As the 2008-2009 theater season comes to a close, college students weigh in on award predictions. Shrek: The Musical is a favorite contender among students, along with Billy Elliot, which garnered 15 Tony Award nominations, Next to Normal, and 9 to 5, which led the pack at the Drama Desk Awards with a record-breaking 15 nominations, while only receiving four Tony nominations. Gary DeMedeiros, a freshman Drama major at Hofstra, has seen a few of this season's nominated productions, including 13, Shrek, and The Marvelous Wonderettes. He says, “Shrek's all-star cast was a phenomenal choice to bring liveliness to the stage. Farah Alvin simply illuminated the stage in The Marvelous Wonderettes, and Jason Robert Brown’s genius lyrical style is unforgettable.” Jill Minarik, a sophomore Television Production major at Hofstra has been attending Broadway shows since she was young. This season she has only seen The Marvelous Wonderettes, but says that “From what I’ve heard, I think the choices were pretty good. I was a bit surprised with some of them, though, such as White Christmas receiving six Drama Desk nominations.” Shawn Bolduc, a senior Music major at Rhode Island College has made several trips into NYC to attend the theatre and has seen Next to Normal, HAIR, 9 to 5, [title of show], and Liza’s at the Palace. Bolduc rates the new revival of HAIR as “One of the best overall productions of a show I have ever seen. The entire cast was wonderful and the overall production was so organic and real,” with Liza’s at the Palace being “one of the greatest highlights of my theatre-going career.” Several awards are given each season honoring distinguished new productions and performances, both on and off-Broadway. This past year saw 47 plays and musicals dim their lights on the Great White Way but 51 new productions have opened in the same time span. Minarik says “The Marvelous Wonderettes is an amazing show. It’s cute; it’s got great music, a great plot line, awesome costumes, it’s everything I look for in a musical.” As far as their predictions as to which shows will take home awards, Minarik says, “Farah Alvin should definitely win Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desks for The Marvelous Wonderettes, while Daniel Radcliffe is my pick for Best Actor in a Play for Equus, and Shrek for Best Musical,” based on the word-of-mouth she’s heard about both Shrek and Equus. DeMedeiros says, “9 to 5 and Billy Elliot are both going to be big winners at every awards ceremony this season. However I do feel when it comes to acting awards, Shrek might take the cake, based on the show’s phenomenal cast.” Although Bolduc didn’t care for 9 to 5, as he found the show too full of fluff. He says, “Next to Normal has some really great moments and Alice Ripley is phenomenal in the lead role of Diane. I also think HAIR will take home the award for Best Revival.” Minarik also says that nominations are not only based on production value, but also on a show’s popularity. “The more popularity a show has, the better ticket sales will be, which helps keep the show running on Broadway, and having multiple award nominations can only add to that,” she says. Complete lists of nominees for the 2008-2009 Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League Awards can be found here: 2008-2009 Tony Award Nominees 2008-2009 Drama Desk Nominees 2008-2009 Drama League Nominees
This year the Hofstra Women's rugby team has fought their way into the Nationals, secured the title of Met New York champions in their division, and placed second in the annual big apple classic. Just last season these accomplishments didn't even seem to be reasonable goals.
Captain Jessica Wilson, 21, has been on the team for two years and says the team made the most progress in this time. "When I first started out it was intensely filled with drama," She says "It was hard to catch on quickly because they seemed to have their own problems, and we wouldn't really win any of the games." The growing conflicts between the senior players affected the game, prevented newer players from learning, but most of all created a poor environment for a fun sport. The team began to fall apart because of the lack of focus on the game.
Jessica went on to say, "I didn't really enjoy my season, but I stuck around because I loved the sport." Her mindset helped the team develop, and accomplish what was thought to be impossible. Her willingness to stick by her team demonstrates her dedication, and the change of attitudes in players to be more friendly, and goal oriented.
According to Wilson, this year "The drama cut down so much." Wilson attributes this to the new team, and rookies, and says that now "not only are we strong as a team, but off the field we are really close friends." The teams new standard for dealing with stress, and the willingness of the players to cooperate have allowed the team to "improve immensely" According to the newly appointed captain. This year "We've had more time to play together and learn the sport as one, in general we have grown as a team." The team practices biweekly for two hours, and each practice is organized carefully by the coach.
This new attitude has allowed the team to develop rapidly within the past two semesters. Wilson explains the team's struggle earlier in the year."First game was kind of difficult, but we just kind of got our stuff together and we played very strong." In fact, the team played through their fall season, and for the first time in the history of Hofstra Rugby, became metropolitan champions for their division. This accomplishment placed the team into a national conference, where they were eliminated in the first round against Albany. Jessica says, "we had a chance to go to nationals, and we almost made it. We played an amazing game and I wasn't disappointed at all even though we did lose." The team didn't end their success here, in the spring season, the team played through the big apple classic against higher divisions and placed second overall.
As of the spring 2009 semester, there are four starting seniors expected to graduate. Although the team has many rookie players, Wilson says, "I think there is always room for improvement in any sport, any team. I don't think one class can improve the way a team plays. I think right now we are going strong, and we can even go further with what we have done."
College is not an easy process for most students. Everyone has to go to class, take tests, do homework, and study. There is also the partying aspect of college where kids can go out, drink some beer and have a good time.
Student-Athletes have a completely different lifestyle which gives them different view of college. Tacked on to all of the school work that every student has, athletes have other commitments that give them long days and little or no social life. Tom Ottaiano, 20, an offensive guard on Hofstra's football team says he can only go out one night a week.
"It isn't just practice and games, I wake up at 5:30 a.m. four days a week to lift. I have hour long positional meetings with my coach starting at 2:30 p.m. everyday followed by practice from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., then we have to shower and eat. I'm usually not back into my room until after 8:00 at night." " Tom said that, "sometimes I just want to get drunk and be a regular college student."
At the Division I level, athletes, no matter what sport they play, never get a season off. Junior women's volleyball star Francesca Garay, 21, may only play her games in the fall season, but she explained that the off-season is often harder on the body than when they are having matches. "We lift weights and have conditioning four days a week and have still have practices. The practices during our season aren't easy, but my coach doesn't kill us because we have games every so often. In the spring, our coach will run us to the ground and she isn't worried about our bodies taking a pounding."
Athletes around campus are usually more tired and beat up from their sport when they are not in season.
She and Tom both agree that playing a sport can put a damper on your schoolwork. Tom joked that his body gets extremely worn down that even though he might have a lot of assignments to get done, "a nap seems so much better." Francesca has had scheduling issues that, due to time restraints has forced her to hold off on taking a class until the following semester. "I wish I was able to start my day with a 2:00 p.m. class every, but instead I have stupid 8:00 a.m. classes."
There are cases that the struggles of being a student-athlete become too much for people to handle. Former Hofstra football player, Tyler Johnston, 21, decided that after two years on the team, the lifestyle of being an athlete along with his school work was too tough to manage.
" I love the sport, it was really tough for me to give it up; but, I was not on scholarship and with the loans I took out and my parents paying, I had to do everything I could to keep my grades up." Tyler said that he was often too busy to study during the day, and struggled to keep his eyes open long enough at night to break open his books.
Now, without football, Johnston is able to go to his classes, eat, work out, and study any time he wants to. "If I have a test in my 6:30 p.m. class, I can study before the class and not have to rush there directly after practice, without eating dinner, and without looking over my notes. It really makes a huge difference. " According to himself, Johnston does not have any excuses for not doing well in his classes from this point forward.
The number one topic for debate on college campuses across the country is the Craigslist Killer story. Students are united in their belief that the fiance of the alleged killer is crazy for not running away and never looking back.
Megan McAllister, 25, is standing by her man. She simply refuses to believe that her soon-to-be husband Philip Markoff, 23, is the alleged "Craigslist Killer."
At Hofstra University, students are appalled at McAllister’s decision. Sophomore Danielle DeLuca, 19, said the evidence linking Markoff to the crimes seemed solid and McAllister needs to pay attention to that.
"I think it's pretty clear she's in deep denial," she said. "It's one thing if you really love someone and want to stand by and support them, but it's another to completely ignore facts, especially those that point to such heinous crimes."
DeLuca said that if she were in McAllister's shoes, she would remove herself from the situation immediately.
"I'd get as far away as possible," she said, saying that the simple fact that Markoff was contacting women for erotic services through Craigslist would be enough to send her running.
Student at Queensborough College in New York, and Auxillary Police Officer for Nassau County, Christopher McLaughlin, 20, feels that the case is clear.
"This case should be cut and dry, the murder weapon and underwear found in his apartment speaks for itself," he said, referring to the April 20 search of Markoff's Quincy apartment that found a semi-automatic handgun, ammunition, duck tape, and plastic zip ties that match the ones that bound both victims, and the victim's underwear.
McAllister said multiple times that she believes he is innocent; going as far as accusing the Boston Police of framing Markoff. In interviews with both the Boston Herald and ABC news, she said he would never hurt a fly, and is the best fiance a woman could ever ask for.
For many, initial sympathy for McAllister's situation is being thrown out the window because of her accusations and denial.
"It's outrageous. She's absolutely crazy and needs to get help. I understand at first jumping to the defense of someone you love. Of course you want to believe it's a mistake, but at some point you have to come to your senses," McLaughlin said. He added that he can't help but feel bad for her, but his sympathy is quickly disappearing with her continuing claims of a police set-up.
The couple planned to be married this summer in an elaborate beachfront wedding. However, the matrimonial plans came to an abrupt halt when Markoff was arrested last Monday while on his way to Foxwoods Casino with McAllister.
Markoff was charged with the murder of Julissa Brisman, 25, and the robbery of another woman in Rhode Island. Both women advertised erotic services on Craigslist, and were contacted by Markoff through email. He pled not guilty at his arraignment on April 21 and is currently being held without bail at the Nashua Street Jail in Boston.
"The scariest part about this whole thing is that she was living under the same roof as a murderer and had no idea. It could happen to anyone I guess". McLaughlin said.
Public opinion seems to vary about the guilt or innocence of Markoff, however most share the horrifying thoughts that he could have been anyone; your acquaintance, classmate or neighbor.
Quincy resident Catherine Esca, 19, said, "It's scary to think about this situation. I live in the same town as Markoff, and have friends that attended SUNY Albany when he was there. It's crazy to think that they or I could have come into contact with him."
The chances are you've never met an atheist. However, if you've taken one of Dr. Arthur Dobrin's classes at Hofstra, you already have.
Dr. Dobrin, who has taught at Hofstra University for 20 years, has been an atheist all his life. He says, "An atheist says there is no God. An agnostic says one cannot know if there is a God. A non-theist says he or she brackets the question of God."
The Ethical Humanist Society, lead by Dr. Dobrin for 33 years, caters to both atheists and agnostics because it is a non-theistic religion based on humanism. Humanism is an ethical philosophy based on the ability of people to determine right from wrong without involving the supernatural or authority from religious texts. Therefore, humanism appeals to atheists and agnostics who question the existence of God because it does not take a position on the supernatural. Followers can choose whether they want to believe in a God or not. Dr. Dobrin said, "However, people who want to believe in God have many places to go." He continued, "Believers are welcome but the Society is haven for non-believers." The members of this non-theistic religion are dedicated improving the human condition through individual and collective action. They prove that you do not have to believe in a god to live an ethical life. http://www.ehsli.org/
There is controversy over the term religion. Dr. Dobrin said, ''Society members even disagree on whether their institution should be considered a religion or a philosophy." New York state credits the community as a non-profit organization. The Society is recognized as a religion in Texas and Washington D.C. Dr. Dobrin said, "What difference does it make what we are labeled. It depends on your definition of religion. What matters is the work we do and differences we make for the betterment of society."
The Society works at home and abroad. Locally, their Ethical Friends of Children project provides clothing and furniture to over 600 needy children each year and collect food for financially strapped families. On The Society's bereavement group Dr. Dobrin said, "Our Society emphasizes empathy because without empathy intellect doesn't get very far." They also push for equality and support gay rights. Dr. Dobrin said,"The religion can be broken down to right relationships." Meaning that all relationships between the living and even the environment are based on mutual respect. Suggesting these relationships extend abroad, Dr. Dobrin said, "We all must strive to be a responsible member of the human community." The Society formed a volunteer branch of Amnesty International and established the Kenya Fund.
Even with all the accomplishments of the Society, a phone survey conducted by the University of Minnesota, revealed that atheists are the least trusted minority group. Of the 2,000 participants 39.5 percent claimed that atheists do not share the values of American society.
However, America values itself as a melting pot of various cultures. Likewise, the Society was intended to be a melting pot of religion, to bring unity among various faiths. The Ethical Humanist movement was founded by Felix Adler in 1876. Adler did not set out to establish a new religion. Dr. Dobrin said, "He saw himself synthesizing all religions not founding a new one." Adler noted that most religions converged on the ideas of ethics but were divided by irrationally based beliefs of the supernatural. So by removing the supernatural aspect, Dr. Dobrin continued, "Adler was modernizing the form of religion for an increasingly rational and scientific thinking community."
Dr. Dobrin can be seen 11:00 a.m. each Sunday at the Society's 'platform' or service which is led by an expert of social reform. He said, "Newcomers are welcome." So stop in, they are located at 38 Old Country Road in Garden City.
University budget cuts are hitting the arts at Hofstra. Club organizers are now trying to make do with less.
For Hofstra Concerts, an active club on campus, it's a struggle to find the necessary money in order to fund its annual Music Fest.
"We really can't move forward with artists especially until we know how much money we're working with," said Jackie Finney, club president, 21.
While the university does allot money to clubs and organizations through the Student Government Association, it's still not enough to pay for all of the shows and events the club wishes to do.
"It's really first getting a budget, getting how much money it’s going to take to put the entire show on. We can't do it all on our own so we get together with entertainment Unlimited and SGA and we approach other clubs. We see who wants to help sponsor. A lot of it is running around trying to get clubs to co-sponsor, to donate, looking around for outside sponsorship."
The SGA Appropriations Committee holds yearly meetings during a "Budget Weekend" in April in order to allot money to clubs. By the end of the semester, however, SGA often runs out of money to give. Clubs must look to outside sources in order to meet their needs. In the case of Hofstra Concerts, its third annual Music Fest has proven to be quit challenging financially.
Finney further explains that while the school and SGA are helpful in funding their events, they are encouraged to gain outside sponsorship.
"...they want to see that we're working hard too; we're not just expecting people to throw money at us," said Finney. "We got $2,000 from Toyota and they're going to be bringing cars on campus."
Along with seeking sponsorship from companies, other on-campus clubs like Entertainment Unlimited, as well as from school departments like the Dean of Students, Concerts also creates their own fund raisers. During the past year they have partnered with the Westbury Applebee's to host an "Applebee's Night" in which people can present a flier and have 10 percent of their bill go towards the club.
In addition, the dozens of small shows, known as coffeehouses, allow for further funding opportunities.
"At the end of the day, I take 15 percent of unrecorded merchandise that they have sold; of their profits obviously," said Cindy Buczkowski, 20, treasurer of Hofstra Concerts.
The club has also seen its annual budget go down in comparison to previous years.
"We do get a budget of between $80,000 and $90,000 and that's our budget for the year to put on whatever we need to put on," said Buczkowski. "As far as I know it used to be a lot bigger before I got here. But it has gone up since my freshman year."
In fact the Concerts budget has gone up slightly; only $3,000 in the last two years.
"We could always use more money, but I guess everyone could," said Buczkowski.
For all the trouble of organizing shows and events as well as finding the money to do so, members claim it to be well worth it. Finney, who is a business management major, has found Concerts to be especially helpful for life after college.
"It's taught me a lot about the business in general; about how to do a contract and cover all your aspects and plan better. It's very time consuming but it's something I enjoy so I'm learning a lot from it and I'm meeting people."
This time of year high school seniors make the biggest decision of their lives. Whether to dorm or commute to college.
Loren Wignall and Eric Brand both started off staying in a dorm. But Wignall now commutes.
Wignall, a sophomore at Stony Brook University, spent her freshman year at the University of Richmond in Virgina. She loved staying on campus, but found that it was difficult to study among all her friends. After her freshman year, Loren transferred home and is now commuting to Stony Brook.
Wignall says, "I loved dorming, I really did. The freedom to do what I want, when I wanted was excellent. To be honest, the main reason I came home was to change majors. But now that I am home, I feel school has become much easier because now that I can go to sleep and wake up when I want, without the worry of a roommate, I am able to use my time much more conveniently."
Brand, a sophomore at SUNY Cortland, disagrees and says, "I actually enjoy living on my own. I look forward to doing laundry and cleaning, because it is all my own. I do not have to worry about doing anything on someone else's time, but instead I do it when it is most convenient to me."
"The first week all I could think about was my family and friends, however you make new friends that are all in the same situation as you and eventually it all becomes normal."
Holidays become a major issue for many students. Wignall said, "I came home for all major holidays because it just did not seem right missing any with them. Traveling was usually difficult because of traffic, but it was time time I truly needed with my family." Brand says, "The first major holiday for me freshman year was my Mother's Birthday. Her Birthday is at the end of September and I was extremely happy to get home. I was home sick and just did not want to be there anymore. By Thanksgiving, I found myself not even wanting to go home because I would miss my school friends."
A roommate can either make your stay at college the best of your life or the worst. Wignall says, "My roommate was awful. I love to rise early and get my day started. My roommate would not schedule a class until 11:45. So I would have to wake up, shower, and get dressed all while tip towing around my room. The process was very difficult and annoying. Now that I am home, it is such a treat being able to shower and get ready in my own process without worrying about waking someone up." However, Brand and his roommate had a different relationship. Brand says, "I love my roommate he is probably one of my best friends now. We would help wake one another up, if we had class. We would go out on weekends together. He was a major reason the transition to school became so easy."
Another major concern is meal plans for high school seniors. Neither student had any compliments to give about food. Brand says, "Eating was difficult. I ran out of meal plan by around October and had to add an extra semester's full of food money onto my card. The food was not good, but I found that when I was bored or had a break till my next class I would eat. So food really put a hole in my pocket." Wignall agreed saying, "The food was not very good, and was an inconvenience to not be able to go right to your kitchen to get food, rather you had to walk across campus."able to go right to your kitchen to get food, rather you had to walk across campus."
In an upscale high rise on New York’s Fashion Avenue sits the offices of JDR Apparel Group. Home to a mix of offbeat clothing labels, some easily recognizable while others not. Among the household names is B.U.M., the mass-market sportswear brand popular during the 1990s. A short list of lesser-known labels reveals the reason for my visit; a small brand called B.Unique and Co.
Brothers Courtney and Chris Brown launched B.Unique out of their Brooklyn apartment six years ago. Starting with nothing but the money earned from selling their Sony Playstation the company has since followed a trajectory worthy of a Hollywood movie script.
Upon arrival at the JDR offices I'm greeted by Courtney Brown, who escorts me down a hallway to the B.Unique showroom. Patent leather high top sneakers in every conceivable color line the back wall, while racks overflowing with t-shirts and hoodies cover the opposite side of the room.
Courtney's brother Chris walks in and takes a seat on the couch. Following closely behind is longtime friend and collaborator Lanelle Hector, a 22 year old resident of Soho by way of Harlem.
Mr. Hector's personal style is an improbable combination of high fashion and hip hop. A style the Brown brothers understand well, the embodiment of their "young modernism" ethos. More on that later.
The Beginning In 2002 Courtney and Chris Brown were 17 and 14 years old, respectively. They spent their days going to school, listening to rap music and practicing the sport of aggressive inline skating. It was an eclectic mix of interests that pulled together the worlds of academia, athletics and music. Later that year the Brown brothers launched B.Unique as a way to bring their disparate interests together.
The beginnings of the company were humble, says Courtney, "...after we sold our Playstation we made up like 5 shirts at Kinko’s." The shirts were given to their skater friends who wore them at local events. "My boy Alex Nunez went to a skate competition in Queens wearing one of our shirts. He beat all the pros...We started getting a lot of interest in B.Unique after that" says Mr. Brown. Still going to school, the brothers spent their spare time parlaying that initial exposure into a full-fledged business.
Balancing work and school brought with it the obvious conflicts of interest. "It got to a point where we started having to handle business while sitting in history class, needless to say I didn't do too well in history" said Mr. Brown. The conflict reached a breaking point in 2004 while Courtney was attending his freshman year at Fordham University. "The window of opportunity (for B.Unique) would only be open for so long and I knew school would always be there." Following in the footsteps of famous college dropouts like Kanye West and Bill Gates Mr. Brown left to pursue B.Unique full time.
With younger brother Chris in-tow the two wasted no time expanding their operation. Within a year they opened one of the only indoor skate parks in the five boroughs. The B.Unique park occupied a sprawling 7,500 square foot underground space that quickly turned into a mecca for skating, music and parties.
More importantly it served as the home base for the growing B.Unique lifestyle. A lifestyle that was quickly adopted by young trendsetters in the New York sports and music scene. For a time it was not uncommon to see then up-and-coming rapper Jim Jones hanging out with the skaters, and for DJs to host wild parties for crowds of would-be A-listers.
These efforts landed them on the radar of corporate America. Soon brands like Vitamin Water and The Cartoon Network were lining up to sponsor the park. The "ultra-cool" lifestyle that B.Unique had been cultivating eventually attracted the interest of Mountain Dew. The soft drink giant funded a 30-city tour that brought B.Unique-sponsored skaters to shopping malls, arenas and parks across the country. As popularity of the team, skate park and clothing continued to grow the Brown brothers gained access to hugely powerful individuals in the business world.
Strategic Alliances Courtney and Chris' aptitude for clothing design was matched only by their skill behind the lens. "Even back in 2002 we were getting into film production, movies" says Courtney Brown. He went on to say "all elements that were needed and necessary...everything that we would use as marketing we had to learn ourselves..." The two were producing MTV-quality promo videos for their skate team using only hand held digital video cameras, desktop editing software and a shoestring budget.
The videos told a convincing story for the brand. They featured young skaters clad head-to-toe in B.Unique clothing doing impossible tricks, posing in front of luxury automobiles and hanging out with famous rap artists. The clips were later assembled into a feature-length film entitled Freestyle Rolling. It premiered in 2006 to a star-studded audience at one of the largest movie theaters in Manhattan.
Their promotional projects caught the attention of R&B producer/artist Ryan Leslie. Mr. Leslie enlisted the Brown brothers to produce a pilot for a TV show he was hoping to sell to a major network. Although the project was never sold, it brought them face to face with music industry titan Tommy Mottola. These chance encounters gave the Brown brothers a front row seat to the fast-moving society of NYC business moguls.
A New Era The B.Unique skate park was closed in late 2006 so the brothers could focus more closely on their clothing line. Then in 2007 they entered into a joint venture with the JDR Apparel Group. Mr. Brown was reluctant to give detail about how the deal materialized, saying simply "It started last year when we felt ready to take the next step, and we've been fortunate to have full creative control over our brand."
With the line now available in specialty shops across Europe, Japan and the US Courtney and Chris are preparing for significant expansion in 2009/2010. Consisting mostly of t-shirts and sweatshirts the line will soon include denim, sneakers and outerwear. More than ever they are pushing their self-described style of "young modernism." Courtney describes it as "a reflection of the new consciousness, the new intelligence that young people have adopted." More specifically, their style appears to combine the worldly, cultured aspects of high fashion with the edge and street smarts of sports and music.
When asked about his philosophy for success, Courtney says with astonishing brevity "the time is now, people need to get out there and play in traffic. That's how you get hit." Their path to a corner office was not attained through standard means. Like a game of Frogger gone completely awry, the Brown brothers have relentlessly thrown themselves in front of every opportunity in sight. Capitalizing when necessary, walking away when appropriate. Playing in traffic has never looked so good.
Greek life at Hofstra University has been hit hard in the past year. Since May of 2008 four prominent organizations in the greek community have either been suspeded or thrown off campus indefinitely. The common denominator in all of these instances was hazing.
Hazing is defined by Hofstra University as the following, "any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the forced consumption of liquor or drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization."
For fraternities and sororities, hazing, or pledging as they would like to refer to it, is a traditional tool used for initiation proposes.
According to Hofstra, Delta Sigma Phi, Zeta Beta Tau, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and Phi Epsilon were all guilty of the above action in some form or fashion. When asked what specifically each group did wrong, Hofstra refused to comment merely stating they all were hazing related. Phi Epsilon received a year long suspension that expires May 19 2009 while the other three groups received indefinite suspensions.
Diana Ferry of Phi Epsilon said, "The accusations that were made against us aren't true. We don't haze."
Due to fear of further incriminating their respective organizations, no other members from either of the four groups would speek on record. However, other members from the said groups did agree to speak under condition of anonymity.
One member said, "Listen. Pledging is pledging. Yea it sucks but we all did it and that means all of the new pledges have to do it." Another member who wished remain anonymous said, "Pledging is the time in which you earn your letters. You're not going to value and respect your organization if you don't do anything hard when you pledge.
Whether this is true or not remains to be seen. What does appear to be a commonly held belief throughout much of Greek life is that tradition is a vital component. Robert P. Luckett, President of Tau Kappa Epsilon, says, "We pride ourselves on all doing the same thing when we pledge. Like a member who just got in can talk to a member from the early 90s and know that they both pledged the same way. However due to the school cracking down on hazing in recent years, we've had to modify parts of our program in order to comply."
Luckett added, "It sucks that certain parts of the pledge program had to be removed but it's better than losing the the fraternity's charter and being kicked off campus for hazing."
Alumni of Hofstra's Greek community share a similar sentiment. Corey Daigle, a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon who pledged in the Spring of 2005 says, "I mean I wish for the sake of tradition that the new guys were pledged just the same as I had been. There's something to be said about having everyone going through the same exact thing."
This sentiment appears to be the only viable way for Greek organizations to operate at Hofstra these days . Many groups have tried to hold onto their old traditions but are starting to comply in fear of suffering the same fate as the above groups.
The fact is Hofstra has a zero tolerance policy with regards to hazing and if organizations want to stay on campus then they must make changes or they will suffer serious consequences.
This notion is echoed by Daigle when he says, "Changing a pledge program sucks. But is sucks a lot more to have your entire organization kicked off campus."
Typically people search for places within their communities where they are able to relax and feel comfortable,titillate and energize their senses,and body, and educate their mind, often while obtaining a functional service.
Barbershops are such a place where a functional service can be obtained. Obviously haircuts and shaves can be gotten there. However barbershops also provide a deeper and more meaningful venue for many people in a community. Barbershops are hangouts, for meeting and greeting, for passing time with friends and strangers.
"The barbershop is like the hub of the neighborhood and everyone wants to come in even if they do not need a haircut", said barber Jason Van Aarde, 24, of Westbury, New York. He went on to explain how people sit around and play cards, chess, eat, and gossip. This seemed to be the typical response from barbers from a variety of different types of neighborhoods and communities when asked what type of role barbershops play in a given community.
"I get calls all day from clients asking me to come in early even if I am not working that day," said barber Wally Camancho, 29, of Queens, New York.
"I love being an asset to the community," said barbershop owner Alonzo Ferguson, 35, of Queens, New York. "I really try to provide a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere at my barbershop". I recently remodeled my shop, installing plasma screens and surround sound". "The customers love all the changes".
Most barbershops make it their business to keep up on current trends in hair cuts and styles. when a customer patronizes a particular barbershop, the customer will generally ask for the same barber each time they go. Having this option available provides a certain comfort zone.
"It's great when I walk into my shop because everyone knows me, and my barber gives me the usual," said Joel Chavez of East Meadow, New York.
"I love to stop in at my barbershop, chill and catch up on the latest news". "The best thing is that I don't even have to say a word to my barber". "The dude knows just how I like it",says student Benjamin Levy, 25, of Hempstead, New York.
Barbershops supply more than haircuts for many of its customers,"I love dropping by when I have nothing to do, because something is always happening in the barbershop," said Joshua Clouden, 18, of Queens, New York.
"After school, myself and some friends go to the barbershop around the corner and listen to the older guys talk about stuff ranging from politics to baseball, as well as chowing down on fried chicken and rice," said Andrew Luna, 19, of Levittown, New York.
"The barbershop in my new neighborhood is so boring compared to where I used to get haircuts at that I started going back there," said Matthew Diaz, 19, of Bronx, New York.
Many of the customers feel as if the barbershop is an extension of their home. "Every time the owner adds something new in the shop, I notice it immediately," said Joel Sparks, 18, of Queens, New York.
“[When he won] I was happy because of his youth, of his color and when I get kids they don’t only have to say they want to be a doctor or a lawyer, they can now say they want to be president. The sky’s the limit. I don’t believe in everything he stands for but that day meant a lot to me.”
This reaction to President Barack Obama's election seems to be the overwhelming sentiment across the board for first time black voters. President Barack Obama won 95 percent of the black vote. But the question still remains, was black support based on genuine belief in his policies or because he was the underdog?
“Hell yes, it was!” Reuel Pompey replied this time. Though the 2008 Presidential Election was his first time voting, Mr. Pompey chose not to vote anyone into presidency.
"I didn’t vote for anyone. Obama believes in abortion and I couldn’t get over it. McCain was just too old."
His sister, on the other hand, voted for Obama and admits to giving into their shared skin color rather than his politics.
"Yeah, toward the end I joined the hype. It was a major point in history, it’s a black man. At the polls they didn’t talk about anybody else. We were expected to vote for Obama."
Barack Obama was not Michelle Pompey's first choice. "In the preliminaries I voted for Hillary Clinton. I remember when the Clinton's were in power nothing was wrong. So I wanted another Clinton in there." But in the end, she too obviously gave into the national feeling of black solidarity rather than what she felt was best for the country.
"Because I was gonna vote democratic anyhow. And it was time for a change and we needed fresh blood," she continued, "I was happy. I played a part in history, I would always remember it."
Mariel Parris, another first time black student voter didn't even care about her vote until it was too late. “[I voted for Obama] because my mother told me to. I did care who won, because I didn’t think that my vote would make a difference.” And after all was said and done her feelings were only strengthened.
"It was such a landslide that I don’t real like my vote counted anyway. I mean McCain had the lead for a while and Obama still lapsed him so it’s not his performance that has discouraged me but my lack of voice. I think, like everyone else, I expected too much in an unrealistic time span, so yeah I can't help feeling a little discouraged."
Despite Obama being the lesser of two evils for many black voters, for others he was the first and only choice.
Vijay Ramcharitar, a 20-year old student at Hofstra was behind Barack Obama since his sudden rise to fame and favor. Of Caribbean Indian descent, Ramcharitar was more enthusiastic about Obama's election to president that many black student voters.
“Word for word, ‘thank you lord’ [was my first reaction]. I was able to sleep much better that night knowing some half dead zombie and a psychopath Tina Fey look-a-like were denied their chance at the white house. Anyone who uses the joke ‘what’s the difference between a pit-bull and hockey mom?’ should be rejected from the ballot immediately."
Conversely, Parris's reaction to finding out of Obama's success was, "He won, oh s**t, we didn’t think it through.” She then laughed heartily. "I never thought of it that way but I think we just thought that we needed a black person in there but we never really thought about what he would do after that. So yeah my first thought was, "Oh shit."
Student actors conducted their own rendition of a classic comic strip series this past weekend at Hofstra’s own Spiegal Theater in Hempstead, NY.
"Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead", a play written by Bert V. Royal, is the 2004 parody of Charles Schulz’ "Peanuts" series that retired in 2000 after 50 years of production.
The play opens to a funeral for the main character, C.B.'s, dog who was euthanized after contracting rabies.The dreariness of the set leaves the audience immediately wondering when Charlie Brown got so depressing.In spite of a few gloomy scenes, the audience kept entertained.
“I’m definitely happy with the outcome, we got really good reactions from the crowd. I think we knew that it was a fun show and we were going to get the laughs from the writing, but we were happy with the fact that people saw a deeper meaning in our characters,” said Christina Meyers, the student actress who plays Tricia (Peppermint Patty).
“Dog Sees God” is a dark comedy that replaces the young characters from the Peanuts comic strip with troubled teens struggling to find their identities after a series of life changes. The play portrays the underlying insecurities that teens have which sometimes alters the way they act around other people.
Meyers said, “Yes, she’s this superficial slutty girl (Tricia) but I tried to bring in her insecurities too...the normal insecurities a teenager would have...I mean there are people who actually are like that but why are they like that? because they aren’t just superficial… they are human”
Theater students Steve Spera, Gina Ventura, Christian Titus, John Vincent Bahrenburg, Ryan Smith, Christina Myers, Laura Duell, and Amanda Mac mad up the cast.
C.B. (spera) begins to contemplate life after his dog dies and few friends have compassion for his loss. Van (Linus), played by Titus, is now addicted to marijuana rather than his blanket after C.B.’s gothic sister set fire to it. Matt (Pigpen), played by Bahrenburg is no longer filthy but is a self proclaimed neat freak. Van’s Sister (Lucy), played by Amanda Mac has been institutionalized after setting a girls hair on fire. Tricia (Peppermint Patty) and Marcy, played by Christina Myers and Laura Duell, are both promiscuous alcoholics while Beethoven (Schroeder), played by Ryan Smith is now an outcast after revealing he has been sexually abused by his father.
The drama includes references towards drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion and homosexuality; certainly a drastic change in comparison to the original comic strip.
“The characters are way more messed up now. Peanuts was for kids and this would definitely be for a more mature audience. We have the weed smoker and the alcohol and the ecstasy going around...that’d be the main difference… their really messed up now,” said Meyers.
“We came into a couple little things that we ended up clearing up. We almost weren’t allowed to smoke anything so we were going to have to use fake cigarettes with no smoke but at the last second they let us do it” stated Meyers.
The student actors put a lot of time and effort into the 90 minute production that incorporated over 22 different scenes.
“Having to memorize is usually the biggest thing” said Meyers.
Dog Sees God closes with the death of Beethoven who commits suicide after years of being tormented by Matt’s homosexual slurs.
By Amanda Romano A recent Air Force One photo shoot caused New Yorkers to evacuate buildings and take cover as a Boeing 747 plane flew low over the Manhattan skyline and brought back memories of 9/11.
However, low flying planes are a regular occurence for many Southern Queens residents. Howard Beach is one of the cities in Queens in the direct pathway of planes flying in and out of John F. Kennedy Airport. "Not only is the noise nerve wracking at times, I sometimes feel my house shake depending on how low or fast the plane was passing," says Rizzo. Simone Rizzo, 20, has recently moved from Brooklyn to Howard Beach and is adjusting to the fear and the noise of the planes flying so low over her house.
"I had a habit to bowing my head as if the plane was literally over me," says Rizzo. On rainy days, the planes are forced to fly even lower than usual which cause windows to rattle on the houses that it overpasses. At times, the plane is so low that residents are able to make out what the name of the airline is and can see the landing gear.
"[We] are sometimes shaken at the fact that the planes are so much lower then they appear to be as well as actually watching the wheels descend as the plane is getting ready for landing," says Rizzo.
Rizzo says New Yorkers reacted in the best possible way to the Air Force One situation by taking caution. "I am aware that most buildings were evacuated because they had thought they were victims of another terrorist attack, in doing so I think it was good procedure that they were because they were being cautious," says Rizzo.
Even though residents may adjust and learn to ignore the sound and rumbling of the planes, it is still very frightening. "It has now been six months that I have lived here and I am slowly starting to get to use it but, I must admit it’s still very frightening and makes me nervous at times," says Rizzo.
At a local park, people going for a relaxing walk must be disturbed by the overpowering roar of the planes engine.Renee Orlando, 42, is a local resident and goes to Frank M. Charles Memorial Park to walk. "Charles Park is supposed to be a place to get away and relax on the beach or go for a walk but it is often disturbed by the noise and the air pollution from the engines that are released over the park," says Orlando. Pollution and fumes from the planes engine descend into the atmosphere at the park as the planes pass overhead.
Many residents believe that the plane appears much lower when landing then when it is taking off because the wheels are visible.. "Because of the angle most of the planes are coming in at it almost looks like it is going to land on the park and as you look up you can see the landing gear," says Orlando. Despite the length of time these residents have been seeing the planes fly in and out of JFK, their fear never seems to fade.
Hofstra University issued a Swine Flu Health Advisory, Tuesday, as United States officials declared a public health emergency causing confusion on campus as to how worried students should be.
Lisa Nwankwo, 20, like many other college students was supposed to go to Mexico on spring break. She was warned about conflict in the country and says "Maybe the conflict in Mexico kept other college kids from going to Mexico too, and it kept the swine flu outbreak from being bigger than it is."
Allison Klamkin, 20, read the advisory and only one day later became increasingly worried about her own risk of getting the virus while in Times Square when she saw two girls, who appeared to be visiting from outside the United States wearing surgical face masks.
Students have been warned, but how many are actually taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves, especially since there is some confusion on campus about how swine flu may be contracted?
Chris Bertely, 21, loves pork and has not stopped eating it because he "does not believe swine flu can be contracted from eating pork." Steven Strauser, 22, also enjoys eating pork, but has "not eaten any pork served by Hofstra food services" since he received the advisory by email
The United States pork industry is pleading for a name change of the "swine flu" because there is no evidence that the virus is spreading with any contact with pigs whether it be eating pork products or working with the animals. Companies and farmers are concerned about the recent decline in pork product sales since the recent outbreak of the virus.
After the national public health emergency was declared following the confirmation of swine flu in the United States, the university is urging students, faculty, and staff to take precautionary measures to avoid spreading influenza around campus.
Klamkin now labels herself a "germophobe" and has been even more cautious when it comes to washing her hands and not coming into contact with anyone who appears to be sick since she saw the Hofstra advisory.
She is doing the right thing to prevent from contracting the virus, according to the advisory following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health. The advisory includes "washing your hands often with soap and water, "alcohol-based hand cleansers," "covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or the elbow of your arm when you caugh or sneeze,” and "cleaning things that are touched often at home, work or school" as prevention tips.
Hofstra Health and Wellness Center says that at this time, there are no confirmed swine flu cases at Hofstra.
The updated advisory issued on Thursday, April 30 assures students, faculty, and staff that Hofstra University's management is actively working to prevent an outbreak on campus. A "Flu Preparedness Working Group” which includes members of “Student Affairs, Public Safety, Emergency Management, Human Resources, Health and Wellness Center, External Relations, and the Provost's office" has been established to "develop responses to this evolving situation."
The virus found in the New York students looked identical to the swine flu that killed 152 people in Mexico and has infected more than 2,500.
Health officials and the World Health Organization, however, urges the public not to panic because the cases outside Mexico have been mild.
"Jump first, fear later." That was the first thing that came to the mind of Hofstra University student Kirsten McKenna after "The Rescue."
On Saturday, McKenna, a sophomore at the University traveled to New York City with 25 other students to join thousands in a worldwide attempt to raise awareness for children afflicted by civil war in Uganda.
"There a lot of organizations that claim they are non-profit, but Invisible Children really is not profiting, they are doing this for the children, and for me that was cause enough to join," said McKenna.
"The Rescue" was introduced by the not-for-profit organization Invisible Children founded in 2003. The organization has since expanded to include an offshoot organization, Schools for Schools, which McKenna is the President of at Hofstra's chapter. McKenna and Schools for Schools has spent the last two years fundraising for their sister school in Uganda, Atanga Secondary School. However, over the past seven months the chapter extended its fundraising to encompass the Invisible Children campaign.
"It’s not fair that children 5 to 12 years of age are being stolen and threatened that they'll be killed if they don't join this rebel army. If that was happening in America, there would be an uproar," said McKenna.
Invisible Children's "rescue" took place in over 100 cities in 10 nations, participants "abducted" themselves and spent the night in a public place hoping to be "rescued" by political officials and the media.
“It's different when you get involved by fundraising and spreading awareness via mouth and throughout campus, but when you're in New York City and you're causing a stir for a good reason, it really feels good,” said McKenna.
Ultimately, the organization's goal was to use the attention to spread awareness and obtain support for the child soldiers abducted by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda.
"We were representative of the children. By abducting ourselves, we were saying this is what it is like for these children," said McKenna.
Roughly 3,000 marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO's Empire Fulton Ferry State Park in Manhattan, accompanied by Invisible Children co-founder Larren Poole, actor Chris Lowel (Private Practice) and actress Yin Chang (Gossip Girl). The support of celebrities was seen as a "rescue" because of the media attention that they were able to bring to the Invisible Children campaign. "Kids from seventh grade through the end of college, these are the children and young adults that are raising all of this money for Africa. We've put more foreign aid towards the building of schools than the American government," said McKenna.
Donations like the $500 McKenna and Hofstra's Schools for Schools have raised since September 2008 will go directly to providing aid for the children caught in the crossfires of this Uganda civil war.
"Before anything, Schools for Schools stands for human rights and these human rights of the invisible children in Africa," said McKenna.
Referring back to her first thought about "The Rescue", "Jump First. Fear Later," a statement shared by Poole, McKenna said, "He (Poole) went to Africa, he didn't have any money at his finger tips, he didn't have it all figured out, but so much was uncovered by just jumping first and worrying about it later."
Hofstra University Schools For Schools President Kirsten McKenna
