Lend a Helping Hand to a Neighbor In Need

Lend a Helping Hand to a Neighbor In Need

By: Lynette Perez

Stressed, overtired, overworked, overloaded, broke, hungry, yet happy. Do these adjectives apply to you? If so, you have more in common with a homeless person than you think.

As students who are burdened by a heavy work load, we often set ourselves apart from others, when we should really come together and invest a fraction of our time to help those who need it the most.

Although the community Manhattan College is located in seems to be an affluent one, there are still people around in need of food and a place to stay.

Only two blocks away from the back entrance of MC sits the Riverdale Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture. The society, formed in 1966 is a non-profit organization that encourages social action within our community.

In an interview with Grace Cobbina, office manager of RYSEC for 18 years, she explained how the society participates in “The Emergency Overnight Shelter for Homeless men, The Interfaith Food and Hunger Project, and The Greater NY Blood Program” among a lengthy list of other projects.

Every Monday night, RYSEC provides shelter and food for six “houseless” men. Grace explained that “most have jobs but are divorced and trying to pay child support and/ or other bills. They go through a screening process so there are no addicts, and not just anyone can walk in.”

Last Monday a group of MC students and I volunteered at the shelter and interacted with the men. We set up cots, helped make their meal, set the table, and really enjoyed their company. Before their arrival, we were all nervous as to what they would be like, but when they finally arrived, the atmosphere was cheerful and lively.

They told us of their pasts and how they came to find RYSEC. Around the table were men of all different ages, races, shapes, and sizes. Sitting at a table with ex-addicts, a surfer, a Boston University graduate, and many more personalities who all shared a common living situation and different life experiences made way for great conversation.

While packing up some food for his “wifey,” who was staying in another shelter for the night, a young man named Mel expressed his joy for the Riverdale Society and the wonderful meal he was enjoying. In a side conversation, he told me, “this place is beautiful! The place we usually stay, we have to sleep on chairs...”

Despite the fact that the society only offers shelter and a good, warm meal for six men on Monday nights, their involvement in The Interfaith Food and Hunger Project allows for canned and packaged non-perishable food donations seven days a week.

Cobbina explains how through this program, “all churches and temples [along with individual volunteers] in Riverdale collect food and send it to the Church of the Mediator,” located on 231 and Broadway.

The project, another non-profit organization is sponsored by religious and community institutions. It is “staffed entirely by volunteers and relies totally on food and cash contributions.”

They look for volunteers to “help collect, pack and redistribute the bagged food; to pack 100 grocery bags one day a month at the Y; to contribute food, cash or in-kind support; to help with fund-raising activities; and to sponsor a food drive.”

In such close proximity to influential societal programs, it is nearly effortless to lend a helping hand, yet Cobbina solemnly mentions “we always try to get MC students to come, but no one ever seems interested.”

In an effort to find out why so many students participate in volunteer programs far from home, yet rarely make an effort in their own neighborhoods, I interviewed sophomore Devon Bernaiche. 

In 2010, Devon participated in LOVE New Mexico. I asked her why she chose to help others so far away when she could help people here, and she told me “I went to New Mexico because I wanted to help out and really have a life changing experience. I haven’t found the time to help out here, and I don’t know where to go.”

This response is not an uncommon one. After speaking with many students on campus about my experience at RYSEC, most explained that they did not know it even existed... Let’s hope we can change that. 

A few hours of volunteer work will not only look good on your resumé, but can change your current life-view, humble you, and brighten a person’s day.

For more information, visit http://rysec.org/ or call 1(718)-548-4445.

Samantha Fox

Manhattan College Is In The Closet

            With the recent repeal of Prop 8 in California, as well as the media storm that occurred while the United Sates Senate debated whether or not to repeal the military’s ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy, gay rights have been making headlines more than ever. For years, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) individual have been the victims of abuse and discrimination, yet in recent history this community has gone from being viewed as an “oppressed minority” to a powerful group, demanding their voices be heard.

            But although the growing acceptance of the LGBT community, this group is completely ignored at Manhattan College, despite the schools claim to be a “nurturing, a caring, pluralistic campus community.”

            According to Manhattan.edu, there is an extra curricular club called “Standing Together,” which is said to “foster education, but not exclusively for the college’s community of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people.” The club has not been active for years, according to the club’s chair Dr. Thomas Ferguson. The last Gay Rights events that took place at Manhattan College were a “Gay History Tour,” in 2006, and a “Day of Silence” in 2008. The stagnant state of Gay Rights centered activities and meetings shows just how much Manhattan College acknowledges the LGBT group.

            In the school’s ROTC program, however, homosexuality is not just acknowledged; it’s grounds for being discharged. First Lieutenant Ryan Benson made it clear that the Air Force does not follow the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. “We have our own rules,” he says. “Someone would need hard evidence, like a photo, and would only be discharged if they were being offensive or insulting to the Air Force.” Despite Lieutenant Benson’s explanation, the actual form which aspiring cadets re required to sign states it is grounds for discharge if one “engages, attempts to engage, or has a propensity to engage in a homosexual act; states he or he is homosexual or bisexual, or words to that effect, or marries or attempts to marry an individual of the same sex.” If any of thee acts do occur, the cadet must demonstrate that “such conduct is a departure from their usual behavior and is unlikely to recur.”

            The student body at Manhattan College is even less accepting of homosexuality. In 2008, a website called “Juicy Campus” was formed, where students could anonymously gossip about one another. Jaspers took the opportunity to bash their fellow classmates, those who were openly gay in particular.  In a matter of months after it became popular, it was shut down due to the site’s excessive profanity.

Even without the protection of anonymity, students choose to be offensive. Rich Baxter, a gay junior, often hears sneers of “Adam Lambert” behind his back, in reference of the glam-rock musician. “It’s not the school that’s the problem, it’s the students,” he says.  Adds sophomore Ashton Parson, “there aren’t many openly gay people.”

For a school that claims to be so “nurturing and caring,” Manhattan College is anything but. Until they learn to accept the LGBT community, they will be encouraging the discrimination and neglect of a minority of their student body.

Mihaela Anton

                                     To call or not to call? That is the question.

             “Oh come on let’s just call! It’s not like there is going to be somebody who will actually answer?!” that’s what two high school freshmen, Natalie Lopez and Andreea John were talking about while taking down a number from an advertisement, on their new blackberries.  What number were they planning to call? What else than a virginity hot line?  That’s what probably everybody thought after they saw the cheekiest advertisements JCDecaux decided to welcome with the back to school season.  

            “Still a virgin need help? Call 888-743-4335”, is the way Will Ferrell and Adam McKay are promoting their new movie called, suggestively “The Virginity Hit”.  What is all the fuss about?  Is actually bad media of what critics will call “the bastard child of “American Pie” and “Blair Witch Project.”, gone a little bit overboard.  Big panels with bright red bolded letters, or the subway version sexy lips low cut top and a phone number won’t clearly lead to something good.

            As an example the controversy stirred, reached the highest peak in states like Louisiana, Miami, San Diego, and Arizona where the advertisements for the movie are already banned.  Politicians, parents and simply puritan’s complaints were enough for the panels to be removed and it was exactly what radio stations needed to cover the brouhaha.

            Where did all the MTA officials go, and why didn’t anybody else in New York saw these advertisements? There is actually a code of rules the Advertisement companies have to follow so that there is nothing that violates the codes of censorship. 

            Metro’s spokeswoman Diane Williams, who provided a list called “Advertising Standards and Guidelines” on the JCDecaux’s website with all the rules and the criterion in which the advertisements get accepted or denied.  There is one passage prohibiting anything that "contains material which is likely to offend, discomfort, or annoy Metro customers, or make them feel unwelcome, unsafe, or uncomfortable."  Also in another passage there is mentioned that advertisements which "fosters sexual, racial, religious or other offensive stereotypes," will not be accepted and passed on to posting. Her comment to this question was still pending at the time of publication. 

            So it is really interesting why this company chose not to post some Oktoberfest posters because they were too revealing and provocative even though their revenue would have been considerable but they chose instead to promote a movie which is as revealing and full with innuendos. 

            In my opinion there is much more of a danger to post a movie advertisement, similar to an invite to promiscuity for every naïve teen, than a Oktoberfest promotion which is clearly dedicated to an +21 group.  I don’t see any danger in a stein-weilding fraulein holding a pitcher of beer clearly targeted to a different public, who hopefully might have a little bit more of consent than a 14 year old.

Maya Little

Is Your Cup of Joe Really Keeping You Up?

Coffee becomes one of the most consumed beverages around this time of the year with midterms and cold weather rapidly approaching. Whether this beverage is digested hot with sugar and cream or chilled with ice cubes does not change the overloading amount of caffeine being distributed throughout the bloodstream. Or does it? Final results and say so from accredited sources may still be under way, but coffee drinkers whose intentions is to awaken themselves, but add their favorites in may be somewhat defeating their purpose. Those with exact intentions who drink flavored coffee several times a day may just be wasting their money.

“I drink coffee often, but it does nothing for me,” said MC sophomore, Cara Rostant while pouring a great amount of half and half into her small cup of hazelnut coffee. Before stirring, Rostant continues into adding three sugars and a dash of whip cream. In a different manner, real estate agent Verline McFadden orders a small coffee with a bit of skim milk after greeting the Starbucks employees. Before McFadden started drinking coffee, she ate pure coffee beans to keep her up for her real estate studies. “Before I started this real estate lifestyle my daily caffeine intake was the least of my worries, but while undergoing week’s worth of studying for real estate, I ate the pure beans to keep me awake. Those things kept me up until the birds started singing,” said McFadden. Starbucks employee, James Stevens, recalls during the early morning hours more patrons have a request to highly caffeinated drinks with a less amount of additives. “It’s obvious that the chemical substances from the sugar, cream and milk would somewhat breakdown some caffeine substance,” said physics instructor Joaibi Freeman. “A lot more chemistry studies would have to be done on this matter before anything is set into stone,” said Freeman. The bigger question would be how much caffeine substances are you really breaking down once you add your “favorites”. “This should definitely be looked into. Some people who spend their earnings on coffee expect for their bodies to become waken for a certain length of time, but if they are adding all the extras- as I do, which may cause a decrease in caffeine then that defeats the whole purpose,” said Rostant.

Unlike Dunkin Donuts, Starbuck’s displays each caffeinated beverage along with the amount of caffeine on their website. The caffeine intake for a Starbucks drink with no additives showed a higher number than a drink that did include additives. A plain Starbucks short 8oz coffee with no additives consists of 180mg, while a tall 120z iced coffee that consist of milk and sugar has 90 mg. In addition, a grande 16oz caramel frappacino only consist of 5 mg more than Starbucks iced coffee. “I prefer drinking Dunkin Donuts coffee because I drink at least two cups of coffee throughout the day and Starbucks coffee has way too much caffeine. I don’t need all of that,” said Megan Brice, employee of a childcare center. Instead of Dunkin Donuts including the amount of caffeine intake along with their nutrient facts, at the bottom of their page they list a customer service number after a statement that reads: “Any customers with specific dietary concerns are advised to call our customer care line”. After calling the number for a third time and being disconnected nothing could be concluded however, a Dunkin Donuts customer gave a pretty detailed description of the coffee. “I don’t drink Dunkin Donuts because it tastes so watered down. I drink coffee so that my body wakes up. I need the caffeine. I prefer to spend money on coffee that will benefit me,” said Aisha Pervaiz, Howard University senior.

Once scientist further research and finalized the possible chemical of the additives and caffeine, Starbucks and other coffee outlets could then go the next step into catering to patrons who share interest upon this topic. Informing the patrons does not only benefit them, but the coffee outlet may foresee benefits as well. “If this chemical breakdown is certain, It would be nice to go into Starbucks and be informed on the beverages with the least and most caffeine depending on the customers additives,” said McFadden.

“I would definitely recommend the drinking of pure black coffee especially if your expectations are to stay up a long length of time. The more additives you add the more time of you being awake you are subtracting. Think about it,” said nutritionist, Drew Palin. If your motives are to stay awake, don’t add a thing. “Pure black coffee is not only highly caffeinated, but it also brings upon good health,” said a doctor of Washington Hospital Center.

So the next time you decide to indulge in a Cup of Joe, before adding you creams, sugars and other favorite additives be sure question your reasons for drinking it as well. Am I drinking this to extend my awareness? – Or – am I just in it for the taste?

Fashion Week Shines at Lincoln Center

-by: John Banta. 

Change is never easy for us American’s, you want some proof then look at the debate over health care reform and the amount of time, energy, and money put into killing that kind of change. So its no surprise that when it was announced last year that fashion week would no longer be at Bryant Park and instead will be held at Lincoln Center the fashion world was almost instantly against it, which should come as no surprise since the Fashion types are about as stuck in there ways as a highly conservative republican.

But now, after the dust, glitter, and hairspray has settled, and all the Elites in the fashion world are heading to Milan for the next wave of fashion shows, the reviews are in and everyone seems to love it.

 Peter Levy, the man behind the shows at fashion week, said about the new space "What we're excited about is the modernization of space we're providing,” which clearly worked since many designers decided to return to the main tent, people like Cynthia Rowley and Betsey Johnson, who, for the past few years have found off site locations to do their shows.

 But it wasn’t just the high and mighty that liked it; even an intern (and personal friend) who was helping set up the Blondie show liked the new location. “Lincoln center is a pretty dramatic place, but lets face it, this is the fashion world, one of the few places were the more drama the better” and I think many people would agree with her. She, and her fellow interns, also found the shear amount of space to be helpful. They told me stories of the old days when the backstage at shows were confined to almost closet size spaces, and how at times people literally had to climb over people to bring a model a shoe for the next look, “But here you just don’t find that sort of thing happening, here we have plenty of room for everyone working the show (and the occasional reporter friend)” she said.

After asking around a while I discovered my intern friend might have hit the nail on the head with the space complaint, it seemed that this was a major complaint from almost everyone who worked at Fashion week in Bryant Park. This seems to be almost the number one reason why Fashion week needed to move in the first place, I mean its hard to draw in buyers and fashion editors to fashion week when the very people putting on the show aren’t that thrilled to be there. Even the New York Times noticed this trend last year reporting “only one third of the events of fashion week were taking place at Bryant Park”. Plus with more space to hold they event it means they can sell more tickets, and for a business as large as the fashion industry that is a very good thing.

But it wasn’t all shiny sequined dresses, and freshly polished leather Louis Vuitton shoes at fashion week, there were a few frayed edges at Lincoln Center and that was mostly because of its location in Manhattan. Since Lincoln center is located so far uptown, it took a lot of coaxing to get many of the designers who are located downtown in places like Chelsea and SoHo, to move their shows into the main tents, and of course by coaxing I mean paying them more then they might have had in previous years, and when any company has to pay their clientele more money for the same thing, no matter what the business, you can guess they aren’t exactly jumping for joy (which could be hard in 5” Manolo’s).

 But even with that minor set back, the crowd at fashion week loved it, A friend of mine, a design student herself at FIT, and a recurring attendee of fashion week since child hood, said “I found the space to be more warming then in previous years, whether that was just the new car smell of the location, or because the people were happier to be there, I am not really sure.” She went on to say “it reminded me of the old days at Bryant park when I was really young, everyone on equal ground, I even talked to one of those guys on Project Runway”.

Clearly it’s a success for Lincoln Center, and it can look forward to years of beautiful skinny girls and the people who dress them.

MC Alum Playing a Big Role in Ground Zero Progress

By Pablo Kay

For anyone that has recently visited Lower Manhattan’s Ground Zero, signs that things are changing are becoming more and more apparent.

Gone is the flat, lifeless pit that had become more of an eyesore than anyone’s idea of hallowed ground. Today, signs of progress finally signal an end in sight to the construction of the planned memorial garden and “World Trade Center One” tower that have been designed to replace the fallen Twin Towers.

       

STV Group Inc., a firm representing the Port Authority (which owns the World Trade Center Site) on the construction of the new memorial and skyscraper, is headed by MC alum Milo Riverso, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College’s School of Engineering in 1981.

            

In the years since September 11, critics have accused developers of taking too long on deciding on a feasible plan and getting reconstruction of the World Trade Center underway. According to Riverso, who has been president of STV since last year, getting everyone to agree on a plan for the site took time.

            

“A lot of consensus had to be built between the community and political groups,” Riverso remarked in a gruff, matter-of-fact tone at the beginning of his phone interview with the Quadrangle. He added that while it may not have been as noticeable up until recently, the actual construction has been in full swing for more than two years.

            

While the completion of the 1,776 foot tower (a number intended as a symbol of America’s freedom) isn’t set for until 2013, the actual memorial is scheduled to finish in time for the tenth anniversary of the attacks next year. This memorial will include a museum, a garden designed as a tribute to the attack’s victims as well as two square fountains that will be built into the original towers’ “footprints.” The glass skyscraper will not only be New York City’s tallest, but the entire country’s as well.

            

STV is also contributing to some of the site’s less publicized structures. Riverso’s firm is doing consulting work on a state-of-the-art transportation hub designed by world-famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava that will give commuters access to both PATH and MTA train service.  A vehicle security center that will serve as a checkpoint for all vehicles entering the World Trade Center is also in the works.

            

When asked about the impact Manhattan College has had on his career, Riverso became more enthusiastic, expressing nothing but appreciation towards his alma mater.  

            

“I not only got a great engineering degree, but a great network of Manhattan College alumni to work with,” said Riverso, who commented that his firm has hired many MC graduates in recent years.

“It’s a great school, great alumni, and a great education,” he said, finishing the interview sounding a little less like a corporate executive and a little more like a grateful student.

Facebook Pages: Are They Being Used to the Fullest By College Extracurriculars?

By Kayla Mancuso

At Manhattan College, there are so many activities that students can get involved in, which can be very hard to keep track of. However there is one activity that almost every Manhattan College student participates in on a regular basis: Facebook. Therefore it would be foolish for Manhattan College to not take advantage of this.

Even though it is hard to believe, there are groups that don’t use Facebook to its full capacity.

The Manhattan College Quadrangle is a prime example of this. As a form of media on the Manhattan College, it is important that the Quadrangle knows how to network properly. Their Facebook page is lacking the effort it deserves.

Matthew Coyne, editor and chief of the Quadrangle, feels that there is room for improvement. “We don’t use the page to its full capacity,” explained Matthew. He continued to say that, as a first time editor and chief, he would like to give the Facebook page more attention. Matthew believes that the effort for improvement needs to begin with in the paper.

“Really, the best way to improve the effort is to resolve ourselves, as a staff, to using it. Putting out a newspaper every week that's 100% us and taking classes and having a life is tough. I feel like some of our staff are reluctant to take on more responsibility. The only way to really improve the effort is to just put our noses to the grindstone and do it,” explained Matthew.

Even with an improvement in the Quadrangle’s effort, would that really help the paper?

Matthew Coyne addresses this issue with the following remarks: “I don't think it'd be a waste of time at all, but with the size of our staff it could be a misallocation of manpower. There's also a give and take with Facebook - we can put a lot of effort into our page, but if people don't use the page, we kind of lose out.”

Lynette Perez, sophomore and member of the paper for 2 years, feels differently on the matter. “We have so many computer engineers that there is no excuse for having a backwards website--or lack thereof,” explained Lynette.

She believes that the use of the Facebook page would definitely benefit the Quadrangle. According to Lynette, it could be used as an archive to store some important articles from the Quadrangle. If this effort was made, more family and friends could read the articles posted by their loved ones. “I want my mom to be able to read my work,” confessed Lynette.

There is also the fact that the Facebook page would be a great way to promote the Quadrangle. Lynette shed some light on this idea: “I think that a well adapted facebook page could be successful. They would have to friend request everyone in the MC network and really post a lot. I'm pretty sure that's the trick--having a lot of posts on students' mini-feeds. It could attract a lot of attention.”

What makes the matter worse is that there are other clubs that use their Facebook page to the fullest.

On the Manhattan College Golf Team page and the Manhattan College Women’s Basketball Team page focus on their individual teams. Each team posts images from past tournaments and games, as well as pictures from them. They introduce the members and coaches of each team, while also giving background information. Their pages are also a great place for teams to boast about the accomplishments of their players. They regularly post articles from www.gojaspers.com, which focus on team and player achievement. From the amount of posts alone, an individual can see the amount of time and effort they put into their pages.

So if the athletic teams can understand the importance of taking advantage of networking opportunities, then why can’t one of the college’s most important media outlets do the same? After all, Facebook’s slogan is: “Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life”.

E-readers Crashing: Does it Cause a-Problem? - Danielle Valente

He was not exactly sure what caused the malfunction.

“I guess I dropped [my bag] on the subway,” MC junior Jimmy Joyce said. Reaching in between notebooks and folders in his backpack, Joyce came to discover his Kindle sporting a black spot on its screen. It was a point of no recovery. His virtual bookshelf, holding classics texts for a Western Cultures course, had vanished.

“I lost it in a battle with gravity.”

A desktop crashing seemed unthinkable years ago, especially students. Today, we shutter at the thought of losing our course materials and favorite novels via e-readers. To avoid destruction, companies are working to ensure that their e-readers do not crash.
Some e-readers, however, are easier to work than others.

Apple tech. representative, William, appeared somewhat skeptical of the iPad’s iBook and Kindle applications, reiterating almost robotically that they are “very nice.”

“Anything you purchase can be synced to your iTunes,” he said.
When backing up the latest cd, iTunes does not appear terribly problematic. What happens when a Dan Brown novel replaces a track from a new cd? How do customers back up a book verses a song?

“It depends on what item you’re looking at,” William said regarding the size of purchases. He suggested that users buy USB drives or cds to ensure that their books will live on virtually, but books are not exactly small files that call for a cd.

“If you lose all of your info, you can request a re-grant from iTunes,” William said as if the option is completely hassle-free.

Willaim did assure that a dysfunctional iPad is not very likely.

“Generally, they work just fine. There are no viruses that affect the iPad” he insisted.

Amazon is proving that virtual reading is the new message with the Kindle and its crash-safety techniques.

Erica, Amazon customer service associate, explained that with the purchase of a Kindle comes a free program, Kindle for PC. With this program, users are able purchase books once (and only once) and save them to their Amazon account. In the event of Kindle disaster, all users’ books are saved on their desktop or laptop.

“There are literally millions of people who do not have to call,” Erica said, “Any sort of inconvenience is very rare.”

With a hint of confidence, Erica said that she only receives about two calls daily with complaints of completely dysfunctional e-readers.
“The biggest problem is just remembering to turn on the wireless connection.”

Crashing seemed to be the least of Amazon’s concerns, as they are working
to increase search options on the Internet via Kindles.

“If they [the readers] are wondering if there’s another book like this, they can just search,” Erica said, disregarding reading without Internet options.

Much like Amazon, Barnes and Noble is working to make their e-reader, the Nook, crash-proof and technologically efficient.

“With our e-books, they’re saved in a library that’s on our server,” digital support manager Odell Gram said of the Nook. He claimed that he has never received any complaints of lost files.

He believes that many customers seem to be transitioning well into this new method of reading.

“They are the new walkman… like the iPod when it first came out. It’s a craze like that.”

Gram, however, has not joined the millions of e-reader customers in this phenomenon.

“I’m warming up to them,” he truthfully admitted, “It’s taking some time, but technology is soon going to be in every factor of our life.”

Time will have to tell when classic novels, like the ones Joyce had on his Kindle, will be available solely through e-readers.

"I prefer books because I like the feel of paper," Joyce admitted, "[But] the Kindle saved money."

Perhaps the new method of purchasing and saving e-books will tempt Joyce to give the Kindle another shot.

Attitudes Toward Technology Shaping Campus Life

By Matthew Rocco

As useful as they may be, technological devices such as cell phones are considered distracting by an increasing number of people, according to a recent report from the Pew Research Center.

Despite these findings, such side effects of technology do not seem to prevent users from disconnecting. With technology a focal point of both professional and personal lives, the positive often outweighs the negative, and adults are still attached to the growingly complex devices.

“In my personal life, I find cell phones very useful, in particular because I have children and find them necessary to either contact someone or be contacted in an emergency,” said Dr. Natalia Imperatori-Lee, a professor of religious studies at Manhattan College.

With cell phones an important part of professional lives, the devices can become distractions in different formal or public settings. Jobs often demand for the use of a cell phone, so it can be hard for people to escape from the technology.

“I understand if the person states ahead of time that they are expecting an urgent call and might have to step out. I also understand if someone forgets to shut off their phone and apologizes,” said Dr. Arno Kolz, a psychology professor at Manhattan College. “Just taking ordinary calls without consideration for how it is interrupting the group is highly inconsiderate.”

“I think people cannot control when they receive a phone call or a text, but they can control their reaction to it,” Dr. Imperatori-Lee said. “I think taking a phone call or replying to a text in a meeting or any formal gathering is disrespectful to those participating.”

On a college campus, technology is changing campus life for the foreseeable future. Many students take advantage of laptops during classes, and cell phones are the life-blood of social life. The way students communicate with others is certainly dictated by the available technology and internet tools, such as Facebook and Twitter. However, regulating the use of cell phones and other devices in the classroom is commonplace.

“I feel that students are not good about managing the distraction that the cell phone provides and that, because they are in college to learn, their attention should focus on the goings-on in class,” Dr. Imperatori-Lee said.

School-wide policies are not typically instituted by colleges and universities. College students are usually told from the onset of a class that cell phones are prohibited, but some professors prefer to deal with any problems as they arise.

“Students can do what they want if they are not being disruptive or distracting to fellow students,” Dr. Kolz said. “This applies to cell phones, laptops with internet access, or anything else. If I see a problem, I ask them to stop. I have never had a student continue to be a problem after that.”

The functionality and portability of a laptop can be attractive to students who prefer typed notes and electronic books. Before blanket internet coverage was a must on campuses, the use of laptops was not much of an issue. However, college admissions offices enjoy telling prospective students about the complete wireless internet coverage on campus. It is an easy selling point.

With wireless internet access in academic buildings, laptops can easily distract students from class lectures, and professors look to avoid such distractions.

“Laptops have the strong potential to be both useful and distracting,” Dr. Kolz said. “If the person is using the laptop to take notes, that is good. In fact, I am surprised more students do not do that. It has become the norm at many colleges.”

That's Amore!

That’s Amore!
Jeanette Settembre

The Dean Martin lyrics, “When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie!” resounded from deep within the hearts of the jovial senior citizens of the Italian-American Club as they paraded the streets in their marching band best. At that moment it was evident that a brief torrential down pour would not put a damper on the opening day of the 84th annual Feast of San Gennaro.

Aside from the street vendors selling the typical sausage and peppers bordering a medley of carnival games, most people who have yet to attend the feast may not know just how cultural the event is.

This feast has featured something a bit different this year. The street vendors and restaurant owners had the ambition to bring a little piece of each region from the hills of Italy all the way down to Mulberry Street.

The Grand Italian Food Center exemplified the meaning of cultural variety. This eatery, located on Grand Street, takes pride in their execution of munch-worthy mouthfuls. Their menu includes speciality sandwiches as simple as the “Little Italy Special” which includes prosciutto, mozzarella and sun dried tomatoes, to the Mount Etna special (cracked pepper turkey, fontina cheese, pesto sauce and tomatoes). Each sandwich coincides with a region of Italy. Some of the most ornate specials include the Roman (genoa salami, ham, roasted peppers and fresh mozzarella), the Capri (Grilled zucchini, eggplant, and imported provolone cheese) and the Calabria (Soppresata (dried sausage), provolone cheese and roasted peppers).

The sandwiches are prepared so artistically that it is like taking a bite of a visual masterpiece. Each speciality sandwich contains specific meats: for example you would not find sweet cappicola from the Palermo special inside the Calabria one. The specialties represent a distinct bite of Italian culture ranging from the northern and middle parts of Italy, the bottom of the boot, and all the way down to the island of Sicily. Some other featured regions include Milano, Florence, Napoli, Torino, and Venice. Although you simply cannot put a price on quality, these edible marvels are all under $10!

More silver ware worthy dishes served at the sit down restaurants also ranged regionally. Gnocchi (delicious potato dumpling pasta), is commonly served in Northern regions of Italy like Trentino-Alto Adige. This region shares culinary traditions from both the Italian and German sides of the border and specializes in canderli, gnocchi served with a rich broth. A more southern delicacy you may stumble upon could be veal sorrentino which originated in Sorrento, a city in Naples. This dish contains veal sautéed in white wine with egg plant, fresh mozzarella and prosciutto.


Sophomore Marita Keane attended the feast on September 18th for the very first time. “I was surprised by all of the traditional food being served. I had capellini primavera, something I have never heard of before, but found delicious! My friends loved the shrimp scampi and fried calamari. For desert we did give into the less cultured fried oreo, but we made sure to get an authentic homemade cannoli as well! I was also very impressed by the [Most Precious Blood Church] with the shrine of San Gennaro where we were able to say prayers and make donations. It was an awesome experience.”



Director of the Study Abroad Program and Professor of French and Italian, Nevart Wanger, takes pride in fine Italian culture. She explained how historic the event is. “Each Italian city has its own patron Saint. This feast celebrates the patron saint of Naples. There was a lot of immigration from the South of Italy to the United States, so it is great to see a celebration and preservation of culture. It is not just solely about the food aspect, but also the procession and salute to San Gennaro. The pride in the atmosphere of the feast creates the feeling that you are actually walking the streets of Naples.”


Proud Italian-American Sophomore Julia Donavan went to the feast to take a break from her pressing class schedule to enjoy the afternoon. "It was a swell time, the music of 'The Godfather' accompanied by a classic Italian meal of red wine and a slice of pizza really created an atmosphere only comparable to the actual rolling hills of the place I call home...Italy."

Between the medley of cultural dishes, the decadent smell of confectionary sugar, and the cheerful spirits dancing by, the world, for a moment, may just seem to shine (even though it could be from perhaps too much wine) but nevertheless, is Amore.