December 2013 by The Campus Magazine at CCNY

Over a Century of Service to CCNY & the Harlem Community

December 2013

THE LOVE APP

Can Tinder Solve the College Dating Dilemma?

ACTIVISM WELCOME RISING BACK A Semester of Polarization

The Return of the Student Art Show

ccnycampus

WINTER LIFESTYLE

Stave Off Holiday Weight @ccnycampus

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Table of Contents

9 ACTIVISM

3 Opinion

Where is CUNY Pathways Leading Us?

Editor in Chief Louis Oprisa Managing Editor Rochelle Sterling Opinion & Feature Nikeeyia Howell Copy Chief Hannington Dia Copy Editors Esme Cribb, Rachel Finley, Lucy Lao

Brendan Lawton

Isabel Jenkins

4 News

10 FEATURE

Bloomberg's Last Hurrah

The Tinder Touch

Michael V. Sanchez

Rachael Mines

5 News

Business

Business Manager Ashlee Schuppius Ad Sales Sandra Fisac Rodriguez

12 LIFESTYLE

Hispanic Women at City College–Rising Numbers

How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Shamalee Delacruz

Creative Directors

Natalie Renteria

6 ACTIVISM

Roberto Guzmán & Liz Fonseca

13 SPOTLIGHT

Multimedia

Art Show Returns

Power of the People vs Power Over People

Web Manager Rachel Mines Social Media Manager Natalie Renteria Video Editor Eitan Negri

Liz Fonseca

Anika Islam

7 ACTIVISM

14 CCNY

Hey Uncle Tom

Sports

Study Abroad Program

Rachel Mines

Editor’s Note

Editorial Team

Un-Occupied

Jeff Weisinger

Sandra Fisac Rodríguez

Lifestyle

Natalie Renteria

As the city of New York prepares for life under a new mayor for the first time in 12 years, CUNY students prepare for the specter of administration cracking down on peaceful protests and various forms of expressive action. Activist groups have continued to organize, and questions only multiply from the fallout

of October’s closure of the Morales-Shakur Community Center. Our goal has been to provide you with the insights representative of different perspectives at CCNY. Final exams are no doubt on your mind, but feel free to keep our issues around for a quick ‘break’ from studying.

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December 2013

Where is CUNY Pathways Leading Us? The program launched this fall despite protests across the city. But has it made a difference in students' lives? By Isabel Jenkins │ Illustration: Roberto Guzmán

Ninety-two percent of CUNY faculty members opposed it. Thousands signed petitions to repeal it. One CUNY campus refused to implement it and was threatened with cancellation of all its writing courses. Pathways, a new system of general education requirements created to make transferring between campuses easier, was implemented at all 19 CUNY schools in September. Yet the efficiency the administration promises is what has made the program so unpopular. In order to equalize graduation requirements across the CUNY system, the administration has changed specific requirements at each campus. Under Pathways, CUNY’s overall core credit requirement has dropped, cutting down the hours students spend in the classroom. At most campuses, there are fewer foreign language, speech, and science lab requirements under Pathways than ever before. Critics claim that instead of using this opportunity to create higher common standards for students, CUNY has just made it easier for all students to graduate. According to the CUNY website, almost 39,000 new students are registered in

at least one Pathways course this fall. But now that the program has been implemented, what has really changed? Josh Wilner, CCNY’s "Campus Pathways Liaison," is responsible for communicating with CUNY headquarters about how Pathways is working out on our campus. “The changes at City haven't been that great,” Wilner explained. “Essentially we went from a 48 to a 42 credit, achieved in part by a compression of our basic foreign language sequences (from which most BS and BFA students are exempt anyway), and the elimination of speech as a requirement for BA students.” Wilner encourages students to focus on the quality rather than quantity of their curricula. “I'm less concerned with the number of courses a student is required to take than with the quality of those courses and the level of student engagement. You can accomplish a lot with a well-designed 42-credit curriculum, if you have the resources to ‘deliver’ them in an academically effective way.” But Alan Fegeinburg, the City College

chapter chair for the Professional Staff Congress (the CUNY union), sees the implementation of Pathways as part of a larger, more dangerous trend at CUNY. He refers to the new requirements as a “dumbing down of our curricula” and stresses the lack of faculty involvement throughout the establishment of Pathways. “Labs are being eliminated in science courses, limitations have been put on the number of hours required for foreign languages, and art is being downgraded. It is insulting to both faculty and students to be treated with such disdain by administration.” Fegeinburg’s prediction for the future of CCNY under Pathways is bleak. “I feel strongly that in the long run it will have an overall negative effect on our students. One of the CUNY board members, a CEO in a private school network, brags about students in the private school getting lots of art, music and foreign languages.” In the meantime, many students haven't noticed the difference. "This has not affected me in any way whatsoever." says Samuel Barr. n

Opinion

The Campus dropped, as City Council members feared a first amendment challenge to the display ban could force them to lose the entire bill. CUNY has also taken part in New York City’s anti-smoking approach. The public university system recently employed the Tobacco Free CUNY policy in 2012. Like Bloomberg’s policy, this banned indoor and outdoor smoking on all CUNY property. The CUNY policy also banned any on campus tobacco advertisements and school team endorsements.

Bloomberg’s Last Hurrah

Students react to the new legal age to buy tobacco in New York City–21. By Michael V. Sanchez │ Photo: Roberto Guzmán

ith the end of the mayoral term close at hand, the Bloomberg administration made one final push against tobacco: raising the purchasing age on all tobacco products from 18 to 21. The New York City Council recently adopted the bill and sent it to Mayor Bloomberg, who signed it into law November 19. The new law will go into effect six months after signing and will place heavy restrictions on all tobacco purchases within the

city, including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and rolling tobacco. New York City is quickly becoming one of the most ambitious antismoking cities in the United States. The Bloomberg administration has effectively banned tobacco use in parks, restaurants and bars and also set a minimum price of $10.50 for a pack of cigarettes. Along with the age hike, the new bill originally included a provision that would ban store owners from displaying their tobacco products. However, this provision to the bill was

With all these restrictions and antismoking laws, some students at CCNY are finding it harder to use any tobacco products. Many students were informed about the current age hike, but are unaware about the specifics of the bill. Some CCNY students were surprised to hear that e-cigarettes were included on the bill and relieved to hear that the ban is only on the purchase of tobacco products. People 18 and older are still legally allowed to use them. Nevertheless, most students think the new law won’t be that effective. Student Andrew McAllister said, “It’s not really going to stop anyone from smoking if they really want to.” “It’s an inconvenience on people who already use tobacco products,” said student Will Newman. “It’s just making it more difficult for us to buy a smoke, but I know people who plan to stock up.” Student Mona Elabbasy thinks the bill will curtail smoking to a certain extent. “I think it’s a good thing,” she said. “It’s going to make it harder to have access to cigarettes.” One student claimed that the bill makes sense in some ways, and is a practical approach at the smoking issue. However, it could’ve been more effective. “There is going to be a group of people who will want to wait until their 21st birthday to buy a cigarette,” said student Jakob Rehmann. “But habitual smokers usually start before they’re 18 anyway, so in a lot of ways, the bill is ineffective.” n

BOSTON BOSTON NYC NYC PHILLY November 2013 PHILLY

Hispanic Women at City College– Rising Numbers But the workplace glass ceiling remains hard to crack. By Shamalee Delacruz CCNY Student Enrollment 0

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ince 2003, the number of Hispanic women enrolled in City College has increased dramatically. According City Facts, the database of City College stats, 2,574 Hispanic women are enrolled at CCNY, more than any other race/gender group, which is much different from the proportion nine years ago. They comprise 37% of female students, and outnumber Hispanic men, who make up the second largest group at 1,835, or 29% of male students. Given these large and growing numbers, why is the trend of Hispanic women obtaining degrees not reflected in the workplace, where they hold only 4% of top corporate jobs? “For Spanish women it’s more difficult because even if you have a PhD, the men still expect to find food when they get home,” says Gabriella Vargas, 23. “It’s very difficult for women to get ahead in the workplace and get

promotions because the men don’t take on the same responsibilities. I see my mom. She’s the one responsible for the home.” Vargas, who is Puerto Rican, continues, “The women have to come home, have to cook, have to clean.” “Being a woman and Hispanic, a double minority, makes it harder to succeed in the workforce,” says Magaly Lopez, a college graduate and MTA programmer. “All you see is a lot of male supervisors against just a few women. Your voice usually gets drowned in meetings. The men talk loud and just talk to each other while the women’s opinions get ignored. That translates to less pay for women even if they are more qualified.” Still, some Hispanic women are taking matters into their own hands. Casey Cruz, 21 says, “Men need get to cooking. I’ll be busy running a company!” n

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Activism

The Campus

Power of the People v Don't let CUNY control our freedom of expression.

By Anika Islam │ Photo: Xaisongkham Induangchanthy & Roberto Guzmán

his past semester, City College witnessed a strengthened activist community. The NYPIRG chapter at City College is re-energized. Antimilitarization campaigns are underway in response to the return of the ROTC at CCNY. CUNY faculty members are fighting Pathways. Talk of tuition hikes and budget cuts have many ready to launch protests. As these movements have gained momentum, so too has the backlash. A proposed policy hints that it might soon get a little harder for students to fight the system. In the current CUNY Board of Trustees Bylaws, the word “expression” appears once: “The board recognizes that students have rights to free expression and association.” The CUNY Manual of General Policy states, “The student should be allowed the widest range of freedom of expression and inquiry to enable him or her to absorb from as well as contribute to the educational process.” A proposed policy would change that. In January, the CUNY Board of Trustees will vote on a controversial policy that establishes time, place and manner restrictions on activities including demonstrations, leafleting, and tabling. A draft dated October 11 claims that the purpose of this policy is to ensure the “safety of individuals, the protection of property, and the continuity of the University’s educational activities and business operations.” Between the Lines Some of the prohibited conduct includes “engaging in threatening or harassing behavior toward a person that is so persistent, pervasive or severe that it denies a person’s ability to participate in the

University community.” In addition, and this should be of particular interest to student activists: demonstrations would not be permitted everywhere on campus. The university could limit demonstrations to some areas and prohibit them altogether in others. The draft acknowledges that “designations shall be made with appropriate recognition of past practices as to areas in which demonstrations have been permitted.” At face value, this seems fair. However, interior of buildings would not be designated for demonstrations. “This policy would allow some campuses, which are almost entirely indoor facilities, to outlaw demonstrations altogether,” explains CCNY psychology professor Bill Crain. The policy is even more stringent when it comes to leafleting: “The educational units of CUNY may designate areas in which members of the University community may not distribute materials on campus.” The drafted policy goes so far as to permit administration to “regularly” clean up bulletin boards. What constitutes “regularly” remains undefined. The language leaves much open to interpretation. For instance, the policy prohibits “noise that interferes or seriously threatens to interfere with classes.” What is loud, and

what is too loud? The document repeatedly states that campus authorities may establish ‘time, place, and manner restrictions’ on expressive activities. Demonstrators could find themselves at the mercy of whatever restrictions administrators and security officers wished to impose on them. Veronica Agard, a City College student who contributes to PolicyMic. Continue on page 8.

December 2013

vs Power Over People Hey Uncle Tom Dissent is good, insults are not. By Rachel Mines

ne Friday last month at 10 o’clock in the morning, two colleagues from The Campus and I stood outside the NAC building, waiting to be let into the trial of the two students who were suspended after the latest Morales/Shakur Center protests. NYPD officers stood in front of the building, barring protestors and others from going in. After about an hour of waiting, the Revolutionary Students Coordinating Committee arrived and launched a protest. They targeted the officers who were policing the building, directing the loudest chants at an African-American cop on the opposite side of a barricade, screaming “pig,” “fuck you,” and “Uncle Tom,” in his face. Uncle Tom? Uncle Tom is the main character of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Webster’s defines the term as a label for members of low-status groups who are overly subservient or cooperate with authority. At the NAC demonstration, protestors used the racially-charged term to shame the police officer into letting them into the building. As the student activism movement grows at City College, it seems that “whatever it takes” has become the organizers’ guiding principal and lead mantra. Middle-class police officers have become collateral damage, but should they really be the target of the rage of this group that claims to be about the lower class?

The “whatever it takes” motto these students have come to adopt is more dangerous, ineffective, and alienating than they seem to understand. What good is attacking cops, especially men and women of color, who probably earn less than $30,000 a year? The protestors risk demeaning some of the same people they claim to care about. By screaming racial phrases at police officers do they expect to further their cause and gain a larger following? Be effective. If all you want out of these protests is attention, then you’ve got it. But that will soon fade and people will inevitably lose interest. In order to affect significant, long-term change, stop alienating people. Stop attacking everyone and anyone in the interest of “the greater good” or “change.” Fight the inequalities; fight the issues, but don’t get swept away in the heat of the moment and direct righteous anger at the wrong people. I am glad we have people on campus to raise issues that would otherwise go unnoticed, but be informed, be productive, be effective. And above all, be respectful of those who risk their lives for our safety. The truth of the matter is, the room where the trial was to be held could only physically fit 15 bystanders. Had these protesters been serious about attending the trial they would have lined up with the rest of us and secured a place inside. Instead, they looked for a fight and when they did not get it– they made one up. n

Activism

com, shares this concern. “Potential regulation of protests, demonstrations, flyering and creation of free speech zones just seems like a scene from George Orwell’s 1984," she says. Safety and Order at What Cost? In light of rising activism not only at CCNY but CUNY as a whole, students' fears that administration would take advantage of broadly delegated powers is warranted. CCNY administration garnered distrust and animosity when it closed the Morales/Shakur Center without communicating with the student body. Suspending activist leaders Tafadar Sourov and Khalil Vasquez for their leadership role in the protests to reinstate the center added fuel to the fire. CUNY has filed criminal charges against them for harassment and inciting of riots. They face up to a year of jail time. Is their case a precursor for what might come? Reflecting on the standards for freedom of speech and assembly in universities, Barbara Bowen, President of the Professional Staff Congress (PSC),

The Campus

the union that represents CUNY’s faculty and staff, says, “Universities are inherently places of exploration, debate, dissent and, sometimes, protest. If CUNY is to be an intellectually vibrant university, it must recognize that ‘expressive activity’ is a vital part of campus life, not a danger to be confined to narrow limits.” Professors at City College agree. “The policy violates our civil liberties and the very ideals of the university, which values and seeks to promote often contentious debate, discussion, disagreement and, whether the administration likes it or not, dissent,” says James Biles, a professor of sociology and a member of PSC. Elizabeth Sibilia, an International Studies professor, more boldly claims, “Administration is exemplifying their disinterest in creating a space for education in general.” What Action is Being Taken? In October, PSC/CUNY, reached out to CUNY and formally demanded

the opportunity to renegotiate this policy. “Union officers are also in discussion with the University Faculty Senate leadership and have asked First Amendment lawyers for their review,” says Bowen. Professor Biles adds, “If necessary, I hope that the New York Civil Liberties Union and groups like the American Association of University Professors will take up the cause.” Student-led organizations, like the Revolutionary Student Coordinating Committee (RSCC), are mounting resistance against this policy. Professor Sibilia thinks that these groups need more support. “[Build] solidarity networks within CCNY with normally disparate student groups, groups that may under normal circumstances have differing politics,” she suggests. With the support of faculty, the student body, and the Harlem community, the activist minds at City College staunchly refuse to be silenced. n

December 2013

Un-Occupied Feeding the hungry, but no place to call home.

By Brendan Lawton │ Illustration: Roberto Guzmán

“ Potential regulation of protests, demonstrations, flyering and creation of free speech zones just seems like a scene from George Orwell’s 1984.” -Veronica Agard

ecently some friends and I began a group in Harlem to help reduce food waste and also provide the right of food to anyone who needs it, for free. Our group is a chapter of Food Not Bombs, a worldwide phenomenon movement that’s active throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. The name, Food Not Bombs, was designed to signify that more money should be spent on feeding the hungry rather than on military expenses in the U.S. Those values are the same that we’re promoting in Harlem. Our goal is to have a solid and consistent source of food for people who need it once a week, but hopefully more than just once if our project expands enough. Although the group has had great success, with its first distribution

on Wednesday, November 6th, we ran into a snag with finding a proper meeting place after our initial place for holding meetings, the Guillermo Morales/Assata Shakur Community and Student Center, was shut down. Recently, this center has been taken under CUNY's control due to questionable past grievances with the center. This obstacle makes it much harder for our group to meet at a place where everyone can easily make it rather than a location off campus because it makes it easier for kids who already commute to school to be able to join our meeting there, too. Nonetheless, this usurpation will not hinder our movement. For the time being, our meeting places have been and will be in our apartments, where we have also cooked our first set of meals. In the end we maintain the belief that this is not a charity, it is solidarity. Join us. n

Feature

The Campus

The Tinder To

Can a dating app help you find love in NYC? One student sh By Rachel Mines │ Photo: Roberto Guzmán and Liz Fonseca For me, dating in New York follows a very specific pattern: Guy asks me out. I have my reservations. We go out a few times. I start to develop feelings Guy inevitably says, “I’m not looking for anything serious so want to keep this casual?” Then he adds, “Want to spend the night?” So, when my friends introduced me to the dating app Tinder I thought it would help me find guys outside my social circle, better vet potential dates, and ultimately give me a little more control. In the age of technology, Tinder is yet another app determined to connect us. It links to your Facebook profile but only reveals first name, age, and up to five pictures that you choose. It is location-based, revealing the single people in your area who are also using Tinder. It shows you someone nearby and allows you to “like” them or pass – swipe your thumb to the left if you want to pass, to the right if you want to like. If someone happens to like you back, then Tinder makes an introduction and lets you chat. Think of Tinder as Grindr for straight people. It was launched in September of 2012, and since then it has seen 20,000 downloads daily. According to the creators, it will “solve issues with dating and rejection in our generation.” Consider all the times you walk into a bar, a subway car, or a classroom and scan the area for someone who meets your physical criteria. Then you have to wonder if that person is single, then the awkward inner conversation begins. Will he or she talk to me? Should I

make the first move? Tinder does all this work for you and on a larger scale. After filtering through the faces, occasionally swiping to the right, and waiting for the guy to make the first move, I was able to keep a conversation going with one 25-year-old from upstate New York long enough to make concrete plans. He was good looking and our mutual interests (which are shown on the app) included things like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal– so, I assumed he was intellectual and

would be a good conversationalist. We decided to meet at a wine bar in the East Village on a Tuesday night. I was more nervous about not being able to find him or recognize him than I was about the actual dating part; Tinder pictures can be very ambiguous. He ended up being more attractive in person than his pictures, so I took that as a good sign. Unfortunately, our conversation was not as compelling as I had imagined, and I am still not sure if that was something I could have picked up through Tinder or the luck of the draw. When we asked for the check I reached for my wallet as I always do. It had been a while since my last date, but 100 percent of my previous dates had always stopped me from actually having to pull out my wallet. I ended up paying for my own drinks at that bar, the next bar, and the last bar. As the night began to come to a close, my Tinder friend decided he would try his luck. He put his hand on my neck and began to massage, and then he pulled my head

toward his, and whispered, “I can’t wait for you to sit on my face.” Do I need to say more? I deleted his number and ignored any texts from him. This dating game is confusing– especially for us college students who are still learning and growing, but even more so for young women who are still working out the kinks of feminism. It seems that we want to have our cake and eat it too. We have broken out of our traditional gender roles and embraced our sexual liberation and control. But we want our men to stay chivalrous and abide by the traditional dating rules. We want to be treated with equality but still expect the man to open the door for us and pick up the drink tab. Balancing work, school and everything else leaves little time for thoughtful dating. A friend of mine (who wished to stay anonymous) said she uses Tinder because, “I’m a poor college girl who was just trying to get a meal, and some drinks and possibly sex.” What’s the difference between now and the 1950s? My friend is just more blunt about wanting sex, but the double standard and the divided feelings still apply. Women expect a man to pay, even though we have our own money, and we aren’t supposed to want sex, even when we do—and no dating app will make those hypocritical feelings go away. Both men and women are struggling to figure it all out, but guys have less baggage. A male friend of mine combines the old-school rules with the new technology and has had some great success on the app. On his first date with one of his matches he took her to

ouch ares her adventures.

a nice restaurant, paid for her meal and drinks, walked her to the train and said goodnight. He has now been seeing this same girl consistently for a few weeks, though he is worried that she’s more attached than he is. Still, most men I speak to think of Tinder as a sex app. They cast the net wide–i.e. swipe to the right a lot to get more matches. The more matches the better the chance of getting laid. Gay guys have this figured out better than us and with much less drama, fear and guilt. They tend to see Tinder and the more explicit, gay-focused Grindr as tools that make arranging dates and sex easier and more efficient. Period. A gay friend jokingly told me, “I used Tinder to find rich finance boys who took me on extravagant outings in the city.” When I asked him if and why he preferred Tinder to Grindr, he said, “Tinder is less sexual than Grindr. Like I would never send a dick pic on Tinder but I may or may not have done it on Grindr. And being able to see friends in common helps too.” At the end of the day, Tinder or no Tinder, dating is all about communication and how you present yourself. Perhaps had I been clearer verbally or chosen different pictures, my Tinder date would not have used such strong advances. I am grateful I paid for my own drinks because it gave me more control over the situation. I don’t have all the answers, and anyone who claims they do is lying, but I’ve decided to delete Tinder for a reason. While I am a feminist who has embraced 21st century technology, there is something to be said for face-to-face conversation and first impressions. n

Lifestyle

The Campus

How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain Make an effort this holiday season to fill your heart with love—not cholesterol. By Natalie Renteria │ Illustration: Liz Fonseca

The period between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve is definitely festive, but it's also a time of overindulgence. During this season you are constantly surrounded by food. Holidays bring on an abundance of sweets, cocktails, and decadent meals. While it’s a merry time, it can disrupt your regular eating and exercise habits. Between family gatherings, work parties, and dinners out with friends, refraining from overeating can be difficult. Instead of falling into the trap of weight gain, arm yourself with these tips. Portion control Don’t overstuff your plate with food! Check out the spread before you grab your plate. Load your plate in moderation. Instead of 2 big spoonfuls of cornbread stuffing, take a little more than half a spoonful. You can still eat all the sides you want; the key is concentrating on your serving sizes. As for desserts, practice the three-bite

rule: you'll get that amazing first taste, a satisfying middle one, and then a lingering third bite. Hit snooze on the booze Alcohol contains sugar and is packed with calories. Restrict yourself to one or two drinks. Instead of drinking a glass of high-fattening eggnog have a light beer or a glass of wine. Don’t forget to also restrict your soda intake. Even if it’s diet, it contains artificial sugars that can still cause weight gain. Water or seltzer is your best bet! Never go hungry Don’t show up to parties starving! Don’t skip meals during your day so you can indulge and pig out! Before you go to a holiday party, eat a healthy snack such as a serving of your favorite fruit, fat-free yogurt or a whole grain granola bar. Stay active Continue your regular exercise regimes. If you don’t work out regularly, you can

do little things like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator or getting off the train or bus a stop early so you can walk a little more. You can always google a quick yoga sequence or calisthenic workouts to do at home. If you’re pressed for time jumping rope for 15 minutes is a good option; it torches about 190 calories. Get that potassium Potassium counterbalances sodium and makes you retain less water. Some yummy potassium possibilities: bananas, papayas, kiwis, strawberries, and cantaloupe. Say no to leftovers and yes to sleep Avoid bringing food home. If you are hosting the party give all the desserts and leftovers to your guests. The best gift you could give yourself this holiday season is a full night's sleep every night if possible. Try to let your body rest and sleep at least 7 hours a night. n

December 2013

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Clockwise from top left: Lina Almonte, Jeffrey Louie, Cesar Mesias, Daniel Stankus and Evan Pittson.

Art Show Returns

Students display work after one-year hiatus. By Liz Fonseca

ast fall, the EDM Student Art Show was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. This fall’s exhibition showcased works since Fall 2012. A total of 148 projects were displayed, and 93 students represented 19 EDM courses. Professor Mark A. Smith, curator of the show, explains: “The gallery space

was arranged in order to allow the individual works to complement one another in narrative grouping.” These works reflect the materials studied in EDM courses with the guidance of professionals in the graphic design field. The Electronic Design & Multimedia Program focuses on teaching skills in the field such as:

web design, photo retouching, video production, digital design, and illustration to name a few. Each course presents the students with the proper tools and lets them discover their personal approach and conceptual creativity. For more information, please visit edm.arts.ccny.cuny.edu/edm. n

CCNY

The Campus

DECONSTRUCTING CITY COLLEGE

Study Abroad Program Horizons Expanded. By Sandra Fisac Rodríguez

Joseph Lara, Denmark

o you like to travel? Do you want to meet new people, explore new places and interact with different cultures? What if you could do all that while completing credits for your college degree? The CCNY Office of Study Abroad & International Programs offers a wide variety of travel opportunities that students can take advantage. The Study Abroad Office is located at NAC 5/216. Feel free to pass by at any time or make an appointment with Ms. Ninive Gomez, the Program Manager (advising hours for the current semester are Mon. & Tues. from 1pm-6pm, Wed. & Thu. from 1pm-5pm, and Fri. from 9am-2pm). Ms. Gomez can provide you with all the necessary guidance and information you'll need to prepare for your trip.

Marie C. Nazon, Senegal

What’s offered? There are plenty of programs and options for students looking to travel abroad. The long-term CCNY Semester and Academic Year Programs will grant you a full immersion in the host country’s language and understanding of their culture. The popular short-term CCNY Winter and Summer Programs will allow you to take full advantage of your school breaks. If neither of these programs fit your academic needs or travel interests, there are a vast amount of destinations and programs that are offered by other CUNY schools through the CUNYWIDE Study Abroad & International Exchange programs. If you are interested in a Study Abroad program at a non-CUNY institution you can still pursue your goal. You will have to apply on your own; however, the CCNY Study Abroad office can provide

consultation and help with getting any necessary documents approved. How can I get into a program? Before applying to any Study Abroad program, talk to your academic advisor about your Study Abroad interest. Find out what courses you would get credit for, and ask any additional questions you might have. Once you find the program you are interested in, pick up the application form and additional documents at the CCNY Office of Study Abroad or download them from their website (in the “forms” section). Be aware of the due dates and prepare your documents on time to avoid any undesired incident before your trip. Once the material is completely filled out, return it to the Office of Study Abroad and they will notify you if you are accepted.

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Denise Williams, South Africa

How can I finance my trip? There are numerous options to help finance your overseas adventure, but it is essential that you review all options thoroughly to ensure eligibility. Visit the Financial Aid office to explore potential financial resources. Other supplementary sources include CUNY or non-CUNY Study Abroad scholarships like the Study/Travel Opportunities for CUNY Students (STOCS) scholarship, which assists CUNY students registered in short-term Winter or Summer CUNY Study Abroad programs. There is also the Gilman International Scholarship Program, which aids U.S. college students who want to study at the international level.

In addition, ask your local community organizations regarding scholarships in exchange of volunteering jobs.

Be sure to conduct research, consult with your Study Abroad manager and department advisor, and visit their website to see if you qualify for Federal Aid, Grants, or loans.

What’s new? The newest long-term program is the CCNY Semester/Academic Year Program known as Global E3. This program is specifically for engineering and computer science majors. Also, a new European destination has been added to the already established summer destinations list (Argentina, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, England, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa and Spain) for this coming summer 2014: Amsterdam (the Netherlands). This program will run in conjunction with the VU University Amsterdam (for more information about these new programs, contact the CCNY Study Abroad Office).

Testimonials Gargi Padki, a CCNY student who went to La Antigua summer program in Guatemala, states that her experience was “unlike anything I could have imagined. I had an amazing time and met people who are changing the world. I am so honored that the people of Guatemala are willing to share their world with me.” Joshua Liveris, who went to Nepal, adds, “My Study Abroad experience helped me to grow both academically and personally and I would recommend the experience to any CCNY student.”

This past November, the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) married Higher Education to Corporate Interest. The beloved couple insisted on making their holy union open to the

Corporate INTEREST

Photo: Louis Oprisa

public, maintaining the transparency on the terms of their relationship. Unconfirmed reports state that the newlyweds are vacationing in the Hamptons with members of the CUNY Board of Trustees.

Higher Education