fields, further education may not help, unless certain techniques can be taught in the classroom. Most
of the time, it comes down to developing talent and inherent creative ability. Brenda Griffin, who operates a self-named career coaching business in Syracuse, said that simply asking people hiring in your desired field can tell you if a master’s is valued or not. Or talk with people who work your dream job. Networking can be very helpful in making the decision. Considering the expense of two more years of education, it’s important to know whether or not the remuneration or opportunities for advancement will outweigh the time and Osborn expense. “How long will you make that $30,000 in tuition back?” Griffin said. “Will it take five years? Ten years? That’s the reality of what you have to look at.” Check the Department of
Labor’s salary for the position in New York to see what kind of income you could make, but use the lower figure to play it safe. Cross reference this figure with the cost of tuition to see if two more years of school would pay off for you. Some employers pay for their employees to earn further education, with the stipulation that they complete a certain number of years with them. If this is the case for you, it may be worthwhile if you love your company and its industry. Griffin urges people
How to Get an On-Campus Job 2,000 students work on campus. See how to get a position at SUNY Oswego By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
G
etting a student job at SUNY Oswego makes lots of sense. “It gives students extra income—in some cases to pay for their college tuition or other expenses—helps them manage time, and gives them experience outside the classroom,” said Kathy Flaherty, assistant director of financial aid. Flaherty said that students should sign up for email notifications in the student employment office. Whenever a job opens, students will receive an email about it. You can also apply for employment in the student employment office or contact each department directly. When you go to a department to apply, dress suitably for the position. Avoid sloppy
clothing and footwear. Focus on a clean-cut appearance with minimal jewelry and make-up. Make sure your hair is neat. This isn’t the time to look like you just rolled out of bed. Avoid shorts, sleeveless shirts, plunging necklines, high hemlines, super-tight clothing, and shirts with logos or cartoons. By looking a little more professional than you need to, you stand a much better chance than many other applicants. Like employment anywhere else, SUNY Oswego departments seek certain qualifications for successful employment relationships. “We want someone who’s reliable, can communicate well and can answer phones professionally,” Flaherty said. “Previous work experience is helpful but not necessary. We
do a lot of training. We may be a student’s first job experience.” Most students will need to reapply for employment each year. Unlike some colleges, SUNY Oswego employees receive a full paycheck without a percentage applied to any outstanding balance of their bills. “The most important tip is once they drop off an application, they need to follow up on it,” Flaherty said. “Sometimes they drop off an application and the department is waiting for them to come back and check on their status.” She added that students may do so in person, which is a great way to make a positive impression. Flaherty said that about 2,000 of the 8,000 undergrad-
considering earning a master’s degree to consider their motivation. “Is it a feather in their cap or an ego boost?” she said. “Or will it help them get a better position? Are you going to be hirable and enjoy longevity with that degree? It’s just a piece of paper. What does your industry require? Not everyone needs a master’s degree or PhD.” For some people, earning a master’s degree is more about personal fulfillment and achievement than further-
ing their careers and earning potential. “If a person really wants a master’s degree, then do it,” Osborn said. “It’s your own personal bucket list if you have the time and you can afford it. But be aware what you’re getting into.” Many employers view an online degree program differently than one from an accredited, well-known institution. Ask for recommendations from employers hiring people for the kind of work you want to do.
uate and graduate students work on campus. Although most jobs start at minimum wage, working on campus gives students the advantages of short commutes (especially helpful for those without a car) and flexible schedules. Working on campus can also offer a head start on networking. You may make connections and friendships you would otherwise miss.
Your experience will also help you build your first job resume, especially if you can find employment that aligns with your future career goals. “We have students working in all facets, including, library, computer lab, food areas, athletic areas and many more,” Flaherty said. But any employment looks better on your future resume than none at all. Devin Busch (standing at left), a student worker in the ID and dining services office, helps to provide incoming freshman with their SUNY Oswego student ID cards July 11 at a Cruisin’ the Campus event, part of new student orientation, in the Morano Campus Center concourse. Photo courtesy SUNY Oswego.
Fall 2014 10
C
College Life
Oswego Now Offers An Alternative to Graduate School Designed for people with a bachelor’s degree and professionals who want to get a leg up, SUNY Oswego now offers graduate certificates in seven areas By Melissa Stefanec
M
ost people associate graduate school with spending one or two years in college, spending countless hours at the library, writing a thesis and eventually getting into a doctorate program where they receive their Ph.D. That line of thinking is still valid, but it’s also • so 2001. In 2014, this is no • longer the only path. • Today’s professionals are looking for ways to • advance their careers. They are often people • with established jobs, • homes, families or other commitments. Many of • them cannot find the time to pursue a fullfledged master’s degree. Leaders at SUNY Oswego saw the need for alternative career-growth options for professionals and came up with a solution — post-baccalaureate advanced certificates. SUNY Oswego now offers seven post-baccalaureate advanced certificates. These certificates are not a master’s degree. They require fewer hours in a classroom and are aimed at professionals with bachelor’s degrees. “These certificates are compact and targeted,” said David King, dean of graduate studies and research at SUNY Oswego.
an internship, practicum or co-op. The experience-based learning is a key component of the certificate programs’
to meet the changing needs of employers, and therefore, the students. “They can adapt the curriculum over time, so it is more closely aligned with what employers are looking for,” said King. “These [programs] will continue to grow as there’s a need to fine-tune what we do to prepare people for career paths.”
Post-Baccalaureate Advanced Certificates Offered at SUNY Oswego
The Specifics
A graduate certificate usually consists of 12 credit hours of coursework, which typically translates to four classes. Students who want to pursue a certificate still must apply to SUNY Oswego, be formally registered, be accepted into the program, and plan on having their coursework added to their transcripts. Courses are offered at SUNY Oswego as well as the Metro Center in downtown Syracuse. The courses are typically offered in the evening, in order to accommodate the schedules of typical professionals. These certificate programs focus on hands-on learning. Most of the certificate programs have requirements for
11 Fall 2014
Gerontology Health and Wellness Health Information Technology Interdisciplinary Trauma Studies Integrated Health Systems Integrated Media & Social Networks Play Therapy success. The idea of graduate certificates for professionals is a fairly new concept that universities around the country are exploring. According to King, leaders at SUNY Oswego saw a need from two sectors of the community. First, they wanted to address the needs of local employers who wanted crosstrained employees. Second, they wanted to help people in the area grow in their careers— people who already had a lot of job skills, but wanted to advance by obtaining new skills.
The Legwork
Before SUNY Oswego launched these certificate programs, they reached out to employers in the area to see what skill areas their employees or candidates were lacking. Preparing students for jobs that are available in the area was another top priority. “There are several million job openings in this country,” said King. “Not to over simplify, but the skillsets don’t line up with job openings. There is a disconnect. So we actually listened to what employers wanted.” To keep pace with ever-changing job market, most of the certificate programs at SUNY Oswego have an advisory board. This board looks at ways to modify the curriculum
Types of Certificates
SUNY Oswego currently offers graduate certificates in seven areas of study: gerontology; health and wellness; health information technology; interdisciplinary trauma studies; integrated health systems; integrated media & social networks; and play therapy. n The gerontology certificate grew out of the need for health and counseling professionals to understand the specialized issues surrounding the older population. SUNY Oswego talked to officials at area hospitals, nursing homes and other businesses that serve older populations to customize this program. n The health and wellness certificate responded to a need that SUNY Oswego saw through conversations with a
lot of healthcare providers in the area. With so much emphasis being placed on health and wellness, it is an important for any healthcare workers professional development. In looking to the future, the certificate’s coursework will soon be offered completely online, and there is a Master’s degree in the works. n SUNY Oswego added the interdisciplinary trauma studies certificate after having discussions with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. This certificate is aimed at mental health professionals. It will prepare them work with patients who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Professionals who seek this certificate may work in psychology, family services, daycare centers, or safe houses. With all the new mandates and the move to electronic medical records, the integrated health systems certificate was one a lot of employers wanted the college to offer. The health information technology certificate is a fully online certificate program that is geared toward the management and securing of data and building information technology systems. n The integrated media & social networks certificate program is a blend of a number of disciplines, including arts and computer science. It’s designed to prepare professionals for today’s media landscape. n The play therapy
certificate is aimed at mental health professionals who want a better understanding of the concept. It also helps prepare people for licensure through New York state.
The Takeaways
These master’s certificates offer professionals and students who recently obtained a bachelor’s degree a means of building their skills and making themselves more marketable. The time invested in the certificates can function as standalone education or it can often be applied to a fullfledged master’s degree. As the certificate programs evolve, King says students can count on more weekend class times, more virtual options and course offerings that keep pace with local employers’ needs. For more information of the certificates, visit www. oswego.edu/academics/graduate.html.
Check us out at
oswego college life.com
Tuckers
Auto & Service Center 470 West First Street • Oswego • 342-4800 15% www.tuckersauto.com Oil Changes $19.99 for most vehicles Discount with Tires @ Wholesale Prices • Brakes • Inspections Student ID Tune-ups • Diagnosis • Suspension New Penske Truck Rentals for all your moving needs
Starting as low as $34.99 less student, military & AAA discounts
15% Discount on service repairs of $50 or more. Not available on service specials. Must present this coupon to our service dept.
Serving Oswego Since 1931
College Life
Where you want to be
C
CAMPUS LIFE Campus Center is Now Marano Campus Center New name for Campus Center comes after a donation of $7.5 million to the college from Marano family
Where you are
S
Explore the more than 30 graduate degree and certificate programs offered online and on-campus.
The next step oswego.edu| gradstudies
Your First Step Toward a Successful Career.
UNY Board of Trustees unanimously approved in June naming the Campus Center complex at SUNY Oswego after the late Nunzio and Lorraine Marano. The SUNY Oswego College Council on June 6 approved honoring the Maranos with a named facility in recognition of Lorraine Marano’s generous community spirit and $7.5 million gift to the college, the largest private donation in the college’s 153-year history. The council’s action required SUNY board of trustees approval. “The Marano legacy at SUNY Oswego illustrates how integral our campuses are to the cultural vibrancy and economic vitality of their communities,” said SUNY Board Chairman H. Carl McCall. “We are proud to have the Campus Center at Oswego, a facility that engages the community in many ways, bear the names of Nunzio and Lorraine Marano.” The Marano gift established the Nunzio “Nick” and Lorraine Marano Endowment at SUNY Oswego to be used primarily to fund scholarships for students with financial need, especially those who are the first in their families to
attend college. “Lorraine’s wish was to support, strengthen and celebrate SUNY Oswego and its relationship to the entire community,” said Theresa Scanlon, the trustee for the Lorraine Marano estate. “She loved the vitality of community life, and she demonstrated enthusiasm for events in the arts, culture and athletics. She would be delighted to have the Marano name on the complex that serves as the nexus for these and other vibrant activities at SUNY Oswego.” The Campus Center is a major daily gathering place for students, faculty and staff and also for members of the surrounding community, families of students and visitors from far and wide on many occasions, from commencement to ice hockey games. Concerts, lecture series, athletic and social events, exhibits, science competitions and conferences draw members of the public to this facility in the heart of SUNY Oswego’s campus year round. “Through its approval, the College Council demonstrated that the generous gift to SUNY Oswego in Lorraine Marano’s estate, and especially the
sentiment behind the gift, were worthy of naming this signature campus building in honor of the Maranos,” said College Council chairman James McMahon. SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley added, “Recognizing the Maranos in this way helps ensure that everyone who enters the facility will have an awareness and appreciation of their family legacy and raises the profile of philanthropy at Oswego.”
The Maranos
Lorraine and Nick Marano had a prosperous agricultural business located in a farming community near the college. A Scriba native, Nick Marano had an early career in banking and finance and later owned Marano Vacuum Cooling and Sales Inc. in Scriba and held a seat on the New York Mercantile Exchange until his death in 2002. Originally from Philadelphia, Lorraine Marano had degrees from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J.) and Drexel University. She worked many years as a high school librarian. She died Oct. 1, 2013. Submitted by SUNY Oswego.
Subscribe today to Oswego County Business and receive 3 FREE guides, including the 2014 Biz Guide Name____________________________________ Address__________________________________ City / Town_______________ State____ Zip______
Clip and Mail to:
Oswego County Business P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126
Only $ a Year
2150 Fall 2014 12
C
College Life
F
or SUNY Oswego students looking to explore different cultures and environments, there are numerous opportunities to study abroad without breaking the bank. According to Kelsey Gillett, who graduated in May with a double major in French and Spanish, there is a common misconception that studying internationally is unaffordable and out of reach for the average student. However, the overseas offerings available through SUNY Oswego can cost nearly the same as classes on the SUNY campus. “You always start by paying your Oswego tuition,” Gillett said. “You’re not paying another tuition [for the university abroad] on top of that, but you will have to pay other fees just like you would here. It kind of washes out because what you would have been paying to live here at Oswego you’re paying over there. The cost of studying abroad was basically the equivalent of the costs I would have had if I spent the year at Oswego.” Gillett’s assessment comes after several experiences in international studies. Following her freshman year in 2011, she wanted to immerse herself in a Spanish-speaking culture to boost her fluency in the language and take courses that would count toward her Spanish major. “I wanted to keep up my language skills and keep seeing more places,” she said. “Study abroad ends up being an economic way to do that because you’re getting credits done that you’re going to pay for anyway. I got six credits that summer, which I could have just done on campus and paid for six credits, but instead I also got that unique learning experience for a little extra money.” The 2011 study abroad experience helped Gillett get far enough ahead in her studies that she felt confident taking on a second major (French), which meant another opportunity to delve into another culture. “I knew that if I wanted to be able to really conquer the language and get all those specific French credits done, I wouldn’t be able to do it as quickly here because there are only so many courses per semester in French,” she said. “I decided to go to France for my whole junior year so I could get a lot of my major done.” Still wanting to explore more cultures and important social issues in other countries, Gillett returned to SUNY Oswego and took a course learning about human sex trafficking. Her studies led to another experience overseas, this time in Calcutta, India, where she spent a quarter of a semester delving into the issue
13 Fall 2014
STUDY ABROAD
eral scholarships and a newer grant that pays for up to $1,500 in airfare.” In addition to the hundreds of scholarships opportunities for study abroad students, other assistance such as merit scholarships, financial aid and local scholarships are all applied toward the international learning experience in the same way it would be applied toward SUNY Oswego tuition. So, students like Gillett and Chalfin — who both have $4,700 annual presidential merit scholarships — are able to apply that to cover the bulk of overseas tuition expenses. “It’s becoming a lot easier for people to afford to go abroad,” Gillett said. “There’s no doubt that it could be expensive, but also you can do it on a budget and you still get the experience, you get all your credits done, you stay on track to graduate.”
Price Tag of Studying Abroad
Kelsey Gillett, a double major in French and Spanish, and Naomi Chalfin, an English and creative writing major, spent times in several countries as part of the SUNY study abroad program. Gillett has traveled to Spain, France and India; Chalfin has spent time in England and Tanzania. “The cost of studying abroad was basically the equivalent of the costs I would have had if I spent the year at Oswego,” says Gillett. They graduated from SUNY Oswego in May.
Students Share Their Overseas Experience They say spending a semester abroad is an incredible experience that’s affordable and within reach for most students By Sarah McCrobie of sex trafficking and working with nongovernmental organizations to seek solutions to the problem. With hundreds of study abroad options available through the SUNY system, students are not limited to learning opportunities in countries where English is not the primary spoken language. For Naomi Chalfin, an English and creative writing major who completed her degree in May, studying abroad provided her a chance to get out of the United States for the first time while still being able to fulfill her credit requirements. After doing plenty of research in advance, Chalfin opted to pursue a full semes-
ter in England at Edge Hill University. “It was a big adventure for me,” Chalfin said as she recalled her first study abroad experience. “I took a couple classes to fulfill my major but I also took a sociology course and a film course that counted as an English credit. It’s an incredible learning experience, especially for people who have never traveled before, just like learning how to navigate places, meeting lots of different people.” Like Gillett, Chalfin’s time abroad had a lasting impact and she felt the itch to do more traveling. In January 2013, she took a quarter course in Tanzania where she and her
classmates climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. “I feel like I came back and was so much more mature. I felt like I was capable of doing so many more things,” she said. For the two well-traveled students who also work part time in SUNY Oswego’s Study Abroad office on campus, they are often asked about the financial aspect of studying internationally. “That’s always one of the first questions we get when working an admissions event, students ask, ‘How do we pay for it,’” Chalfin said. “There’s a whole list of scholarships available on our website. Some are specific to certain majors, but there are a lot that are gen-
SUNY Oswego senior Kelsey Gillett said there are several factors that come into play when calculating the costs of a particular program. “That price tag that people have in their head about study abroad being really expensive kind of depends on the city you go to, the university you go to and then if you choose to go through a [company-sponsored] program,” she said. “You have to be willing to not be in that big-name city like Paris or Barcelona. I ended up in Grenoble [a city in southeastern France, about 380 miles from Paris].” According to the budget sheet detailing expenses for Gillett’s year-long experience at the University of Grenoble in France, the total cost was estimated to be $21,925.35, compared to the $20,009 cost to attend SUNY Oswego for a year. The expenses calculated for the study abroad program cover tuition, passport, insurance, miscellaneous university fees, transportation costs, meals, housing, spending money, books, supplies and other related expenditures. “It really is a feasible program as long as you do your research ahead of time,” Gillett said, noting the minor cost difference she paid for the France program. With such similar price tags between courses overseas and course at SUNY Oswego, Gillett encourages others to explore the possibilities. “People are always like, ‘Wow that’s so cool that you went, I wish I could,’” Gillett said. “I just always say to them, ‘You can though. There’s not any reason why you can’t.’” Editor’s note: Reporting for this story was done in the spring semester.
College Life
C
Shown are three Brazilian students and one Puerto Rican student in Dr. Tracy Lewis’ section of SUNY Oswego’s summer intensive English program. A total of 23 students from Brazil remain on campus this fall thanks to the Brazilian government’s scholarships for students in engineering and other STEM fields. Formerly called “Science Without Borders,” the program now is called the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program. Many of the students first take part in intensive English classes at various levels of proficiency.
C
’sBeveragE CENTER
Route 104 W. behind Fajita Grill www.csfarmmarket.com
KEGS • CASES • IMPORTS and HARD-TO-FIND BREWS Mon - Wed: 8 am to 6 pm Thurs - Sat: 8 am to 8 pm 343-1010
23 Brazilians Attending SUNY They are part of a large international student population that includes people from Turkey, Russia, Costa Rica By Linda J. Germain
S
UNY Oswego continuously explores different ways to diversify the student body on campus. In conjunction with other countries around the globe, the college has been successful in bringing a variety of students to study at the college. At the present time there are approximately 99 students who come from Puerto Rico, Brazil, Mexico, China, Venezuela, Russia, Turkey, Costa Rica, Turkey and Korea. An exciting partnership has developed between the Brazilian government and many colleges and universities around the world, in particular, SUNY Oswego. Brazil’s Scientific Mobility Program (BSMP), a government-funded program, is currently providing scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics at SUNY Oswego. The purpose of BSMP is to allow students who are considered leaders among their peers to study in the United States and other countries to
help foster an academic and research exchange between the United States and Brazil. While at SUNY Oswego, the Brazilian students are required to study the English language in an intense program prior to taking courses in their major subject. There are 23 Brazilian students taking courses in chemistry, geology, engineering, computer science and graphic design. The take core courses in these majors while in the United States and then complete their degrees at their home universities in Brazil. According to a sampling of the Brazilian students at SUNY Oswego, there are many benefits to being a part of BSMP. These students consider the colleges and universities in the United States to be of top quality. Vinicius Ito, 19, is majoring in computer engineering. “I chose to study in the United States because the schools here are considered to be the best in my chosen field of study,” he said. “I’m glad to be able to study here so that
I can learn the most things in my major.” Leonardo Medeiro, 19, who is studying computer design, has always wanted to study in the United States. “I always dreamed of being in the United States,” he said. “I wanted to learn about the culture, attend its universities, and like the patriotism that there is in the United States as compared to Brazil.” Jose Almeida, 21, stated the many benefits of studying at SUNY Oswego. “The college is more organized than the colleges at home and there are more clubs and dormitories for students, he said. “The people here are also more polite.” While at SUNY Oswego, the students hope to do more than just study. They hope to travel to different states, try the variety of restaurants in the area, attend the festivals and get to know the other students from the different parts of Brazil. They are particularly interested in learning about the one thing that Oswego is known for — snow.
Fall 2014 14
C
College Life
DIS OV ER Š
Oswego’s Community College Small Classes. Great Professors. School of Business Accounting Business Administration
cayuga-cc.edu 1-866-598-8883
Online
15 Fall 2014
Fulton
Auburn
School of Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Computer Science Computer Hardware/Software Design Computer Information Systems Information Technology Mechanical Technology: Computer-Aided Design Electrical Technology: Electronics Geographic Information Systems Liberal Arts & Sciences/Mathematics Liberal Arts & Sciences/Math & Science
School of Media and the Arts (SOMA) Humanities & Social Science Studio Art & Design Telecommunications: Audio-Radio Production Telecommunications: Radio & TV Broadcasting Telecommunications Technology
School of Health Sciences Nursing Liberal Arts & Sciences/Health Science
School of Social Sciences and Education
Criminal Justice: Corrections and Police Early Childhood Liberal Arts & Sciences/Childhood Education Liberal Arts & Sciences/Adolescence Education Liberal Arts & Sciences/Humanities/Social Sciences
College Life
The Rising Cost of Not Going to College Not going to college can cost an individual about $500,000, according to a study. A separate study puts that number at $800,000 By Ken Little
T
hinking about the cost of not getting a college degree may offer an education in itself to young people pondering their future. Recent studies strongly support the idea that a college degree pays off throughout the working life of the recipient. It boils down to more money — in some cases, significantly more. According to a study recently released by the nonprofit Pew Research Center, a college education has more value today than it ever has. The study looked at contemporary young adults — members of the so-called “Millennial” generation, or those born after 1980. It found that from personal earnings to job satisfaction to the percentage employed full-time, young college graduates “are outperforming their peers with less education.”
Best-Educated Generation
The millennials are the best-educated generation in history. By early adulthood, a third of the generation have college degrees, which help them earn more than ever before. So scholars at the Pew Research Center were surprised to find out that the median, inflation-adjusted income of 25- to 32-year-olds had changed very little since 1965. The reason, they discovered, is that while a college degree is worth more, a high school degree alone is worth considerably less. The study found that from 1965 to 2013, the typical high school graduate’s earnings declined more
than 10 percent, after inflation. When today’s young adults are compared with previous generations, “the disparity in economic outcomes between college graduates and those with a high school diploma or less formal schooling has never been greater in the modern era,” the Pew study found. An economic analysis done as part of the study shows that millennial college graduates between the ages of 25 and 32 who work full time earn about $17,500 more annually than employed young adults with only a high school diploma. The pay gap was “significantly smaller” in previous generations, the study found. “College-educated millennials also are more likely to be employed full time than their less-educated counterparts and significantly less likely to be unemployed,” the study found.
Financial Burden
The report, which includes economic data from the U.S. Census, explores whether the benefits of a college education outweigh the financial burden imposed by four or more years of college. Among millennials in the 25-32 age group, the answer is “clearly yes” for about nine in 10 graduates, the study found. About 72 percent with at least a bachelor’s degree said college is already paid off, and another 17 percent said college debt will be paid off in the future. Among college-educated millennials who borrowed
money to pay for their schooling, 86 percent said their degrees have been worth it or expect they will be in the future. Overall, the survey and economic analysis consistently found “that college graduates regardless of generation are doing better than those with less education,” according to the study. The Pew report found that the median annual wage for college-educated workers is $45,500, an advantage of $17,500 compared to the $28,000 average for high school graduates. The figures in the report are computed based on 2012 dollars. The report showed that in 1965, the gap was only $7,400 between college graduates and those with a high school degree. Borrowing for college is a given for many millennials, according to the study. About 66 percent of millennials reported they had borrowed to pay for school, compared to 59 percent of Gen Xers aged 33 to 48. Among baby boomers between the ages of 49 to 67, the figure is 43 percent.
Local Perspective
Julie Blissert, director of public affairs for SUNY Oswego, said strong evidence exists supporting the findings of the Pew study and others like it. “Employers, when hiring for many positions, immediately discard the applications of people without a college degree simply as a quick means of reducing the stack of dozens or hundreds of applica-
tions,” Blissert said in an email response to questions. “That’s unfortunate, especially in the case of people who have some college education — and who put a lot of work into it and got a lot of life-enhancing experience out of it — but didn’t get the final diploma. The [Pew] report is good because it also shows the value of a college diploma,” Blissert said. Enrollment in the 2013-14 academic year at SUNY Oswego was 8,117, including 7,328 full-time undergraduates. “Our goal is generally to hold enrollment steady, focusing in particular on the target of approximately 7,000 fulltime undergraduates,” Blissert said. The most popular majors at the local college are business-related majors, followed by education, communications-related majors, psychology and arts-related majors. “Education is trending down. Science-related majors are trending up,” Blissert said.
Supporting Study
The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco recently completed a study called “The Rising Cost of Not Going to College.” The authors of that report explore whether a four-year college degree remains a prudent investment. Media accounts documenting the rising cost of a college education and relatively bleak job prospects for new college graduates have raised questions about whether a fouryear college degree “is still the right path for the average American,” the study said. The study’s authors conclude that a college degree remains a good investment for most students, with the average four-year college graduate earning over $800,000 more by retirement than a high school graduate. “Data from U.S. workers show that the benefits of college in terms of higher earnings far outweigh the costs of
315-342-6764
Oswego, NY
M. Brancato Properties Newly Built 1 & 2 Bedroom APARTMENTS ~ Also Available ~
Newly Remodeled 2, 3, 4 Bedroom Houses (Commercial Storage Available) www.MBrancatoProperties.com
C
a degree, measured as tuition plus wages lost while attending school,” according to the Federal Reserve study. The average college graduate paying annual tuition of about $20,000 can recoup the costs of schooling by age 40, the study said. “After that, the difference between earnings continues such that the average college graduate earns over $800,000 more than the average high school graduate by retirement age,” it said. Using U.S. Census data, the Federal Reserve study compared annual labor earnings of college graduates with those of individuals holding only a high school diploma. “The data show college graduates outearn their high school counterparts as much as in past decades. Comparing the earnings benefits of college with the costs of attending a four-year program, we find that college is still worth it,” the study said. For the average student, tuition costs for the majority of college education opportunities in the United States can be recouped by age 40, “after which college graduates continue to earn a return on their investment in the form of higher lifetime wages,” the study said.
Additional Studies
According to an analysis of Labor Department statistics by the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, Americans with four-year degrees made 98 percent more an hour on average in 2013 than those without a degree. The figure is up from 89 percent in 2008. In 2003, the number was 85 percent. In the early 1980s, those with fouryear degrees made 64 percent more than those without degrees. According to other research by Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist David Autor, recently published in the journal Science, not going to college will cost an individual about $500,000. Autor, building on work by economists Christopher Avery and Sarah Turner, arrived as the figure of a negative $500,000 as the true cost of attending college. The negative $500,000 figure was determined by first calculating tuition and other college-related fees. The amount was then subtracted from projected lifetime gaps between the earnings of college graduates and those only with high school degrees. After adjustments for inflation and the time value of money, the net cost of college is a negative $500,000, about double what it was 30 years ago.
Fall 2014 16
C Serious Business 3 Million Resumes Reveal the Formula for Getting the Job You Want College Life
By Chad Brooks
A
ll successful job searches start with the same key component: a solid resume. However, writing the perfect resume often poses a difficult challenge for job seekers. Determining what to include, what length the resume should be and what to write in an accompanying cover letter can be a tricky road to navigate. To help job seekers, ZipRecruiter, a site that allows businesses to post job postings to more than 50 job boards at once, analyzed its database of over 3 million resumes to determine why some are rated higher than others. On ZipRecruiter, hiring managers rate candidates’ resumes on a scale of one to five stars, with one being the worst and five being the best. “By looking at keywords, length and sections, we were able to create a profile of the perfect cover letter and resume: what you should include, what you shouldn’t include, and plenty of tips to help your resume and cover letter stand out from the crowd,” Scott Garner, ZipRecruiter’s content marketing manager, wrote on the company’s blog. It all starts with the cover letter. ZipRecruiter’s research revealed that cover letters increase a resume’s chance of receiving a five-star rating by 29 percent. “A cover letter is the first chance you have to impress an employer, or to turn them off
permanently,” Garner wrote. The study found two keys to a good cover letter: Be polite, and display confidence that you’ll get the job done. Specifically, the phrase “Thank you for your consideration” was included in 10 percent more of the five-star resumes than those that received just one star. Additionally, since the employer has posted a job because they have a pressing need, job seekers should present themselves as a solution to that problem, and not as work in progress focused only on their own career trajectory. “Words like ‘learning,’ ‘develop’ and ‘myself’ have a strong correlation with onestar resumes, meaning that employers want a team player who is ready to start contributing to the business on day one,” Garner wrote. When formatting a resume, it’s critical to only include the sections employers care about. The research revealed that resumes containing “summary,” “references,” “work history,” “objective” and “training” were 1.7 times more likely to earn a five-star rating. “Employers want to know everything about you that may be relevant to your ability to perform the job they’ve posted,” Garner wrote. The sections employers find irrelevant were “languages,” “personal interests” and “accomplishments.” The study discovered that including
these sections made it 24 percent less likely for a resume to receive a top rating. When actually writing a resume, job seekers should include certain keywords and avoid others. The research found that keywords that imply management skills, problem-solving abilities and a proactive stance toward working were associated with the highest ratings. Using some specific “power keywords” can increase the chances for a fivestar rating by up to 70 percent. “Power keywords” to include in your resume: Experience Management Project Development Business Skill Professional Knowledge Year Team Leadership
“Remember, though, that keyword stuffing will more than likely lead to your resume being discarded,” Garner wrote. “Make sure you only include words that are relevant to your skills.” Resume writers should avoid keywords that give employers the impression that a candidate is inexperienced, requires a great deal of training or is put off by hard work. Weak words to avoid in your resume:
Garner cautions job seekers, however, not to go overboard when using these keywords.
Hard Need First Me Time Myself Chance Develop Learning Length also plays a key
roll in how well hiring managers receive a resume. The research found that managers rated resumes between 600 and 700 words in length much higher than resumes that were fewer than 500 words long. In addition, anything over 700 words began to trend toward lower ratings. The research also revealed that the “summary” should be between 90 and 100 words in length, and that the “objective” should be approximately 30 words long. “Following these length guidelines results in a 30-percent boost in the chances of receiving a five-star rating,” Garner wrote.
Story was written by Chad Brooks originally ran on Business News Daily (www. businessnewsdaily.com).
Now Renting 1-8 Bedroom Housing • 24 Hour Maintenance • Garbage Removal • Snow Removal
• Washer/Dryer • Off Street Parking • On/Near Bus Route
315-343-5005
www.AveryRentalProperties.com
17 Fall 2014
College Life
C
Educator at Vera House Speaks Out Against Dating Violence Abusive relationships at ‘epidemic levels.’ Facebook, tweeting, texting making problem worse By Matthew Liptak
T
iffany Breck, an educator at Vera House, the organization working to end sexual abuse and domestic violence in Syracuse, said that dating violence among teens and young adults has reached epidemic levels locally. Local statistics for teen and young adult dating violence are scarce, but in 2011 a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey done with U.S. high school students showed that just more than 9 percent of the students had reported being hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year. “I think people are talking about it more, so I’m not really sure if the rates actually increasing or if the people talking about it and reporting it,” Breck said. “It’s definitely happening on epidemic levels.” Younger people may be particularly vulnerable to long-term effects of dating violence because they may be just learning what to expect from a relationship. The CDC reports youth who are victims are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety, use tobacco, drugs and alcohol and consider suicide. Those who have an abusive relationship in high school are also more likely to end up in an abusive relationship in college. Sadly, today there are more ways in which an abuser can cause problems for their partner.
“As far as behaviors you’re definitely looking at online texting, Facebooking, that kind of stuff, Tweets,” Breck said. “That’s a huge issue because they’re connected 24-7. The social media piece is huge with teenagers. It’s constant. As amazing as technology is, unfortunately some of the things that have come out have made it much easier for an abuser to keep track of their partner. They can download an app on their phone with GPS and they can track them. They can gain access to their texts or emails, all sorts of things. I think it’s definitely something that has been increasing over time, the use of social media to isolate or control or stalk a victim.” Vera House educators are working hard with Central New York schools to stem the tide of dating violence. Just about every week during the school year finds Vera House employees at a local school teaching students about the dangers of dating violence. Topics covered can vary. “It depends on the curriculum,” Breck said. “We have our youth education which is covering the basics, talking about foundations of violence, what is domestic violence, what’s sexual violence, local resources, warning signs to violence.” Vera House also offers a peer-mentoring program to schools like Liverpool High School, Manlius Pebble Hill and Christian Brothers Academy. The program was also
offered in city schools in Syracuse until it was integrated into a leadership class recently. The mentorship program, called Mentors and Violence Prevention, teaches a six-session course to high school students and gives them the opportunity to volunteer to be a peer mentor at the end of it. From there these mentors learn how to facilitate discussions on teen dating violence to fellow students. At Manlius Pebble Hill, upper classmen have gone to eight grade health classes to talk about the topic. They have also started awareness campaigns and special assemblies. The student volunteers act as a kind of force multiplier for the limited staff at Vera House and also offer an environment that fellow students may be more likely to open up in. “Depending on the conversation their peers are more likely to listen to them and feel more comfortable asking them questions so we can provide them with the knowledge and skills to do that and it’s just going to create more of a positive impact,” Breck said. Most young people don’t go into a relationship thinking they’re going to be abused, Breck said. And often when it happens it builds up slowly. The abuser may test their partner to see what they can get away with. It can start with teasing that leads to abusive language. Observing your partner’s behavior can be an indicator on where the
Tiffany Breck, an educator at Vera House. “I’m not really sure if the rates actually increasing or if the people talking about it and reporting it,” she says. “It’s definitely happening on epidemic levels.”
relationship might be headed, Breck said, “Language is definitely a big thing,” she said. “Pay attention to how they talk about other women or how they use violence. Are they constantly getting into fights? Do they come off really aggressive? Do they get jealous really quickly? If you’ve been dating for five days and your partner tells you that they love you that’s probably a red flag. If they make you feel guilty for hanging out with friends, or doing other things that they’re not apart of that’s a big red flag as well.” The larger problem of domestic abuse in the Syracuse area is serious too. Breck said there have been an average of three to five intimate-partner homicides in recent years. In 2012 the Syracuse Police Department took 10,703 domestic violence calls resulting in 1,502 arrests. The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department answered 7,626 domestic violence calls that same year and made 1,058 arrests.
Breck acknowledges that dating and domestic violence are not likely to be black and white issues with simple solutions, but she said the worst thing that a victim or observer of violence can do is do nothing. She cites the student peer mentors she has worked with as examples of what can and should be done to turn the tide on this epidemic. “The students that I work with work extremely hard and are passionate. I think it would really be good if the community was aware of what’s going on in these schools,” Breck said. “Violence shouldn’t be normal,” she said. “We shouldn’t just accept it and ignore it. Open a dialogue. People often think with domestic violence that it’s a private issue and none of their business, but in reality it’s everybody’s business.” For more information on the programs at Vera House go to www.VeraHouse.org. For the 24-hour crisis and support line call 315-468-3260.
Men & Women’s Health Services ~ Care You Can Trust! Located @ Mary Walker every Thursday 8:30 am to 4 pm
• GYN Exams • Birth Control • Emergency Contraception • Pregnacy Testing / Counseling
• STD Testing / Counseling • HIV Testing • Condoms • Gardisil / HPV Vaccine
• Accept most insurances, including Maskin • Sliding Fee available if uninsured
Call OCO to 598-4790 to make an appointment today! www.myspace.com/4condoms
Colleen Krug, PA
Fall 2014 18
C
College Life
That’s what T.J. Maxx is all about, amazing high-quality designer & brand name styles for you, your family and your home at amazing savings every day. It’s the perfect post-game destination.
women | men | home | kids | accessories | juniors | shoes | women’s plus Visit us at tjmaxx.com or facebook.com/tjmaxx | Styles vary by store. © 2014 T.J. Mazz
19 Fall 2014
College Life
Open 24 hours a day for your convenience. FEATURING A FULL LINE OF PIZZA, SUBS AND ICE CREAM Located in the Byrne Dairy Stores
Oswego: 97-99 W. Bridge St. • 342-2937 Fulton: 1013 Emery St. • 593-3007
Birthday • Divorce Bachelor • Bachelorette Fraternity • Sorority Going Away • Retirement
Central NY’s #1 Entertainment Agency We travel within a 2 hour radius from Syracuse
(315) 451-0723
www.a1entertainment.com Spice Up Any Occasion With CNY’s Hottest Strippers
C
Instagram, Snapchat: Staying in Touch Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
S
o how do you stay in touch with friends and family? Chances are, it’s Facebook for family who are still on the site, and Instagram and Snapchat for friends. Heather Bradley, assistant at Cell Ventures in Fulton, said students prefer Snapchat and Instagram because it’s easy to use. “It’s the easiest way to get
in touch with friends. Nobody uses email anymore.” Busy students jotting off quick notes and updates don’t have time for pecking out email. Alex Mena, wireless consultant at Cellular Connection in Fulton, echoed Bradley’s thoughts. “For the most part, I see people using Instagram, Snapchat, and, if they’re professionals or students seeking to get into a professional field, Twitter,” he said. He believes that the decline of Facebook among teens and young adults stems from privacy laws changing, along with more hiring agents requiring applicants to allow full account access before considering them for employment. “People are apprehensive to use it,” Mena said. “If they have an employer looking at an applicant who says they’ve never taken a drink in their lives but two days ago, there are pictures of them drinking massive amounts of alcohol, that’s a problem.” He also thinks that the format of Instagram and Snapchat appeal to young people because of its visual nature and tendency to offer instant gratification. Instead of waiting for Facebook likes, friends can instantly respond with their feedback on a picture or video. Regardless of what you use to stay connected, don’t forget the rules of social media safety. Don’t link with someone virtually whom you don’t know in real life. Even someone you just met may not be who you think he or she is. Avoid posting or sending anything that would embarrass your grandmother or could haunt you later when you apply for jobs. If it passes the “grandma test” you’re probably fine. Don’t harass anyone. What seems like good-natured ribbing to you, others could perceive as bullying. Photos that are supposed to disappear in seconds can be captured by another’s phone or by apps designed to save the images. So if you have any second thoughts, don’t share them. Don’t forget to keep your parents updated through their favorite means, whether by phone, email, text or even Facebook. They’ll appreciate you thinking of them.
OswegoCollegeLife.com Fall 2014 20
C
College Life
SOCIAL MEDIA
Locals Still Hooked to Facebook For SUNY Oswego students, Facebook remains a powerful way to communicate By Sarah Higgins
T
en years ago, the lives of students everywhere changed when Mark Zuckerberg launched the infamous social media site from his Harvard dorm room, Facebook, revolutionizing the way students communicated with one another. Facebook has grown into a worldwide phenomenon for anyone who has access to a computer. Students, teachers, parents, businesses and celebrities use this site to connect with the online world. As the first major success since the MySpace days, Facebook users can connect with people across the globe. In a research study done by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, 42 percent of online adults use multiple social media sites, but Facebook has remained No. 1 for quite some time. Some 91 percent of online adults have a Facebook page, and 63 percent visit the site daily. For college kids, Facebook is used in a variety of ways. For those involved in sports or other organizations, Facebook groups and online chats is a way to communicate with teammates or club members on a daily basis. “I check my Facebook almost 20 times a day,” says senior communications major Mariel Feld. “I keep my page private so that only my friends can see what I post.” Feld uses her page to check in on her family, who live seven hours from Oswego. She also uses it to communicate with members of her sorority, as well as using group chats to contact people. “I use the chat like it’s my cell phone. I like it because I can see if people read my message or not,” she says. Senior education major, Melissa Logatto, uses her page to contact people in her job at the Oswego Telefund, as well as communicate with people in group projects for her class. She first created her Facebook page her freshman year of high school, and continues to use it today. “My job has its own page, and the workers constantly post and comment each other
21 Fall 2014
for days off or just to chat,” says Logatto. She also uploads pictures and updates her status to let her distant friends and relatives know what she has been up to. “It’s like my own virtual photo album. I love looking at pictures of my friends and uploading my own to see how many likes I can get,” she Seniors Mariel Feld (left) and Melissa Logatto (right). says. Logatto is studying abroad over the “It’s like an ear for the summer and uses Facebook to scene, if I find new music on keep in touch with her future SoundCloud, I link it to my roommate and classmates. She Facebook and Twitter accounts keeps her page private and get the music to my but is concerned that friends and followers before future employers and it hits the radio,” he says. strangers can access it. Facebook gives underground “I changed my musicians the ability to be disname so that no one covered by artists they like and can look me up, but it’s the chance to make a name still scary to think that for them outside the Facebook anyone can find my world. He also says this particpage and see what I do,” she ular social media allows him to says. contact possible recruiters and Students use Facebook as famous DJs because it would a tool to promote their work not be possible through email to businesses and clients that or a phone number. may be interested in what they “I check my page every have to offer. couple of hours. Before today, Senior chemistry student, I only went on to check for Ryan Cotroneo, uses Facebook updates on my profile. Now as a tool to keep in touch with with Facebook apps on cell lost friends, as well as promote phones, instead of checking his name as an artist. Other for updates I get notifications than science, Cotroneo loves on when someone has looked to DJ and his name on Faceor commented on my profile,” book is “RC Tronez.” He made says Cotroneo. his page in 2008, the summer The college uses Facebook before he became a student at to create pages for different SUNY Oswego. departments. The theater “Facebook is the basis department created their page for social media. I link it to to promote their productions, my Twitter and SoundCloud such as this semester’s rendiaccounts, and often hear back tion of “Young Frankenstein.” from DJs I aspire to,” he says. The Compass creates pages to Cotroneo uses Facebook to inform students on possible promote events where he will internships and job openings perform. Local businesses and nationwide. DJs contact Cotroneo through “Facebook is addicting, Facebook to invite him to but used right it’s such a helpperform for any special events ful tool for college students they hold. today,” says Logatto.
GLOBAL BUFFET
189 W. FIRST ST., OSWEGO 343-5388 Daily Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm • Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Snow Crab, Steamed Clams Little Neck Clams, BBQ Spare Ribs, Salmon Coconut Shrimp Fried Baby Shrimp Mozzarella Sticks, Mac & Cheese Salad & Fruit Bar
Party Room Available!
Japanese Sushi
All Day! Super Buffet! OVER 150 ITEMS! Eat here or carry out!
GLOBAL BUFFET
10% Off Entire Bill
10% Off with SUNY Oswego ID
Eat in or take out
Can not be combined with other offers Coupon Expires December 15, 2014
COUPON
Spend the Day or an Hour
Full Service
Hair Care • Manicures • Pedicures • Massage Facials • Waxing • Spray Tanning • Body Trearments
HEAD-TO-TOE RELAXATION Day Spa Packages Available
$10 Off ANY Spa Package with this ad
62 West Bridge Street / Oswego • (315) 342 - 5938 www.InVogueSalonSpa.com • Follow us on Facebook
WE DELIVER to SUNY Oswego 5048 State Route 104, Oswego, NY All Your BBQ Favorites plus Pizza, Wings, Burgers, Subs and More! See Our Full Menu at jimmiejamesbbq.com
$2.00 Any Order of $10 OFF or More
Expires 12/31/14
COMICS CARDS RPG’S TOYS GAMES 112 E. Bridge St., Oswego 343-8435
The best comics are at
M-F: 11-8; Sat: 11-6; Sun: 12-5
www.oswegocomicshop.com
The Comic Shop
DC Comics™ ©2014
College Life
C
RELATIONSHIPS
Making Friends, Not Frenemies By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
N
Oswego County’s Finest Health Food Store! We specialize in Organic and All-Natural Products, Including: • Thousands of Grocery items, From Quick Snacks to Fully Prepared Meals Bring this ad in and • Vegetarian and Vegan Food Selections show your current, valid SUNY • Gluten-Free and Dairy- Free Foods Student ID and receive a • Highest Quality Supplements, Multi-Vitamins and Sports Nutrition Items 10% DISCOUNT • Shampoos, Soaps, Lotions, and Skin Care Products • The BIGGEST selections of Bulk Foods around...buy as little or as much as you need! We’re at East First & Bridge St., Midtown Plaza, Oswego, Below Rite-Aid • Mon-Sat: 9am - 9pm • Sun: 11am - 7 pm 315-207-0016 • gpgrocery.com • Facebook: GreenPlanetGrocery-Oswego
Free Pick-up & Delivery to CCC Campus
We service all Dodge /Chrysler/Jeep models no matter where you bought them!!!
16
$
25 OIL CHANGE with purchase of 4 Oil Change Pkg. (up to 5 qts.) Synthetic Oils and Diesels extra
Oil Changes must be used within 2 years of purchase. Expires 6/28/15
10% OFF 1698 Co. Rt. 57 • Fulton • 315-598-2135
Shop us online @ www.LongleyDodge.com SERVICE HOURS: Mon-Fri. 7:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
SALES HOURS: Mon. - Th. 9:00 a.m. -7: p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
PARTS & LABOR
Can not be combined with any other coupon or discount. Expires 6/28/15
Refresh Your Ride COMPLETE Interior & Exterior DETAIL
9995
$
ow that you’re in college, you’re more mature than high schoolers, but making the wrong friends can drag you down just like in high school. While everyone likes being popular, it’s important to make your closest friends ones whose values align with your own, according to Susan Hartman Brenizer, licensed marriage family therapist in Fayetteville. Of course, some friends come from unexpected places and backgrounds. Brenizer You can learn a lot from students who are much different from yourself, but the key is to pick best buds who share your morals and ideals. “We now know through research studies on the brain, that the brain is not fully formed until the age of 25,” Hartman Brenizer said. “That’s past college for most students, and into a job or advanced degrees.” It’s also easy to make bad choices when surrounded by friends who are always into trouble. While most people expect college students to make some mistakes, and, hopefully, learn from them, don’t make serious mistakes that will haunt you. A person who would encourage you to break the
law, drink alcohol, engage in dangerous activities or do anything that goes against your sense of right and wrong should not be your friend. Friends should help you become the best “you” you can be, not wake up with regrets. When evaluating acquaintances, consider if they try to help you or tear you down. Do they try to talk you into doing things your parents wouldn’t like? Would a future, potential employer deny you a job if you acted like your new chums? Do these activities jeopardize your health or safety or another person’s health or safety? Jeffrey A. Brentley, licensed clinical social worker and therapist in Syracuse, encourages students to befriend a mature upperclassman in the same line of study, both to help you stay out of trouble and succeed at school. “They know who to take and who not to take,” he said. “Having that kind of conversation can give you advice is critical. “Oftentimes, some college students come from schools that aren’t as successful at preparing students. They come in with very poor study skills. They’re used to glancing at a book the night before and lo, and behold, they get their first F. They’re used to writing a paper in a night and the professor at college pretty much tears it apart. Being able to take that and not let it break you but getting support helps.”
Exterior BUFFING EXTRA $5995 Expires 6/28/15
Fall 2014 22
C
College Life
Ways to Make Your Bartender Like You As I wise patron once said, if your bartender ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy By Melissa Stefanec
I
f you have ventured into a bar, you know there is one person who can make or break your evening. That person is the bartender. A bartender wears a lot of hats. He or she is the pourer of beverages, the keeper of order, a mixologist, a friendly ear, a supreme confidant, and (when needed) a bouncer. Bartenders work hard and play an important role in a social outing. As a former bartender, I know what makes a bartender happy, what annoys and what sends one into fullfledged fits of rage. So here is a little advice from the other side of the counter. Take it to heart. It will make for a more pleasant experience for everyone involved.
Ways to make your bartender happy
1
Treat him or her with respect — Your bartender is (get ready for this) a living, breathing person. As such, he or she is entitled to respect. Use your basic manners. Act like a civilized human being. Ask your bartenders how their nights are going. Just treat your bartender like a person, a person who will be bestowing drinks on you.
2
Practice patience — If the bar you are at is busy, wait your turn. Trust me, your bartender sees you. That bartender knows how desperately thirsty you are. If it’s really busy, just gently lay your money on the bar so your bartender knows you are ready. There is no need to wave your money or hands around like they are on fire. Your bartender will be with you as soon as humanly possible.
3
Treat the establishment with respect — In case you missed the memo, a bar is a business. Like many businesses, a bar has a brick and mortar storefront, and it should be treated as a business. Would you pee in the corner at Walmart? Would
23 Fall 2014
you stuff a pint glass down a toilet at Subway? Would you dump a product all over the floor, create a hazard and fail to notify the staff at Target? I certainly hope not. Don’t use drinking as an excuse to start acting like a wild animal. Treat the property and its contents with respect.
3
Tip — Duh. I’m not suggesting that you empty your savings account, but part of enjoying cocktails at an establishment is tipping. If you don’t have the money to tip, you shouldn’t be drinking out. Would you go to a restaurant and not leave a tip if fair service was rendered? I highly doubt it. Bartenders are making the same meager, service minimum wage as wait staff. This means the majority of their income is generated by gratuity. If you venture out with $10 thinking you can buy five, $2-dollar drafts, venture back home (or cut back on your draft intake).
4
4
5
Learn your bartender’s name — Learn some details about your bartender, and don’t use them expecting privilege. Just get to know him or her as a person. Most of my favorite customers and I knew each other. We came to know things about each other’s lives. It was nice. It made things more personal.
Ways to make your bartender very unhappy
1
Act like you are the most important customer ever — Don’t ever do this. If you follow the five rules above, there’s a good chance you might actually be a favored customer. Acting arrogant and demanding is disrespectful, so if you acting this way, you are no longer a favorite. Dropping a lot money in a bar or being a repeat customer don’t make you a beloved patron. So don’t act entitled. Bartenders hate this.
2
Deface the bar’s property — See No. 3 on the list above. No one wants a
destructive guest. Act like an adult. Enough said. Treat your bartender like a piece of meat — Do you show up to stock shelves in order to pick up a date? Do you run the computer lab because you want to meet people? Do you go to the office hoping people will hit on you? Nope. You go for a paycheck; bartenders do the same. Stop hitting on your bartender. He or she isn’t paid to take sexual harassment and unwanted come-ons. He or she is paid to render drinks as a service. Order a drink with seven ingredients in it during peak hours — Mai Tais are delicious. What sane person could argue that? However, ordering five when there are 30 other people waiting for a drink is just bad manners. The same thing goes for anything that needs to be set on fire, muddled or otherwise fawned over for a prolonged period of time. I’m not saying you need to dumb your order down to only draft beer after 11 p.m., but use some judgment and place realistic orders.
5
Start a bar brawl — The only people who enjoy bar fights are the idiots involved. Don’t get into a physical altercation when you are drinking. It’s immature, unattractive and unnecessary. You probably won’t even remember what it was about in the morning. Bar owners can get in serious legal trouble for fights started inside or around their premises. Innocent people get caught in the crossfire. Just don’t get into fights. It looks bad on everyone’s record.
6
Get sloppy, sloppy drunk — If you do this a lot, give your liver, wallet and mind a break. Bartenders don’t like dealing with very drunk people. It’s a law that you aren’t supposed to serve a person who is visible intoxicated, but people often show up that way. Very drunk people tend to make very bad decisions. They also tend to have little control over their mouths and bodily fluids. This is unattractive and harmful. If you
can’t nix it, at least keep it to a minimum.
7
Be rude to the other patrons — Pair up your golden lager with the golden rule. Keep your personal problems, cattiness, gossip, unwanted come-ons and mean streak at home. Does it sound like I am taking all of the fun out the bar experience? If so, get ready to have your mind blown. Bar visits are more fun when you keep them positive. Happy plus kind equals fun. Try it.
8
Drive home drunk — Don’t ever do this. Why would anyone do this? There are cabs and buses. Find a sober friend. Hoof it if you have to. No bartender wants to wrestle your keys away from you. No bartender wants to know he or she helped you along with your DWI charge. Bartenders can face legal ramifications for serving someone who gets a DWI. Keep your car keys at home or give them to a more responsible person. Just don’t operate a motor vehicle if you’ve had more than one drink. Play it on the safe side.
9
Drink when you aren’t 21 — People do this. Everyone knows it. However, bartenders don’t want to serve underaged people. I went to great lengths to avoid this. Don’t get mad if you get carded. Don’t get mad if you get recarded. Don’t get angrier when someone calls bull crap on your fake ID. Leave gracefully when you are asked to. If a bartender gets busted serving a person who is under 21, they will get in a lot of trouble. Do you want someone bringing an endangering the welfare of a minor charge to his or her first interview just because you wanted some beers when you 19? I doubt it. Be reasonable. So what’s the lesson in all of this? Keep your bartender happy. As I wise patron once said, if your bartender ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.
Serving lunch & dinner
Featuring house aged, hand-cut beef, fresh seafood, pasta, signature salads, burgers & sandwiches
598-4770 Canal Landing • Fulton
Banquet Room Unforgettable fine private dining for your special occasion Lower level of Blue Moon Grill
OSWEGO DINE BY THE HARBOR “Famous Since 1984”
Serving LUNCH or DINNER in a Sporty Atmosphere! DAILY 11:00am - 10:00pm • Appetizers • Hot Items • Salads • Sandwiches • Burgers
Second Floor Banquet Facilities for Graduation, Bachelor, Bridal, Engagement or Rehearsal Dinners
(Dinner seats 30 • Appetizers 45)
BREAKFAST Saturday 8 to 11:30 am Sunday 8 am to 1 pm LOUNGE OPEN to 2:00 A.M. 29 East First Street, Oswego
315-343-0308
College Life
C
Local study probes perils of highsugar diets, benefits of activity
A
All the City’s a Stage Tyler Hall’s renovations provide some unique opportunities for the 2014-2015 theater season By Melissa Stefanec
A
s classes get underway this fall, you will probably notice Tyler Hall is totally closed down and undergoing a major renovation — a $22.2 million renovation to be exact. Tyler Hall will be rejuvenated after this project. This will be music to many performers and observers ears, but it presents some unusual challenges for the upcoming fall and spring performance seasons. The Waterman Theatre will be closed for the next year and half. That means the SUNY Oswego campus will lose its primary theater space, a space that has been used to entertain students and the public since 1968. John Shaffer, director of arts programming for the Artswego Performing Arts Series, had flexed his creative muscles when planning for theater performances in 2014 and 2015. What started as a challenge eventually became an opportunity to redefine performance arts on and around the SUNY Oswego campus. During the next year and half, the word stage will take on a whole new meaning.
All the City’s a stage
Playing on Shakespeare’s, “All the world’s a stage,” idea, Shaffer and his team looked for ways to provide a rich theater experience outside the confines of the theater. There are multiple performances planned in unlikely campus venues and around the Oswe-
go community. Not only will these new venues provide the community with something fresh and different, Shaffer also hopes the experience will allow Artswego to reach a wider audience and offer an alternative theater experience. “Sometimes staying inside the theater isn’t the best way to make an audience connection,” he said. “We will be meeting people where they are. We really wanted to think of it as almost a year-long festival.”
Acting out
Although there will still be many performances on the SUNY Oswego campus, there will also be a few in non-traditional venues around the community. Four such performances will be held at Fort Ontario Oct. 10 and 11. The performance will feature Third Rail Project’s “Anthem.” This acting and dance company is based in Brooklyn, and the company wrote and will perform a piece specifically for the space at Fort Ontario. “Anthem” will draw upon the fort’s architecture and history and, according to its website offers, “a haunting rumination on invasion, surrender, desire and defense. It blurs the boundaries of national, geographic and personal identities by posing the question: Who exactly is protecting whom and from what?” SUNY Oswego will also welcome members of the Open Hand Theater, which is based in Syracuse. Puppeteers and
performers from this theater will be on campus and make an appearance at the CNY Pumpkin Festival, which is held in Oswego each October. The Open Hand Theater is a traveling theater that specializes in stilting and giant puppets. St. Mary of the Assumption church in Oswego will also serve as an off-campus performing arts site. The Senegal St. Joseph Choir will perform at the church Oct. 15. The choir is from Dakar and has a 16-person chorus and four traditional drummers. They will perform a range of music, including spirituals, traditional African songs and masses composed by their founder, Julian Jouga. This spring, on March 25, an internationally acclaimed trombone quartet called the Maniacal 4 will be playing pop-up shows around the campus. They will play in the Campus Center, various lounges, and possibly outside in the Quad. The group resembles a modernized chamber music group and plays almost all of their music from memory, which makes them highly adaptable in new and spontaneous performance spaces.
Join the Circus
One of the most unusual acts performing at SUNY Oswego during this transition will be the Vague de Cirque. This group is from Montreal and performs in a circus style with comic flare. They will bring a huge, weather-proof
tent and set up next to the Campus Center on the lakeside. (Look for a bright yellow tent.) They will be in town from April 15 to 18.
The temporary digs
For the time being, many of the performances that would typically be held in the Waterman Theatre will be held in the Hewitt Union Ballroom. Seating will be in-the-round, with seating on all sides of performers (or on most sides, depending on a performer’s preference). The space is well-suited for smaller and more traditional acts. Acts like the Dafnis Prieto Si o Si Quartet, led by the Cuban percussionist Dafnis Prieto, will be one of the guests of the Hewitt Union Ballroom Sept. 23. March 3 and 4, 2015, a one-woman show named, “Becoming Harriet Tubman,” will take the stage, in which Natalie Daise will be the sole performer.
study led by SUNY Oswego faculty member Amy Bidwell brings new light to negative effects of high-sugar diets, plus how physical activity can have positive counter-effects. Bidwell, who teaches in Oswego’s health promotion and wellness department, found that just adding 75 grams of fructose — two 20-ounce lemon-lime sodas — to the daily diet of healthy participants caused massive increases in cholesterol and other markers that can threaten heart and other health. But if the subjects were physically active at the same time, their bodies cancelled out much of the adverse effects. “What we were looking for was if physical activity counteracts it, and we found it definitely did,” Bidwell said. In a two-week period, the high-sugar diet produced a dangerous spike in many health factors, most notably an 88 percent increase in fat triglycerides and 84 percent rise in very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol among non-active participants. Long-term increases in these elements can significantly raise the chance of a heart attack or stroke.
Back to the theater
When the Waterman Theatre is completed, potentially in 2015, there will a new and improved space for student and professional performers to use. The theater will be fully accessible and feature modern seating, lighting, sound and multimedia. There will be a two-story music rehearsal hall, which will double as a venue for smaller performances. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning will be updated. There will also be a lot of other improvements made to Tyler Hall. The new space will offer lots of opportunities, but Shaffer doesn’t want to forget what his time away from the physical theater is going to teach him. “We hope when we come back to the space that we will be more flexible than before and keep some of the creative gains we made,” Shaffer said.
Amy Bidwell of SUNY Oswego’s health promotion and wellness department recently published research that found massive negative impacts of consuming just 75 grams of sugar — the equivalent of two 20-ounce cups of soda — daily, also discovering that physical activity can mitigate some of the high-sugar diet’s negative effects.
Fall 2014 24
C
College Life
But when physically active, participants taking the same high-sugar diet saw only a 33 percent increase in triglycerides and a 5 percent decrease in VLDL cholesterol. Bidwell conducted the sixweek study — which included two weeks on the sugar-added diet with high physical activity and two weeks on the same diet with low physical activity — while completing her doctorate in science education/exercise physiology at Syracuse University. Overall calories were the same due to diet adjustments, but the changes in the overall health of fit, college-age subjects were dramatic, Bidwell said. High activity “Don’t eat a lot of added sugar, and be physically active,” Bidwell said. “The takehome message is that there is a difference between being active and exercising. Just because you exercise 30 minutes a day doesn’t mean you can add sugar to your diet.” Bidwell emphasizes that physical activity, as reflected in the study, goes beyond regular exercise; participants took a minimum of 12,500 steps per day. “If you do a 30-minute workout, you’re only reaching about half that level of activity,” she said. “These were healthy college-age students,” Bidwell noted. Her next step would involve research with less fit and more obese subjects, and having the initial findings published should help her pursue grants for what would be a larger, more expansive study. Her research appeared in two journals: the American College of Sports Medicine’s Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise and the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Bidwell said that while many manufacturers are moving away from high-fructose corn syrup, those who replace it with sucrose (table sugar) are not providing a solution that is much more healthy. The ultimate goal of the study is to encourage a change in behavior through reaching out to college students. Bidwell said she would love to see every college have a mandatory course on fitness and nutrition for its students, potentially paying dividends through longer, fitter lives.
Check us out at
oswego college life.com 25 Fall 2014
St. Paul’s
Catholic Church The Rev. Guy Baccaro
College Students & Their families
ALWAYS WELCOME CONFESSIONS Saturday 3 - 3:30 pm MASS Saturday 4:00 pm MASS Sundays 8 & 10:30 am Air Conditioned • Handicapped Accessible
Telephone 343-2333
134 E. 5th St. Oswego
Worship
In An Area Church Of Your Choice!
St. Joseph’s Church
371 Thompson Road
Just up the hill from the SUNY Campus Sunday Morning Worship Services – 9:00 & 10:45 AM Sunday School – 9:00 AM (September –May) For more information, call 342-5493 or go to www.oswegoalliance.org
240 W. First St. Oswego NY 13126 315-343-2160 stjosephoswego@gmail.com www.stjosephsoswego.com
WEEKEND MASSES St. Joseph’s
Saturday Vigil @ 4 p.m.
St. Stephen’s
Saturday Vigil @ 5:30 p.m.
Latin Mass at St. Stephen’s Sunday @ 7 a.m.
St. Stephen’s
Sunday @ 9 a.m.
St. Joseph’s
Sunday @ 11 a.m.
Confessions @ St. Joseph’s 3 p.m. on Saturdays
Rev. Gregory J. Kreinheder
Trinity
United Methodist Church 45 East Utica Street Oswego 343-1715 SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:00 a.m. Nursery Care • Parking
ALL WELCOME! Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
St. Stephen the King Church 138 Niagara St. Oswego NY 13126 315-343-0350 st.stephentheking@gmail.com www.ststephensoswego.com
College Life
C
SEXISM
A Girl Walks Into a Bar… ‘Ladies, here is my appeal. When you are at the bar, the store or anywhere that you might be confronted with sexism, don’t put up with it.’ By Melissa Stefanec
W
ell, it doesn’t need to be a bar. It could be the library, a restaurant, the dorms or a grocery store. It doesn’t really matter where a woman walks into as long as we can admit that even in this progressive day and age a woman walking into anywhere is different than a man walking into that same place. Earlier this summer, the hashtag #YesAllWomen went viral. This social media campaign started in May 2014 after Elliot Rodger went on a killing spree in Isla Vista, Calif., which was attributed to his extreme misogyny. The hashtag was created by an anonymous Twitter user as a response to the #NotAllMen hashtag. The campaign aimed to demonstrate that all women are affected by sexual discrimination and misogyny, even though not all men are sexist. Women started sharing their personal experiences and thoughts on the subject. Within four days, the hashtag had been tweeted 1.2 million times with 1.2 million stories and ideas. The world was abuzz with conversations about sexism and what it means to be a woman in today’s modern society. So why am I dredging up the past? #YesAllWomen is now almost as distant as tan lines, summer road trips and mojitos, but it deserves a much longer conversation and even
more action. We need to rethink our actions. This goes for the men and the ladies. So, back into the girl walking into the bar — or the store or any public place where she is in the presence of men. It’s still different, and I for one want to live in a world where this isn’t always the case. I can’t speak for all women, but I can certainly speak for myself. Here is what happens when I walk into a public place. Every man is slightly suspect. I truly love people and find most of them interesting. I face new people and situations with an open mind and am ready to learn from my experiences. I try to be kind to everybody and take the world in. However, there is always a little piece of me that is on guard around strange men. There is always a tiny voice in my mind that says be ready, because a woman can never be certain that a strange man isn’t going to do something horrible to her. That may sound melodramatic, ridiculous or just plain crazy to some people, but most women share this experience. How can we not? There are headlines, diatribes, websites, social groups and blogs dedicated to misogyny and the terrible things it produces. We are inundated with stories, and the possibility of something bad happen-
ing is very real, even if remote. It isn’t always strangers that put women on guard. For far too many women, it is people they know. It is coworkers, bosses, family members, business owners or acquaintances. As the #NotAllMen hashtag tried to stress, not all men are a physical or mental threat to women. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time for a woman to make that determination, and women don’t have that kind of time when they pass a man when they are out for a run, stop by coffee at a shop, or go to get gas. We can’t ever totally let our guards down. I want to live and thrive in a world where women can let their guards down. I think most ladies would love to put these thoughts out of their heads. They would love to live and think like a man, a man who isn’t afraid that he will suffer ill consequences because of his gender. When most women can do that, it will be a glorious day. There are things men and women can do to bring about change. The first thing happened: a conversation was started by one little Twitter hashtag. Now we have to keep that conversation going, however difficult that may be. Ladies, here is my appeal. When you are at the bar, the store or anywhere that you might be confronted with sexism, don’t put up with it. We have all put up with sexism for fear of our safety or physical
rebuke, but I am not talking about those circumstances. When you are in a safe situation where people could come to your aid, fight the sexism. Don’t take it with a clenched grin. Don’t take it with an uncomfortable laugh. Assert and be heard. Walk away midway through the slime ball’s sentence. Tell him you don’t speak to people who treat anyone like that. Tell him you deserve the same respect he would give a man. Stop him in his tracks. Make him think about his actions. Let him get angry. Let him say nasty things. That’s on him. You can only change how you respond to a situation. If the person is the sort of person you can report to a manager, human resources or an authority, just do it. It won’t be easy, but a life full of un-combated sexual harassment is far worse. If sexist men can’t find an audience, a revolution is underway. Men, please pay attention to that last sentence. You are an audience for each other. Most men keep the company of other men. There are a lot of guys out there who treat women with respect and kindness, but at the same time are completely, outwardly tolerant of men who do otherwise. This is not all right. This is silent
s e x i s m , a n d it is sexism all the same. If you are hanging out with the guys, and someone decides to start acting like a sexist pig, don’t take it with a clenched grin. Don’t play it off with an uncomfortable laugh and try to blend in. Assert and be heard. Walk away. Be man enough to say that’s not cool. If you run in a circle where it’s not all right to treat women like people, and you are going to be shunned for advocating this radical ideal, it is time to get a new circle. Sexism isn’t manly, it is irrational, illogical, barbaric, and (hopefully) quickly becoming archaic. Have the courage to redefine masculinity. The ladies will reward you for your endeavors. Trust me on this. Changing centuries-old, time-engrained ideas and actions is not easy. It won’t happen overnight or over a cocktail. A single act won’t be able to do it, but multiple acts and conversations have a way of starting a revolution. This one is very necessary and far from over. #YesAllWomen and #YesAllMen, it’s time to be brave and change the tides.
Stop by T.J. Maxx today.
JAMES K. EBY ATTORNEY AT LAW 31Years Experience in Handling:
Campus Hours: Tuesday 7- 8:30 pm Friday: 12:30 pm-1:30 pm Student Association Office The Point
Personal Injury Cases Criminal Matters, Traffic Tickets & DWI Landlord/Tenant Matters All Manners of Student Legal Problems Free Consultation on Campus Provided by Your Student Association Fee
Downtown Office 91 West Third Street Oswego, NY 13126 315-342-1773 Monday-Friday 8 am-4 pm
Fall 2014 26
C
College Life
• Paid Tuition • ROTC Scholarships • Leadership Opportunities • Student Loan Repayment • Jump Start Your Career
27 Fall 2014
College Life
C
COLLEGE housing plsuites.com
Fall 2014 28