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October 2010
November 2013
http://www.tri-liteonline.com
Vol. 60, Issue 1
The student voice of Holy Family University since 1954
College Debt Burdens Graduates By Gabrielle Fabioneri
her student loans. She explains: “I have been trying to find a loan that doesn’t ollege debt is rising, and so is the stress to have such a high interest rate because paying pay it back. Students across America are facing a seemingly endless struggle, but there it back is going to be hard. It’s not fair that college students have to pay so much. Not is hope on the horizon. everyone is fortunate enough to pay out of According to the non-profit Project on Stupocket.” dent Debt, in 2009 Unfortunately, college debt was at like Bianca and a high rate of 73%, Brittnee, millions which is a drastic of other college 6% rise in comparistudents and son to 2008. Lauren graduates feel the Asher, director of same way. this organization, Although college says, “College costs debt is unavoidare rising faster than able, there are family incomes and many ways curfaster than grants rent students can and scholarships. It prepare themcan be overwhelmselves for the blow ing.” before they even After graduation, graduate. Accordstudents have a sixing to Katy Hopmonth grace period kins, journalist before they begin for the US News to pay back their http://cecemarshall.wordpress. & World Report, college loans. Durkeeping track of your ing that time, many “Not everyone is fortunate loans and creating a recent graduates are enough to pay out of pocket.” budget is a good place on a nerve-wracking to start. Staying injourney to find a job that can help them pay back these loans. With formed and being prepared for what is ahead is the best way to keep from falling behind. the unemployment rate at 7.3% as of August 2013, this task is not always easy. Many places Another important factor is to also explore repayment options that are available. of employment are looking for people with According to Kevin Fudge, an advisor at experience, something that is lacking among American Student Assistance, many federal many students straight out of college. Their loan programs can help relieve some of the only hope is through unpaid internships. burden. An example is the Income-Based and Bianca Barger, 22, a recent graduate from Income-Contingent Repayment, which allows Arcadia University is experiencing the firstcertain loans to be repaid on an income-based hand struggles of paying back her student loans. She owes over $75,000 in Stafford loans, rate. This can be helpful for students who have a job, but do not make enough to meet and only works a mere part time retail job that barely pays enough for her to feed herself. their loan payment requirements. Preparation is key in helping ease the burden She has applied to numerous job offerings, and has not even received a single call, despite of student loans. Keeping yourself informed and aware of your options can make the task her impressive GPA and accomplishments throughout school. Bianca puts her stress into just a little easier. Fudge believes that “Utilizing resources and visualizing long-term can words. “It’s like a dark cloud looming over ease some of the initial stress” So relax; stressmy head that I can’t escape. I have less than a ing yourself out can make the situation more month and a half, it’s horrible.” painful than it needs to be. Take it one step at Brittnee Reed, 22, a senior at Holy Family a time. University talks about how she is conflicted with the high interest rates that accompany
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JOIN THE CREW Blue Crew is a premier fan organization created to support Holy Family University Athletics!
Lights, Camera, Action! Your Call to Fame is Here By Francis Bitting
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ometimes we get caught up in our routines. Our everyday lives become so boring that we find ourselves going through the motions, wishing we could somehow see how the other half lives. We may not be able to live these lives that we desire, but that does not mean we cannot “play the part”. At the Tiger Vision Network, one can act and experience through the use of film and screenwriting, the lives they sometimes desire. The Television Club is a club that has existed in campus for some time but has been recently brought to its fullest potential! We explore student creativity through use of film and digital media and are currently building the program, and looking for help from students. We will be filming live footage of sporting events and doing close-up interviews with our Holy Family athletes. If you are Camera shy, we are always looking for people with experience in editing, directing, and writing screen plays. Although we encourage students that have experience in editing, acting, and screenwriting, it is not required. The only requirement is to have a desire to venture outside of your everyday routine. We strongly encourage all students to come out, especially those majoring in digital media. “Every time I go to a movie, its magic, no matter what the movie’s about,” said Steven Spielberg. This club encourages creativity as well as an interest in life on the red carpet. We hope to see you come out!
Screen shot from promo video for TV Club.
Membership fee is $5 and you will enjoy members-only benefits at local businesses that support Blue Crew and Holy Family University. You will receive an official Blue Crew t-shirt to be worn at athletics events! JOIN TODAY in CC 204.
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The Tri-Lite
Holy Family Signs with Parkhurst Dining Services By Szymon Zegar
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he start of the 2013 fall semester at Holy Family University not only marked the beginning of a new school year for students, but also the beginning of a new era of dining services at the Tiger Café. A whole new approach on dining services has been implemented by a primarily new staff. The Tiger Café has begun to serve different types of food compared to last year and in different ways, has changed its’ operation hours, and has administered a crackdown on meal plan violations. Holy Family University hired Parkhurst Dining of Homestead, PA which began food service operations on July 1, 2013. Parkhurst Dining has provided a breath of fresh air for everyone affiliated with Holy Family University’s Tiger Cafe. On Holy Family’s website under Dining Services, you can find a brief catalog describing some of the new dining standards. Parkhurst Dining puts great emphasis on fresh, organic food that is made right on the spot. The ingredients from which the food is prepared is obtained from local growers and producers within a 125 mile radius. Food that was served with the old dining service was prepackaged food that sat around for long periods
of time after being made. The Tiger Café now prepares meals upon request and makes a majority of things from scratch, including pizza dough, bakery items, even chips and French fries. The new and improved Tiger Café has received much approval and praise from the
student athletes who live on campus. Many student athletes rely on the Tiger Café being open late to accommodate their sport schedules. The Tiger Café now closes at 7:30 p.m. which is an inconvenience for some student athletes. Kristy Tomlinson, a member of the Holy Family softball team, spoke out on the issue, “Some of us student athletes have a hard time attending dinner on time at the Tiger Café because of our sport schedules. Hopefully the issue gets resolved and some sort of arrangement is made for student athletes.” One of the more notable changes at the Tiger Café has been the crackdown on meal plan violations. In years past, it was cavalier and widely accepted to walk out of the cafe with more food than was included in a meal or even coming back for more food items. Now only certain items are available in meals and drinks as well. Portions have been reduced in both meals and side entrees. The Tiger Café and Parkhurst Dining have definitely rejuvenated students and staff at Holy Family University. Everyone has a sense of pride now when they step into the Tiger Café, it is simply delicious food provided by an amazing staff.
“The Tiger Café now is so much more refreshing than it used to be. Everything is delicious and tastes like a home-cooked meal.” student body. When asked to talk about his experience with the Tiger Café this year Adam Marianelli, a member of the Holy Family Men’s soccer team, had this to say, “The Tiger Café now is so much more refreshing than it used to be. Everything is delicious and tastes like a home-cooked meal.” The Tiger Café has received a great amount of admiration from both the staff and the student body since the arrival of Parkhurst Dining. The only complaint has come from the
Grading System Match Up By Marykate Morris
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oly Family is known for their Ivy League grading system. This grading system may sounds appealing, but in reality, it is a problem for some of the students at Holy Family University. Having an Ivy League grading system may sound like a good idea to the administration at Holy Family, however, it negatively affects many of the students. This grading system puts a lot of stress on the students at the University. It pushes students to the limit, and some students just cannot attain the grade. Students are expected to maintain a certain GPA for their majors and/or sports teams. Compared to other schools, this GPA is more difficult to achieve. The system put students under pressure and in the end students begin to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. Having an Ivy League system would look good right? Students at Holy Family seem to think different. Senior Criminal Justice Major, Mark Ferretti said, “Our grading system is a problem because it can make students look worse when they go for jobs. We are on an Ivy League grading system without the title of being an Ivy League school.” Students here at Holy Family could get an 80 on an exam, while someone at a state school could receive the same grade, but receive a B rather than the C that a student at Holy Family would receive. Morgan Pollino, a nursing student said, “The fact that if I was to get a 77 on a test my GPA would be higher at a different school and it’s annoying because our grading system is Ivy League but our school isn’t. I work just as hard, but my hard work doesn’t show when it comes down to my GPA.” Shown above is a table comparing the grad-
ing systems at Holy Family University and West Chester University. The table shows that it would be less of a challenge to get a better GPA if you were to attend West Chester University. We see from the table that if a student were to get a 65, at Holy Family you would be failing, but at West Chester you would receive a D. Being an average student would be considered being a “B” student. At West Chester University, you would have to get a grade of an 83-86 to be considered a “B” student. However, at Holy Family if you receive a grade of an 83-86 you would be a “C+” student. Not only is this a problem for the students trying to get a job after graduation, it is also a problem financially. The lower your grades are and the lower your GPA is can hinder the opportunity for scholarships and chances to get into other schools if one is interested in transferring. For the incoming freshmen of Holy Family, the administration takes their high school GPA and modifies it to fit our grading scale. By having their GPA changed, this lowers their chances of getting a better scholarship from the University; whereas if they went to a state school, they may receive a better scholarship based on the GPA that they earned. This system at Holy Family has been an on-going concern with many students. There is nothing that we can personally do about it, but if we continue to let our voices be heard there may be changes in the future. I may only be one person, but together we can make a difference to see change.
Named Scholarship Applications Available! Application deadline Monday, December 2nd
Any questions please contact Patti Paluch Development Office 267-341-5005 scholarships@holyfamily.edu
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October 2010 November 2013
Where Will the Memories Go?
Do You Know About Folio?
By Brittnee Reed
By Latrice Brown
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hink about dedicating 16 plus years to an education and never once receiving a yearbook. How would there be documentation of those special memories created along the way? Receiving a yearbook at the end of the year is something that is valued by all students. Whether it be grade school, high school, or college, yearbooks serve as a keepsake for all. They open the pages to students’ most memorable moments, such as going to school dances, participating on sports teams and clubs, competing in the talent shows, winning special awards, and most importantly building lifelong friendships along the way. In the beginning of this year’s fall semester, many budget cuts were made at Holy Family University, however no one would have guessed that the yearbook would be included in these cuts. In September, students received an email stating that the Familogue, the school’s yearbook, would be cut. In the email, students were reassured that the school is currently looking into other options, perhaps online outlets, to create a substitute yearbook. However, losing the hard copy version was difficult news to take in for many members of the Holy Family community. When alumnus Jack Monari, 22, class of 13’, heard about the news his reaction was as expected. “When I had found out about the school cutting the yearbooks, I was surprised. I think they’re a great way to memorialize the school year, and I still love to page through yearbooks that I received at Holy Family. I know the school has been going through transition, but I think cutting the yearbook is regrettable.” he explained. However, many underclassmen expressed slightly different feelings. Current student Rachel Helkowski, 20, class of 15’ explained, “I think yearbooks were more important to me in high school. I really don’t know if college
yearbooks have the same meaning. However, if I were in my senior year, I think my feelings would change and I would definitely want a yearbook.” After dedicating three years of her education to perfecting the Familogue, former editor, alumnae Jenna Spadaccino, 22, class of 13’ did not take the news lightly. “Personally, I was upset when they cut the yearbooks because I was part of the committee. Last year I thought it was good that senior Sara Szymendera and I could at least be the last editors to put together a yearbook.” As Spadaccino continued, she began to explain how she truly values having access to yearbooks throughout her education, “I’ve always purchased a yearbook since high school because it’s a great way to capture memories during your school days. There have been many times, now more recently, I find myself pulling out my high school yearbooks in a nostalgic sense, to just bring myself back to “those days”. I think it’s important and a keepsake of everything learned and friendships made along one’s academic career. I found it hard to believe that not more people paid attention and took a Holy Family yearbook because one, they were free and two, it’s your college years and why wouldn’t people want to remember that?” Yearbooks are more than just paper bonded between two hard covers, they are memory preserves where students can relive amazing past experiences that occurred throughout their education. Having a yearbook in arms reach at all times means that 50 years from now, younger generations can get a glimpse into the world of their grandparents’ schooling. For some students, a yearbook is just another book to add to the dusty pile on their bookshelves, yet for others, it is a treasure. It isn’t until having the option to sit and reminisce through the pages of the past is taken away from us that we stop and think, “I really wish I had a yearbook.”
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hen I first started attending Holy Family University, I knew I wanted to participate in a club that would give me the experience I needed to excel in my field. After all, that’s part of what higher education should do, prepare you for the real world. However, I had no idea where to begin. Two years later, I finally took the initiative to get involved. As I searched the Holy Family website, I found several groups of interest; Folio was one of them. Folio is a belles-lettres publication sponsored by Holy Family University. It not only features original poetry, prose, art and photography work submitted by Holy Family students, faculty and alumni, but it also incorporates pieces from contributors that extend beyond the university walls. “We’re willing to look for [creative works] wherever we can find them—though, of course, the heart of Folio is very much within the university,” says Liz Moore. Professor Moore became involved in Folio about four years ago after the previous moderator, Dr. Tom Lombardi, retired from Holy Family University. She believes “it’s important for every university to place a high value on the arts,” and thinks “publications like Folio help us all stop and reflect on our lives from time to time, and give students a creative outlet to work through their beliefs and emotions.” In addition to supervising the activities of the club, Professor Moore also teaches members the fundamentals of copyediting, a valuable skill to possess. The journal itself is produced by Folio members who select and edit submissions and design the layout of the publication prior to printing. The club affords students the opportunity to exercise their writing, editorial, design and marketing skills. Furthermore, it provides hands-on experience that students can add to their resume and use to market themselves to employers. I’ve only attended two club meetings so far, but the members have welcomed me and my ideas, and Professor Moore does a great job of ensuring each member plays a leadership role in the organization. The objective this year is to receive more submissions than Folio has ever had in the past, and to demonstrate the high quality of work that comes out of Holy Family and its surrounding community. Professor Moore hopes that by shining a light on the creativity of those within our community, “it might bring more visibility to our university.” As a part-time student, I haven’t gotten to know very many people at Holy Family University. Joining Folio made me regret not getting involved sooner. Not only would I have met these wonderful people who share my interests in writing and editing sooner, but I would have gotten more experience in my chosen field of literature. Every student at Holy Family is encouraged to become either a member or contributor of Folio. It’s a great way to get involved and there is plenty of space for additional leaders! If you are interested in becoming a member or have questions about the organization, please contact Erin O’Neil at eoneil@holyfamily.edu. For submissions to Folio, please attach your document as either a .doc or .jpg file and send to hfufolio.submittable.com. Submissions begin November 1 and run through December 31.
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The Tri-Lite
Senior Spotlight Steve Fediuk
Support Senior Legacy
Major: Psychology Clubs: SGA Senior Class President, Senior Ambassador, FEXP Mentor, Summer Orientation Leader
Open Mic Night Saturday, Nov. 16th 8-11pm Tickets $5 Includes admission and snack
Favorite HF Activities: Union games Advice for the Freshmen: “Get involved and step outside your comfort zone as much as you can. Getting involved helps you meet new people and helps you get the most out of the college experience. Also, the more you step outside your comfort zone the more chances you have to look back and say to yourself “wow, I actually did that,” which helps push yourself to try new things.”
Upcioming Activities King of Prussia Trip Fri., Nov. 15th Deck the Halls Mon., Dec. 2, 7pm Breakfast of Champions Wed., 10-11:30pm RSVP on the Holy Family Activities page!
Enjoy a night of music with friends while supporting the Class of 2014!
Faculty Feature
Mike Ulrich, Assistant Director of Activities Alma Mater: Holy Family University, ‘11 Favorite HF Activity: Sporting events to support Athletics Words to the Students: Be open to opportunities that you have available right in front of you. Do not fear the idea of “getting involved,” because the benefits to being active are far reaching. As an Alumni, I have been blessed with knowing many great individuals with whom I shared my time at Holy Family. Those individuals, each very active in campus life, are now enjoying early success in their career fields due to the skills, experience, and knowledge gained through involvement. So, I say to you, the students, go and get involved today because these four years fly by. Grab on now and take hold!
To the Top! By Jazmine Babuch
“With us, it is always an invitation and never beauty that God has created. It is worth walkan obligation.” Father James MacNew, better ing all the way up and seeing nature at its best. known as Father Mac, describes the Buddy Mass on the summit also takes place which group best when he says that famous line of his. involves time for faith sharing. What is Buddy? It is Holy Family University’s Every year, there is a March for Life event that campus ministry group. Samantha Kiger, take place in Washington D.C. and the Buddy’s senior, words the group beautifully when she take pride in going every year. The group braves says, “The buddy group isn’t just a bunch of the cold and frigid weather to show support for people gathering in prayer. We’re not a bunch the pro-life movement. Holding posters up in of cone heads, as Father Mac would say. It is a the air with pride and shouting “B-U-D-D-Aconstant conversation with God among friends. A-Y-Y!” at the top of their lungs, the group, like We can talk about the struggle in our faith and many others that come out to show their supencourage each other to overcome the chalport, march in hopes that the Supreme Court lenge!” changes the outcome of the “Roe V. Wade.” Buddy, also known as Holy Family Frassati By going all the way to Washington D.C. and Society- Challenge to the Top, meets every showing how much the Buddy team cares about Sunday with mass in the chapel followed by a Catholic issues, they are living proof of bringmeeting in the campus center room 115. What ing faith to life. makes Buddy so special is that it is a studentCampus ministry is not only about praying to led group. All of the meetings are run by the God all the time. It is about living the faith as students on a faith related topic. Gathered one. The Buddy crowd is about creating friendaround in a circle and munching on hot, deliships that will last a lifetime and a relationship cious pizza, everyone is involved in some type with God that has no end. Amanda McIntyre, of faith sharing. We talk about past struggles sophomore, describes the group by saying, or even ones that we are facing now and how “You can be yourself and say what your heart our faith plays a big part in overcoming our is feeling and no one will judge you.” By joinencounters. It is one of the many ways in which ing Buddy, it’s not just coming to meetings and the group brings God into their lives. learning about the faith, but it is learning how Another way in which the group gets closer to to live it and share it with others. It’s a journey God is by going to Bear Mountain, New York. with others and God that has no limits. In all Once a year, the Buddy group comes together that you do, remember to go TO THE TOP! to go to New York to climb Bear Mountain. The purpose of the trip is to not only make it to the top, but to make it to the top and realize the Photo Cred Timothy O’Driscoll
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October 2010
Let’s Make a Difference
Catching Fire Catches Audience
“Our environment, the world in which we live and work, is a mirror of our attitudes and expectations,” said Earl Nightingale. Earl had it right, our environment is essentially a mirror to our civilization as a whole. It shows how much we care about others, ourselves, and our future existence. Those whole devote their entire life living among nature and have their main focus being the environment should be applauded, but let’s be real most of us cannot do that. And that is okay, but it does not mean we cannot all still do our part to help the environment. The environment as a whole is a large chunk of community service. If we set out with the mindset that we will single-handedly change the standing of our current environment, it could take hundreds upon thousands of years to make a difference. However, if we all do our part in “our own environment” we can certainly make some serious progress. At this point, you are probably asking yourself what is “our own environment”? Well it is simple. Our own environment is the area that we as individuals spend a majority of our time. This still may seem like a big area to single-handedly fix, but if we can do our part by doing the little things such as recycling or picking up trash we can begin to make a huge dent in the problems at hand. Most of you reading this article are staff or students of Holy Family University. So to paint a more vivid picture, let’s talk about some situations that we may face in our day-to-day life on campus. When in the cafeteria, try
The audience of The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins, has bought up the question whether or not the film has ruined the book. The same question is being asked for the new upcoming film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, directed by Francis Lawrence. This film will be released November 22, 2013 in 2D theaters and IMAX. Viewers of this is film have high hopes for another hot, jumpy energy that’s irresistible, and add a little romance to the thriller between Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark or even with Gale Hawthorne. In the first Hunger Games a boy and girl were each selected from the twelve districts to complete against each other on a reality television show in the ruins of North America. Each “Tribute” must fight against one another until one survivor remains. Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts and archery as well as the mentorship of drunken former tribute Haymitch Abernathy. With her return from the Hunger Games, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and her unresolved love life with Gale Hawthorne. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire continues with Katniss’s life when she returns home from Panem. Following the events from the previous novel, a rebellion against the harsh leadership of Panem has begun, and Katniss and fellow tribute Peeta Mellark are forced to return to the arena. Will Katniss be able to get out of this nightmare or will she have to use her wits once again to win the game?
By Francis Bitting
ByMarykate Miller
to throw away trash and separate our recyclables. I know as a student we are rushing and forget, which understandable, but let’s try to take that extra second or two to do this miniscule task. By starting with this simple task, we can make a dramatic change as a whole at the university. Some people on campus have taken this initiative. A few of these people are members of Holy Family University’s Environmental club. This elite group of caring individuals goes out on activities and volunteers to help better the great city of Philadelphia. These activities include going to Phillies games, helping in local parks, hosting a variety of informative activities on campus for, and catering a delicious veggie barbeque. These members are some of the few who go above and beyond for the betterment of our university as well as the surrounding city of Philadelphia. Hopefully these helpful tips can make our campus environment a “greener” place. If we all take it one step at a time, one piece of trash at a time, we can be a part of the change we wish to see.
garbage-collection-set-recycle-
How to Remain a Healthy College Student By Brittany Nugent s a college student, it is often that you find yourself in the middle of class feeling a panic attack coming on. Whether you did not read a chapter because you simply did not have enough time or you forgot to complete an assignment because you had soccer practice, the college student hustle and bustle catches up to students quickly. In a stressful environment it is important to put your health first or else you will end up sick and depleted of all energy wondering how you will rise from the ashes. Trust me, I’ve been there. With the semester whisking on by, it will not be long until midterms and finals are here. These six steps will help keep your stress down, energy up, and help you stay healthy. 1. Agenda Books & To Do Lists Go to Target or any store where you can find an agenda book and buy it. Personally, the ones with a calendar at the start of each month and a section for each day are my favorite. The month calendar is where I put all my assignments due with a little asterisk next to it. Put all your life events on there to so you know how the two intersect. In addition to an agenda book, get a sticky notepad with lines, slap it in the front of the agenda book. On this you can make day-today TO DO lists so you do not forget important tasks to be done.
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http://www.picstopin.com/244/catching-fire/ht
2. Plan Ahead When it comes to healthy eating, preparation is key. Take a day out of the week and prepare your food for that week. Buy some healthy snacks you can grab in a hurry as well. For students living on campus and relying on the cafeteria, make a list of the food you do not want to be eating and the food you do want to eat. Sticking to this will ensure you are eating the proper foods without mindlessly grabbing for something sugary on the go. 3. Get The Blood Flowing Although exercise is not something we all enjoy, find a way to love it. You do not have to be doing suicides until you puke or squats until you cannot even walk, but staying active is important. Find your niche and allow your love for exercise to grow from there. Start small, if you wish, with walks or yoga. Whatever it is you enjoy, make sure you take time out a few days a week to get that blood flowing. 4. Catch Those Zzzz’s If there is one key factor to staying healthy it is sleep. Sleep allows your body to relax and recuperate. If you want that ‘I’m ready to take on the world’ glow the next day, tuck yourself in earlier than usual. Without proper sleep we become unable to focus and irritable. Stay sharp, healthy, and prepared to take on the day by catching a
few extra Z’s. 5. Everything in Moderation Coming from someone who tried to take on the world, this is an important one. Stop saying yes to everything and everyone. Say yes to what you truly WANT to do. If it stresses you out just at the thought of it, do not do it. Have fun and help others in moderation. Choose what is best for you. If it is going to add to your headache, leave it behind and do something you enjoy. Keep the scale balanced. You are the scale. When one side starts to lean, you may tip over. Getting through a semester healthy is a triumph all it’s own. Be mindful of your health as the semester progresses. Take a few minutes out of your day to go over these quick advice tips and see if your scale in leaning too much on one side. The life of a college student can be much more stressful than some realize. Be conscious of the pressure you put on yourself. Life is only as hard as we make it. Dr. McClain once told me, “Enjoy your education.”
http://mathandreadinghelp.org/articles/Why_
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The Tri-Lite
The Importance of Art
By Ricky Haldis n many schools across Philadelphia, the halls are silent, and absent of the sound of music. Canvases are left unpainted and paintbrushes are dry due to the budget cuts that are plaguing arts programs across the country. Nationally, thousands of art programs are being destroyed by the intrusive budgets cuts made to compensate for the dwindling economy. The arts programs, in many cases, are the first to be targeted, and teachers, parents and students are feeling robbed of what they feel is an integral part of culture and education. Luckily, here at Holy Family, the effects of the budget cuts have yet to be seen, which comes as a relief to both the faculty and the student body. “The art degree program at Holy Family has not seen any budget cuts. Holy Family has administrators who are sensitive to the importance of the art degree program. Art is seen as an area of study that rounds out the liberal arts offering. We are lucky at Holy Family to have administrators who are wise and sensitive to the cultural and educational benefits of having an arts degree program,” explains Holy Family’s Coordinator of Fine Arts, Dr. Pamela Flynn. She elaborates, “The financial problem that colleges are facing across the nation is not simple. It is reflective of the national economy. There is no simple fix and most institutions are trying their hardest to creatively solve their financial prob-
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lems without sacrificing the quality of education selecting programs that are to be cut is a tough that is offered. At Holy Family, we have a stellar decision that must be made by consulting all the art degree program. We have all the supplies we facts and numbers as well as with the mission need, we have wonderful studio spaces as well as statement of the institution in mind,” says Dr. a gallery space. Everyone in the art area, stuFlynn. Basically, if it is for the good of the instidents included, work together to help keep what tution, what needs to be done, should be done, we have going.” no matter how upsetting or controversial. The biggest concern about the effect of the budget cuts, is that students will be of crucial skills that will benefit the students’ development. According to a report done by the Rand Corporation, who focuses on improving policy-making through research, involvement in the arts is associated with improvement in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills. Education in the arts can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork, which can result in well-developed social skills and cognitive abilities. When applied to children at a young age, art education has the ability to prime the openness to learn, while also providing a natural catalyst for learning in general. Evidently, arts programs are essential factors for well-rounded educations. While it is a controversial idea to target them to increase funding to other programs, even those who are directly involved can accept that arts programs http://www.theguardian.com/culture/culture-cutsblog/2011/jan/17/arts-funding-cuts are the most easily effected of the organizations. “If an institution is on the edge of closing,
http://www.jrn.com/kgun9/news/--Crutial-public-health-services-
The Impact of the Government Shutdown By Szymon Zegar ctober 1, 2013 was expected to be as mundane a day as any other day; not quite so. It marked the first time since 1995 that the United States government came to a halt or shut down. Congress’ most vital civic duty is to pass spending bills that fund the government. September 30th was the deadline for Congress to pass a budget for the U.S. government’s upcoming fiscal year and they failed to do so. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as, “Obamacare” was the main issue that prevented a budget from being passed. The Republicans, holding a majority in the House, and Democrats, holding a majority in the Senate, could not compromise to either defund or completely derail Obamacare. Republicans argue that Obamacare would raise the price of health insurance for the average family, cost employers large sums of money, and overextend the power of the federal government. On the other hand, Democrats claim that it will provide health insurance for those who could not previously afford it and will prevent people with pre-existing conditions from being denied coverage. It is difficult to determine what the long-term effects of this government shutdown will be, but certain places, such as national parks and historic tourism sites that are funded by the government will feel an immediate and hammering impact. Valley Forge, The Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall are just a few of the many iconic sites that have been closed in Philadelphia due to the government shutdown.
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http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates-governmentshutdown-countdown/story?id=20421142
Philadelphia, “The City of Brotherly Love” has a rich and compelling history that makes it such an enormous tourism attraction that it is today. Two of the most important documents in our country’s structuring were signed in Philadelphia, the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitution in 1787. Philadelphia served as one of our nation’s capitals during the Revolutionary war. The city was a great model of industrialization and provided a great atmosphere and community for the wave of immigrants in the 19th century. Tourism accounts for a big part of Philadelphia’s economy. In 2012, tourism helped generate $9.75 billion dollars for the city, and helped support 88,761 jobs relating to tourism. Besides the city’s history, culture and art play a significant role in attracting people to come visit Philadelphia. From cheesesteaks and soft pretzels, to South Street and the Philadelphia Art Museum, there are numerous reasons for people to come to Philadelphia. Ian Hower, a sophomore at Holy Family University and native of Pottsville, Pa, says, “Not being from Philadelphia allows me to appreciate the culture of the city a lot more, it’s a remarkable city to live in. The historical context and the culture are what really make Philadelphia appealing; it is reprehensible to see this be affected by the government shutdown.” The government shutdown will have a wide range of effects on the city of Philadelphia. An immediate impact will be felt with the shutting down of historical sites and landmarks. Govern-
ment workers will be facing furlough, placing them out of work and unable to draw from their paychecks. These workers, some maybe living paycheck to paycheck, will be unable to support their families. Tourism will be hit hard by the shutdown. People will be hesitant to visit the city because of the closing of the historical sites. If less people are visiting Philadelphia, then other aspects of tourism will be affected as well. An obvious one is hotels, less people staying in the city means less people staying in hotels. Small businesses that are staples in Philadelphia will be receiving fewer customers, such as the ones on South Street, or even the ones that create the iconic cheesesteaks and soft pretzels. Tourism generates jobs and money for the city, and the long-term economic effects of the government shut down are hard to predetermine. One thing that is known is that the government shutdown is alarming and frightening from any angle or perspective. The closing of historical sites, money, jobs, and tourism is just a few of the known areas that will be adversely affected. It is difficult to fathom what exactly could result in the long run from the government shutdown. Valerie Miller, a senior at Holy Family University and member of the university’s softball and cross country/track teams, says, “The bickering and unwillingness to come to an agreement in Washington needs to end. Congress needs to step up to the plate and deliver a grand slam or [they] risk facing the consequences.”
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October 2010 November 2013
Careers Internship Inquiries By Brittany Nugent
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ost students do not know where to start when it comes to the internship process. They may be left frustrated and feeling helpless. Gabby Fabioneri, a HFU Sophomore, said, “I have no idea where to start. I’ll probably have to talk to Dr. McClain.” Another sophomore, Ricky Haldis, was never specially told he needed to complete an internship. It can all be easy with a little guidance. Internships and co-ops are important to college students because it allows experience to be obtained in your major before even graduating. An internship or co-op will also provide students the chance to network in their field of study so upon graduation there is a chance of a job offer. Some internships and co-ops may even want to hire a student if they did an outstanding job while they were with them. The process of completing an internship or co-op at Holy Family can get a little complicated. By following a few basic guidelines it can become an easy task. Check Your Dates: Make a decision on what semester you are going to do your internship or co-op and check the submission deadlines. Make sure to check out potential internships, because their deadlines may be before Holy Family’s. Students must complete three requirements before the deadline according to the semester they chose to do their internship. Internship Requirements: 1. Resume Send your resume to Don Brom. He is the perfect person to check it over before you submit it to Sister Frances. He gives almost immediate feedback on changes that need to be made.
Students can also shoot their resumes over to their advisor for a check to make sure it is looking good. Make sure to save and send your resume over as a PDF file. If you are not sure how to do this, Google it. You will find step-bystep instructions. 2. Learning Objectives Learning objectives consist of personal, academic, and professional goals for your internship. Before sending to Sister Frances, be sure to have a professor or Don Brom review for improvements! 3. Interviewing Workshop Schedule an appointment with Don Brom to sit down for his presentation on effective interviewing. This requirement isn’t only necessary for the internship process, but also useful information for potential job interviews! Complete all three tasks BEFORE the date listed on the website. It will feel good to know you have all your ducks in a row. Finding an Internship There is a list of companies Sister Frances will provide you with to choose from. Make sure you make your mind up quickly so you can send out your resume and cover letter as soon as possible. You do not want your position being filled because you were late to send your information out. If you want to an internship/co-op not on the approved list, you must get the company approved before you turn in anything else. Contact Sister Frances as soon as you find the company. Provide her with a contact name, address, email, and phone number. She needs to make sure the company is legitimate before she allows you to send your resume and cover letter. Your internship selection should be one within the career path you wish to follow upon
graduation. Enjoy this part of your college journey. It is meant for you to experience life in the career world. You get to gain experience and decide where you want to direct your career. Contact Director of Cooperative Education, Sister M. Frances Veitz, CSFN, EdD at mfveitz@holyfamily.edu for more information. Twitter Advice What internship/co-op advice would you offer HFU students? @SaraSzym: try to do more than one internship if possible. While a paid one is nice, there are few, so don’t limit yourself. @SaraSzym: there is always an opportunity on campus if you have applied to over 13 places and are still looking (that happened to me) @SaraSzym: take an internship that is both fun and informative. After sitting in class all day the last thing you want is a boring one @SaraSzym: also, don’t be afraid to ask questions, it shows them you want to learn, and that you are interested in improving @jennaspat: also, don’t sell yourself short, you can always end up with your number 1 choice (what happened to me) be persistent and @jennaspat: use the internship to your advtg. It might not be what you originally expected to be doing, but still find the positive in @jennaspat: learning different skills from the internship
Careers Corner
4 Successful Steps to a Job Fair
1.) The day or two before the job fair review job listings from each of the participating companies attending the fair. Then log onto the employer’s website to find out about the positions. Once you have identified jobs you want to apply for start developing a resume to match KEY words the employer is looking for. These Key words can be found in the criteria or summary of qualifications part of the job description. Then submit your resume online to apply for the position(s). 2.) Research each company and know their mission statement and what they are known for in the community, do they give money to charitable causes, etc. (also used as an Ice-Breaker during the conversation you will have with them at the job fair). Document information in to a folder that you will be bringing with you to the job fair (cheat sheet). Bring copies of your resume, and make sure that your resume is professional.
In summary, each employer gets your resume a total of 3 times. The longer an employer can remember you, the better chance you have in getting an interview and landing the job. Remember the longer an employer can remember you the better your chances are of getting a job. Upcoming Careers Center Programs 11/11: Office Etiquette Workshop 12:50pm, Campus Cennter room 115 http://jobtrakr.com/2012/01/11/factors-of-career-success/
11/25: Explore What Options You Have With Your Major 3.) Upon arrival to the job fair, know the lay of the land. Know exactly 12:50pm, Campus Center room 115 where each of the companies you are applying for are located (every To RSVP to an event or panel discussion, or for career guidance, job fair has a map of where each employer is located). Show confidence; greet employers with a smile and firm hand-shake when giving contact Don Brom, Careers Center Director them your resume. Use an ice-breaker (something about their comphone: 267-341-3224 pany) for an introduction and make sure to get their business card. email: dbrom@holyfamily.edu 4.) Immediately after the job fair, send each employer a thank you The Careers Center Office is located in room 218 second floor of letter via email. In the letter, you should highlight your conversation the Campus Center and the hours are: M-F 8am to 5pm. as well as bring up the ice-breaker you used to help establish rapport with that person. Also attach your resume.
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The Tri-Lite
Sports
Concussions Affecting College Athletes By Kimberly Legen ccording to the NCAA Sports Science Institute, college athletes receive between 1.6 million to 3.8 million concussions annually. Concussions are not only affecting college football players, they also affect limited contact sports such as basketball, baseball, and volleyball. The NCAA defines a concussion as a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biomechanical forces. Signs of a concussion include: disorientation, nausea, headaches, sensitivity to light, and difficulty with articulation. Data collected from the NCAA over a five-year span from 2004-2009 showed that the rate of concussions per 1,000 games and practices was the highest in football with 3.1 concussions. Women’s soccer was not far behind with 2.2 concussions and men’s soccer was 1.4. Limited contact sports such as women’s basketball was 1.2 and men’s basketball was .6. Concussions can affect athletes now and in the long run, years after they have received concussions. At every institution, athletes are required to take a baseline concussion test just incase they become concussed during participation of their sport throughout the year. At Holy Family University, every athlete is required to take a baseline test before his or her athletic season begins. The test is taken on the computer and includes a series of activities that test your memory, coordination, and ability to comprehend. When an athlete is suspected of having a concussion, the athletic trainer will give them a test and compare the results to the baseline test
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The Best of Fall Sports
to determine if the athlete has a concussion and how severe it is. If an athlete is diagnosed with a concussion, they can be held out of practice and games for a period of time depending on how the severity of their injury and their history with concussions. Concussions also affect athletes later in life after they have finished their collegiate and possibly professional careers. Recently, the NCAA has been facing lawsuits from former athletes. According to ESPN, “Three former college football Photo cred HFU Athletics players are suing the NCAA, saying it failed to educate them about the risks of concussions and didn’t do enough to prevent, diagnose, and treat brain injuries.” These athletes are seeing the effects now from concussions they have received years ago in college. “I have had three concussions. The first two were in a week span of each other, I had double impact syndrome,” said Photo cred HFU Athletics Chelsea Keegan, a senior Volleyball player at Holy Family University. Double impact syndrome is when the brain swells rapidly because the person received another concussion before the last one went away. “I was out from November until May and after it subsided, it took me a long time to get back to physical activity” said Keegan. Chelsea’s concussions affected her both on and off the court. “I had difficulty doing school work, remembering stuff, and sleeping. I would get headaches all the time, and I couldn’t look at a computer screen for more than 15 minutes without feeling like I was going to throw up,” said Keegan. Now when Chelsea plays volleyball she has to wear a protective helmet. If Chelsea receives another concussion she will never be able to play volleyball again. Photo Cred HFU Athletics
CALLING ALL! Editor-in-Chief William Leifholtz ‘14 Assistant Editor KevinBranniga Branigann ‘15 Kevin Layout Editor Samantha Kiger ‘14 Contributor Don Brom
Staff Writers Gabrielle Fabioneri ‘15 Francis Bitting ‘16 Szymon Zegar ‘16 Marykate Morris ‘15 Brittnee Reed ‘14 Latrice Brown ‘15 Ricky Haldis ‘16 Britany Nugent ‘14 Kimberly Legen ‘16
Faculty Advisor Dr. Amanda McClain
Interested in being a staff writer or photographer for the Tri-Lite? Contact Editor-in-Chief Bill Leifholtz at
wleifholtz@holyfamily.edu
WE WANT YOU!