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College Life

FALL 2013

Drink Dating Are you a victim?

COUPONS INSIDE

Face of the New Freshman Class The class of 2017 is one of the largest ever in SUNY Oswego history. It has more students with diverse backgrounds and even more people from out of state. And, yes, 18-year-old student Rachael Kepler of Carthage has become the unofﬁcial face of the new bunch. See “Freshman Special” inside

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Your Bucket List

Things you have to do if you’re SUNY student

Selecting Electives So should you go for an “easy A” class?

Finding a Niche in the Navy

Cayuga Why I chose Cayuga Community College

Fall 2013

As an officer in the United States Navy, Nathan McDonald admits that six years ago he could not have predicted his present situation. After graduating from SUNY Oswego in May 2007, he faced many trials before finding his niche.

South Koreans Make Up the Largest Foreign Student Population on Campus Budget Problem If you find that your total weekly expenses are $300 and your weekly income is $50, you have a problem

Club Scene

Organizations on campus provide excitement, fellowship

College Life

Fall 2013

College Life

Living on a

If you find that your total weekly expenses are $300 and your weekly income is $50, you have a problem By Brandon Smith

ne of the most important things you should learn in college (but probably won’t) is how to live on a budget. Here are a few things I have learned that will make it easier to live on the money you have, and to leave college a few less bucks in the hole.

how many weeks does that actually cover? If you broke your expenses down to the week, you need to do the same with your income. Are you in the black or in the red? It’s better to know now.

Identify and rank your expenses

If you find that your total weekly expenses are $300 and your weekly income is $50, you have a problem. You’re going to need to find more income or slash items from your budget, starting at the bottom of the list you ranked by importance. If you found that your weekly expenses are $50 and your weekly income is $300, you have a much better problem. You have $250 a week of disposable income, and whether you spend it or save it is up to you. Making a budget is really self-explanatory, but actually keeping within your budget is one of the hardest things to do. Even with great willpower, many people will find themselves living paycheck to paycheck.

How much are you spending on food? How high is your cell phone bill? How much of your weekly money goes toward cable/internet? How much money per week would your favorite bartender be losing if you just drank water? Are you setting aside any money for savings? Write all those expenses down and rank their importance. If you could survive on a bowl of cereal each day but would die without your smart phone, put your phone bill at the top of the list.

Analyze your income How much money do you earn each week from work? How much student aid do you receive every semester, and

Fall 2013

Find your budget

Paper or plastic? One way to keep within your budget is to pick a day of the week and only take out your weekly cash on that day. Mine is Monday. Can you

imagine that, looking forward to Monday? One advantage to cash is that you can’t exceed or overdraft what you have available. If it costs too much, you can’t have it. One disadvantage to cash is that if you lose it, it’s gone. Also, say you take out $50 every Monday. If you only spend $40 this week and have $10 left, next week just take out $40. You’ll be more likely to spend that $10 you saved on something that really isn’t in your budget if it’s in your wallet. Leave it in the bank, you can always take it out if you really want to.

Monitor your plastic like your grandmother does Debit cards and credit cards make it easier to spend out of control, but they also allow some security from losses and to make purchases online. One thing you can do to control debit card purchases is to use a check register or a debit card register. Check registers come with checkbooks and are used to write down every purchase you make, which is subtracted from the account total. Debit card registers are exactly the same, but smaller and more portable.

Yes, you might look like your grandmother as you write down your purchases in your little checkbook, but every $33 overdraft charge you avoid on a college student’s budget counts big time. You can also opt-out of overdraft coverage on your debit card and be declined instead, but would you rather be declined in front of your friends or just tell them you can’t afford to go to the movies tonight? I’d rather use my card when I know I can afford it. Personally, I like to use a few methods for my weekly budget. If my weekly spending money is $50, I take out $30 cash every Monday. I also have a weekly scheduled electronic transfer that I set up within my online banking that kicks the remaining $20 from my checking to my savings account. I can always take that money back out of my savings if I really need to, but I like to go as many weeks as I can below my budget so that savings account grows automatically. Then if an emergency comes up, or if I just want to spend that money on something fun, it’s there. I love saving! Credit cards are another great tool for your budget, if used correctly. Running up a bill and making minimum payments every month can really cost you in the long run. On the other hand, using that card responsibly can help shape a better future. If you use your credit card for your budgeted gas, your groceries and food, and then pay it off before interest accrues, you are winning in a couple ways. First, you are keeping to your budget! Another way you win is that you are bulking up your credit score with that positive payment history and you aren’t paying anything in interest to do it. That higher score makes it cheaper to take out loans at lower rates, which is better for your present and future budget. Your future self thanks you! There are many more ways to manage your budget, so find a way that works for you. Think about the big picture when you open your wallet. If eating out every night makes you happier than it would to cook a cheaper meal most nights and save for a vacation to the Bahamas, then go nuts. It’s your money. But if your current spending habits are keeping you from getting what you really want out of life, then change your budget and stick to it.

Brandon Smith is an alumnus of SUNY Oswego and graduated with a B.A. in broadcasting in 2006. He is currently employed in the financial industry and works in Syracuse.

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College Life

SUNY Oswego to Host Visiting Fulbright Scholar

UNY Oswego and Onondaga Community College have been selected to host a Fulbright scholar-in-

residence from India who will teach courses and engage with the Central New York community during the 2013-14

academic year. Paula Banerjee, an associate professor of South and Southeast Asian studies at the University of Calcutta, was awarded the Fulbright grant by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board to spend the coming fall semester at Oswego and the spring 2014 semester at Onondaga in

Syracuse. Banerjee is an expert in the areas of borders and border conflict, the plight of refugees and internally displaced persons, and women’s efforts as peacemakers. She will contribute to internationalization at SUNY Oswego and the Central New York by teaching courses and collaborating with

faculty on the two campuses, guest speaking at area universities and schools, conducting research, and engaging with both student and community groups. Banerjee is one of about 800 foreign faculty and professionals who will teach and pursue research in the United States through the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program in 2013-14.

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Fall 2013

C ‘Why I Chose SUNY Oswego’ College Life

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We’ve asked several SUNY Oswego students the following question: “What was it about SUNY Oswego that made you choose to spend the next four years of your life here?” Here is what they had to say. “I got into all five SUNY schools I applied to. I couldn’t decide on one, so I picked slips of paper out of a hat and got Oswego the first time. I saw the campus at orientation and it turned out to be the best decision.” Candice Votke “I chose Oswego because it was a reasonable distance from my home, and it has a pretty good business department.” Danny Munoz “I came here because I’ve only ever heard great things about this school and the awesome broadcasting/communications program they offer here. I without a doubt made the right choice, and plan on staying all four years.”

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“I decided to come here because of a scholarship I received that paid for almost my entire tuition. Then when I visited I fell in love with the lake and how friendly everyone seemed. I was so comfortable walking around campus. Now I love all the great friends I’ve made and the size of my classes. The honors program really helped me while adjusting to college classes because all the classes are small and hands on.” Amanda Austin “I chose Oswego because

it’s the perfect distance from home for me, a one and half hour drive. The lake and the look of the campus attracted me. So far I have been impressed with the students that go here when it comes to socialization and academic determination. The professors, at least in the math department and physics department, have been unimpressive thus far. Also, the winter sucked. But I am coming back next year, so it couldn’t have been that bad.” Jarrett Metzger “I came because it was far enough from home, but wasn’t too far. I fell in love with the campus and the lake and everyone was so nice when I came.” Becky Unger “I came here because it was cheap and it was my last choice so I planned on transferring, but I ended up loving it and now I’m staying all four years.” Mary Dame “I wasn’t sold on SUNY Oswego until I attended my freshman orientation. The Laker Leaders were so warm and inviting and really presented a nice, friendly environment. I felt right at home and had no worries of adjusting to college life. The campus was beautiful, especially the lake and the sunset. At this point I

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knew Oswego was the school for me.” Kyle Martindale “I came here because I knew Oswego is known for its meteorology program. I also received a scholarship that helped out a lot cost-wise. I thought about transferring for silly reasons, but I got more involved and realized how much I love it here.” Alex D’Huy “I decided to come here because the majority of my high school teachers went here, and all they did was rave about it. The lake is so nice, and it was far enough from my house.” Jessie Zabicki “What had instantly caught my eye about Oswego was the beautiful campus near the lake. I also learned that the media program was prestigious. In addition, the amount of sports and extra curricular activities was the icing on the cake for me.” Americo

Galindez

“I decided to come here because it is the perfect size school and I really liked the business program. I love it here.” Ashley Stern

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Students were interviewed by contributing writer Alyssa Mammano, a SUNY Oswego alumna.

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Fall 2013

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‘I Finally Graduated: My College Experience’ “My advice for any aspiring student is try not to hold yourself to any form of conventionalism. Strictly pursue what makes you happy.” By Avery Galek

finally earned my bachelor’s degree. But I didn’t earn my blisters all in one place. As a non-traditional student, there were times when my meal ticket was the blazing handle of a shovel, caressing the next layer of top soil. There were moments when the door to my dorm room was nothing but the sagging straps of my duffel bag. Considering I graduated high school in 2006, one might ask, “what the heck took you so long?” The only honest answer I have for them is that I have made it to the other side, technically, with three different areas of study and a boatload of real world experience. My winding path was not always

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easy, but I feel like I took the right turns. My journey began the fall after graduating high school. I quickly became a major in audio recording technology at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua. As time passed there I learned that if I stayed for a third year I would have enough credits to earn a double associates degree in music performance as well. The challenge was on. The people and experiences I had will never compare to any other period in my life. It’s funny, looking back on those years and thinking of how young I really was. I can never bring those days back or take them for granted. Upon graduating community college I experienced a new freedom I had never felt before. I wasn’t sure what the next step was. But one thing was for certain: my buddies and I were pulling an allnighter and mad dash to New York City and back to catch a concert, screaming our way back the next day for our commencement. With beer on my breath and my mother sweating bullets, I pulled off the stunt, not even exactly sure myself what was to come. I stepped into the next phase of my life, which meant I was completely broke. My summers had consisted of long days in the sun landscaping for my local school district and teaching guitar lessons for an enrichment program. That’s what I clung to the first few months after school, but once the fall hit I still lacked a solid plan. That was my plan, to not have one. It felt liberating at the time. It was exciting up until the point of scoring a

month-long custodial position at my old junior high school with 13-year-old girls catapulting themselves at me and the ominous threat of swine flu. I needed to get out and fast. So I moved to Ithaca with no more than $1,500 and a dream. My cousin, her fiancé and I rented a house on the edge of town out in the country. It was fantastic. People had their doubts, but somehow during a recession I moved to a new city and managed to establish myself as a full-time landscaper for Ithaca Estates Realty and as weekend dishwasher in this college town. My wallet was thick and my belly was full. But it didn’t take me long to realize there was a gaping hole in my course, and my lifestyle was beginning to take a toll on me. In the spring of 2011 I began studying journalism at SUNY Cortland. I had high hopes of remaining in the Ithaca area. But to my dismay SUNY Cortland played more of an emphasis

on sports management and education than it did for any type of communications department. So, as our lease ended and the semester wrapped up, I made my way back to my hometown with my tail between my legs. That summer I was weighing my options. I realized only a half hour away was SUNY Oswego. I would have never guessed that right in my very own back yard was exactly what I was looking for. I began writing for the Oswegonian student newspaper that fall and quickly achieved an editor’s position. It was a little rough, considering the long late-night hours it required and the fact that I was still commuting a half hour both ways from home. Yet, with the experience I gained and the journalistic connections I made, I managed to grab hold of an internship at Making Music Magazine and International Musician the following summer. The experience was personally rewarding beyond what I thought was capable of accomplishing while still in college. My writing led me to some additional freelance work the next semester at the Oswego County Business Magazine. I asked about internship opportunities there as well and ended my two years at SUNY Oswego expanding my genres and crafting my skill. My professional goal is to write full time as a music journalist. What the future may bring, I’m not quite sure. But I finally feel like I’m headed in the right direction. I’m willing to take on any work that feels like one more step toward my dreams. My advice for any aspiring student is to try not to hold yourself to any form of conventionalism. Strictly pursue what makes you happy. Education is more than grade point averages and letter marks. It’s what you take away from the experience that makes you realize there was never a solid destination in the first place, just one hell of a ride.

Fall 2013

College Life

Academics

Selecting Electives So should you go for an “easy A,” take a class that sounds quirky and interesting, or is there a better strategy? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

tudents following their guidance counselor’s prescribed path toward a degree have no problem picking out what classes to take. The college has it all mapped out, except when it comes to electives. Electives, as their name denotes, are the classes that you “elect” or choose. So should you go for an “easy A” class your upperclassman roommate liked, take a class that sounds quirky and interesting, or is there a better strategy? Jackie Wallace, assistant director of advisement at The Compass at SUNY Oswego, said that more students in recent years are taking electives that will help their careers. Many go for ones that foster better people skills. “Their electives are geared towards gaining experience like community service credit experience,” she said. “A lot of communication is about the soft skills.” Classes geared toward communications could include English, speech, sociology, and business writing. These classes can help you become better

Jackie Wallace, assistant director of advisement at The Compass at SUNY Oswego, said many of the electives students are choosing foster better people skills.

Fall 2013

equipped for landing a job and entering the working world. “Students can put those on their resume, those classes that aren’t required for their degree but can help them look good,” Wallace said. Brenda Griffin operates a self-named career coaching business in Syracuse. She said that such soft skills courses “will get you places.” She should know. A business writing course changed her life. “I thought I was a pretty decent writer and I didn’t think I needed it until I took it,” she said. “People today comment all the time on how strong my writing is. I wouldn’t have that background if it weren’t for this course. Verbal communication is good too, as is business finance.” She also listed classes that relate to conflict resolution, operating a business, and customer service as very useful. Customer service skills may not sound useful for a business person, since you have no plans to man a desk at a department store helping disgruntled customers and re-shelving returns, but Griffin explained that these soft skills are good for everyone regardless of their career path. “Your ‘customers’ might be people within the company,” she said. Vendors, colleagues, and clients are also, in different senses, “customers” wherever you work since it’s your job to effectively interact with them. Of course, getting and keeping a job or launching a business depends upon possessing the skills to perform the work, but becoming an outstanding employee or business owner depends heavily upon soft skills you can learn by choosing the right electives. While pottery classes might be fun for the accounting major, they won’t do much for her future. A fluffy reading course will be a slam-dunk for an avid reader, but won’t build up a resume for a HR executive like a class on conflict resolution. Think about where you hope your educational journey will take you and choose electives as useful stepping stones in the right direction.

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College Life

‘Why Cayuga Community College?’

Single mom takes the plunge and restarts her career at a local community college By Kristan Marino

s a single mother of two, recently divorced, on a tight budget attempting to restart her future, just the thought of college was terrifying to me. It was not an easy decision to make, but it was made. I was going to go to college! Now what? So many questions were buzzing around in my head. Which one? How much will it cost? How long will it take? But most importantly—will I succeed? The thought of going back to school was daunting, and almost made me change my mind. But there was no turning back. I was about to be a college student. After doing a bit of research and talking to some friends, I decided a two-year school was a good place to

start. It not only would help me financially, but it would allow me to decide what I wanted to do. Cayuga Community College was close to home, and it was less intimidating than a university. The moment I walked through those doors I knew I made the right decision. While it was overwhelming, and I was still a nervous wreck, it felt like a home away from home. The atmosphere was more intimate than a larger university, and the faculty and staff were warm and welcoming. I had an infinite amount of questions, and I had not the faintest idea of where to start. So I started at the front desk, and I am glad I did. After being pointed in the right direction, I made it to my first class, and to my liking, it was

not as big as I thought it was going to be. I could ask questions and make eye contact with my professors, allowing me to engage myself in the learning experience, not just sit through it. The smaller class sizes of a two-year college were what I needed. It wasn’t just the class sizes and the instructors that I was happy with, there were plenty of opportunities to get engaged on campus. Student government, clubs, study groups and activities were a way to meet new friends and keep up my grades. I had heard so many stories of just being another name on the roster, just “another student.” I have to admit, I went into my first semester with a grim outlook on my likelihood to succeed. But after a little

time, everything fell right into place with choosing the school I did. It allowed me to “get my feet wet” before deciding to move on to a four-year institute. After my first year it was time for me to decide what I would do after graduation, and it was time to start looking into a four-year school. Even though my grade-point average was what I like to think somewhat high, I was still surprised to receive the “Holy Grail” of letters in the mail—the acceptance letter. Being accepted into a fouryear institution is both invigorating and nerve wracking to say the least, a roller coaster of emotions. I had never thought I would get this far, but I believe that starting off at a community college is what prepared me for the transition.

Student’s Bucket List Things you have to do if you’re SUNY Oswego student By Molly Martindale • Watch a sunset. SUNY Oswego is famous for its sunsets and every student should absolutely go down to the shores of Lake Ontario to catch one. The seemingly neverending water mixed with the vibrant oranges, purples and reds of the sunset can only be described as breathtaking. • Attend the spring concert. SAPB puts on a concert every spring for college students and tickets are definitely reasonably priced. Some musical guests they’ve had in the past are The Goo Goo Dolls, Lupe Fiasco and J. Cole. You’d have to be crazy not to spend $10 to see these awesome artists. Plus the concerts typically have smaller crowds and are located right in the Campus Center. • Go to a hockey game. Attending an Oswego hockey game is definitely an exciting and entertaining (not to mention free) activity to do on the weekend. Even if you aren’t a big fan of hockey, the student section is a fun place to sit with the hilarious chants,

loud music between periods, the fan cam and a T-shirt cannon. If anything, just looking at the other students dressed in Oswego attire, costumes or face paint is entertaining enough. • Make a friend in a class. Classes are a great place to bond over a common love or hatred for a subject. Hate math but you have to take Math 102: Math in the Real World? Find a buddy. Not only will you have a study partner, you’ll have someone to sit next to in class or text when you forget what’s due for homework the next day. Meeting friends in a class for your major is also a great idea. You’re more than likely to take a lot of classes with some of the same people so you might as well get to know them. Then, when you have to do a group project, you’ll already have some partners in crime to team up with. • Experience at least one Thursday Mug Night at Old City. (When you’re 21, of course.) There are 25cent beers if you bring your

glass mug … can’t beat that! And even if you don’t like beer, Thursday night at Old City is the place to be, so you’ll certainly have an evening full of familiar faces.

• Go to the lake bluffs. I didn’t get a chance to visit the bluffs until I was a second semester senior and man, do I regret that. There are gorgeous views of Lake Ontario, cliffs to climb, and it’s the perfect scene for a bonfire with friends or a hike. It’s a great place for taking photos too, though seeing it through your own eyes is definitely preferable. • Take a class outside of your comfort zone. Try to take a class that you don’t need for your major or for a Gen Ed at least once during your college career. Some of the best classes are ones that truly interest you or spark your imagination. So take a poetry class even if you’re a science major. Take a theater class even if you’re a business major. Take some-

Kristan Marino

thing that excites you and I guarantee you’ll have fun. • Check out some restaurants off campus. Oswego has some amazing, one-of-a-kind places to eat. During the warmer months, there’s Rudy’s for some delicious fried seafood or Bev’s for a wide variety of ice cream down by the lake. They will likely be open until the end of September. For the rest of the year, there’s the amazing familyowned Italian restaurants, Vona’s and Canale’s, with homemade sauces and friendly staff, or there’s Red Sun Fire Roasting Co. for an elegant night out. There are also some cozy coffee shops, cute cafes and candy shops with homemade chocolates. Is your mouth watering like mine is right now? • Join a club. Seriously. Not only is it a fabulous way to meet other students who love the same things that you do, it’s a fantastic way to be more involved on campus outside of the classroom and it definitely looks good on a resume. Plus you could discover a passion for something that could extend past your college career. Joining a club on campus provides opportunities to be involved in a community that’s working toward a common goal and that provides a sense of identity. Something every college student wants, right?

Fall 2013

College Life

Apps You’ve Got to Have

“Walking Distance from Campus” (west)

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant Smart phone apps aren’t just fun to play with. They can make your academic life easier. Danielle Limer-Nies, a senior at SUNY Oswego, uses her iPhone and its apps to help her pursue a degree in international studies. “I use lots of language apps, like an interactive dictionary,” Limer-Nies said. “I use it when I’m doing assignments and while I study. It helps.” She also likes general transportation apps help her navigate and find what she needs if she’s in a new place. She has traveled to Ecuador, and is making plans to visit China. She has about 20 to 30 apps on her phone. She obtained her first smart phone two years ago, took a break for a while, then purchased another last spring. “When I didn’t have one, I didn’t think about it, but now that I have one again, it’s so convenient,” Limer-Nies said. She said that only a minority of students lack smart phones. “It’s definitely a status item,” she said. “If your friends have one and you don’t, you’re left out. It’s kind of silly, but it’s true. People do use them for different reasons.” Dan Truong, help desk assistant with SUNY Oswego’s Technology Support Center, said that students’ active lifestyles make apps useful. “I’d recommend the G-mail app because a lot of times, we hear about students who are mobile on the phone and they use a SUNY Oswego email. If they have an iPhone, Windows or Android phone,

laptop,” she said. “If you’re using a Google device, it will transcribe recordings to text.” Wunderlist is another app that works on all platforms and is compatible with Mac, iPhone, iPad, Web, Android and Windows PC. “It’s a very basic list-making app, but you can have dozens of them going at a time,” Thompson said. “I also recommend the SUNY Oswego mobile site. It gives a list of places you want to get to like the Danielle Limer-Nies, a senior at SUNY Oswego library or various other things.” they can log in and get their She thinks that a PDF email right off the bat.” reader app is important for He also likes the Google students, too, though they Drive app for students with don’t tend to be free apps. tablets. Apps such as GoodReader for “Students can use spreadiPad, iPhone and iPod Touch sheets on there to work on MS and, for Android, EasyPDF Word, PowerPoint or Excel, allow students to highlight, but not have to have a thumb annotate and underline impordrive. It’s cloud storage. They tant information. can modify those on the go. “BlueFire reader lets you It’s like having a thumb drive download academic books and they can never lose.” read them offline,” Thompson Emily Thompson is the said. “It also lets you downlearning technologies librarian load things to read that are at Penfield Library at SUNY public domain.” Oswego. She said that many BlueFire works with Anstudents use Evernote for droid and Apple iOS. iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, which synchronizes across Danielle Limer-Nies, a senior multiple devices. at SUNY Oswego, says she uses “If you’re taking notes on language apps that help her your phone or taking pictures pursue her degree in international or recording sound, it can studies. go on your phone, tablet or

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College Life

ew enrollment numbers are not finalized for the fall 2013 but in the fall 2012 semester, exactly 7,151 undergraduate students enrolled in classes at SUNY Oswego. Those students chose one of more than 110 programs of study, lived in one of 13 residence halls, ate at one of five dining halls and had the option to join 182 campus organizations. All of this information is available to prospective students on SUNY Oswego’s website: www.Oswego.edu. But what really convinces high school graduates to choose one school over another is not a fact sheet. It’s hearing about the reallife college experiences from those who have lived it. Sure, it is nice knowing that Oswego students were divided by gender nearly equally, or that almost 42 percent were aged 20-21. To some, relevant information might be that about 82 percent of students were categorized as Caucasian, or that almost all called New York counties home. Some people might also like to know that the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences had more than double the number of students in its program than any other school at SUNY Oswego. It is also interesting that 1,537 students had declared minors that semester. But does that information convince prospective students to choose Oswego? Does it tell them the kind of people they will be studying alongside? Will these numbers help them choose a major or persuade them to join an organization? Probably not. What potential students of SUNY Oswego want to hear is what those who came before them got out of the experience.

Community Service Club Take Alexis Avery, for example. She is the president of the Community Service Club and is going on her fourth community service trip to the Dominican Republic. “I joined this organization because I wanted to make a positive impact on the community that I spend so much time in during the year,” Avery said. The Community Service Club provides opportunities for students on campus to positively impact the Oswego community. Its goal is to introduce new ideas and programs that will interest and positively impact the students participating. The club won the student involvement award for the Presidents Award of Achieve-

Club Scene

The

Organizations on campus provide excitement, fellowship By Alyssa Mammano

ment in 2011. “I have learned so much about myself through all of my volunteer experiences on this campus. Through traveling I have gotten to meet so many new people with various backgrounds and it has made me want to travel more,” Avery said. “Being a leader on campus has made me excited to continue spreading the importance of giving back and being a good role model for the community.” Joining the Community Service Club influenced Avery to change her career path from childhood education to pursuing nonprofit management, she said.

Equestrian Team The SUNY Oswego Equestrian Team is one of the reasons Samantha Kirby chose to attend SUNY Oswego. “Before I decided to go to Oswego, I came to visit the barn and absolutely fell in love with the way the coaches ran the team and dedicated so much of themselves to the team’s success,” she said. “Once I was finally at Oswego, the team members sealed the deal for me. I felt so welcomed and accepted right from day one.” The equestrian team provides students with an opportunity to learn about riding horses and to compete in local and national competitions. The team has a history of producing national, zone and regional champions. This year, the team won the regional championship title for the fourth consecutive year, which will allow them to proceed to the semi-finals. “While we have many talented students who compete and succeed at the national level, some students would rather just horseback ride. We

make sure to cater to them as well,” said Kirby. The team does not require any experience to join, so for some their first lesson is the first time they have been on a horse. Members can determine their own level of dedication according to what they hope to get out of the experience. But those who wish to compete know many of their weekends will be spent away at competitions. Just like any sport or hobby, the competitive equestrian team members put in the time, practice and passion in order to succeed. “The great thing about a team like this one is that everyone is always doing something that they love, and when we all share that passion, we are able to develop much stronger bonds,” said Kirby. From holding a leadership position for her team, Kirby said she has gained an immeasurable amount of experience and knowledge about horses. It has helped her to grow as an individual and as a teammate, providing morale to her friends and for herself.

Her Campus Kathryne Davis, editor in chief of Her Campus SUNY

Oswego, got involved because she liked the laid-back atmosphere and flexibility of the online magazine. In writing for Her Campus, Davis said she learned more about the students she goes to school with and gained time management skills along with making new friends. “We’re still a pretty young group. Her Campus has only been at Oswego for four or five years, but we’ve earned a bronze level for our chapter, which means that we’ve done a good job growing since Her Campus started,” Davis said. Her Campus SUNY Oswego strives to get students involved with the campus, helps them to relate to one another and to recruit new contributors. Both males and females in any major are able to write for the magazine. “We send out an email once a week and whoever wants to do an article for the week just emails us and says what section they want to cover. Then they write it up and send it to us,” said Davis. She joined Her Campus her sophomore year because she liked that she could relate to the blogs, and has enjoyed contributing to the campus celebrity section of the magazine.

SUNY Oswego’s Vocal Effect is taking its performances to the next level and beginning to travel outside of Oswego this year.

Math Club Joining a club also has professional benefits such as networking, which is why Jackie Maguire joined SUNY Oswego’s Math Club. She is reaping the benefits of connections with staff in the mathematics department and applying her education to the real world. “As I progressed from a member to vice president and into my current role as president, I was truly able to develop strong ties within the organization. I met professors I never had classes with and became closer with those I had already known,” said Maguire. Math club members attend bi-weekly meetings and partake in activities such as movie and game nights and Math Fun Day, an event that involves scavenger hunts, trivia games and various competitions between students and faculty. They also bring in guest speakers who offer a great deal of insight. “The various guest speakers I listened to and events I attended have truly opened my eyes to the number of opportunities that exist in the field of mathematics,” Maguire said.

The Oswegonian Adding to her résumé was also a priority to Aimee Hirsch, now editor in chief of the college’s newspaper, The Oswegonian. Hirsch said she first joined the paper because she felt she had to as a journalism major and through her involvement grew to love writing. “Actually, when I first came to Oswego I was already thinking of changing my major because journalism seemed too hard. But once the sports editor at the time started asking me to write stories, I couldn’t refuse. It didn’t take long after that for me to realize that journalism was something I loved doing,” Hirsch said. The Oswegonian shoulders two main goals: to provide the campus and community with a quality news medium and to act as a tool for journalistic education. The newspaper strives to produce content that is interesting and pertinent to both students and residents of Oswego. The organization also allows journalism students to gain the necessary experience and writing samples required for the professional world. It has managed to remain relevant in a print version during a time when print journalism is on the decline, and has also kept up with the evolving market with the recent introduction of its website, oswego-

Fall 2013 10

College Life

strong interest in homosexual topics and movements. During National LGBT+ History Month in October, the Pride Alliance hosts its two largest events—National Coming Out Day and the annual Halloween Drag Ball. The club purchases and distributes T-shirts to the campus to be worn on Oct. 11 in support of National Coming Out Day. Wearing the shirt allows all, regardless of sexual The Oswegonian’s newsroom: students publishing a new issue of the paper. orientation, to participate in spreading equality. nian.com. bring acceptance of all genThe drag ball coThe paper has made the ders and sexual orientations incides with Halloween, at move toward more web and to Oswego’s campus. They act which local drag talent from multimedia-based content, and as a support group to aid the Syracuse and Rochester are has launched a new all-color process of “coming out,” and invited to perform. While enprint version. turn to each other during the tertaining in nature and hosted Hirsch said the organizaafter effects. in celebration of the end of Nation allows students to be as Pride Alliance includes tional LGBT+ History Month, involved as they please, but members who identify themthe drag ball also promotes the most choose to put in the time selves as straight, gay or other- acceptance and further educaand effort. The paper’s ediwise. They work together with tion of gender expression and tors spend about 30 hours per faculty and staff to keep the gender identity. week doing their jobs, but campus informed about les-

Ski & Snowboard Club

WNYO is SUNY Oswego’s student-run radio station. home with 60 new friends. Our club is so close and, even being so large, everyone treats each other with respect. I have met some of my best friends through this club,” Lillis said. He got involved because he loved the sport, and felt he could lead the club to do great things, Lillis said. He has gained knowledge in management from a leadership position and learned to organize trips and events. He has also learned how to work in teams and large groups, and has opened his eyes to different cultures. “Becoming a leader in this club has been my life and I am dedicated to it. I would do anything for the club and they would do anything for me,” said Lillis.

The Ski and Snowboard Club’s claim to fame is having the most members of all campus organizations, according to President Mike Lillis. “To have the most members compared to any SUNY Oswego’s Vocal Efother club, and to have fect is taking its performances such a large influence on to the next level and beginning the school and new stuto travel outside of Oswego dents is amazing. Admisthis year. sions told us that we are Now, in addition to anthe most trending club Members of the Pride Alliance strives to bring acceptance of all genders across Oswego,” said Lillis. nual performances such as the Suicide Prevention Walk, the and sexual orientations to Oswego’s campus. The club hosts many Make-a-Wish Foundation’s trips across the county and function and the Oswego even to Canada, providing bian, gay, bi-sexual and transwriters and photographers Farmers Market, Vocal Effect students an opportunity to excan choose to contribute on a sexual events and maintain a will be putting on traveling perience the world and escape weekly basis. safe, accepting environment. shows. “From this experience I President of the organiMembers of Vocal have personally gained many zation, Marian Holmes, said Effect dedicate five afterthings, but above all I have being a member of Pride noons a week to singing gained valuable experience Alliance helped her to come and dancing. President as well as a tremendous sense out to friends and family once Christina Grehlinger said of respect for people in this she arrived at college, and her members work incredindustry. Journalism isn’t easy. has helped her to grow and ibly hard to represent It’s a lot of work and rundevelop interest in the homoOswego’s only show choir, ning. The Oswegonian has sexual movement. and aim to entertain the definitely given me a sense of “I came to Oswego as a campus. perspective in terms of how freshman who was still in “All the hard work much work is actually necesthe closet. After a few weeks pays off when you get to sary from each person to put here, I came out to several perform on that stage,” out a quality publication,” said of my friends and was met Grehlinger said. Hirsch. very quickly with widespread She joined the orgaThe Oswegonian reaches acceptance. However, before nization in 2010 when it nearly 30,000 readers with its that, I had never even spoken was founded, and was weekly content. Its website has the phrase ‘I’m gay’ out loud. The The Ski and Snowboard Club allowed the organization to It was an eerie feeling and I hosts many trips across the county and surrounded by students expand its market outreach. felt that I needed some supeven to Canada, providing students an who shared her passion for performing. She said port from other members of opportunity to experience the world and since then Vocal Effect has the LGBT+ community, so I escape Oswego’s cold winter months. become more than just a headed to a Pride Alliance club; it has become a part meeting,” said Holmes. of her life. Though organizations Oswego’s cold winter months. She made several friends Grehlinger’s group memcan be extremely beneficial They offer inexpensive stays in the group, including one bers have become a second to a student’s career, many at world-class resorts, which who became her first girlfamily to her, and she deorganizations serve a different bring its members together. friend. Holmes describes the purpose. “If you go on a trip to Can- scribes them as people with an experience as a positive one, immense amount of talent. She Pride Alliance strives to ada with 60 people, you come which lead her to garnering a has gained leadership experi-

Vocal Effect

Pride Alliance

11 Fall 2013

ence and learned how to help build an organization from the ground up.

WNYO 88.9 FM WNYO is SUNY Oswego’s student-run radio station. The organization aims to better the experiences of students by creating a fun learning environment and providing real-life experience to its DJs. The station broadcasts at Oswego’s annual Harborfest celebration, the farmers market and all Oswego Laker hockey games. They bring musical performers and guest speakers to campus, and work with the Eric Cole Dream Big Foundation. President Andrew Nicholson said he got involved with WNYO because he has always been fascinated with radio and has gained professional skills and close friends. “I learned a lot of life skills, such as being a competent communicator, using professional email etiquette, how to work well with others and management skills. More importantly, though, I met the people who will be with me for the rest of my life. All of my closest friends I met through WNYO,” Nicholson said. He has also made professional connections through WNYO’s yearly New York City trip. Every year, select e-board members travel to the city to meet the heads of the broadcast industry. They network and learn the tricks of the trade alongside college students from many other schools. By getting involved at SUNY Oswego, all of the leaders of these organizations gained invaluable experiences and valued friendships. They gained leadership skills and connections, and added to their résumés. To them, it did not matter where the members of their group were from, how old they were, or what major they chose. Though every student who chooses SUNY Oswego is unique, members of these organizations found similar interests in each other and built lasting friendships.

College Life

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eing a college freshman isn’t easy. Freshmen are dealing with so many unknowns. They are in a new place, surrounded by new people, and starting down the next path in their lives. There is a lot of FUD surrounding the average freshman. (FUD rhymes with dud and is and an acronym for fear, uncertainty and doubt, but the acronym is way cooler than spelling it out). There is also a lot of hope, energy and excitement. The experience is a wild one, but it’s the stuff memories are made of. Every step they take influences their adult lives, and with that kind of pressure, it helps to know you are not alone. This year’s freshman class is far from alone, as it is one of the largest in SUNY Oswego’s history.

Rachael Kepler is one of those freshmen and one of the 1,485 friendly and apprehensive faces that will be traversing the campus this fall. As an incoming freshman, she wanted to share her experiences with other potential freshmen and those preparing for their senior year of high school. With assistance from the college’s department of public affairs, Kepler started a blog aptly named, “Rachael Goes to College.” It offered a fun and honest look at topics such as enrollment tips, financing your education, and college visits. Since April, she individually produced five video blogs about her experiences and was featured on the College’s YouTube page. She was also a regular participant on the Class of 2017’s official Facebook page. Kepler is

dedicated to her fellow freshmen. Deviating from her favorite media, Kepler agreed to share her experiences in written form and sat down with College Life to talk about the freshman experience. She is just one of the many faces of this year’s freshman class, but her ambition, honesty and openness will undoubtedly help other freshmen feel camaraderie. So without further ado, here is the unofficial face of the class of 2017 Photo courtesy of Urbaniak Studios

Rachael Kepler: Face of 2017 Class

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High school alma mater: Carthage High School, Carthage High school activities: Theatrical tech crew, public television intern, radio station intern Major at Oswego: Double major in broadcasting and theater Minor at Oswego: Audio Dorm: Riggs Hall Accepted at Oswego in: Late fall of her senior year (2012) through early decision Dream job: Traveling with a Broadway theater group as an audio technician or working as a technician in the radio/television control rooms First impression of SUNY Oswego: She was in instant love and knew she was home Biggest supporter: Mom Worst part about applying to college: Waiting for my acceptance letter One of the many reasons she chose Oswego: It’s size — not too small and not too big

Credits she’s entering college with: 32 because of AP classes and the Edge Program at her high school, which allowed her to take college classes at her school Attended freshman orientation: Yes Favorite campus foods: Salad, fresh fruit, and macaroni and cheese Advice to ward-off the freshman 15: “Since so much is self-serve, don’t eat too much.” Cool stuff she’s already done on campus: Created visual effects for the campus production of “Once upon a Mattress” and video blogs Years she plans to spend at college: Four General education classes taking this semester: One Spoke with her roommate before classes: Yes Advice for living with a new person: “Keep an open mind and don’t be too judgmental. You will find

something you both like.” Early or late riser: Somewhere in the middle Earliest class this semester: 9:10 a.m. Latest class this semester: 7 p.m. Some of the biggest challenges she anticipates: Getting used to college-level work and pacing herself to stay on schedule Working during the semester: Applied as an oncampus lifeguard Favorite color: Bright orange Favorite music: Classic rock, country, rhythm and blues Favorite movie: “Avatar”, “Les Miserables” Favorite thing purchased for her dorm room: Mirror in the shape of a daisy Favorite hobbies: Creating videos, watching movies, spending time with friends and reading Advice about hobbies: “Do the things you love and see what you can do with them.” Pets at home she will be missing: one cat named Jack and one dog named Yukon Car on campus: No Biggest freshman fear: Meeting new people and being judged by them

Hardest part about meeting new people: Being her energetic and driven self and being rejected Solution: Find friends anyway Something new college will offer: The chance to meet people from other places and big cities Most exciting thing about being a freshman: Making new friends and starting a new chapter of life Advice for advancing in college: “Go out there and network and socialize.” Advice on how to be driven: “Believe in yourself and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Opportunities come; and when they do, you want to snatch them up.” Advice for getting over fear: “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, because you never know what will happen.” Advice for her fellow freshman: “Know your passions, know your dreams and follow them.” PS: To view Keplers’ video blogs, visit the official SUNY Oswego YouTube page and look for “RachaelGoesToCollege” under the heading of play lists.

Fall 2013 12

College Life

13 Fall 2013

College Life

10 Odd College Degrees You’ve Never Heard Of By Chad Brooks

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hen recent college graduates hit the employment trail this summer, they did so armed with some rather unusual degrees. Whether they majored in beer or puppetry, many of today’s college grads have shunned the traditional history and economics majors for things a bit more unique. Here are some of the most unusual college majors.

Puppetry Students at the University of Connecticut can spend their days training to be the next Kermit the Frog or Oscar the Grouch. Offered by the school since 1964, puppetry has been a staple of UConn’s Dramatic Arts department. Among the classes puppetry students must complete are introductory classes in costuming, lighting and scenery, as well as courses in marionette performance and construction. Students can earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in puppetry at UConn.

Professional nanny Kentucky’s Sullivan

University offers a 12-month program that allows students to earn a professional nanny diploma, a certificate from the American Council of Nanny Schools, and CPR and firstaid certifications. Students learn infant-care techniques, model etiquette and manners, and how to prepare nutritious meals and communicate effectively with parents and children. Classes offered in the nanny program include “Safety and Nutrition,” “Family Systems” and “Infant Care.”

Pop culture Students who love television, movies, comedy and magazines will certainly enjoy majoring in popular-culture studies at Bowling Green State University. The Ohio university says the major provides an opportunity to use “television programs, movies, cars, houses, music, museums, celebratory events, holidays, magazines and many other manifestations of culture insights to examine society presently and historically. “Popular-culture studies courses offered by the university include “Popular Culture Research,” “Introduction to Popular Film” and

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“You in Popular Culture.” Students majoring in popularculture studies often end up in careers in advertising, public relations, journalism, mass media, teaching, and library and museum work.

Gunsmithing From pistols to rifles, Lassen Community College offers students a chance to learn everything they can about guns. Students at the California college can earn an associate’s degree in gunsmithing, with a focus on either firearms repair or general gunsmithing. Among the courses students can expect to take while majoring in gunsmithing are “The Fundamentals of Rifle Shooting,” “Firearms Safety” and “Open and Optical Sight Installation.”

Fermentation sciences Some may joke that they “majored in beer” in college, but Appalachian State University literally gives students that opportunity. The North Carolina college offers a degree in fermentation sciences, which, among other things, examines how beer and wine are made. Students pursuing this degree get exposure to the principles of fermentation sciences, systems design and engineering, as well as handson experience with production systems, water treatment and environmental remediation. Students also have the opportunity to work in the school’s Ivory Tower Brewery, where they learn how to improve operating efficiencies or develop new recipes. Among the classes offered are “Social Implications of Fermented Beverages,” “Brewing Science and Analysis” and “Viticulture: Vine Physiology and Vineyard Establishment.”

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Fall 2013 14

College Life

in the program will take are “French Presence in North America,” “The U.S. Border & Its Borderlands” and “French Canada on Stage & Screen.”

Decision-making Employers searching for solid decision-makers should be scouting Indiana University graduates. The Bloomington, Ind., college offers a doctoral program in decision sciences that focuses on the quantitative methods used to aid decision-making in business environments. The school says the program emphasizes the use of mathematical models and analytical reasoning to solve problems in such areas as operations and supply-chain management, information technology, marketing, finance, management and economics. Classes that students enrolled in this program take include “Operations Research,” “Operations Design and Control” and “Systems Simulation.”

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The Beatles Few can claim to love the Beatles more than those who earn a master’s degree on John, Paul, George and Ringo from Liverpool Hope University in the United Kingdom. The university, located in the band’s famed hometown, is the only school in the world to offer a master’s degree in the “The Beatles, Popular Music and Society.” The yearlong program examines the significance of The Beatles’ music in the construction of identities, audiences, ethnicities, industries and localities. Among the classes students pursuing this degree take are “Topics in History: Liverpool” and “Musicology and the Beatles.”

Sex For most students, formal sexual education usually ends in middle school health class. But one California college offers students a way to continue the conversation. San Francisco State University allows students to earn either a master’s degree or a minor degree in sexuality studies, which the school says provides students with knowledge about the processes and variations in sexual functions and reproduction, intimate relationships, sexual- and gender-role development and behavior, and the social, cultural, historical and moral contexts of sex and love. Among the courses in the sexuality studies program are “Introduction to Human Sexuality,” “Biological Sex and Cultural Gender” and “Sex in Relationships.”

15 Fall 2013

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College Life

Asian Flavor at SUNY Oswego South Koreans: largest group of internationl students on campus By Avery Galek

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UNY Oswego welcomed more than 40 undergraduate Korean students for the spring of 2013. Several students came from key university partners in Seoul and Daegu, South Korea. Most Korean students stay on campus to complete their bachelor’s degree, usually remaining on campus for at least three years. Some students choose to study for one semester of exchange. Director of international education and programs Joshua McKeown, along with faculty members Taejin Jung and Minjung Seo, helped prepare for the students’ arrival by developing and co-leading a series of campus presentations focusing on Korean partnerships, culture, education and society. “We focused on classroom preparation, teaching, learning styles and cultural issues,” McKeown said. “We presented to faculty, staff, residence life advisers and student leaders on campus. We received capacity audiences and great feedback. I think it really helped.” SUNY Oswego is proud of its university partnerships in Korea, according to McKeown.

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International Student Population at SUNY Oswego South Korea .................. 68 China.............................. 40 Canada........................... 34 Japan ............................. 12 Australia .......................... 9 Other countries ............. 35 Source: Office of International Education and Programs.

These include Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Hanyang University in Seoul and Kyungpook National University in Daegu. It is also a dedicated partner to organizations such as Global Assessment Certificate and Korus, which is SUNY Oswego’s main administrative partner in Korea.

High aspirations This is the first year Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and SUNY Oswego agreed to begin an exchange program, according to second

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semester junior Hyun Jung Sim. She aspires to attain a job in the Foreign Service, eventually striving to become a diplomat for the Korean embassy. Most Korean students live in Hart Hall. Many students from various countries live there. The range of majors foreign students study is broad and diverse. The most popular areas of study are business, psychology and communications. “I wanted to be good at speaking English and thought the best way is studying abroad and speaking English every day with native speakers,” Sim said. “As a major in English linguistics, I have studied a lot of English theories such as phonetics, semantics and morphology.” The international student population is at its all-time high. This spring resulted in the enrollment of almost 200 international students, which was a long sought-after goal. “Our new Korean students were a big contributor to that,” McKeown said. “It most definitely has been a success and we continue to move forward. It’s an exciting time.”

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Freshman Special Advice from a SUNY Oswego Grad to an Incoming Freshman By Molly Martindale

very college student remembers—or dreads— that moment when your parents bring you to your dorm room freshman year, get you all settled in and then drive off back home without you. At that scary moment you realize you’re finally on your own. There are a lot of things that I know now that I wish someone would’ve told me as an incoming freshman. Sure, there are some things you’ll just have to experience for yourself. But maybe a few tips from someone who has experienced it already can help you navigate a little easier through the first couple years.

Picking the Right Professors First off, pick your professors wisely. The quality of a professor really can make or break a class, whether you’re interested in it or not. I suggest “Rate My Professor” for a pretty accurate rating of a professor’s teaching style and efficiency. I’ve enjoyed classes that I thought I would hate just because of an amazing and dedicated professor who so obviously loved the subject matter. Passion matters when it comes to professors and you’ll learn that without it, you won’t have much passion for it either. Most professors at SUNY Oswego are helpful and understanding, but finding out beforehand which professors are highly rated definitely makes for a more enjoyable learning experience.

Watch Out What You Eat Another tip is that the unlimited dining hall food can be dangerous. People always warn about the freshman 15, but I promise you it’s a real possibility when it comes to the dining halls. Buffet-style breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night can cause some rapid weight gain if you’re not careful. The dining halls have an awesome variety of food, with a salad bar, sandwich station, and specialty food sections like an Asian-styled sta-

tion or a pasta station, and all of these options can seem like a dream come true at first. But you need to be careful. Limiting food intake to when you’re full and having an active lifestyle are needed to avoid gaining the dreaded freshman 15.

Get Ready for Huge Mountains of Snow If you’re from New York, then you’ve probably experienced intense snowfall or winds, but trust me when I say that there’s nothing quite like Oswego weather. Because of the location on Lake Ontario, expect ridiculous amounts of lake-effect snow and winds so powerful some days that you can barely walk in a straight line from class to class. If you have a car, whether on campus or not, I definitely suggest investing in a shovel to dig out your car during snowstorms. Uggs and North Face fleeces are fashionable, but not exactly weather appropriate when it comes to the middle of winter in Oswego. Make sure you have a big, warm, hooded coat and boots with good tread on the bottom, so that you don’t slip on ice.

Sharing a Room Living in a dorm room for the first time, possibly with someone you’ve never met before, can be an exciting and overwhelming experience. It’s hard to give advice about something that can have so many different outcomes, but try to go into dorm living with an open mind. Most freshmen are used to an individual room at a parent’s house, so living in a small room with another person you don’t know could be a scary thought. But, I promise that it’s easier than it sounds. And if it isn’t, transferring into another room is always a possibility.

Now on to a few more serious ones. Something I wish I would’ve known before attending college was that you don’t need to decide your

major right away. You have more time than you think and going to college as an undeclared freshman is definitely not taboo. Take some GenEd’s or random classes that appeal to you to find out where your passion lies if you don’t know yet. A class that you never expected to enjoy could spark an interest in you that you didn’t even know you had. I attended SUNY Oswego as a business major and quickly learned through a GenEd English 204 class that I wanted to be an English major. I didn’t declare a major until my second semester sophomore year and I ended up declaring an English major, creative writing major and also picking up a minor in psychology at the beginning of junior year. Basically, you have time, so don’t stress. When I first went to college, my mom told me I would meet friends who would most likely become lifelong friends. I didn’t really believe her at first because I already had some great friends from high school. But I quickly learned I was outgrowing those friends. The friends I met in college were there through it all. They played an integral part in the process of growing up and being on my own for the first time, something I could never have done without them. While the rest of your life changes during freshman year, you find yourself migrating to people who will be there for you 100 percent and you just can’t forget friends like that. The last thing you’ll need to know that’s kind of a given is that college will be the fastest four years of your life. I know it sounds cliched, and it’s something you’ve probably heard a hundred times from reminiscing parents, but take it from me—it’s true. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was that young freshman watching my parents drive away after dropping me off at the dorms. Enjoy it while you can, because it’s going to fly by. Live up every moment of college and remember that you have time to figure it all out, but there’s certainly no rush either.

Fall 2013 18

College Life

Right, Wrong Reason to Be in College By Melissa Stefanec

it down, clear your head, and get ready to ask yourself a question. Be honest and stick with the first answer that pops into your head. Why are you in college? The tricky thing about this question is that most people will reflexively answer with some version of “to learn and graduate.” That’s obvious. You are in college to learn cool stuff and get that crisp, embossed diploma. Everyone gets that. The problem is that for many people their actions don’t coincide with that answer. There are lots of reasons to be in college. Some are good and some are bad, but learning isn’t everyone’s top priority. There are a lot of distractions over the course of those four glorious years; and it’s easy to lose sight of priorities. Here’s a list of good reasons to be in college and a list of bad reasons. If you find yourself falling in line with list No. 2, maybe it’s time to reevaluate your priorities and shake things up a bit. Ask yourself the tough questions now. Your future thanks you.

Good Reasons to Be in College No. 1: To Graduate

Yes, the most obvious reason to be in college is a good one. This may seem like a no-brainer, but a lot people think they are going to magically graduate. They see this milestone off in the distance and figure they will end up there at some point. They slack and hope. If graduating isn’t in your top-two priorities, go ahead and issue yourself a face palm. College is costly in terms of finances and time. Do yourself and your classmates

19 Fall 2013

a favor and act like you want to be there. Make it your job to be there, because, let’s face it, that’s exactly what it is.

No. 2: To Leave Smarter Than When You Arrived

Learning is fun. Trust me. It beats

yourself up. Study hard, get good grades, develop leadership skills and stay involved. Your hard work will pay off in the way of job offers. You might even save yourself a few post-graduate summers of landscaping, bartending or finding yourself.

No. 4: Speaking of Find-

breadth of people and experiences. Find your brethren. Get your geek on. Go to every game. Challenge each other. Be silly. There are other people like you. Find them, and make them a permanent part of your life.

Bad Reasons to Be in College No. 1: Because Mom and Dad Said You Have To Go

You stopped listening to your parents years ago, so why start now? You shouldn’t be in college because someone basically forced you to be there. College should be an invigorating experience. If you would rather be somewhere else, find a way to be there. College isn’t for everyone. College doesn’t have to happen when you are 18 years old. College isn’t going anywhere. So wait until you are ready, and then give it your all. All things aside, you are wasting time and money. (Please see bad reason No. 2).

No. 2: You Want To Waste a Lot of Time and Money

knowing all the ins and outs of the daily grind and going through the motions. College is a time to expand your mind. You can do that through professors, friends, stimulating conversations, books, lectures, and reaching out for new things and experiences. Capitalize on the wealth that is before you. It is unlikely you will find yourself in such a consistently rich environment again.

No. 3: To Get a Good Job

The economy is slowly recovering, but making yourself someone a company wants to hire has never been so crucial. You need to excel and set yourself apart from the rest of the six pack. Start that differentiation now. When you go on your first interviews for a real job, have the goods to back

ing Yourself…

You have to experiment to find yourself and your callings. College is a spectacular place to do that. Question things. Fail. Reevaluate. Try again. There are no magic answers, so explore different paths and determine what you need to experience in life. Don’t be afraid to change majors, friends, significant others, hobbies, perspectives or your mind. College is about self-discovery. It’s a good idea to learn during this discovery.

No. 5: To Develop LifeLong Friendships

You have met (and will continue to meet) some great people in college. High school typically offers a finite pool for socialization options. For most people, college offers a wider

This is obviously tonguein-cheek, but if you aren’t taking this whole college thing seriously, this is exactly what you are doing. Most people don’t want to put “some college” as their education on a résumé, and the only thing worse than student loan debt is repaying it when you have nothing to show for it. Make a commitment and stick to it. That’s what success is about folks — following through.

No. 3: To Party

A little fun is necessary. All work and no play make you a dull panda. We all need a release. However, don’t define fun as blowing off your college responsibilities. There are lots of ways to have fun. Maintain a healthy balance. Come up for air every once in a while. Just don’t emulate “Animal House;” we all saw where a lot of those guys ended up. Make sure partying is an after-

thought and not your focus.

No. 4: To Meet Your Future Spouse

There are still people out there who actually think like this. There are people out there who deny thinking like this, but then do it anyway. College isn’t about finding that one special person that will complete you for the rest of your days. College is about improving the person you are so that you can happily live out the rest of your days. Don’t turn college into a bad realitydating game.

No. 5: To Get Out of Mom and Dad’s House

This is what apartments are for. Go get a job and your own apartment. Apartments are way better than dorm rooms. If you don’t think you have the skills to maintain your own household, than stick it out in college. When you leave, you should eventually be able to find a lucrative career that allows you your own fantastic roof.

No. 6: Because You Would Feel Like a Failure If You Weren’t

College isn’t for everyone. There are other options out there. Some people take on apprenticeships or go to trade schools. Other people chase crazy dreams and end up successful and happy. If there is something else your soul wants to pursue, pursue it. If you fail, you can always go back to college. You aren’t a failure for following your dreams. You are only a failure if you are afraid to seek a new dream if the first one doesn’t work out.

So there you have it: the good and the bad. If you find yourself in college for a lot of bad reasons, don’t drop college like it’s hot. Just be brave enough to change your perspective, ask yourself some tough questions, and apply yourself to whatever decision you come to. Make positive choices in life and apply yourself liberally to those choices. Your life and happiness depend on it.

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ealing with the stress of your first college experience can come down on freshmen like a ton of bricks, but following a few basic health tips and taking advice from those who have been through it can alleviate the stress of college. Stress can be a positive things, according to healthfinder.gov. It can help you in dangerous situations, or motivate you to perform at your highest level. But chronic stress can increase your chances of serious health problems such as heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and depression. Many SUNY Oswego students — past and present — can relate to shouldering the burden of a stressful college load. At one point or another everyone feels stressed. But by maintaining your health, stress can be decreased immensely. Both SUNY Oswego junior Mirjana Kominovski and alum Lee Walker agree that exercise is an extremely beneficial way to cope with college stress. Physical activity can help prevent and manage stress. It can also help relax your muscles and improve your mood. According to healthfinder. gov, adults should aim to exercise for a minimum of two hours and 30 minutes per week. Aerobic activity such as speed walking or biking is recommended. Strengthening activities like weight lifting should be done at least twice a week. Take note that exercise

should be done in at least 10minute increments. The Center for Disease Control also outlines alternative exercise options, which increase the level of vigorous intensity and decrease the amount of time required for the activity. You may choose to indulge in one hour and 15 minutes of higher-level exercise per week coupled with at least two days of musclestrengthening activities that work all major muscle groups. Or a mix of moderate to vigorous-intensity aerobic activity along with muscle strengthening two days per week would suffice. Proper calorie intake determined by your gender, age and physical activity level should accompany a healthy exercise schedule. According to health.gov, females age 1930 who are sedentary should consume between 1,800-2,000 calories per day. Girls who are moderately active should consume 2,000-2,200 calories per day, and those who are active are able to consume 2,400 calories per day. Males of the same age range are recommended to consume 2,400-2,600 calories per day if they are sedentary, 2,600-2,800 if they are moderately active and 3,000 if they are active. Healthfinder. gov recommends consuming plenty of vegetables, fruit and protein to give your body sufficient energy. Developing proper time

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management is also something SUNY Oswego students agree on. Senior Zachary Siegel and alum Josh Weber recommend creating a system to organize yourself in order to manage your time. “First familiarize yourself with the resources on campus, and then figure out how to successfully utilize them. Doing those things helps time management automatically and helps you figure out how to cut through or avoid all the red tape you’ll face if you fall behind,” said Weber. Healthfinder.gov also recommends an organization plan to relieve stress. Planning ahead, deciding which tasks need to be done first and preparing for stressful events are three steps toward getting organized. Writing a to-do list is a useful tool to help decide which tasks are most important, and in which order to complete your list. Being aware of upcoming stressful events such as a big test or a job interview will also help you to prepare and manage stress. In order to handle a stressful situation you should picture the event in your mind; what the room will look like, what you will say and how you will maintain composure, remain positive about it and always have a back-up plan. Knowing how to recognize when you are stressed is the first step to controlling it. Once you are able to do that, then you can develop methods to manage your stress. Relaxing with deep breathing and meditation is something SUNY Oswego senior Cayla Pratt recommends. Stress causes tension in your muscles, so stretching or taking a hot shower will help you to relax. As a final course of action, getting help to cope with stress may be a useful option. Talking to friends or family, or even a professional might prevent more serious stress disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or anxiety. A mental health professional, like a psychologist or social worker, can help treat these conditions with talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, or medicines.

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By Melissa Stefanec Although graduation rates at Central New York high schools are stagnant or on the decline, SUNY Oswego is bucking the trends this fall as the office of admissions will enroll one of its largest freshman classes to date. On Aug. 25, 1,485 freshman students will start classes. That’s more than 200 more students than the freshman class of 2012. This year’s freshman class comprises 70 students from out of state, which is another record for the university. Besides breaking records on the numbers front, the 2013 freshman class will also be the most diverse and feature more students from underrepresented backgrounds. Daniel Griffin, interim director of admissions, credits multiple factors for SUNY Oswego’s recruiting success. Admissions staff has employed multiple tactics to increase market share. Traditionally, admissions staff focused recruiting in the greater Central New York area with special emphasis on Onondaga, Jefferson and Cayuga counties. These areas are experiencing declining or stagnant high school enrollment, so campus officials saw recruitment challenges in the near term. To overcome these recruitment challenges, the admissions office started focusing recruitment efforts in new geographic areas such as Pennsylvania, New York City and New Jersey. “Some of our biggest gains were from New York City and Long Island,” said Griffin. “Those are places we are recruiting heavily. Going forward, this will probably be a trend for us.” According to Griffin, staff used high-and low-tech approaches to increase student recruitment. Admissions staff did some good-old-fashioned pavement pounding and reached out to high school guidance counselors. The admissions staff also

21 Fall 2013

Sources say admissions staff has employed multiple tactics to increase market share employed higher-tech recruiting methods such as electronic via Twitter and Instragram. The official Facebook page of the class of 2017 boasts more than 1,000 members and served as a forum for those looking to attend Oswego or already registered for the fall. The college also enrolled in various services to ensure SUNY Oswego would appear in college Internet searches. The admissions office also revamped its offer-of-admission packet and website. Griffin says the influx of students won’t affect the quality of life or education at SUNY Oswego. He said admissions staff kept officials from other departments involved in the recruiting and decision-making processes. He wanted to ensure there were enough resources for the newly recruited students. Class size, facilities, major availability and staff resources were among the considerations. “We kept the provost, president and deans as part of the plan since day one,” said Griffin. Griffin not only credits his department’s recruiting efforts for the college’s enrollment success, he also credits various campus improvement efforts. Such improvements include an updated campus center, a science and engineering center, the on-campus townhouses, and new education center. The modern and clean campus is a big selling point for college recruits. He also credits available

engineering programs and increased offerings for majors. “We need to give credit to President Stanley for making campus improvements,” said Griffin. “The campus practically sells itself.” Besides being one of the largest classes in recent history, the freshman class of 2017 will also be one of the college’s most diverse. New students from underrepresented backgrounds will account for almost 25 percent of this class. The college defines underrepresented students as those of Hispanic, African, Asian, Native American or Pacific Islander descent, as well as multiracial students. These record-high enrollment numbers have staff at the college excited, but Griffin says this will be good news for the Oswego community at large. Besides potentially generating business for local business owners, Griffin looks to a more distant future and hopes some students will stay in the area, start careers, buy homes and live life. “Business and industry should be excited,” said Griffin. “We really hope they [the students] like what they see and stay in the Central New York area.”

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Words to Leave off Your Résumé When it comes to looking for a job, what you don’t say can be just as important as what you do say. Here are nine phrases and words to leave off your résumé, according to some experts Try Try simply shows a lack of belief, passion, commitment, and confidence — all the qualities you need to succeed in today’s tight job market. While try is the most dangerous word that an employee or job seeker can use in the workplace, there are certainly other danger words that also indicate negativity, uncertainty or controversy at work and can also doom your chances of getting (or keeping) a job. • Brad Hoover, CEO of Grammarly

Clichés Don’t use common buzzwords such as innovative, team player and results-oriented. These and others are so overused that they’re now seen as clichés and have lost their impact altogether. Rather, list specific accomplishments. Instead of saying you have extensive experience in sales, note that you’ve worked in sales for 10 years, hit your quota the last 12 quarters and note specific deals you’ve closed. As a hiring manager I want real details of past jobs, such as how many people you supervised or specific ways you helped increase profitability. • Darnell Clarke, author of self-published “Employmentology: A Practical Systematic Methodology of Finding Employment by a Hiring Manager”

References available upon request When it comes to developing a strong résumé, there are many words and phrases that shouldn’t be included in this professional document. One of the most outdated happens to be the phrase: “references available by request.” You’re not doing yourself a favor by wasting precious space on your résumé to include a phrase that is clearly understood by hiring managers and recruiters. If a hiring manager

is interested in contacting your references, they will request the information from you. • Heather Huhman, founder and president of Come Recommended

Irrelevant and outdated experience Oftentimes I will see candidates that still have their high school work experience on their résumé. This is a huge mistake since it looks like the candidate is reaching for items to include on their résumé. Rather, include any recent projects that challenged you and include a similar skill set for the position you are applying for. • Patrice Rice, CEO and founder of Patrice & Associates

Objective Candidates should never put an objective on their résumé. Their objective is to get the job. It has been my experience that hiring managers simply do not care about a job seeker’s objective. What they want to see are your skills and experience. • Stefanie Carrabba, senior consultant at Eliassen Group

Responsibilities include In today’s tough job economy job seekers need résumés that are leaner and cleaner than ever before, so they command the attention of busy hiring personnel. This is why the phrase “responsible for’’ should never occur in a résumé. This tired and completely impractical expression is going to be translated into completely average at and will most certainly cause hiring managers to toss the résumé aside. Wasting prime résumé real estate with basic tasks, duties, or responsibilities is a sure way to harm a job search since nobody is interested in reading a career obituary of basic requirements.

• Adrienne Tom, founder and certiﬁed professional resume writer (CPRW) at Career Impressions

Vague claims I was going through a large number of résumés last week for a search project that I am working on and about 75 percent of the candidates had the phrase “transformational leader’” on their résumé. No explanations of how they were transformational or what that meant. That phrase is overused and doesn’t specifically mean anything that translates to a specific experience. My recommendation is to remove this from your résumé and more specifically describe the skill set. • Kimberly Bishop, founder and CEO of Kimberly Bishop Executive Recruiting

Love As in I’d love to work for a company. I see it all the time when people ask me to take a look at their résumé or cover letter. You love your significant other, your kids, your family. You shouldn’t put love on a cover letter or résumé! • Dayna Steele, speaker and author of “101 Ways to Rock Your World” (iUniverse 2012)

Qualitative descriptions I would leave off any qualitative description that is not accompanied by an example or metric. Some of the words job seekers use in a summary that are glossed over such as seasoned, experienced, creative and innovative. Just give me years of experience and what exactly did you start or improve. • Caroline Ceniza-Levine, career and business expert at SixFigureStart

Fall 2013 22

C Serious Business College Life

Experts: Internships Can Help Launch Career By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ot sure why you need an internship? “The value can’t be underestimated,” said Leslie Rose McDonald, owner of Pathfinders Career Transition Services, Inc. in Liverpool. She hired Emily Martin in 2010 after Martin asked the previous fall if she could intern at Pathfinders. Martin was earning a degree in communication studies with a business minor at SUNY Oswego. “Our time together was extremely valuable, and it cer-

tainly poised me to be in the position I am today,” Martin said. “Especially now from an employer’s perspective, I see how important internships are in setting yourself a part from the competition and getting that first career job after college.” Martin was interested in training and social media. She educated herself and McDonald about LinkedIn and wrote a training manual for McDonald to use with executive clients.

McDonald’s LinkedIn contacts soared from 50 to 500 and Martin learned the business and through McDonald’s connections, landed a job in HR at Byrne Dairy within a month of her internship’s completion. Currently, she is working as an HR specialist at IIMAK in Buffalo because she wanted to relocate to her hometown. “It’s not your right to get hired,” Martin said. “You have to position yourself to be a good candidate. The internship is tangible experience that the

employer can use to place you higher among candidates.” What initially impressed McDonald is that Martin had researched about Pathfinders, and approached McDonald to see if she wanted an intern. Finding mentoring opportunities online may be tricky. Some companies advertise for interns but have no real intention of mentoring. They just want free or cheap labor. “The potential intern should ask if they’ll be invited to sit in on meetings so they’ll get the big picture and see people in action instead of just doing tasks,” McDonald said. While you explore different internship options, don’t forget to use common sense. “If you see something fishy, it might be,” said Brenda Griffin, who operates a selfnamed career coaching business in Syracuse. “Or maybe you need to call and ask what they’re looking for. It might be a start-up entrepreneur who doesn’t have much money.” Start looking for opportunities at your school’s career center. Attend job fairs early in the school year to land an internship for summer 2014.

Though online networking is useful, face time bears lots of merit, too. “Express interest in the people working at career fairs by making a positive comment on them,” said Griffin. “Be human and curious about them. Avoid being the intern that looks like ‘what’s in it for me?’ This is about a relationship. You’re talking with another person and you’re looking for the same thing: who’s the best person for the internship.” To succeed at your internship, Terri Osborne, certified professional resume writer and owner of Resumes Etc. in Syracuse, advised, “Keep your eyes and ears open, look around, find out what you can about the company. “Always do the very best you can in an internship. Keep in mind that, most likely, you are being watched, that others are sizing you up to see if you have what it takes to work permanently within their organization. It’s not uncommon for people who function well in intern roles to be offered permanent positions with the company.”

Drink & Drive

Officials Warn About Danger of Drunk Driving By Avery Galek

etting home after a night of drinking can be risky business, especially for an intoxicated college student. It can either lead to waking up in bed with your clothes still on or a bruised ego behind bars. The old saying goes, ‘it’s not illegal until you get caught.’ Without a doubt, getting caught can bring severe consequences. And trouble does not just find you on campus. “The college itself doesn’t have a large issue because many of the parties happen off [university property],” said Lt. Matt Barbeau of SUNY Oswego’s University Police Department. The city of Oswego offers a variety of public transportation such as cabs, taxis and bus services. “I think the street name for it is the ‘drunk bus,’” said Oswego County Undersheriff Eugene Sullivan. Other options for students include designated drivers, calling a friend or walking home. “I don’t think the problems that we’ve seen are any more than any other community that hosts a college of [this] size,” he added. Sullivan has seen a signifi-

23 Fall 2013

cant reduction in DWI offenses throughout his career, including problems within the city and the student population. He thinks it is a result of several factors involving education and zero tolerance laws. “We don’t like to see anyone get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle that’s had anything to drink,” Sullivan said. “And that’s not unreasonable.” But is one drink enough to get you in trouble if you are pulled over? “No,” said Robert Lighthall, coordinator of Oswego County STOP-DWI. “Our whole point is not abstinence from consuming alcoholic beverages. Know your limits and don’t drive drunk.” However, the law is the law, and those who enforce it do not do so hesitantly. Sullivan’s answer to this question is that zero drinks should be consumed before safely driving. The physiological effects of consuming alcohol is best directed toward a physician or someone that is able to speak of the bodily changes that occur as more and more alcohol is introduced, according to Sullivan. “There are a lot of variables that affect your [blood

alcohol content], such as gender, weight, the length of time you spent drinking, whether you have eaten before or while you’re drinking and the amount you’ve had to drink,” Lighthall said. What this often does not take into consideration is how an individual’s behavior will be exhibited the more they drink. Everyone behaves differently, and this cannot effectively determine the level a person is intoxicated. The legal blood alcohol content — or BAC — limit is .08, which can result in a misdemeanor offense, leading to a $1,000 fine or up to a year in jail for a first offense conviction. Other levels can lead to a DWAI, driving while ability impaired. For a person under the age of 21 legal issues concerning the zero tolerance laws take place. If someone under the age of 21 indicates more than .02 BAC they are processed civilly and the department of motor vehicles addresses the issue with their drivers’ license. For being in violation of the zero tolerance law, an individual’s license will be revoked for a minimum of one year or until they turn 21.

“There are tremendously low BAC [levels] for [underage drivers],” Sullivan said. Field sobriety tests usually come first if a police officer has suspicion somebody is operating a vehicle in an intoxicated condition. The next consequence is an Alco-Sensor that only tests for the presence of alcohol. It does not give a specific number. The Breathalyzer instrument used at the station is much more precise. It is an individual’s legal right to refuse the Alco-Sensor and the Breathalyzer. If this is the case, he or she is placed under arrest for a DWI and taken for immediate arraignment in front of a judge. “We don’t need the test to make the arrest, we can do it simply on an officer’s observation,” Sullivan said. The judge is directed by the department of motor vehicles to immediately suspend the person’s license for refusing the test. Additional ramifications result from the actual DWI charges. “Since each and every person and their situation is often unique, it’s not a one-size-itsall by any stretch,” Sullivan added. Aside from obvious legal

consequences, students on campus are subjected to the Office of Judicial Affairs located in Culkin Hall. There is a line of communication between the Oswego Police Department and SUNY Oswego. The college is made aware of the actions of the students down in the City of Oswego. “Even when they’re in the City of Oswego they’re still students of this college and still representing our university,” Barbeau said. “We do find out about actions and occurrences in the city.” The governing body oversees judicial action regarding all students. An individual may face an inquiry and be required to attend a hearing explaining their incident. “The judicial affairs office has the ability to pass down punishment and judgment against them,” Barbeau said. “Not in a legal sense but as far as the college goes, it’s some of the judicial process.” The worst case scenario is the student suspended or expelled from campus. Different punishments vary. “Don’t drink and drive, man,” Sullivan said. “That’s the message.”

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Relationship

Drunk Dating Are you a victim?

By Melissa Stefanec

Cash on the Spot

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ollege is a place to enjoy many different types of cultures. One of those cultures involves fermentation. We all know there is a drinking culture at many colleges — and Oswego is not an exception. Maybe you choose to be part of it or maybe you don’t, but it’s there. Drinking isn’t all bad. It can be done responsibly, but some people don’t think about the implications drinking has for their lives. If done without responsibility, the effects of drinking seep into most aspects of your life. It can affect your classwork, grades, class attendance, jobs and your health. One area drinking often affects is your personal relationships. When I look back at my college days, I recall a lot of people who participated in drunk dating. What is drunk dating? Well, I will recall some situations I saw with some friends during college. (One of those “friends” could even be me, I’m not claiming innocence.) Sometimes it’s hard to see a situation for what it is when you are on the inside. If you date and drink, you should read the rest of this article. Here are some scenarios I encountered in college. I’ll just lead off with the cliché, I had this friend who...

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Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Melissa Stefanec, Alyssa Mammano, Brandon Smith, Avery Galek, Molly Martindale • Advertising: Peggy Kain, Paige Killinger • Proofreading: Shelley Manley • Design: Jan Herbert 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

Only interacted with his/her partner when drunk. This is never ideal. If most of your interactions happen between prime drinking hours, you need to take a step back. Do you and your partner see each other when you are sober? Do you have anything in common when you are sober? If drinking is all you do together, it’s time to reevaluate your relationship.

Did things they otherwise wouldn’t when sober. Some of my friends were ideal boyfriends and girlfriends, that is until they started drinking. Then, out of nowhere, they would turn into cheaters or start being overly jealous or angry. Alcohol placed a shroud of confusion over everything. If you find yourself saying or doing things to your partner and

blaming it on the alcohol, you need to take a step back and fix the problem.

Got into horrible fights when he/she was drinking. If you find most of your fights happening while you are drinking, or because of something you did while drinking, it’s time to ask yourself some tough questions. For example, who is winning? The answer is—no one. Fighting while drunk isn’t a good idea. Fighting because you are drunk isn’t a good idea. If alcohol turns you into someone you are not, it’s probably time to cut back.

Couldn’t remember half of his or her relationship. Do you find your partner or friends recounting horrors from the previous evening? Do you say things to your partner and not even remember you said them? Do you get physically or emotionally violent when you drink? If so, it’s time to seek help. No one deserves to be in any of these situations.

Only made dating choices while drinking. You shouldn’t be making decisions on dating when you are half in the bag. If you were never interested in someone until you had a few beers, that someone probably isn’t that interesting. Dating someone is an important decision, and no important decision should be arrived at when you are under the influence. Wait until you are sober and see if your potential partner still seems like a good idea. If so, then go for it. Hopefully you see where I am going with this. Drunk dating happens. Sometimes it happens right under your own nose. Sometimes you get so involved in things that it’s hard to see the big picture. Those are just some of the scenarios people find themselves in when they are drunk dating. There is also a flip-side to this coin, you may be on the sober end of a drunk relationship. • Does your partner only seem interested in you when he or she is drunk? • Does your partner con-

stantly pick fights after he/she has been drinking? • Are you constantly recounting last night’s drunken transgressions to someone with a pounding headache? • Does your partner play Jekyll and Hyde when it comes to the sober and inebriated? If so, you are a victim of drunk dating. Whether you are the perpetrator or victim of drunk dating, you need to get out of this very unhealthy situation. It may not seem to be that big of a problem, but sooner or later this unhealthy habit will take a heavy toll. Your partner may be a lot of fun at the ice luge, but it takes a little more talent and dedication to build a lasting relationship. I’m not saying drinking in moderation is bad for a relationship, but if the relationship is built around and dictated by alcohol, things need to change. If you are a drunk dater, there may be a bigger problem. Plenty of people of all ages have problems with alcohol. If you think you or someone you love has a problem, seek help. There are resources out there. We all know how to use the Internet and a phone. Don’t ignore the pink, hiccuping elephant in the room—get some help. Whether you are the perpetrator or the victim, you owe to yourself to do better. If you treat people poorly when you drink, stop drinking so much. If you make bad choices when you drink, cut back. It’s only a matter of time until someone gets hurt, expelled, pregnant or worse. If you are in relationship where you are disrespected because of someone’s alcohol abuse, walk away. You can find someone who can have an intelligent conversation and enjoy beverages while acting like an adult. Relationships are supposed to make you happy; and when you are drunk dating, no one is ever really happy. None of my friends from college ended up with their drunk partners from college. We (I mean they) all moved on and did better for ourselves. We deserved it and are all the happier for it. You owe to yourself to start anew now. Make drunk dating a thing of the past.

Fall 2013 24

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A Home Away from Home Many residential options for students By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ost colleges require freshmen to live oncampus or with their parents. But once you’ve completed the first year, you have four options open: remaining at home, living on campus, renting an apartment with roommates or renting solo. Each option has its own pros and cons. If your family lives close enough for you to commute, you can save money. Your parents will probably continue to feed you, too, which saves both money and time. The disadvantages of commuting to school, however, include missing out on dorm life. “It’s much more difficult for the student living off campus to be connected with the campus community,” said Rich Hughes, director of campus life at SUNY Oswego. “[Living on campus] helps them be that much more successful as a student.” Dorm life also provides a segue into your first renting experience. After all, you have some independence and responsibility, but not all that a renter has. Renting an apartment offers the most freedom of any options since you’re not under mom and dad’s roof or the guidelines of a residence hall. You set the “lights off” time. You’re in charge of decor and who can come over. But with the freedom comes responsibility and more financial burden. “The quality of food might not be as good off-campus if you’re living on a budget,” Hughes said. “You might be eating mac & cheese quite a bit.” Renting won’t cost you up front like paying room and board, but you’ll still have

to pay rent on time. You’ll have to sign a lease and be responsible for keeping up the apartment and possibly share in maintaining the grounds. You’ll have to foot the bill for utilities and remember to take the trash to the curb. You may also have less secure environment, since you’re responsible for locking up at night and when you leave and there’s no security guard such as on campus. If you lock yourself out or think someone’s following you home, you will have to solve these problems. As with living with your parents, you’ll be responsible for driving yourself to class. In bad weather, this can be a real hassle. “As it gets to be winter, parking becomes more of a premium because the city limits parking on city streets,” Hughes said. “Plus, you’d have to clear your driveway and sidewalk during the winter.” You may not even need the expense of a car if you’re living on campus. Renting with roommates offers a way to defray some of the cost and provide yourself with companionship. Splitting rent among three or four roommates will cut down on the expense, but you’ll also have to share your space with people whose habits of grooming, housekeeping, dining, and socializing don’t mesh with yours. Even best friends sometimes don’t make great roommates since you see each other at your worst. Weigh the pro’s and con’s of where to live since the decision will affect your college experience in ways you might not expect.

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By Avery Galek

s an officer in the United States Navy, Nathan McDonald admits he never predicted his present situation nearly six years ago. After graduating from SUNY Oswego in May 2007, he faced many trials before finding his niche. “I picked history as a major without any sort of end goal,” he said. “I knew that I loved history and learning about it, so I figured that a bachelor’s degree and some passion would eventually steer me to where I wanted to be.” McDonald arrived at boot camp March 25, 2012. With an official title as mass communications specialist petty officer third class, he is tasked with “telling the Navy’s story,” he said. “It’s a jack-of-all-trades job in a way. If it involves the media or media production, we’re responsible for it.” Serving as a low-level manager and supervisor, his responsibilities include writing news and feature stories, documenting day-to-day life on board a warship as well as significant events through photography, videography and graphic design. The 28-year-old Oswegonian also functions as the public relations arm of the USS Nimitz, a homeported ship in Everett, Wash., about 25 miles outside Seattle. He provides tours for distinguished visitors, answers media queries and educates the public about what sailors do for the ship, the Navy and external outlets. But upon graduating,

McDonald found himself a bit lost, along with many other recent students. He got involved in a string of shortterm jobs while pursuing a more professional career. He explained that his life hit a stereotypical tale of partying too hard with no opportunities in or around Oswego. He had a number of abstract goals that sounded good in his mind, but had no real idea on how to accomplish them, he said. McDonald did not want a desk job or become complacent. Without a wife or kids, his dream was to travel.

Gains journalism experience McDonald found employment at The PalladiumTimes from August 2009 to February 2010. Working as a reporter, he covered events throughout Oswego County. “I was able to cover some exceptionally interesting stories and get a firsthand look at the nuts and bolts of local government, which is something I still take an interest in,” McDonald said. Currently, he puts out a daily newspaper as well as a weekly magazine on the ship he is stationed on. “I’ve definitely been able to apply the experience I gained there in a very concrete way,” he added. In 2010, McDonald gained further journalistic experience as an intern for Oswego County Business magazine.

“My past professional experiences definitely gave me a bit of a leg up in this line of work,” he said regarding his current position. “I already had a good grasp of the basics. And because of that, during our [schooling] or job training I was able to focus on honing my skills in areas I wasn’t as familiar with.” The Navy was absent from his vision for a long time. “I guess you could say I was a bit prejudiced against it,” McDonald said. “I thought it was this sort of blue-collar bastion for meatheads and rednecks who either couldn’t get into college or were warmongering degenerates.” The more he looked at his situation and began to research what he wanted to do, the Navy seemed like a good fit, he said. He thought about the pros and cons for a long time. “Finally I decided I’d just do it,” he said. “I’d get out of my comfort zone and do something unlike anything I had done in my life at that point,” he said. He figured the worst-case scenario would be to put in a few years, gather a few stories and then get on with his life, collecting healthcare benefits and G.I. bill money for a master’s degree. But to his surprise, after serving for a year and a half, he thinks he really found his niche.

Global journey McDonald enlisted in the Navy with a portfolio and hit

the ground running. He feels that it really set him up for success in the fleet. “The Oswego County Business magazine and The Palladium-Times were really where I cut my teeth on how to be a journalist,” he added. At the time McDonald was interviewed for this story, he was about four months into an extended Western Pacific deployment that already sailed across the Pacific Ocean, Sea of Japan, South China Sea, Strait of Malacca, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf. He has made port calls in South Korea, Thailand, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. As it stands right now, McDonald loves what he is doing and definitely sees it as a career choice. He continues as an active member of the Junior Enlisted Association, a volunteer advocacy group for sailors that are not in senior leadership positions. “I still have around four years left on my current contract, and I know a lot can change in that time,” he said. “So I’m doing everything I can to set myself up for success, whether I re-enlist or get out.” In May, McDonald was chosen as USS Nimitz Sailor of the Day, an honor granted by U.S. Navy Commanding Officer Captain J.S. Ruth. As a result he received a captain’s coin, letter of recommendation, head of the line privileges throughout the ship, dined with his leading chief petty officer and had the opportunity to sit at the captain’s chair on the bridge. “You should be very proud of you son’s significant achievement,” officer Ruth said, in a letter written to McDonald’s parents. “Nathan is an outstanding sailor who is extremely dedicated to the mission of the USS Nimitz. He was chosen from a diverse group of deserving personnel on the basis of his outstanding attitude toward the Naval service, exemplary work ethic and unparalleled initiative. He is an integral asset to our team and the United States Navy.” McDonald feels college was a great experience and is proud he was involved in his history and political honor societies. Even though he does not work in the history field, the tools it gave him turned out to be useful, he added. “If you can’t seem to find what you want to do after graduation, don’t sweat it,” McDonald said. “Keep your options and your mind open. If you had told me even two years ago that I’d wind up in the military, I would have laughed in your face. Stay hungry and go out there and you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

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