The Viking News Issue 2

A Hudson Valley Autumn page 16

T H E V IK ING NE WS

VOLUME LXXXV ISSUE II

- What’s Inside 2010 Elections: What Students Need to Know page 2 & 3 WEB ‘Coffee House’ page 7

Q&A: WARY’s Radames Ocasio page 10 Men’s Soccer Pictorial page 29

The Viking News interviewed Raquel Mantilla, age 36, from Puebla, Mexico, a former full-time worker at the Valhalla campus under the firm A&A Maintenance Company.

Raquel and her fellow employees were replaced by a new company called the Hudson River Maintenance (HRM), who works in conjunction with a non-profit organization called Association for Help of Retarded Children (AHRC), as reported by The Viking News.

Viking News Editor Daniel Lee originally reported that HRM

The VIKING NEWS 5 DAY FORECAST

Valhalla, NY

October 13, 2010

Club Day Successes Shay McLennon Staff Writer On Wednesday September 29, 2010, Westchester Community College held Club Day for the fall semester. Club Day is a day for new and returning students to explore their school and the opportunities afforded to them. It is an opportunity for all clubs on campus to advertise their clubs in hopes of gaining new members and boosting their clubs popularity.

“It’s very active, there seems to be a lot of interest,” said Lucinda Collins, a first year student surrounded by a plethora of tables that graced the Student Center Lawn.

Sophomore David Falconer, “this is my first time being a part of this. I just had no school spirit before so I’m trying to be a better student.” Most students seemed to agree with this sentiment.

There were many clubs in attendance, some of which had their own opinions of this semester’s Club Day. “I love that’s its

A&A Workers Continue Fight for Jobs Kassandra Lopez Staff Writer

Nothing is More Valuable Than Knowledge

had started to work on campus and as a result, A&A workers were laid off and weren’t given a chance to negotiate a deal.

In this follow-up, we not only met Mantilla, but also Joel Rojas, a representative of the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) vouching for the displaced workers, and two other former employees of A&A. According to Mantilla it was, “without previous warning…

There had been rumors among workers about a new company taking over, but nothing was clear.”

As mandated by state law, a CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

outside, its looks very organized”, says Professor Scorpio Rodgers who teaches business. He is the advisor to the Business and Entrepreneurship Club, and this semester they are hoping to promote and grow their club membership.

In all, 58 clubs were represented with tables. With W.A.R.Y. providing the soundtrack to the event, clubs provided literature to interested students about what their groups do, trips, and special events. Susan Hoffman from the Office of Student Involvement said planning of Club Day began in August, with work orders for tables, a stage and other equipment going in the first week of September. Hoffman added, “A lot more students joined clubs this year than in the past.”

Ariel Davis, a first year transfer student, “Club day at my last school wasn’t as lively. People weren’t as interactive or proactive about getting people to join a club” Amanda Housten, a second year student agreed, “Club Day is poppin’…Love the variety.”

Photo by Steven Draper

$1,450 Textbook? Better be Gold Plated Victoria Smith Staff Writer With college tuition rates continuously skyrocketing, who needs to spend hundreds of dollars on books alone? Each year, the typical college student will spend approximately $1,000 on textbooks. Unfortunately, based on their majors, students at WCC, as well as all other higher level institutions, have no control over what books they buy. The books used are determined by the professors of that particular course, and some are more concerned than others on the high prices of textbooks. This type of market

draws similarities to doctors prescribing medications for their patients. Often they may prescribe without much care because they are not the ones that are financing the costs. Fortunately, there are alternatives to spending roughly $4,000 on non re-usable textbooks in the course of a college education.

A study taken in 2006 by the Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education discovered that a mere 58 percent of professors who selected the reading material for their courses were actually aware of the costs of those textbooks. The same study reported only 43 percent of pro-

fessors chose textbooks based on affordability. To avoid this, students should make further attempts to talk to their professors, and review the course syllabus thoroughly to ensure the definite need for the textbook. Some professors will tell a student that an older edition of the textbook is sufficient for the course, resulting in less or no cost at all.

Textbook producers work together with bookstores and wholesalers to wipe out previous versions of their textbooks. The highest revenues for the textbook industry occur within the first two CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

WEDNESDAY Oct.13th

THURSDAY Oct.14th

FRIDAY Oct.15th

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SUNDAY Oct.17th

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H:64° L:49° Artiwork by Andressa Micheletto

NEWS

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Italian Club Reaches Milestone in Membership

SGA: THE 2010 BUDGET Nick Genovesi Staff Writers Where do Westchester Community College (WCC) student clubs get their money? Who decides how much money each club gets? The answer is: the Senate of the Student Government Association SGA budget committee does!

The SGA held their first meeting outside of the Student Center building where the club budgets were voted and decided on. Students are the ones who provide the funds that are distributed to the student clubs and associations from the student activity fee that’s included in the tuition price. Each full time student pays a seventy dollar student activity fee and every part time student’s pays twenty five.

The total budget for this fall and spring semester is $604,000.

Of the 56 active clubs, eight clubs this year have experienced budget reductions while 29 have experienced a budget increase. The publications group received the largest budget reduction. The publications group is composed of: The Viking, ink, International Voices Journal, and four other smaller publications, whose collective budget is now almost half

“

The SGA’s

Executive also

Board

received

”

a

budget increase of $21,174

of what it was the previous year.

The SGA Treasurer Yunus Saiyed claims this reduction is due to the fact that the publication groups did not use all of their money from the previous year. Saiyed, “Last year we allocated [The Viking News] $75,000, and at the end of the year there was $32,000, left over.”

The DECA Fashion Club has received the largest dollar increase from last year’s $500 to this year’s $7,000.

The SGA’s Executive Board also received a budget increase of $21,174. Of the $195,000 total allocated for the Executive Board, three new accounts were created and $9,000 was moved into a “New & Re-instated (sic) contingency fund”, $15,000 was moved into a new account called “contingency fund” and an additional $6,970 is now considered a “miscellaneous fund for all clubs”.

October 13, 2010

Nikki Lucchese Staff Writer On the contrary to what some may assume, the Italian club is not at all an “Italians only” association. In fact, the weekly club meetings hold a wonderful eclectic assortment of ethnicities. Professor Sclafani, one of the clubs advisors states, “We are open to all, and welcome all with open arms because that is the meaning of community.” Professor Sclafani is the very first Italian Professor to teach at WCC and has been the Italian club advisor for over forty years. This “family-oriented” attitude may be the reason the club is among the largest and most successful clubs at WCC. The clubs second advisor, Professor Maddalena, a former WCC student, established the club in 1971 and was the clubs very first president. The club has grown tremendously in spirit and in size to over one-hundred active student members, and over 1,000 members in total. Amongst the many fundraisers the club has held, their most noteworthy cause thus far has been the assistance of two Italian students who survived the earthquake that destroyed the Saiyed stated, “ the money is kept for emergencies.”

The independent budget comittee, that’s comprised of students, decides the budget amounts that are distributed to clubs and to the Executive Board for the academic year. The President of the SGA Lizbeth CiFuentes is a member of the (IBC) that helped decide on this year’s budget distribution. CiFuentes said, “it took us two months to talk about how we could proceed to follow the right rules”. Even so, the budget committee decision was delayed, “In the end we couldn’t really come up with any concrete decision,” she said, “it was too complex.”

CiFuentes claims the budget committee used multiple factors to decide if a club’s budget should increase, decrease, or remain the same. Some of the main factors for determining a budget are, according to CiFuentes, “Activity, mainly on campus,” is a major factor, as well as how much the club spent, “we wanted to see how much they were giving out to the campus”.

Pick up a copy of the next issue The Viking for part two of this article, featuring an in-depth look into last year’s student government budget.

entire region of Abruzzo, Italy in 2009.

Their school was destroyed and their hopes were shattered until the Italian club raised and donated 20,000 dollars for the two students’ transportation, college tuition, and housing to rebuild their lives and to also study here in America. The Italian club also holds annual fundraisers for the Children’s hospital at Westchester Medical center and has 30-35,000 dollars in scholarships available to WCC students each year! Last year they awarded 25 students with scholarships. Many former Italian club members have used those scholarships to graduate from NYU and Colombia University.

Aside from their supreme generosity the Italian club also offers WCC students a chance to study abroad in Italy for 6-8 college credits every July. Studying abroad in Italy you will explore its rich history and the beautiful Island of Capri, while challenging yourself academically. The Italian club members understand the importance being appreciated for a job well done which is why they hold and sponsor recognition dinners annually where they select academically outstanding stu-

dents to be awarded and honored.

The club members are very passionate about the importance of maintaining relationships which is why they stress the importance of belonging to a club. The Italian club continues to teach students that maintaining healthy relationships with classmates, colleagues, and business associates will continuously benefit you throughout your life.

Aside from all the technical stuff, The Italian club has a whole lot of fun! No, we are not talking about “Jersey Shore fun” we are talking about REAL Italian fun that’s based on REAL Italian culture. The club’s very friendly and laid back officers are very active in organizing the clubs many events.

The President of the club, Isabella Di Marco, was born in Palermo, Italy. Palermo carries the essence of Italy and portrays nothing but Italian class.

Di Marco’s goals as president is to get students involved, “We want to bring people together because that is [customary in] Italian culture.” Members of the club celebrates their annual Italian Club Christmas party which is held at The Radio City Music Hall located at the Opera at Madison

Square Garden (all scheduled for December), and the Carnival Festival to be held in February. October is Italian Heritage month and in honor of the Italian heritage, the club is Honoring Maria Montessori, a renowned Italian international Educator and Physician.

Some of the more intriguing current events to be held during Italian Heritage Month are: The opening of the Italian Heritage Multiple Art Works Exhibition opening for viewing on Oct. 9thNov.16th in the Academic Arts Building Gallery. On the 10th of October there will be “An Afternoon of Calabrese culture held in CLA 200 from 3-5pm and the Italian Cultural Film viewing on “The Vatican: It’s History, Past and Present .”

Overall the Italian Club continues to be one of the most fun and friendly as well as motivational and inspiration clubs available to students at WCC. Their generosity is widely recognized, and their loyalty to the students of WCC is greatly appreciated.

The persona of the club as a whole is powerful, pleasant, and productive and they even gave me a shiny new pen!

Rutgers Freshmen Suicide Shocks Country Spotlights Cyberbullying on College Campuses SangHoon D. Lee News Editor

The recent suicide of Rutgers University freshmen Tyler Clementi has drummed the recurring conversation surrounding youth suicides.

Clementi jumped off the George Washington Bridge after his dorm roommate Dharun Ravi, caught him on tape with another male student using his iChat feature on his MacBook and posting the video the internet.

Molly Wei was considered as an accomplice to the crime.

Clementi asked Ravi if he could have their dorm room until midnight. Ravi tweeted on his Twitter account, which has been taken down, “Roommate asked for the room till midnight. I went into molly’s room and turned on my webcam. I saw him making out with a dude. Yay.” Three days after the live

streaming video was posted, Clementi decided to take his own life, seemingly from embarrassment and shame. According to a report from the New York Times, Clementi posted on his social network page, “Jumping off GW bridge, Sorry” Eight minutes before his death.

Clementi was known to be a shy and quiet who was skilled in playing the violin. He played on the Rutgers symphonic orchestra as their second violinist.

Ravi and Wei have been accused of invasion of privacy and face up to 5 years in jail. Ravi carries the most counts because he encouraged people to join him in chat when he was going to stream another session of Tyler.

The lawyers defending the students are saying that they’re innocent but have evidence that will put them in jail.

There is the idea of bullying people who are gay or live the alternate lifestyle. There is bullying everywhere in schools, homes, social places and other establishments. There are many programs that have been established in school to protect students from getting bullied. Bullying can be in all sorts of forms and

“

Clementi post-

ed, ‘Jumping off GW bridge, Sorry’ Eight

”

minutes before his death.

can be communicated in many different ways.

In this case, cyber bullying has become the main issue. Cyber bullying is act of hate or bullying is done over the internet, text messaging and the like.

Commonly, college suicides were students who had psychological problems or couldn’t adapt the collegiate environment.

There are great praises for the inventions of the social networks and how they can bring people closer together but they can also blur the barrier of the privacy of personal life. Students who have problems dealing with college life and are stressed need to fine help because you are not alone with your problems. Students at the college should be open to get help with problems and also stop bullying each other.

NEWS

October 13, 2010

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POLITICS U.S. Supreme Court Begins its 2010 Term Steven Draper Editor-in-Chief What’s the balance between the right to privacy and freedom of speech? The lengths the federal government can reach into your background? Can the federal government impose universal health care on the states? Is same sex marriage a civil right? Theses are the hot button questions the U.S. Supreme Court will field in the 2010 term.

The High Court began hearing its first arguments for the 20102011 term on October 4. Made up of nine justices nominated by the sitting president and approved

by Congress, the class of 2010 has sophomore Sonia Sotomayor and freshmen Elena Kagan replacing Seniors David Souter and John Paul Stevens respectively.

A bankruptcy case was one of the first cases heard. Ransom v. MBNA is about Jason Ransom, who filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy back in 2006 and proposed to pay monthly payments of 500 dollars. A chapter 13 trustee and two creditors didn’t approve the plan, arguing that 500 dollars a month wasn’t Ransoms projected disposable income. They found he inappropriately included a de-

duction citing ‘vehicle owner expenses’ of 471 dollars, thus creditors feel his monthly payment should be increased.

In NASA v. Nelson, 28 lab employees feel that the federal government conducted intrusive background checks. For jobs that don’t grant security clearances or that don’t involve classified or military information, the employees argue, shouldn’t give the federal government the ability to ask if they have received counseling or treatment for illicit drug use.

The case garnering the most attention is Snyder v. Phelps.

The family of a deceased marine is accusing the Westboro Baptist Church for defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional emotional distress for picketing the Snyder funeral with signs that read, ‘Thank God for Dead Soldiers’ and ‘Fag Troops.’ U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett awarded the family five million dollars in damages but in appeals court, judges decided the previous judgment violated the church members’ First Amendment right to free religious expression.

Both sides held emotional arguments. Albert Snyder, father of the deceased marine, “the Phelps and the Westboro Baptist

Front row: Associate Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas.

Back row: Associate Justices Samuel A. Alito, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor.

Church conduct was so extreme it went beyond all possible bounds of basic human decency ... it can be regarded as utterly intolerable in a civilized nation” Snyder’s lawyer, Sean Summers followed with, “I hope that they realize that isn’t just a case about speech…

It’s about harassment, targeted harassment at a private person’s funeral.”

Ms. Phelps is arguing that her right to freedom of expression protects her views that U.S. war deaths are divine punishment for the toleration of homosexuals.

“There’s no line that can be drawn here without shutting down a lot

of speech,” Phelps told the court.

Justice Ginsberg said the question of the case is whether the First Amendment must tolerate “exploiting this bereaved family”.

In a second major First Amendment case, Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association, the court will decide whether states can restrict the sale of violent video games to minors.

The lower courts in the case considering similar questions have uniformly said no.

The Supreme Court will not announce its judgments for months.

Elena Kagan will recuse her-

self from at least 24 cases on the docket for the 2010 term because of her involvement in preparing cases as Solicitor General in the Justice Department.

While President Obama’s two appointments haven’t changed the political leaning of the court from right to left, 32 percent of Americans believe the High Court is ‘too liberal’ up from 28 percent in 2009 according to a USA Today/ Gallup poll.

The Viking News will continue to cover Supreme Court cases as they’re argued with decisions once they’re announced.

Dora Jelensky Staff Writer Recently, the GOP dropped support for republican congressional candidate Jim Russell’s campaign because the Christian conservative published racist and anti-Semitic statements in a 2001 essay. Even though the race now seems to have only one real contender, it is vital to know about the candidates’ achievements and future plans for improving education before you cast your vote.

After searching for details on both candidates’ websites about plans on improving education, I found out that Nita M. Lowey has a reassuring past agenda as well as a future plan for advancing education while Russell’s offered nothing substantial to report.

Lowey is seeking re-election for the 12th time in the 18th Congressional District, which includes most of Westchester County and Rockland County (Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Ossining,

the Town of Pelham, Scarsdale, Tarrytown, White Plains, most of New City and Yonkers). In the case of her re-election what would we, the college students in Valhalla, win with her?

Lowey, first elected in 1988, has been an active supporter of advancing educational opportunity in elementary, secondary, and college levels. She has been called “champion of education since her election to the House, fighting for school modernization, teacher development, and literacy programs.”

According to OnTheIssues. org, in recent years Lowey voted yes on additional aid for federal education and HHS (Health and Human Services) projects, as well as $84 million for Black and Hispanic colleges. Because of her devoted activity, $40B was granted for eco-friendly “green” public schools. Lowey’s website gives a thorough insight on her agenda in past and upcoming years.

“Tight state and local bud-

gets throughout our region have made federal assistance critical to maintain the high-quality education our children deserve,” Lowey said in a statement. Also, the Education For All Act was introduced earlier this year by Lowey and Dave Reichert (R) and the bill calls on the U.S. to provide resources to all children with basic education by 2015. In order to help reduce college costs, Lowey voted “yes” for the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, providing financial aid to struggling families. She is on record as being devoted to solving the problem of high student loan interest rates by cutting the interest in half.

Nita Lowey introduced the Deductibility and Incentives to Promote Learning Opportunities and Maximize Assistance (DIPLOMA) Act in 2007, intended to help families deduct all collage-related expenses from their federal income tax. In July 2010 congressman, Eliot Engel (D) and Nita Lowey together secured a

Photos courtesy of NYPOST.COM

Election 2010 House of Representatives Race: Lowey and Russell

Left: Representative Nita Lowet making an appearance on Meet the Press. Right: Jim Russell speaks at a fundraising event in upstate New York in 2010.

preliminary $400,000 in funding for the Yonkers Public Schools. In August, $3 million was granted through the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act to the school districts of Clarkstown and North Rockland. “The best thing we can do for the future of our region is (to) ensure children have access to the best educational opportunities,” said Rep. Lowey in a statement.

Even when a race is far from

crowded, every college student should take the time to research both a candidate’s past voting and future plans, especially when it comes to something as important as education.

To find a list of Nita M Lowey’s votes on different amendments and acts visit: http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/ l000480/)

NEWS

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October 13, 2010

Four Way Race for New York Senate Seats Heats Up Morgan White Staff Writer On Tuesday November 2, the 2010 mid-term U.S. Senate elections will be held. Every two years, one third of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate are challenged.

This year, two seats representing New York are up for re-election, held by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer.

Although there are many contenders in the Senate race, statistically, the two major threats towards the current seat holders are Republicans Joe DioGuardi and Jay Townsend. DioGuardi is campaigning for Democratic Senator Gillibrand’s seat and Townsend is campaigning for Democratic Senator Schumer’s place. Senator Gillibrand’s situation is special because she is running on a partial term after taking office in January 2009, succeeding Hillary Clinton, who left her position to become Secretary of State in the Obama administration.

Many issues have, and will, be further discussed and debated by the opponents such as health care, taxes, the economy, and edu-

Left: Senator Chuck Schumer with Senator Kirtsen Gillibrand. Middle: Jay Townsend at a Hudson Valley parade. Right: Joe DioGuardi at a fundraiser

cation.

Education, especially higher education, is a very important issue in the United States today.

College students struggle on a daily basis financially with the rising costs of tuition and textbooks.

Joe DioGuardi, a resident of Ossining, NY, is a certified public accountant and served in the House of Representatives representing the 20th Congressional district of New York from 1985 to 1989.

DioGuardi is campaigning to reinvent the structure of education, “We must reinvent education to give our newest generation the tools they need to succeed in

the global marketplace that has been created by the Information Age and the rapid expansion of the Internet.”

DioGuardi seeks to prepare the upcoming generation for life after high school. Job creation is a main focus as well, where he believes manufacturing within the country should be embraced instead of being pushed offshore to save money.

Like DioGuardi, Jay Townsend is campaigning for a similar cause. Townsend, a Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY resident, is founder of The Townsend Group, a market research and consulting firm that provides advertising and consulting services to companies

and public figures. Townsend is also the former Senior Warden of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

He aims to level the playing ground between private and public schools so every student is receiving the same education to further prepare them for higher education and the job market.

Senator Gillibrand is focusing more on higher education rather than education in general.

She wants to facilitate an easier transition for the college graduate by rebuilding the economy, more job opportunities by working with New York State’s colleges and universities, as well as focusing on the math and science majors to prepare the next genera-

tion for the ongoing growth of the high-tech world.

Senator Schumer, who is running for his 3rd term in the U.S. Senate, is working with the National Association of College stores, which is involved with the textbook rental model, to expand the textbook rental programs within colleges and universities nationwide to help students save money on their education expenses.

The November 2010 midterm election will be the first time all six offices will be held for popular election on the same day. The ratification of the 17th Amendment in 1913 permits Senators to be elected by state legislatures. The Tea Party has also been a major discussion in the election, providing major support for the Townsend campaign. With less than 2 months left, the news and coverage on the incumbent candidates and their opponents will be seen even more, so it is not too late for a student to educate themselves on what could possibly benefit or hurt their future in education and careers.

Gubenatorial Candidates Need to Get Schooled on Education Richard Pascarelli Staff Writer When it comes to the New York State Gubernatorial race, which candidates are you voting for and why? As a college student, an issue you may want to first take into consideration is the candidates’ stance on education.

When I started writing this article, I said to myself, “O.K. Let’s write this thing.” Shortly thereafter I realized that, sadly, there was not much to write about concerning the educational platform of each candidate. One of the two major candidate’s websites, Republican Party Candidate Carl Paladino, has a section dedicated to a specific stance on education.

Comparatively, Democratic Nominee Attorney General Andrew Cuomo recently released his 191 page “NY Works Agenda.” A democratic news blog - Rocnow. com- sums up parts of the book as claiming: “Creation of regional economic development councils that will review local development plans and award the most comprehensive proposals with state funding. Led by the Mayor Robert Duffy, who will serve as Chair of the Upstate Business Advisory Council, the councils will work

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is son to Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo.

with public and private economic development organizations, institutions of higher education and other stakeholders, the councils will incentivize programs that get New Yorkers back to work through strategic tax credits such as the “Jobs Now” tax credit will attract new businesses that hire unemployed New Yorkers, and an expansion of the recently enacted Excelsior program; and make New York’s public and private universities job generators by facilitating partnerships between colleges and universities and the private sector to support an innovation economy and redesigning

technical and career education and workforce development programming.”

So what does this exactly mean to you as a student? Cuomo is going to make some counsels that talk about existing economic problems with other people that supposedly actually have plans and the best plans will win money. It is kind of like “Who Wants to be a State-Funded Millionaire?” Duffy will head the council that will talk to other people that have plans like schools and stakeholders and offer money for programs.

Then we are going to get back to work by giving specific people tax credits? But this tax credit is not meant for unemployed college students, it is meant for business owners so they can hire unemployed college students.

Finally the Cuomo plan will aim to create jobs by getting schools, both public and private, to talk to each other and possible employers. So high school kids get a redesigned BOCES. But if the economy isn’t fixed there won’t be any jobs for cooks, mechanics, hairdressers and the other types of jobs BOCES helps to prepare for.

Consider that Cuomo was recently quoted by The New York Observer as saying “The outline

of the direction is right” when asked about current Governor David Paterson’s education plans, adding “Where I think we’ve had trouble in the past is actually getting it done.” Being that Cuomo admits the major problem is action.

Carl Paladino’s website offers a lot more information about his education position. According to his site, Paladino is however, anti- “problem teacher”. Meaning, he wants to change the law to fight teachers’ unions to remove tenured teachers that have spotty records. Paladino’s website says these types of teachers are a detriment to students and will be then held to competency reviews.

Paladino wants to cut much of the bureaucracy between counties by consolidating heads of schools into one smaller body.

This would mean greater accountability as Paladino’s site claims that this means more funds will go towards the students and not layers of administration.

Paladino’s site specifically mentions state schools such as the University at Buffalo; “Carl strongly supports the State University at Buffalo 2020 plan and similar programs for other higher education institutions in the State to be able to grow in both size and student population without State

intrusion. Carl will question formulas and non-resident tuition practices as well as faculty work requirements. His goal: to assist private colleges and state universities uniformly with an equality that encourages centers of excellence.” (paladinoforthepeople. com) Not to be certain that Paladino’s plan is actively better than Cuomo’s, but it does lay out actual steps that he would take as Governor. Of course, whether you agree with those steps or not is up to you so check out all the candidates before the November 2nd elections – you might even find one you like better than these two choices.

Carl Paladino, a business man from Buffalo, NY has backing from the Tea Party.

NEWS

October 13, 2010

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$1,450 Textbook? Better be Gold Plated CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

years of publication. After this, producers would not have a constant flow of revenue due to the used-book market cancelling new book purchases. To avoid this, textbook producers create new versions of the same book year after year. Newer editions include a workbook or online code that students are required to have for the course. Students can therefore not purchase the textbook used, because each book comes new with only one access code for the online activities. Unfortunately, due to their deals with school bookstores and wholesalers, producers make previous editions insufficient for students to learn all material in the course.

Students at the college who receive financial aid are forced to purchase their books at new, bookstore rates. There is a sum of financial aid which is sent to a student account in the bookstore, and students are only permitted to spend that money within the school bookstore. This method is most likely the main explanation for the overwhelming 63 percent of polled students buying their books full price on campus.

Along with many others, student Carissa Dehn joked, “Just because I’m so lazy,” following her response that she purchased her textbooks at the school bookstore.

Another reason for this other than pure laziness on the part of the student body is that most students are not given the exact

“

Each year, the typical college student will spend approximately $1,000 on textbooks

”

name and edition of the textbook they need until after classes begin.

This creates a very small time slot between starting the semester and getting into the core material, for students to order and wait to receive books through the mail at ground shipping rates.

There are many alternative ways to beat the system. 200 students who attend Westchester Community College (WCC) participated in a Viking News poll.

Research translated that 29.2 percent of students have found websites from which they order

their textbooks. 14.2 percent of the total online-buyers purchase their books from Amazon.com.

The second most popular website is Chegg.com, with 12.6 percent of the student population renting textbooks at extremely low costs.

Chegg.com is an online source for textbooks, in which customers can buy, sell, and mostly rent textbooks at less than half of its originally listed price. With every order placed, Chegg.com plants a tree in one of three underprivileged locations around the world.

Chegg.com also sends users notifications via e-mail or text messaging reminding students when their books are due, paying for return shipping. 2.4 percent of students used Half.com this semester. When asked where they find their textbooks, 3.1 percent of WCC students just search on Google and the other sources for the cheapest copy, while 3.9 percent of students don’t buy their textbooks at all. Only .8 percent of the student body polled got their textbooks from other peers through flyers.

A student who uses Chegg. com, Yasmine Sagari-Budhoo says “Chegg.com only rents its books for a 12 week period, and (buyers) have to pay extra to extend that time to last the full 15 weeks of a semester.” This leaves students with three choices; either wait three weeks into the semester to buy the textbook, pay for the extension fee, or return the books online, and not have them for final tests. “What I do is buy my textbooks at the beginning of the semester at the bookstore, and at the end I sell them back to the bookstore, getting back one half of my money. If I ordered a $70 book from Chegg, and express shipping and handling was $1520, we’re talking about a $100 dollar book. If I were to buy the same book, full price for $100 at the bookstore, I could sell it back, and make $50.” Yasmine makes for a good argument.

Other options may include using the website, Notehall.com, in which students can buy and sell study guides, lecture notes, reading notes, and outlines. Notehall is free to sign up, with other pros such as finding and forming study groups with fellow classmates, discussing class topics online and of course, earning cash.

Another idea has been developed

by Viking News Editor, SangHoon Daniel Lee. The website is called HaveMyBook.com.

Lee has created a social network, in which students can post their textbook listings on a virtual bulletin board. “I like to call it imitation buying and selling, on the site you

WCC Bookstore Amazon.com Chegg.com Half.com Cheapest Find Don’t Purchase Peers

can find your own college network and place your books. You don’t have to wait for the delivery or have to pay the extra fees for the shipping. You can get it faster from someone you know that attends the same school as you.” It’s a free bulletin board for people post up their books. Through his developing site, Lee hopes to make it more easily accessible for students to work together in sav-

ing money on textbooks and use that money for a better college experience.

Some students may simply avoid high-priced textbooks by steering clear of particular courses that require pricey textbooks.

According to CBS Money Watch, the three highest priced college textbooks of 2010 include Acta Philosophorum The First Journal of Philosophy for $1,450, Encyclopedia

of International Media and Communications, new for $1,215, and finally, Management Science An Anthology for $850. Unfortunately textbook publishers are constantly coming up with new ways to maintain and increase their sales revenue, in sometimes unavoidable ways. However, there are small steps you as a student of the college can take to avoid high costs.

NEWS

6

October 13, 2010

Siegel Café Offers a Healthy Alternative to Typical Café Fare

Photo by Jheanel Walters Students enjoy the hot coffee, pastries and ample seating at the new Gateway Center Cafe. The new cafe proudly brews Starbucks Coffee.

Jheanel Walters Staff Writer The Gateway Center opened its doors with not just the new state-of-the-art facilities, but with another surprise in tow. The building boasts its very own cafeteria, Siegel Café, which is a hit with the students.

The glass structure provides a bright, airy, open space that is located to the right of the

building’s main entrance and has its own double doors leading to a terrace for outdoor dining. The gateway caters to everyone, staff and student alike, and closes at 5:30 pm from Mondays to Thursdays and at 1pm on Fridays. The Café is also equipped with a microwave and utensil supplies. The prices are similar to that of the main cafeteria in the Student Center Building, but it is an alternative dining area for those who want to

escape the old scene. James Benvenga, a student who eats in the café at least once or twice a week, says, “It’s quiet, easier and more relaxing. The food is expensive but the prices aren’t unreasonable because the things here are better quality. The sushi is actually pretty good too, considering its cafeteria food.”

Luis Berdias, one of Siegel’s friendly and efficient servers, proudly pointed out what’s avail-

able on the menu; Starbucks coffee, tea, muffins, yogurt, salads, sandwiches, pizza, Panini’s, Jamaican patties, croissants and so much more. “It’s a green building, we don’t have fried foods here, and we serve fresh, healthy food.

Italian wraps, cheese calzone, ham and turkey sandwich are freshly made every day and the sushi truck brings fresh sushi,” says Berdias.

He went on to say that most people come to the café for coffee breaks but prefer to go to the main cafeteria for lunch. Unable to speak to the director of WCC dining services, Mr. Don Hennessey. The Viking News was able to speak to the food productions manager, Georgiana Anderson. When asked about both cafes complimenting each other, Georgiana stated that, “the Siegel Café is still in its infancy stage but it is doing well so far. And the two cafeterias really do complement each other”.

Few people visit the café in the morning mostly just for coffee at a dollar a cup, bagels for only $.99, tea or muffins. At $4.79, the Panini’s are quite a hit and so are the various sandwiches.

“People are crazy for Starbucks, so we do have many people here in the mornings trying to get a cup. “They prefer it more than the main cafeteria’s brand,” commented Berdias.

“

It’s quiet,

easier and more relaxing... The sushi is actually pretty good too

”

Crismely Bido and Malcolm Kirksey enjoy their break in a nicer, calmer environment with students actually doing their work unlike in the main cafeteria with all the yelling. However, Kirksey says “the service is good but the prices are just too expensive. I understand the concept of supply and demand but they are demanding too much for that quality food. $4 for a sandwich is just too much! The bagels and the chips are the cheapest things.”

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NEWS

October 13, 2010

7

Photos by Steven Draper

Westchester Events Board ‘Coffee House’ a Taste of Things to Come

Steven Draper & M. Stazzone Editor-in-Chief & Staff Writer Westchester Community College (WCC) students were treated to free coffee and performance by former American Idol Contestant, Byron Zano. The ‘Coffee House’ event was sponsered by the Westchester Events Board (WEB) in the Student Center Lounge on Thursday, October 7 during Common Hour.

The Student Center Lounge was transformed into an intimate, low lit haven of relaxation for students to enjoy. Tables were draped in maroon clothes, accented by a free music download card, highlighter and a center piece of coffee beans and candles.

A strong aroma of freshly brewed coffee kept students warm from the increasly cool fall temperatures.

Throughout the two-hour event, approximately 50 students stopped by for a drink and live music.

Biting into a loaf cake and cinnamon roll ‘sandwich’, WCC freshmen Alex described the events “As my first event on campus, I like the atmosphere.” Sipping on a cup of coffee, fellow freshman Peter added, “I like the acoustic sound of most sounds, and the free food.”

For those unfamiliar with WEB, they are a brand new organization created by the Office of Student Involvement. A membership of roughly ten students spearhead this board to sponser, plan and execute events and trips on and off campus. ‘Coffee House’ was their first event of the fall semester.

According to WEB memberEmmanual Mayard, planning of ‘Coffee House’ began in the Summer after WEB members went on a retreat to bond and build team moral. They also finalized their schedule of events for the fall semester. Upcoming events include a movie showing of Twighlight: Eclipse, a Fall Fest on Oct. 24 and a Pep Rally on Oct. 27.

Byron Zano performed acousticaly with Greg Novick, his base player and producer.

During intermission, Viking News reporter Molly Stazzone got a chance to chat with Zano about his inspiration, career and relationships with college campuses. Zano, “My inspiration came from my family...although I never had plans to be a singer and songwriter” Zano likes classical music, and writing poems. He added, “The person that inspired me most was David Mathews.”

A tri-state native, Zano grew

Top Left: Bryon Zano performing “Secrets and Lies” Top Right: WCC Student Mark Vasey and Molly Stazzone enjoy the music.

Bottom Left: A table at the ‘Coffee House’ Event captures the atmosphere WEB was aiming for.

up in Fort lean, New Jersey, attended Fordham University and now lives in New York.

Zano is a fixture on college campuses, “all of the East coast colleges, I have performed at.” He makes frequent vists to his alma mater and SUNY schools.

Byron Zanos favorite song?

“Secrets and lies.” he confidently replies. Zano releases new music monthly, forgoing the complete album route, “It’s more like poetry.”

A cover of Ray Lamontagen’s , “Trouble” was a highlight of

Zano’s set. A tribute and honor to the legend Zano had the chance to share a stage with.

WEBs ‘Coffee House’ will be a recurring event on campus.

Anyone interested in joining can find information at the Office of Student Involvement.

October 13, 2010

NEWS

8

General Session Meeting Shows Glimmers of Hope for Fall Semester Ron Krokovich Opinions Editor

On the evening of October 6, the Student Government Association (SGA) started its second general session meeting after the budget was passed on September 22. “Community, Diversity and Unity” (CDU) is the new slogan of the SGA. Senators from every club were present, i.e. Geology and Astronomy Club, Black Student Union, and WARY radio to name a few. Some senators were verbal in their opinions about the new executive board of the SGA. One senator said, “Why the hell is this so blatantly unorganized.”

Perhaps this certain senator was referring to the fact that the session did not start until 4:25, twenty five minutes passed the original scheduled time. izbeth CiFuentes, the newly elected President of the SGA opened the meeting with a video that the members of the executive board put together discussing their new motto CDU. Senators were reluctant to answer any of the president’s questions about the newly designed motto. After discussing the new outlook of the

SGA, CiFuentes asked for a motion to pass the minutes from the last general session. Following approval of the last session’s minutes, the SGA showed the entire senate the newly purchased voting devices that will be replacing voting cards.

CiFuentes introduced new committees that will be chaired by members of the E-Board, Constitution Committee, Budget Committee and the Programming Committee. Each committee has a different mission and purpose.

The Programming Committee, presented by Vice President Andrea Bogojevich, will be planning events. The Communications Committee will be headed

by Director of Public Relations Jordan Anderson.

The Budget Committee bylaws were presented by Treasurer Yuns Saiyed. This committee is to make financial recommendations to the student senate. The budget committee will allow the college community to view any and all budget committee meetings. It will be made up of nine members and a Chair. There are certain amounts of members for each specialized group of clubs; Curriculum based clubs will have

3 members on the committee, Cultural will have 2 members, Special Interest will have 2 members, Drama/Fine Arts will have 1 member and Publications will have 1 member.

The Constitution Committee will be put in place for making sure that all club and publication constitutions shall be well organized and written properly. Also this committee will be organized by having a maximum of 10 members, one of which is the Student Trustee, Carlos Ariza. Any SGA member can become a member of this committee. If any student submits suggestions for bylaws or amendments, the constitution committee shall review them and present them to the senate only if they deem it necessary. They will try to meet at least once a week to discuss any problems with constitutions of any clubs on campus.

The SGA E-Board are putting these committees into affect because they would like for the clubs and SGA to be run much more smoothly than previous semesters. Each club already has a say in the voting process, but now they will have even more power when it comes to writing actually constitutions, planning major

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events and constructing a fair and equally divided budget.

Many of the senators were a bit outraged when the president brought a motion that the bylaws for all three committees would be passed that very same evening. The Senator for the Black Student Union raised a point that they should read the bylaws before signing off on their passage from the student senate. Garham Pape, the senator for the Geology and Astronomy club raised a few motions on the night, he stated that he felt it was unconstitutional to ask the student senate to vote on the committee bylaws without first reading them. Jordan Anderson, the Director of Public Relations stated that the bylaws would be posted on the SGA’s Facebook page on the night of that general session meeting. The vote was taken and the majority of the student senate agreed that the bylaws would be up for passage on October 21, which is the next SGA general session meeting. There was no final conclusion on vote on the bylaws when the meeting came to a close.

The main theme to this general session was “Community, Diversity and Unity” the newly

designed motto of the SGA. The entire e-board seemed to be in semi-control of the room. When it comes to politics is their really any control?

Mary O’Sullivan, senator for the Human Rights Union had this to say “I was impressed; I thought that they were open to the members input. It’s an entirely new e-board, they’re still learning as are we. I liked their attitude, and I think it’s going to be a good semester.” She added, “It went better that what I had originally expected. I actually expected it to be a mess. There were a lot of things I thought we should’ve covered that we didn’t.”

The SGA and student senate will meet on October 21, to discuss more business and also to vote on the bylaws for the newly constructed committees.

If you wish to read the bylaws yourself, copies are available at the Office of Student Involvement in the Student Center RM 106. A link to download the document will be posted on The Viking News Facebook page.

NEWS

October 13, 2010

A&A Workers Continue Fight for Jobs CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

contractual bid goes first to HRM because their workforce is made up of 75 percent disabled people.

In the past, HRM has rejected the contract with Westchester Community College (WCC) but this year they chose to accept it, resulting in uprooting of already established maintenance workers.

Fortunately, some of the old workers were employed in the school cafeteria. However, their hourly wages are lower. Before leaving the housekeeping company, workers made 13 dollars per hour. This work also included full benefits for the employers and their families. Now, they only make nine dollars per hour, without the full benefits.

Dean Laboy, an outsed worker from the A&A Maintenance Company, has a son who is fighting cancer. Since he lost his job, and therefore lost his benefits, he will no longer be able to provide insurance to pay for his son’s chemotherapy.

“We want a fight….we want our jobs back…we’ve saved money, but eventually that’s going to run out and we need to feed our families.” Working families want their jobs back, not only to pay their living expenses but also to feed and sustain their children.

Mantilla has two children aged

nine and fourteen. The other two workers have two and four children.

The union representative conducted a petition throughout the school in order to inform students about what happened to the previous workers in an attempt to collect signatures to show that students support the union. The representative also talked with students about the maintenance of the school ever since the A&A workers left. To our surprise, we found out that students are concerned with the bathroom cleaning, which according to the students, had seen “men cleaning the girl’s lavatory.” The union collected close to 300 signatures.

Mantilla had worked for the school for over four years, three of which she worked the nightshift (eleven at night to eight in the morning). The remaining year, Raquel worked during the day (from seven am to four pm).

The majority of the workers worked seven days a week.Other workers, who were not able to attend the interview, worked from seven to nine, yet other got the worst part by working from four to one in the morning.

Mantilla and the other workers are in the process of finding a job.

9

Blood Drive a Continued Success at WCC

Photo by Andre Aivazians A WCC Student gives blood on the second day of the blood drive in the Student Center Lounge last week. The turn out was deemed a success.

Greg D. Cash Staff Writer The New York Blood Center, in association with Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) held a blood drive not just to collect needed blood but to also help educate students on the need to give blood. Maureen Roberts of the New York Blood Center (NYBC) explained that, “giving blood is critical for emergency operations, diabetes patients, organ transplants and cancer patients.”

Donating just an pint of blood can help up to three patents. Donated blood only lasts for up to 42 days,

and then it is discarded. Fortunately, we are able to give blood every fifty-six days, which allows enough time for the body to build more red blood cells.

It is obviously critical to give blood but the reason why people are so afraid to donate blood is because they don’t know what to expect. Other people are afraid of passing out at the thought of a needle penetrating their skin.

Donators who are very sensitive to needles become weak at the knees and others don’t want to be embarrassed by their fear of needles. To assure blood givers,

there are skilled nurses that can help put their mind at ease.

PTK President Jonathan Divon and member, Mallony Mahedy helped plan the two day event alongside NYBC. The blood drive has been successful in reaching the six percent of the sixteen to twenty two year old age group. The blood drive is an event that happens every semester and is typically held in the Student Center Lounge.

For more information on giving blood or to find a center for blood drives, please log onto www.nybloodcenter.org.

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10

F E AT U R E S Radames Ocasio

David Uyehara Staff Writer

The following is a Q & A with Westchester Community College alumni Radames Ocasio, a.k.a.

“Rad Prime.” Ocasio is the station manager and one of the DJs at the college’s radio station, WARY, 88.1. He also hosts an internet radio show with his friend, Alberto “Al-B,” another WCC alumni and does independent voice-over and production work.

Q: So, when were you a student here?

A: 2000 to 2003 and I started working here in 2003.

Q: Cool! Did you have a radio show back then?

A: Yes, I had actually the same show I have now- which is the common hour slot. We do Power Hour 12:00 to 1:00 every day and Dance Party 1:00 to 2:00.

Q: Cool.

I see that outside sometimes.

A: Yeah it’s pretty cool.

Q: What was it like in WARY compared to how it is now?

A: I guess a lot of the same -- always a close-knit group. You know, you always get your quirky characters. You get a lot of the people who really want to work hard, but I think a lot of the same.

Just now we have a lot bigger staff. I think we have four times the amount of staff we did back then . . . This is one of the biggest groups. I think the most we’ve had is like 60 staff members.

Q: What was your major at the time?

A: Communications.

Q: Who was the advisor at the time?

A: Bill Winters. He was [and] still is the advisor for WARY, which is great. He worked in radio for a long time, so he’s a good mentor for the kids to have and a great professor on the campus.

Q: So he’s a professor here?

A: Yes, he teaches media arts and broadcasting.

Q: Cool. What other kind of radio work do you do outside of school?

A: I do a lot of voiceovers . . . I just caught one yesterday with Verizon wireless so every time you walk into the store you’ll actually hear my voice pop on and prompt you to see your customer care people and stuff like that. I also do a talk radio show for the internet outside of WARY

Photo by Andre Aivazians Radames Ocasio, former WCC student, is station manager at WARY as well as one of their DJs. He juggles job at college with pursuing his dreams through hard work and sacrifices off campus.

at Goom radio, which is Goomradio.com.

Q: How do you get clientele for the work that you do outside of WARY? A: A lot of it is referrals. What happens is you do a voiceover for someone, then someone needs a voiceover person, and they’re kind of like, “Hey I used this guy Radames, he was good.” Or, you know, someone takes out an ad or puts it on twitter. Whatever, you get a lot of work if you look

around for it.

Q: How did it come to being that you have an internet radio show?

A: My best friend, who I actually do the show with, who also was a member of WARY years ago, ended up working for a new company which is Goom radio which has 16 different radio stations. He ended up becoming the creative director over there, which means he handles all the commercials, drops, sounders,

liners [that] you hear in the middle of a show- and a commercial pops on. He’s the one that edits all that -- especially for Goom radio. We ended up about a year and a half ago, deciding to go into the studio and just start cutting one-hour talk shows -- not to be played for anybody -- just kind of see if we could do it. We sampled it amongst a small group of people and it kind of built up where more and more people were talking about it. Finally, the program

October 13, 2010

director actually heard it at Goom radio and said, “You know, you guys are good enough to be on air,” and he just threw us on the air. So yeah, we were just kind of doing, kind of hoping for an opportunity, and Shranker, who actually has another show on Goom radio too, gave it to us.

Q: So how many hours would you say you work in a typical week?

A: Oh man, that’s hard. You’d figure I do the seven here daily and then I do about probably about four to five [hours] two days a week at Goom. So I probably have 50 to 60-hour work weeks. Yesterday I was doing voice work for an extra hour and a half so you know, yeah sometimes you get a 50, 60-hour work week. Yeah, fair radio. Plus, it’s a lot of moonlighting and bouncing around. I also host parties and stuff so it’s always something to do. As you know, it was common hour for the Club Day. I was hosting that, so yeah, you’re always doing something. It keeps you very busy.

Q: I think I read on your card it said producer.

A: Yes, I do a lot of production. I do music on the side so, a lot of DJ-ing, so I try to make music, things like that. I would definitely produce shows, meaning I would give a show a theme to kind of run with, and see if they can actually carry it out and act it out on air.

Q: Cool. What’s a typical day like for you?

A: Pretty much up in the morning at the gym, go tanning, and then I’m here, pretty much at WARY. Then when I get out of here, I gotta bounce to Jersey, cut up things for the show up there and then work with Al-B in show prep. If you don’t know what a “show prep” is, that’s going over news articles, what you want to talk about for the week. I mean, we do probably about three four- hour’s prep for a one- hour show that you actually hear on air because right now I mean, we could talk about something. We could talk about Paris Hilton. It’s not gonna sound good on air. It would only be two minutes. So you know you have to know how to segue and go through things.

Yesterday we had to interview a band. We do that a lot so we’re gonna edit that into the live show CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

October 13, 2010

FEATURES

11

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

tonight. So it’s a lot of work.

Q: A lot of commute too, huh?

A: Yeah, Jersey City is a nice hour and a half to two hour’s drive or so.

Q: What skills would you say you use on a regular basis?

A: I think communication is the biggest one. I think a sense of humor is another one. I think that’s a skill. I think that’s something that’s lacking today. I think people get caught up trying to be too PC (politically correct). We can’t laugh at ourselves, you know?

Then why are we here? That’s honestly how I feel, but I really do feel like communication is my biggest skill. I think that’s my strongest attribute.

Q: Fits well with radio.

A: Yeah, yeah, I’m in the right business.

Q: So one of the major concerns with any radio station would be getting an audience?

A: Yes! Q: So how would you approach appealing to like- the WARY audience?

A: Oh, I think we have the best attitude a radio station can have.

We try to offend everybody. Not offend in the sense of cursing and stuff like that.

Offend in the sense of, we’re going to play a little of everything.

We’re going to play what your mom used to listen to. We’re going to play what your dad used to listen to. And guess what? We’re going to play what you listen to.

But then you get somebody that’s a little specialty, and they’ll play a song that you’ve never heard. So you’re going to get it all when you listen to WARY. I just hope you’re ready to hear it all.

You know we used to do a Power-Hour upstairs with the speakers where we’d actually broadcast for the cafeteria and the student lounge upstairs and when you’re playing a rock song, the hip-hop kids would call you and say, “Hey man, throw in a hip-hop song.” So you throw in a hip-hop song, and the dance kids would call you and say, “Hey, throw on a dance song.” So we do offend everybody. We try to appease everybody also.

Q: What got you interested in radio?

A: Puberty. I hit puberty and my voice was really deep and they pretty much told me, “Why don’t you do radio, get into voice work and stuff?” So as I got older, I modeled for a little bit and I started picking up voice work.

Q: What does it take from pursuing radio as a hobby to pursuing it as a career?

A: Ooph. It’s a rough business, because anytime that you’re de-

pending on ads, especially in a recession, it’s hard. I think right now, it’s just determination. I have a saying I say to the students.

“This business is 95 percent who you know and five percent talent.”

Q: Wow. A: And that’s absolutely true.

It’s right place -- right time, you know. It absolutely is. We were doing a show for a year and a half that no one was hearing. We were cutting them on CD’s. One guy heard it and because he knew us, he gave us a shot. So I think a lot of it’s luck, I really do. Sometimes the least talented actually make it and you know, it’s sad, but you gotta keep grinding. You gotta keep fighting.

Q: So, networking I guess?

A: Yeah, a lot of networking… – I used to work for ABC radio and I got to do an internship. So, it’s who you know at the end of the day, and networking would be the key word there. And also internsyou know the recession, it’s scary for a lot of the kids to dig outside of themselves. You have a job.

Some of us have two jobs. Some of us have three jobs. You know, you have a life. You want somewhat of a social life. So what if it all becomes about work? What we, me and Alberto – who does a show with me at Goom – what we sacrificed with our internships, we didn’t have lives. We just made it all about the companies we worked for and at the time he was at K-rock and I was at ABC radio.

So, that was it. That was the sacrifice you had to make. We knew in order to last in this business you have to make these sacrifices.

Yeah, that was at 20 years old.

Q: Wow. A: Yeah, it was pretty crazy.

Q: What hardships have you experienced and how have you overcome them?

A: I think the hardest thing is to keep “yourself”- to keep fighting. I think it’s a lot of it. You’re discouraged a lot in this business.

You know, you hear somebody on the radio, and you’re kinda sitting there going, “You know,” -you don’t want to be judgmental, but you are, “I’m funnier than this person,” or “I have a better voice than this person,” or “I’ll have a better delivery than this person.

How did they get the shot?” You just have to keep fighting through it. You just keep putting yourself out there. I think the hardest thing for me was knowing that even though I run this radio station -- and yes, it’s FCC licensed, and yes, we don’t play commercials, [because] we can’t take in sponsorships for terrestrial radio which is FM, Sirius and all that stuff -- they don’t see us, see me,

as a real radio person.

It’s like, “Ah yeah, but you run that small station over there.”

So it’s like, “Alright.” I think that was the hardest thing to get used to, because as you do side things and you do voice work, you meet a lot of people and it’s like, “No. He’s been kinda in and out of this business for a while.” You know with the internet show it helps a lot because you’re working with a lot of professionals that have been on different stations, so it’s pretty cool. But I think the hardest thing

“

We knew in order to last in this business you have to make these sacrifices

”

-- was just knowing -- to keep fighting, just to keep the dream alive I guess, you know?

Q: Yeah, definitely.

What advice would you give for those interested in getting into the field of radio?

A: I would honestly say that when you step into this business, to really know what you’re going to gear yourself towards. You know, if you’re going to aim at hip-hop,

then you go 100 percent at hiphop. If you’re going to aim at dance music, you go 100 percent at dance music. You know, I love all music, but I definitely think my speaking is one of my better abilities, so I want to end up with a talk show. So I know that’s what I want to aim at. For a lot of other kids, if you want to end to up doing music, you know there’s a lot of ways to be in music and be in this business. That doesn’t mean you have to be on air, meaning you can work on record labels.

You can work for distribution and stuff like that. You could work as a producer. So you could be behind the scenes in this business and still live a very good life. But the point is to keep fighting also.

You know for one job position, there’s probably 600 people trying to get that from all over. We’re just talking about locally, so it’s very competitive.

Q: What ideas would you have for the future for WARY radio?

A: Honestly- I think we’ve always prided ourselves on having the best equipment. What I want to do when a student comes into WARY, is know that when they go into a station, it’s nothing that they haven’t seen. So when they work with our computer system, our editing system, whatever that may be, I want to know when they look at our stuff, they’re probably even a year or two ahead of what most stations have. When they go to that station, it’ll be a joke when they have to work on that stuff, and they can fly through the

internship and more than likely be offered some kind of employment. You know, because that’s all that we’re aiming at at the end of the day -- to make money at this business.

Q: Yeah. With all the new technologies like internet radio and satellite radio where do you see like radio headed in 10 to 15 years?

A: Oh man, 10 to 15 years. I see it heading away from the commercial market -- I can already tell you that. The commercials are going to get shorter and shorter.

Soon it’ll be just little clip ads that come in and website banners and stuff like that. What’s scary is I think the live aspect is being taken out of radio. With so much technology, you can literally do the show from your house. You can cut it up on a computer program and send it in, have a producer match it all up. What used to take you four to six hours, you’re being paid for two hours because that’s how much work it really is.

But your show could be four to six hours. So I think the technology is actually hurting the business for a DJ. As for a big business, you’re going to turn more profit obviously -- so if the corporation’s running you, I guess it’s a good thing for them. And that’s exactly where it’s going.

Q: Thanks a lot.

A: Most def, brother.

Ocasio hosts an internet radio show with his friend, Alberto “Al-B,” another WCC alumni at Goomradio.com

October 13, 2010

FEATURES

12

Au Pairs: Making the U.S. Their Home Away From Home Natalia Bernardo Staff Writer

People hear about au pairs every now and then, but do you really know who they are?

An au pair is a young woman or man usually between the ages of 18 and 26 who lives for up to two years in a foreign country as a member of a local family. They work 45 hours per week taking care of their host family’s children. In return, they often have at least two full days off per week, two weeks of paid vacation a year and a minimum wage ($195.75) paid weekly.

At the end of one year, au pairs normally return to their home country, unless they and their host families choose to extend their stay for another six, nine or 12 months. Otherwise, the au pair can choose to extend their period in the US with a different family. Most au pairs choose a family in different parts of the country, allowing them to have a different experience. Ivanka Sevcikova, a former au pair from Slovakia and a current full time student here, spent a year on the East Coast as well as a year on the West Coast. “I wanted to travel as

much as possible,” she explains.

Before becoming an au pair, one needs to go through a long process.

First, the potential au pair needs to go through a travel agency in the home country and fill out a long application called a profile. The profile consists of personal information including copies of their driver’s license, passport and a list of their professional experience with children, including letters of recommendation from at least two families. It is also necessary for pictures of the au pair with children, preferably the same children as the families giving the recommendation letters.

After that, the agency will put the profile online to the families who are already members of the au pair program. Usually after two months, families start to contact the au pair by e-mail. Eventually, if they feel it is a good match, they will contact the au pair by phone.

The second part of the process, and to some au pairs can be the most important, is the process of adaptation. “At first I had some kind of culture shock,” says Johanna Croissant, a former au pair from France. “But one day, I

decided to let it go and enjoy my experience, and I had a blast!”

Another former au pair, Azucena Rocha from Costa Rica says, “In the beginning, it is so difficult because we are alone in a new culture and in contact with a whole new language.”

It does not matter if you talked to the family for a month or more, living with them and dealing with language barriers and cultural differences it is a whole new understanding. Sometimes the promises and agreements the au pair reached with the family during their contact, end up not working out. Johanna Croissant says, “… if you end up with the wrong family, it can quickly become a nightmare. They can take advantage of you and treat you like a slave.”

If the match with certain families does not work out, it is recommended to either choose another location or another family.

The disadvantages list can be long or short depending on one’s experience. Being far away from family, the lack of freedom and controlled privacy are the reason why homesickness sometimes overtakes them, and they return home.

Some advantages that au

pairs often appreciate are the fact of not having any expenses (other than what they spend during their leisure time); being able to travel; meeting people from all over the world; improving English; and shaping their personality.

“Becoming an au pair was the opportunity to improve my English,” says Kelli Soldera and Carla Alves, both former au pairs from Brazil. They also relate the experience with a future career.

While Carla knew exactly that being in New York would bring her a closer look into her area of interest in fashion, Kelli did not want to go to college straight from high school. “I wasn’t sure which career to follow and, since this is an important factor as you apply for college, I decided to wait awhile.”

Therefore, she became an au pair.

In addition to a family contract, an au pair needs to meet the educational requirements in order to get a ticket back home at the end of the experience. The au pair’s educational contract establishes that the au pair must take six academic credits or its equivalent in hours, and the host family pays $500 a year in educational expenses. However, that amount is not enough even if added to the au pair salary.

According to Professor Ruben Barato, the International Student Advisor, J1 visa holders (Au Pairs) pay the same amount as F1 visa holders (international students) of $403 per credit. On the other hand, residents pay $161 per credit. So, if an au pair decides to take one class, which is usually three credits, they will have to pay $1,209. Even if $500 offered by the host-family is deducted from that amount, the au pair will still have to pay $700 for half of the educational requirements.

For that reason, the main campus of Westchester Community College has records of the enrollment of 20 to 25 au pairs each semester in credit classes. Most au pairs, considering their economic situation, opt for noncredit classes because the fee to join is around the price of one credit, but they can get 45 to 60 hours per semester, which is the full educational requirement.

Barato also highlighted that 50 percent of the current Westchester Community College international students are former au pairs. They choose WCC because of location, previous ESL classes in which teachers would encourCONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

The Classic College Experience 30 minutes from Times Square Cutting-edge academic programs State-of-the-art facilities NCAA Division ll Sports Dynamic campus life

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Au Pairs: Making the U.S. Their Home CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

age them to follow their studies, and inexpensive full time tuition when it is compared to other local colleges. “I transferred a semester ago to WCC because WCC is a good college and it is a great place to meet people for the activities and clubs they offer to the students. The international department is also very helpful, and they are a good guide for us because we don’t know what to do or how to do it.”

“

I’ve learned how to respect others’ differences and really opened my eyes to the world

opened my eyes to the world …We make friends here like you never had before and your family is the most valuable asset you have.”

Au Pairs learn a lot when they are far away from everything and everyone they have known their entire life. In order to stay here and follow their studies and dreams as many former au pairs already did, they need to learn lessons and grow a lot as an individual. They need to grow stronger and have the will to move forward to help them to go through the cultural and languages barriers.

One thing is certain, most of the au pairs do not regret their experience, and they will do it all over again if they could.

”

Willing to help to overcome the cultural and language barriers, Westchester Community College offers the Conversation Partners Program in which 90 volunteers work individually once a week with the college’s English Language Institute (ELI) students to help them to practice and improve their language skills.

Kelli Soldera says, learned how 1:53 PM Page 1 15256 WCC Transfer Ad “I’ve v2_Layout 1 10/5/10 to respect others’ differences and really

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Three Ways to Learn More • Come to a Fall Open House on Oct. 24 (College at Florham) or Nov. 7 (Metropolitan Campus).

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• Visit our booth at the WCC Transfer Fair.

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METROPOLITAN CAMPUS TEANECK, NJ • COLLEGE AT FLORHAM MADISON, NJ

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October 13,2010

REVIEW: Maroon 5 Hands All Over Patricia Villate Staff Writer It is easy to forget it’s been 3 years since Maroon 5 released their last album, It Won’t Be Soon Before Long. Their music is continuously played on the radio, in retail stores, restaurants and cafes.

After hearing their hits being played time and time again, I was a bit apprehensive before listening to their new album titled Hands All Over, for fear that the tracks would sound repetitive after a while.

After listening to Lead Singer, Adam Levine’s hypnotic voice for the duration of the 17 track album I was pleasantly surprised.

Abandoning cryptic subtexts and hidden messages, he wears his heart on his sleeve throughout every song.

The band proves themselves to be musically dynamic, incorporating their signature funk beats

into tracks such as “Stutter” and “Don’t Know Nothing” while pulling at heartstrings with the ballad-like “Never Gonna Leave This Bed” and getting groovy with the disco-boogie song “Give a Little More.” There is a song in this album for everyone.

Most people will find themselves relating to some, if not all of the poetic lyrics sung by the talented head man of this popular band. Although the whole album was magnificent, I was blown away by Adam Levine’s vocals in his rendition of Alicia Key’s “If I Aint Got You.” Even live, his voice is simply breathtaking. To emphasize the talents of band members, there are two acoustic tracks of previous hits “Misery” and “Never Gonna Leave This Bed.” After listening to this album at least ten times in the past four days, I would say that this album is a definite essential to add to your play list for Fall 2010.

“This album is a definite essential to add to your playlist for Fall 2010.”

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The Tales of Johnny Jumper by Joseph Khan

FEATURES

October 13, 2010

15

My Experience with Lupus as a College Student How I Found Out, What I Did Next and How it Changed Me Patricia Villate Staff Writer

Nobody enjoys the sound of an alarm clock ringing at the crack of dawn to remind you that if you don’t wake up you’ll miss your first class.

Every day there is a new reason to retreat back under the covers. Maybe you didn’t get enough sleep, the weather is too lousy, or perhaps you just don’t want to deal with a certain professor today.

Some would say there’s nothing worse than the sound of an alarm ringing loudly to wake you up for class -- but it sure beats waking up to the monotonous beep of a heart rate monitor by the side of your bed.

Before being diagnosed with lupus in my senior year of high school, I had many encounters with the E.R. Although my condition was obviously getting worse with time, nobody could put their finger on the problem until about two years after I began displaying

symptoms in 2007.

Although now in remission and the picture of health, many lupus sufferers can’t call themselves so lucky.

Due to its difficulty to diagnose, many who have the disease are never diagnosed until it’s too late. Ninety percent of sufferers

Many who have the disease are never diagnosed are women, although men too may experience lupus. One of the most famous lupus sufferers was the king of pop himself, Michael Jackson. But what exactly is this disease?

Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE Lupus) is an autoim-

mune disease that can affect all the organs in the body, including the skin. Symptoms commonly include but are not limited to a facial skin rash known as a “butterfly” rash, inflammation of the joints, and photosensitivity. However, each person experiences lupus in a different way. This is what makes it so difficult to recognize and diagnose.

As a college student, fatigue and lack of concentration are the symptoms that are the hardest to cope with.

Fortunately, by surrounding oneself with a support group and keeping health under control through diet and exercise, things can be a lot easier to handle.

Nobody is sure what exactly causes lupus, but if you suspect you may be suffering from it -don’t be afraid to get tested. The best way to fight lupus is with an early diagnosis.

Thankfully, there are many JOB 9-067A ways to treat lupus and avoid a flare up. 10 X 6.75 WESTCHESTER The symptoms canVIKING be exacerbated by stress, so meditation

is always a good thing to try out.

Medications such as steroids and anti-malarial drugs help strengthen the body and the immune system, keeping illness at bay.

Ultimately, however, it is up to each individual to do whatever they can to ensure their health.

Of course, diet and exercise can make a world of difference.

Any sufferers should be sure to

Two years ago, lying in a hospital bed, college was the last thing on my mind.

Two years ago, lying in a hospital bed, college was the last thing on my mind. Now I’m writing for The Viking News, DJ-ing at the college radio station (WARY 88.1FM), and spreading awareness about lupus to everyone who will listen. The more people who are aware of lupus and its effects, the more likely it is that a cure will be developed.

For more information about lupus, contact the Lupus Research Center Institute at 330 Seventh Ave., Suite 1701, New York, NY 10001 or by email at Lupus@ Lupusny.org.

If you have already been diagnosed or know of someone who has lupus, I would suggest checking out the online community of wehavelupus.org. You will be surprised at how much you can find out, and how many people are willing to help.

recognize their limitations and avoid contact sports such as football and wrestling. Instead, opt for low-impact activities such as swimming or yoga.

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16

FEATURES

October 13, 2010

A Hudson Valley Autumn

Pumpkin-paintin’, cider-sippin’, apple-pickin’ and donut-dippin’, all this and more here at Outhouse Orchards in North Salem, NY.

Victoria Smith Staff Writer In the season between beaches and snow, what is there to do without spending the entirety of your college tuition? This fall, consider doing something new, fun, and affordable. From haunted houses and Halloween festivities to picking pumpkins at your local orchards, there are plenty of places to go just around the corner where you’ll be sure to have a great time at affordable prices.

Tis’ the season to be spooky!

Fortunately for Halloween-lovers, haunted mansions are of great abundance this year, and are usually only around $20 per visit. For starters, Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion, located in Wappingers Falls, NY is in its thirty-fourth season of scaring those who attend.

McCurdy’s was voted New York’s most interactive haunted attraction and number two in the nation by Haunted Attraction Magazine 2010. McCurdy’s Mansion was also rated number one in the Hudson Valley 3 times by

The Times Herald Record’s Annual Haunted Attraction Review.

Open now until Halloween, Westchester students should go check this place out, Fridays and Saturdays 7 p.m. until 12 midnight, and Sundays 6-9 p.m.

The general $22 admission fee covers all of the attractions including an interactive insane asylum, Nightmare Castle, and the legend of an infamous outlaw found hanging in an amusement park fun house.

For a younger crowd, Monday, Oct. 12 is Kids Day, where there will be pumpkin-painting, shows, and trick or treating with not-so-scary monsters. Admission for Kids Day is $12 for adults and $10 for children. Discounts and directions are available on their website, http://www.thehauntedmansion.com.

If you are looking to stay local, Halloween festivities are available for all ages in Sleepy Hollow Country throughout the month of Oct. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor features over 4,000 jack o’lanterns hand-carved in a wide variety of themes including a giant spider web, a scary

graveyard, and even large dinosaurs. Visitors must prepay for tickets online, available at http:// www.hudsonvalley.org. If you are planning on going, don’t wait to purchase your admission, tickets sell fast. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is $16 for adults, $12 for children, and free for those under the age of 5. Enjoy the fun from Oct.2 through the first week of November.

If you’re not a fan of spooky activities, and would rather enjoy one of the many local farms and orchards in the area, try Fishkill Farms Apple Orchard in Fishkill, NY. Fishkill Farms features tons of fall fun; including a hay jump, face painting, a giant bouncy castle, and farm animals. Between activities, there’s fresh apple cider donuts and fresh pressed cider, along with barbecues on the weekends. More importantly, bring your friends and family to pick your own ecologically grown apples, and pumpkins just in time for Halloween. Fishkill Farms is open seven days a week in October from 10 a.m. until 6 pm.

For a fabulous day, and only one hour away, try Weed Orchards in Marlboro, NY. Voted to

have the best tasting Cider Donuts in the Hudson Valley, enjoy Weed Orchards’ scenic farm, attend their Pumpkin Festival on the Oct. 16 and 17, or simply pick your own pumpkins and apples.

The admission is free, along with free parking.

There is select entertainment and free hayrides every weekend along with farm animals and activities such as sand art, a corn

maze, face painting and their Halloween Costume Party on Oct. 30 and 31. Open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., enjoy endless tastetesting and family fun.

For those representing the northern region of the WCC community, family owned Outhouse Orchards in North Salem, NY is a must. Located on Hardscrabble Road and open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., bring your family and friends for endless fall fun. Weekends are especially lively at Outhouse, with food and activities such as hayrides, pumpkin and apple picking, and weekly fairs.

Year round Outhouse Orchards has fresh fruit, flowers, jams, and

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FEATURES

October 13, 2010

jellies.

Apple picking is available between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and at $25 per half bushel bag, these juicy Macintoshes are worth every last penny. At the on-site general store you’ll find home-made apple cider accompanied by hot, fresh, delicious donuts while selecting one of the many homemade pies they have to offer. For this fall season, be sure not to miss out on these apples, pumpkins, festivities, and most importantly donuts.

Photos by Victoria Smith

From Yonkers to Dutchess County: Autumn Day Trips Worth Checking Out Molly Stazzone Staff Writer Leaves are changing their colors. People are changing their wardrobes. Summer has changed to fall. Autumn is filled with exciting changes and there are many fall activities for college students and their families.

Apple and pumpkin picking are now in season. Barton’s Farm is a market in Duchess County that has delicious fresh red, green, and golden apples. Also, Barton’s Farm sells fully grown pumpkins for October.

These apples and pumpkins taste even better when put into

pies for holiday meals and special occasions.

They also have special attractions like a castle and fort playground for little kids, and entertainment for all ages. At Barton’s there are hay rides, face paintings, and shops where homemade jam

The best place in Westchester to see, hear, and touch nature is the Greenburg Nature Center

and jellies are bought.

Other great activities for this autumn season are outdoor sports such as: biking, jogging, and exercising. Although the weather has cooled down from this year’s summer, it is still pleasantly warm.

Take a trip down to Tibbett’s Brook Park on Mc Lean Ave in Yonkers where people can ride their bikes on the two-mile trail, listen to their iPods while jogging, or meet family and friends for barbeques and parties.

A Yonkers resident said, “The best time to get in shape is in the fall.” She likes to walk while pushing her newborn in the carriage.

As for the kids, their favorite fall activity is playing. Whether it is playing under the trees or in the playground, kids love to play.

Fall is mostly about nature.

The best place in Westchester to see, hear, and touch nature is the Greenburg Nature Center in Hartsdale.

Not too far from White Plans, the Greenburg Nature Center is where families go to experience the beauty and to learn something new.

The nature center has a new environment-friendly rooftop; this way the nature center is helping the air, the plants, and the animals who live there.

Visit the Greenburg house located in the middle of the trail.

They have turtles, owls, and their very own green house. For an adventure, take a walk on one of the many Greenburg nature trails that are filled with beautiful scenes and cute forest animals.

No matter how far or near someone lives, or how old or young they are, fall activities are for the entire family.

FEATURES

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October 13, 2010

The Viking News Reviews: The Town Jheanel Walters Staff Writer

Omar

Class of 2011 North Providence, R.I. English

Keesey (Hall). Enters FBI Agent Frawley (Hamm) and Coughlin’s sister Krista (Lively), who is also MacRay’s drugged-out exgirlfriend, both characters playing pivotal roles in the twists and turns to follow.

Claire meets charming Doug at the Monument Laundromat, ironically making a monumental change in the relationship from hostage and kidnapper to friends and lovers. They begin a

dangerous love story, sparking fear, suspicions, paranoia, hope and betrayal for each player involved. However, just when I was starting to think “too much dialogue and not enough action,” the crew emerges as nuns for their second major heist and things go south without a warning. The police chase begins and the suspense keeps you riveted to the screen, because you never know who is going to win and you are never

sure whose side it is you are truly on.

With Agent Frawley’s patience wearing thin, the FBI closes in on Doug and his men without hard evidence, dashing Claire’s illusion of security simultaneously. In similar movies, we can predict the ending of that relationship – girl freaks out and wants nothing to do with the guy who’s a part of her nightmare and romantic affections at the same

discoveryourself

With so many blockbusters lined up for the fall season, it can be quite a chore to decide which movie to spend your hard-earned cash on.

The title may sound simple and vague, but The Town holds its own against previous movies with a similar plot. The dramatic thriller stars Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner and Blake Lively, in what has just become my favorite movie of the year so far. The Town is an actionpacked, romantic, suspense-filled movie about a Boston neighborhood, with more bank robbers and car thieves than anywhere else. Heists have become the carefully masterminded generational business that bonds these IrishAmerican men together.

Local hero turned criminal, Doug MacRay (Affleck), is the leader of a highly skilled crew, robbing banks and armored trucks and making a clean get-away. On a heist, his triggerhappy finger partner in crime and best friend, Jem Coughlin (Renner), inadvertently sets the story in motion when he briefly kidnaps the bank manager, Claire

time. Frawley is smart though, he finds “the weak link” in Krista and makes her an offer she can’t refuse, which brings us to the dramatic climax.

With their last heist on the horizon, Doug is making plans to put the town and crime connections “in his rear-view mirror” and start a new life with Claire. But with $3.5 million on the line, he finds he is in too deep to get out and resigned to his fate.

I witnessed one of the greatest onscreen shootouts between cops and robbers and an ending so surprising, it left me wanting more.

The film was Ben Affleck’s directorial debut and he did an excellent job. The action scenes were superb. The characters each held their own and brought such charisma to the screen, it was easy to know how you felt about them from the start. I found myself twitching, smiling and almost in tears for a man I initially wanted dead and rooting for a relationship doomed from the get-go.

There are so many movies, so little time and even less money, but if you are looking for action, drama, romance, suspense and a movie that will leave you wondering, The Town is definitely worth seeing.

what will you do?

When Omar transferred to RWU, he knew he wanted to jump right into the community. A member of the Multicultural Student Union and an Orientation Advisor, Omar made connections all over campus. When the English major decided to take a class in Latino/ Latina Literature, the fact that RWU didn’t offer one didn’t stop him. Omar proposed the class, found a professor to teach it, rounded up some students and had the course accepted by the Provost. Omar is paving his own way at RWU. What will you do?

www.rwu.edu

One Old Ferry Road • Bristol, RI 02809 (800) 458-7144 • (401) 254-3500

admit@rwu.edu

19

FEATURES

October 13, 2010

Free Halloween Fun:

Family Fall Fest: Coming Soon Victoria Smith Staff Writer

Fall Family Fest will take place on Sunday, Oct. 24 at The Student Center Lounge and Cafeteria at the Valhalla Campus of Westchester Community College. Any of our college community (which includes students, faculty, staff members, or administrators) with young children are welcome to enjoy the variety of crafts, games, and giveaways from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and admission is free.

This event is sponsored by the Westchester Events Board (WEB), which has created a specific committee for planning many programs and events designed for the WCC student population with young children, who may not be able to enjoy the campus programs held during the week.

At Fall Family Fest, the activities and events held are geared toward children three to 10 years of age. For those who attended last year’s Fall Family Fest, this year’s event will be similar with a few improvements. Director of Student Involvement, Adam Frank stated, “I believe the students plan to have more games for the children as well as more food and seating areas for families to enjoy in between all the fun activities.” Representatives of student organization, along with the WEB, will be present to assist.

“More surprises are being planned,” explained Frank.

There will be an indoor pumpkin patch in which families can select and decorate their own pumpkins. In the spirit of Halloween, families can go to the several trick-or-treat stations set up throughout the Student Center and get plenty of sweet treats. Along the trick-or-treat stations candy, there will also be light refreshments provided; cookies, pretzels, juice, coffee, etc. Frank wrote, “Each child who attended last year, left with a bag overflowing with prizes, goodies, and surprises!”

Fun activities will also include two professional face painters, and a sand art station with fall themed containers ready to fill with colored sand. For live entertainment, Fall Family Fest will be featur-

Families of students, staff and faculty enjoyed decorating pumpkins, eating snacks, playing games and winning prizes at last year’s Family Fall Fest hosted by the Office of Student

Photo provided by Adam Frank

ing a professional magician for an hour at 12 p.m. “Family members and their children can pose for fall themed photos,” explained Frank. “They will be able to stand in front of a green screen and have their family pictures taken with a background of their choosing. Each member of the family will be able to get a copy of the photo for free.”

Children will be provided with a wide variety of games and activities, many of which they can win prizes.

Families are encouraged to come to Fall Family Fest this October for a day of sweet, magical fun. When asked why families should attend, Adam Frank replied, “If you want to provide your family with a free afternoon of activities, games, crafts and more – come to Fall Family Fest this year. Every child (last year) had a smile on their face.”

Photo by Victoria Smith

Opinions

October 13, 2010

20

Opinions Fair and Equal Paychecks for Women Victoria Smith Staff Writer Imagine yourself in the early 1960s, jobless. Probably the first place you might look for employment would be your local newspaper. Today, you would find listings for a variety of jobs, welcoming any applicant who is qualified for that type of work.

However, in the 1960s, you would find two sections of the Classifieds; jobs for men, and jobs for women. Jobs for men were of great abundance, including business, labor, and medical positions.

However, if you were a woman living in the early 60’s, you would find three types of jobs only; you could be a secretary, a nurse, or a teacher. Today it would be un-

makes. The Paycheck Fairness Act is one intended to reinforce and update the Equal Pay Act of 1963. It would protect victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex in the workplace, giving those victims the right to take unfair employers to court.

Among the student population of Westchester Community College are thousands of students who are following their dreams of a career; men and women alike.

This is for one very specific reason; our generation is one that has grown up, hearing the words, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” From the time most of us can remember, we have all been given the equal opportunity to dream. If you went back

monster.com doubtedly discriminatory to list gender-specific jobs, however back then as a woman, those were your only options.

As far as the female workforce as come since then, there remains a wage gap reported between men and women. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was put in place to ban gender discrimination in the workplace. This act has clearly failed, as advocates would prove through women only earning 77 cents to every dollar a man

a generation or two before hand as a man, the question would remain the same, “a lawyer, a doctor, a policeman?” However, as a woman years ago, you would only hear, “when are you going to get married, and have children?”

In today’s society, you can walk into any job interview, and your boss is just as likely to be female as they are male. Years ago, this would never be the case.

According to the United States Department of Labor, women ac-

counted for 51% of all workers in the high-paying professional, management, and related occupations in 2009. These top three jobs were pharmacists, lawyers, and computer and information systems managers. As anyone would conclude, these top three jobs are significantly different from the only three jobs available to women in the 60’s.

As an eighteen year old student at Westchester, the Paycheck Fairness Act is one that I would never have even thought necessary in modern New York. I was always told I could grow up to be anything I wanted to be, regardless of whether that meant a princess or a lawyer. This led me to question the actual validity of the wage gap. According to the CONSAD Research Corporation and the United States Department of Labor, there are very clear differences in the attributes of women and men that have been proven to account for the wage gap’s majority.

Throughout the course of history, traditional gender roles have defined our society; women are the homemakers and caretakers, while men support financially. It is important to realize the wage gap may not be completely based on discrimination.

For years there has been a stigma to becoming a housewife so early on in life. Many women think it is important to have a full house by the age of 30. A greater percentage of women leave the workforce for childbirth, childcare, and eldercare. These women are being invalidly counted in the statistics, creating a larger wage gap than actuality. Stereotypically speaking, they go from wife, to mother before they can even think about their own education or dreams.

Women usually take part time jobs after having children so that they are still able to raise and support them. Part time jobs are very likely to pay less than a full time job. Women, working mothers especially, value “family friendly” workplace policies more than

Men Cleaning Womens Bathroom?

Candy Frazier Managing Editor Since the new semester has begun there have been sights, more frequent than not, that male janitors have been entering the women’s bathroom to clean. Not that this is completely wrong, however, to have such instances taking place during peak hours of the day, in very commonly used bathrooms such as the student center and the library women’s restroom, seem to have some of the females here on campus feeling a little uncomfortable. When a WCC female student was asked if they were aware that this was taking place she replied; “oh yea, I always see them standing outside the bathroom waiting until they see enough girls walk out so they can go in.” Considering said janitors aren’t simply barging in to the restrooms relieves some of the discomfort, never the less, this doesn’t take away from the fact that there is still something slightly skeptical about the situation.

In a quest to receive answers regarding the janitor situation, no one from the maintenance department appeared to have been avail-

able to give some insight on why this could be going on. Leaving us, with only the students affected by these acts to turn to. When another student was asked how she felt about male janitor’s cleaning women’s bathrooms, the aggravation she felt clearly showed on her face; “it’s extremely annoying, you’re in the bathroom and you hear a knock so you feel like you have to rush to come out, because otherwise they’ll just keep knocking until you do.” The student states in frustration. Maybe it isn’t the janitors who are the blame.

Could it be that the maintenance department, considering letting go all the workers they had previously, no longer have enough female workers to clean the women’s restrooms? Or could it simply be due to the fact that no one other than just a few people here on campus finds it strange and or inconvenient; that if a female student in the student center has to use the bathroom at the same time someone is cleaning it, they have to walk to another building to do so?

Social Networking Gricel Vettese Staff Writer

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Millions of tech-savvy people and businesses use social networking sites to keep in constant contact with friends, family, and consumers. Social networking sites encourage you to stay connected with others by sending messages or posting comments. Most sites will ask you to write a profile including your sex, age, hobbies, political views and other interests. The intention of these profiles is to help you connect with

other users who share the same common interests and goals. You do so by posting pictures, videos, music, artwork, blogs or online journals. Many users have integrated social networking as part of their daily routine. Some sites indulge diverse groups of people, while others attract people based on common language or shared racial, sexual, religious, or nationality-based identities. Making new friends and reconnecting with old ones is easy and fun.

For students, it’s a great way to “meet” other students, staff, faculty and even alumni. The social networking sites are used to post future events, parties, clubs, and a

October 13, 2010

Opinions

22

Fair and Equal

continued from page 20

men. The jobs that offer familyoriented benefits are simply not found within higher-paying industries and occupations, and therefore women will often accept lower wages to gain these benefits.

After having a family, most women take a hiatus and settle for whatever is available. This is where you might find a woman with little to no college education, working a blue collar job. Blue collar, non union jobs, including service workings in stores or restaurants are the most affected by wage discrimination based on gender in the workplace.

As stated in a report by the Labor Department, many believe the wage gap “may be almost entirely the result of the individual choices being made by both male and female workers.” When the factors of men having achieved a higher education, making them more qualified are considered, the wage gap narrows tremendously.

A recent survey in the Wall Street Journal reported single, educated, childless urban women between the ages of 22 and 30 actually earned an average of 8% more

The Viking News thevikingnews@gmail.com 914.606.6768 Editor-in-Chief Steven Draper

Managing Editor Candy Frazier

News Editor SangHoon D. Lee

Opinions Editor Ron Krokovich

Art Director Joe Khan

Sports Editor Andre Aivazians Copy Editor Shelly Williams

illumemag.com

than their male counterparts. In the same survey, 50 metro areas were listed in which women were earning equal to, if not more than their male coworkers. Of course, not every woman in America lives in a large city without intentions of raising a family. Proponents of the Paycheck Fairness Act argue that those women who are not earning equal pay to their peers are pressured by the traditions and expectations from society.

These points are continually debated.

50 years ago, women would find only three job opportunities listed for them in the Classifieds section of a newspaper. The rest of the workforce was off-limits.

It was not until the Vietnam War in 1965 when thousands of male troops were sent away, and the women were left responsible to take the place of the men. From this point on, women have continued to climb up the business ladder. Women in the work force have advanced tremendously, and are now highly respected in their careers. The implementation of The Paycheck Fairness Act would mean women who are being paid less than their male coworkers for reasons completely separate than sex-based will have the right to take well-intentioned employers to court. These businesses would most likely settle to avoid a wrath of bad publicity

Alumni Mentor Beth McGrail

Faculty Adviser Eric Luther

Letters to the Editors can be submitted in the following ways: email: thevikingnews@gmail.com in person: Student Center - Rm 020

Opinions expressed within these pages do not reflect the opinion of the editors, administration, the faculty or faculty advisers. and multi-million dollar lawsuits.

Not only would the bill victimize innocent employers, it would also sustain fallacies about the status of women in the workplace. The Paycheck Fairness Act is an outdated feminism that has very little relevance to today’s society and generations. When conversing with others, we are asked, “What do you do?” Our society no longer categorizes its inhabitants us-

ing gender. Gender barriers and physical stereotypes continue to blur, and gender role reversals are very much in play; men have become assistants, and women have become surgeons. We are not defined by what is expected, we are defined by our accomplishments; what school we attend, our experiences, and ultimately, our careers.

Interested in Expressing your Opinion?

Email the Opinions Editor at vikingopinions@gmail.com

Looking forward to hearing your views

23

Opinions

October 13, 2010

Voice Of Valhalla What should be done about the Massive Population of Geese on Campus?

Andrea Bogojevich “I’m scared of geese”

A flock of geese near the student center try and corner the nearby student

Jordan Andreson “We should feed them and build a manmade pond.”

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Opinions

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October 13, 2010

Letter to the Editor To The Editor, Walking past the Administration Building several times during the semester’s first week, I was amazed by the long lines of waiting students. The lines trailed far outside of the buildings’ two entrances.

I heard that a new “Web portal” had been adopted by WCC. My “Synonym Finder” book lists the word “portal” as synonymous to “orifice.” Based on what I observed on September 9, I’d say WCC chose one of the more infamous and malodorous orifices of the anatomy.

In the past, waiting in line to register and/or pay took at most 30-40 minutes. On September 9, it took many of us more than 4 hours!

Initially, I attributed the slowness to the overcrowding of the Valhalla campus. But when I was close enough to see someone registering, I was appalled by how long the process took! Students weren’t “just” registering,

they seemed to be having counseling-sessions right there at the registration-counter.

I’d noticed the absence of the familiar forms students used to fill out before registering. I found one, and filled it anyway. When I reached the registration counter after 2 hours’ waiting, a clerk, contrary to past practice, handed to me a small, sleazy-looking, keypad, and asked to me type my social-security number on it. Realizing I was being set up for a long stay at the counter, I handed over the form I’d filled out. My registration took about 3 minutes.

Paying the tuition entailed another 2 hours of waiting in the Bursar’s line. A woman standing nearby said she’d been waiting in different lines for a total of 8 hours. Many others claimed they had never waited in line at WCC as long as they had this time around.

As with the Registrar, I saw students exchanging many words with the clerks, and taking unusu-

ally long to pay. I had my credit card at the ready. The first question I was asked at the bursar window was: “What is your new social security number?”

Zoweeeee! I didn’t know WCC had the power to change people’s social security numbers!

Someone had scribbled a 9-digit number I’d never seen before on my registration-printout. But I stuck to my “old” number, I was about to sign my creditcard receipt and gloat over how little time it took me to pay for the semester, when something on the small piece of paper caught my eye. I discovered I was overcharged nearly $900! I pointed it out to the clerk. Correcting the error took a very long time.

WCC might regard its students as a mob, but the students in line were great. Along with justified grumpiness, jokes and laughs were heard. When a student mentioned being in pain, someone ahead in the line traded places. The security guards were

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courteous and friendly, especially a new guard named Q, and another whose name, if memory serves, is Regina. They kept a kindly disposition and didn’t unduly harass us.

Peter Sasko, “veteran” of many registration-weeks, was nice, but I believe that an incident which probably involved him should be investigated: A woman was suddenly moved to the head of the Bursar’s line. Justified negative comments followed. I believe Sasko was the one who escorted her to the advantageous position, but couldn’t see for sure. We’re entitled to know: Who authorized moving that person ahead? And why?

Students of WCC are owed an apology for the great registration-slowdown of last week.

Moreover, the Orifice -- oops, I mean Oracle -- “new portal” shouldn’t be discussed, ridiculed, or scorned. It should be purged from WCC’s system, along with mounds of paperwork it must have produced, and along with those who have inflicted it on the WCC community in the first place.

According to the September 2010 issue of IEEE’s “The Insti-

tute” newsletter, Oracle is one of 6 Silicon Valley companies refusing a Freedom Of Information Act request that they publicize data on their employees’ race and gender.

“The Institute” says these companies have “convinced federal regulators who collect and release” race/gender statistics that “disclosure in the newspapers could cause the companies economic harm by revealing their businessstrategies...” Hmmm. Complying with the law is a “business strategy?” My copy of WCC’s “Affirmative Action Handbook” shows WCC is meticulous in collecting WCC race and gender statistics, for use in hiring faculty and staff.

It is strange that WCC, which is so meticulous about Affirmative Action, would do business with Oracle, which is very secretive about its Social Justice performance.

Perhaps WCC “higher-ups” regard students as The Common Herd, but they’ve no right or excuse to turn us into Guinea Pigs in service of Oracle’s need and greed. Perhaps they think we’re “The Great Unwashed--” that quaint Victorian phrase!... But students “foot the bill” for WCC’s existence.

Editor Response Dear Perpetual Student,

Thank you for sending in a letter to me. I like to see our readers become more involved in our newspaper. I feel what you went through; I myself had to stand in those lines to not only get financial aid but also to see the bursar and registrar as well. This new system that the school is using is somewhat confusing to me and the rest of us here at The Viking News. I know of some faculty members that also find the system to be very annoying in some aspects but helpful in others.

The fact is this new system was put in place to late and not enough was given to the faculty and staff to fully understand and utilize it. I believe that if it was put in place last semester and they had the entire summer to learn it I think we would’ve been on the lines for not that long. Also the fact remains is that some students wait until the very last minute to do any paperwork, whether it be for financial aid, admissions or even handing in their certificate of residence. Students need to learn that it takes three to eight weeks to process financial aid on a federal and state level. So for example, if a student hands in their financial aid on July 8th, the federal government won’t receive it until the middle of August or possible beginning of September. I go on to read that the bursar overcharged you by nine hundred dollars, I can’t believe that. I am so sorry on behalf of the student body that this happened. The fact is Westchester Community College is a fine educational institution and my experience here has been nothing but fun and exciting. Yes, the college does have its faults but it also has many, many excellent qualities in the educational industry. Our new Gateway Center is proof of that greatness.

I do have problems with using the PeopleSoft on my home computer.

I own a Mac book pro and the operating system is too advanced for their software, so I have to use MYWCC at school, which is an inconvenience. As for the WCC “higher ups” I think that they thought this new web-portal would be more efficient and it is but it wasn’t given the time it needed to become great. Thank you so much for writing to us. I hope to see more letters in the future!!

Ron Krokovich Opinions Editor

Opinions

October 13, 2010

25

Social Networking:

continued from page 20

host of informative details to help you keep in tune with the campus culture. In short, they can be the best way to understand and stay connected to your campus community as a whole.

Invariably, as in every aspect of our lives, potential exploiters can and do use your personal information from your profile and comments in search of victims. Aside from the dangers of entering excessive personal information of which pedophiles, for example, if given the chance would thank you for, there are cyber criminals who apparently get a “rush” from hacking into your computer for phishing attempts, or better yet, identity theft. Tools and frameworks now available are used to gather your personal data to custom craft very credible e-mails that are subsequently sent to everyone on your e-mail list. Also a new set of tools called, “Open Source Intelligence” exist to help map out people’s lives and relationships. Nation-wide students are foolishly getting into trouble with school administrators for incriminating and posting inappropriate information and pictures on their social networking profiles that are in violation of school policy and/or code of conduct. In addition, and perhaps not so obvious, the danger of posting secret bits of corporate information that become useful to

WHY

competitors, and the possibility of getting you fired is reason for concern.

The term “friends” on social networking sites does not necessarily mean friendship in the sense that we are accustomed to hearing or feeling. Not everyone you are “friends” with on Facebook is a true friend. Many of us are broadcasting our lives online more than ever before. More than 55 million status updates are posted on Facebook every day for “friends” to see. If that isn’t enough food for your social networking thoughts, consider this, according to a recent study conducted by Harris Interactive for CareerBuilder.com, 45% of the employers interviewed admitted to using social networking sites to screen job candidates. They searched sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and MySpace.

35% of the managers questioned admitted having decided not to take on potential candidates based on their social networking site. In addition, more than half of the employers said that provocative photos were the biggest factor contributing to a decision not to hire a candidate. While 44% of employers pointed out references of drinking and drug use as a serious red flag. Other “red flags” were cursing, speaking badly of previous employers and colleagues, and generally poor com-

munication skills.

Since the beginning of the social networking era people have been denied work, internships and even interviews because of information seen on social networking sites. Before you go on an interview, ask yourself this question, how would you feel about potential employers seeing what you have posted? If you choose not to take precautions, then be prepared to answer ques-

TRANSFER TO

tions about your social networking page in your job interview. It has become common for employers to ask applicants, “What does your profile say about you?” Be prepared to answer honestly, because if they haven’t done so already, they will look at your social networking accounts.

Social networking technologies provide us with an efficient way of making and keeping social connections. It provides us with

a social scenario where people have huge numbers of diverse, “friends”. Claims that social networking are the cause for all social ills come from those who do not understand the positive magnitude of social networking in our society. Technology does not create the social problems, it simply makes it more visible and much harder for us to ignore.

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October 13, 2010

College Cost and Obama Admin.

Ron Krokovich Opinions Editor The Obama administration has proposed tough and much-needed regulations for lucrative for-profit colleges. Industry is predictably pushing back hard, with legions of high-priced lobbyists and organized letter-writing campaigns. The administration must hold its ground.

The final rules, due out in November, must be strong enough to rein in businesses that have made an art of enrolling students who have no chance of graduating and stripping them of state and federal grants and loans. Besides ending such abuses of students, the regulations are needed to protect taxpayers, who foot the bill for waste and abuse in the college aid program.

Honest, well-run for-profits play an important role in educating students who may not qualify for traditional schools.

Over the last decade, far too many institutions have been cited for saddling students with ruinous debt. A recent report from the Government Accountability Office found fraudulent or deceptive practices at all 15 of the for-profit colleges visited by investigators posing as prospective students.

Some college officials encouraged applicants to falsify financial aid forms; students were also pressured into signing en-

rollment contracts before they were allowed to speak to financial aid representatives who would clarify costs. The programs offered at the for-profits schools were substantially more expensive than comparable programs at nearby public colleges. In one example, a student who inquired about the cost of studying for a massage therapy certificate was told that $14,000 was a fair price, even though the local community college offered the same courses for $520.

The new rules would grant the Department of Education stronger authority to stop schools from making false or misleading statements about financial charges or the employability of their graduates.

Schools would be barred from paying recruiters based on how many students they brought in. Most important, the new rules would cut off federal aid to programs that repeatedly saddled students with debt that is defined as unaffordable under a new formula that takes earnings into account.

The for-profit sector is claiming that such abuses are rare and says that these rules would hurt the poor and minority students who are disproportionately enrolled in for-profit schools. In fact, the rules would go a long way toward preventing those students from being preyed upon and saddled with debt that follows them for the rest of their lives.

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Sports

October 13, 2010

SPORTS Mens Soccer Pictorial: Highlights of the Season

Sergio Villatoro for the Viking News

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Sports

October 13, 2010

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Nicole Angelo Andre Aivazians Sports Editor Many people would agree that volleyball is a very competitive sport in both a physical aspect as well as a mental one. However, at age 17, Nicole Angelo has managed to rise to the top of her game. Both a great academic and athlete, Nicole really is the definition of a model student.

Q: So when did you first start playing Volleyball? Was it in the family or was it something you wanted to do on your own?

A: It was something that I picked up on my own actually. I had never played volleyball before and in the seventh grade, I heard about the tryouts and said to myself “Why not try out?”

Q: So, how did you do when you started playing on the team?

I mean you obviously are doing

very well know but how was it when you were younger, high school for example?

A: Well, in Junior year I was the lead in spikes and the same went for senior year to. Also, in senior year I won an award, All League All Section, which is one of the highest awards they give.

Q: So overall, how good do you think you are?

A: I get that question a lot actually. But I am pretty good, definitely the player to watch out for on court.

Q: Was it ever hard to juggle both a sport and schoolwork at the same time?

A: Not really, I mean I was always on top of it all so it never was an issue. But being above average in school was always a help for me.

Q: So how do you like volleyball here with a new team?

A: It’s great playing here with a new team definitely. Our team is like a family to because we’re always there for each other on court and off. Our coach is really great to. She is always there for us when we need her and were all really close, especially with her.

Q: So, how has the team done so far and what are your hopes for the rest of the season?

A: We’re doing really well with nine wins and four loses.

Our team is super strong this year. We’ve got a great defense as well as a strong offense. Overall, were doing really well and I’m hoping that we get into regionals and eventually into finals as well.

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October 13, 2010

Yankees Season Review

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The Yankees 2009 season ended with their 27th world championship. Wouldn’t it be fitting to add another trophy to their massive collection, during the year when their beloved owner George Steinbrenner passed away? Well their commitment to excellence has now led them to another postseason birth. The hefty lefty and 21 game winner C.C. Sabathia leading them, the Yankees surged down the stretch securing the wild card spot with an overall record of 95 wins and 67 losses, breaking the 90 win plateau once again.

While many Yankee fans would love to have seen their team wrap up another division title against their hated rival The

production for the American League during the regular season. Where can you really go wrong with having back to back hitters in their lineup (Alex Rodriguez & Mark Teixeira) hit at least 30 home runs and 100 RBI’s, talk about a one two punch!

The Yankees are only one of 2 teams in all of baseball to have 3 batters in their lineup drive in at least 100RBIs. Some may say they buy championships through free agency but their hard work and unity on the field is what the players say truly amounts to their accomplishments. The Yankees also had two all star pitchers selected to the all star game this year. So their offensive production is also

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Patriots Filet Dolphins 48-14 Ron Krokovich Opinions Editor The New England Patriots completely dismantled a deflated Miami Dolphins team in the second half tonight, sparked by a Brandon Tate 103 yard kickoff return to start the third quarter.

Then the Patriots poured it on Dolphins early and often en route to a 41-14 victory that pulls New England (3-1) into a first place tie with the New York Jets atop the AFC East.

“

The New

England Patriots dismantled the Miami Dolphins

”

After Tate’s touchdown, a blocked punt by Patrick Chung set up another easy score moments later, and the rejuvenated Patriots ran out to a 27-14 lead over the Miami Dolphins after three quarters.

Down 7-6 at the half, the Patriots swung everything their way in the third quarter of the game with a share of first place in the AFC East at stake.

Tate’s kickoff return — his second TD of the season — was the first spark, and Chung’s block

only added to the big momentum swing. BenJarvus Green-Ellis rumbled 12 yards up the middle and into the end zone one play after Chung knocked down Brandon Fields’ punt, and the Patriots quickly found themselves up 207.

Chad Henne’s second touchdown pass of the game, a 28-yarder to Ricky Williams, got Miami within six points with 8:56 left in the quarter. But Tom Brady coolly marched New England on its ensuing drive, a 12-play, 78-yarder capped by his 11-yard touchdown pass to Danny Woodhead with 4:02 remaining.

The Dolphins outgained New England 321-241 through the first 45 minutes, averaging 7.3 yards per play, and still went into the final quarter facing a twotouchdown deficit.

Brady came into Monday night just 3-5 in his previous visits to Miami, and he got help from a most unlikely source — linebacker Rob Ninkovich, who spent parts of the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Dolphins.

Ninkovich had the first two interceptions of his career, both in the first half. New England got field goals from Stephen Gostkowski out of both, a 23-yarder and then a 30-yarder to end the first half, getting the Patriots within 7-6. Henne threw a 19yard touchdown pass to Davone Bess on Miami’s second drive of the game.

Henne and Brady combined for 25 completions in the opening two quarters — and strangely, none went to the Dolphins’ Brandon Marshall or New England’s Randy Moss.

“

session.

Brady went 0 for 2 on the opening drive, getting hit hard on the third-down attempt toward Welker.

Brady had the Patriots moving after the Dolphins’ first touch-

down, but what would have been a 36-yard gain to tight end Aaron Hernandez — to the Miami 26 — was erased by Matt Light’s holding penalty with just under 5 minutes left in the quarter, and the Pats ended up punting again.

Ninkovich had the first two interceptions of his career, both in the first half

”

Marshall had four catches for 42 yards in the third quarter, while Moss remained silent.

The Patriots didn’t seem to need him, either.

Brady has thrown for 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on the Dolphins’ home field, yet has two more losses there than he does as a visitor to New England’s two other AFC East rivals, the Jets (7-2) and Buffalo (7-1), combined.

And the first series Monday night did nothing to suggest this trip would be easy for Brady, either.

The Patriots avoided a huge blunder with 10:56 left in the opening quarter, when Wes Welker called for a fair catch at the New England 11 and ended up muffing Fields’ punt. Welker recovered the ball amid a swarm of Dolphins, but the Patriots managed only six yards on the way to a three-and-out on their first pos-

Patriots nose tackle Myron Pryor (91) puts a hit on Dolphins QB Chad Henne in New England's 41-14 rout of Miami on Monday night, Oct. 4, 2010, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Fla. patriots.com

Red Sox 2010 Review 89-73 Ron Krokovich Opinions Editor They came in with every intention of getting back to the postseason for the seventh time in Theo Epstein's eight years as general manager, and why not?

The rotation stacked up as perhaps the deepest in the game, helped by the addition of free agent John Lackey. The bullpen had been dominant in 2009, and had most of the same pieces back.

The offense -- even without Jason Bay -- still looked formidable, with Jacoby Ellsbury setting the table for a group that included Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez, Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz.

So what happened to cause the Red Sox to be without a postseason berth for the first time since 2006? As it turns out, an eerily simi-

lar theme to that ‘06 season. Manager Terry Francona’s team was besieged by injuries to key players, and that is no overstatement.

What also should not be overlooked is this: Even with all their medical maladies, the Red Sox showed tremendous fortitude and stayed in contention until the final week of the regular season. This while playing in the most competitive division in baseball, the American League East.

“There’s a lot of character in this room,” said Lackey. “I’ve really enjoyed these guys, really enjoyed playing with these people. With all the adversity we’ve had this season, to stay in as long as we have is a testament to these guys’ character, for sure.”

No one will ever know what the Red Sox could have accomplished

if they had been even close to full strength. But the players who did stay on the field gave it everything they had. Adrian Beltre had a monster year -- his best since 2004. Ortiz bounced back from another gruesome April to have his first 30-homer, 100-RBI season since ‘07. Righty Clay Buchholz vaulted himself to elite status. Jon Lester was one of the best power lefties in the game for the third straight year.

But all the good things the Red Sox did individually and collectively were ultimately offset by an overly crowded trainers’ room.

The injury bug arrived in the ninth inning in Kansas City on April 11 -when Ellsbury crashed into Beltre and suffered fractured left ribs -- and spread for pretty much the entire season. Ellsbury, the dynamic leadoff man and Boston’s best speed

threat, would be plagued so much by his ribs that he would play in just 18 games and serve three separate DL stints.

Perhaps the biggest blow of all, however, came on June 25, the night Dustin Pedroia smashed a foul ball off his left foot in San Francisco.

His navicular bone fractured, the sparkplug second baseman and 2008 AL Most Valuable Player would play just two games for the rest of the season.

If there is a hitter who means as much to the Red Sox as Pedroia, it is Youkilis, and his season ended on Aug. 2, the night he tore the adductor muscle in his right thumb.

So once Ellsbury was done for good on Aug. 13, the Red Sox would play their final 44 games without their leadoff man, No. 2 hitter and cleanup man.

Other players who took big hits from injuries in 2010? Righthander Josh Beckett, who missed more than two months with a bad back. Outfielder Mike Cameron, who dealt with lower abdominal pain all season, and was limited to only 48 games. Martinez also missed a month with a broken left thumb.

Backup catcher and captain Jason Varitek missed 58 games with a broken right foot.

In the end, however, the Red Sox -- led by Francona -- made no excuses. They expect to regain their health in 2011 and be back in the thick of October baseball.

“It’s no fun going home before you want to regardless of what’s happened,” Francona said. “I think the world of the guys in that clubhouse and the effort and things like that. I want to keep playing.”

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