SPRING 2012
www.libi.edu
THE LIBI
LOG Dear LIBI Community, Welcome to the spring issue of the LIBI Log! I almost hesitate to wish all of you a Happy Spring since we seem to have missed the winter. While I am not one who enjoys the cold, wintery days, even I must admit that all the snow of 2011 came with some predictability and anticipation for the change of the seasons. Having missed that seasonal transition in 2012, the spring feels oddly "unofficial." Unlike the mild transitions of the seasons, the latest round of deep cuts in governmental funding for higher education has left us to cope with monumental changes. Just as bewildering as it was for New Yorkers to watch the thermometer hit 70 degrees on a few days in the typically frost bitten February and blustery March, it is similarly uncomfortable to watch the federal government heat up the rhetoric against career colleges. Largely ignored by the media, these funding cuts will take effect on July 1st and will limit college access for thousands of low-income students. Education, access, and progress have been the hallmark tenets of American education for decades. The alumni function held at the Flushing campus on March 23rd proves those tenets to be true. The event was attended by nearly 80 proud graduates, who attribute their current success to LIBI, made possible, in part, by access to federally subsidized loans and grants. "I wouldn't be where I am today without LIBI" was the
single most echoed sentiment by the alumni that evening. I am proud to say that many of LIBI's greatest accomplishments are marked by the successes of our alumni. Just as the spring is a time of renewal, my hope is that proponents of career colleges will have a renewed resolve to defend the education budget and to keep policymakers aware of the unparalleled return on investment that career colleges, like LIBI, provide to our nation's students. As the world of higher education continues to change in increasingly unpredictable ways, we must be willing to adjust and stay responsive to the needs of our students. We must continue to work together to share our knowledge and expertise. Please remember that your feedback is always welcomed and encouraged. Warm regards, Monica W. Foote President
THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER The LIBI Conversation Club by Cristian Marcu
The Academic Success Center would like to endorse the LIBI Conversation Club as a great opportunity for students to meet people as well as practice their English speaking skills. The club usually meets every Friday at 2:00 p.m. in Room M312 (Main Building) and is always moderated by a member of the English faculty as well as Ms. Echo Zhang, a LIBI graduate and current LIBI staff member. The club nurtures an environment free of the stress and nervousness associated with classroom settings in order to allow students to overcome their reluctance in making themselves heard. Its ultimate goal is to help students gain the confidence and skills needed to express themselves, so anyone who would like to participate is more than welcome to join.
COM M LIBR ACK ARY by Terry Canavan Information Literacy There’s An App for That Whether you have a smart phone with Droid technology, an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, a Kindle, or a Nook, the idea of the technology is to open lines of communication, create access to the electronic/digital world, and give you information in a convenient manner -- all to create a smarter, more knowledgeable you. As iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches become more integrated in classrooms, educators and students are looking for new ways to apply them for teaching and learning. Below is a partial list from a number of sources and their recommendations for the top higher education “apps” for Apple and Android devices. Here are a few suggestions you can use on your mobile devices that may help you with your coursework: eBooks The Inkling app features a platform for interactive textbooks. Inkling allows you to purchase a book digitally or just the chapter you need. It integrates media into every title and creates interactive quizzes to gauge understanding of the text. To use it, jump to the page number you are looking for, search for a specific phrase, or share notes on specific passages with students or classmates. COST: FREE Time Management Google Calendar is perfect for students who use more than one device. You can sync Outlook and iOS calendars with Google so that you only have to look at one calendar for all of your e-mail addresses. If you have a Gmail account or a Google account, you already have access to Google calendar, and if you have an Android device, Google’s mobile apps may already be installed. If they’re not, go to Google’s mobile app site to download them. myHomework works best for students and instructors who need a better way to organize assignments . It features separate sections for each class, a notebook design, and an easy-to-read schedule. Upcoming assignments are marked in blue, those with approaching due dates are marked in orange, and those past due appear in red. Just by entering class schedules and homework assignments, myHomework will alert you to any upcoming due dates or tests. COST: FREE
CAREER SERVICE NATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT WEEK By Jerilyn Marinan The Flushing Campus Career Services Office will be hosting an Alumni Reception on Friday, March 23rd at the Mudan Banquet Hall. We are anticipating a great turnout and are looking forward to reconnecting with our graduates. The mission of the LIBI Alumni Association is to: •Assist and advance the alumni in their pursuit of excellence •Create relationships and continue the friendships formed in the college •Build strong and mutually beneficial ties between the school and its diverse alumni •Promote goodwill in the community and create a dynamic alumni program that will stimulate interest, build loyalty, increase involvement, and generate support for the institution Our vision is to foster a culture of support for the school among an increasing number of LIBI alumni, friends, families, and businesses within our community. We yearn to facilitate the continued interaction of the alumni with the institution in the interest of sustaining the institution’s ability to develop and maintain a commitment to excellence and deliver on our core business. We strive for continual improvement and high quality in all aspects of alumni relations and fundraising, including reunions, presentations, tours, parent programs, publications, and all forms of correspondence. If you are interested in becoming a part of the LIBI Alumni Association, please send an email to alumni@libi.edu. Spring 2012 Upcoming Events • Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society Induction • Spring College Transfer Fair • Spring Career Fair • Spring Student Conference For more information and to view the LIBI Calendar of Events, please go to http://www.libi.edu/html/Events.html.
Note Taking Evernote is one app that does it all: note taking, web clips, audio and video, to-do lists—the possibilities are endless. Evernote also plays well with others. There are versions for almost every computer and mobile device ever made, and it syncs between devices so that you have the same access to information and documents wherever you are. This app is free. The premium version for $5 a month gives you more upload space and more versatility in the files you can upload. Jot Not Scanner Pro app can be a lifesaver for students who want to take notes without writing. This app works just like a scanner, allowing you to use your camera to capture documents; it also has e-mailing and faxing capabilities. Jot Not Scanner Pro is an Apple app. COST: $.99 Court Reporting The iSteno Brief Machine contains over 80,000 English words and phrases with over 600,000 steno translations. Need a brief, just type in the English word or phrase, search, and you will get the steno results. It can also be used in reverse. The seller is Marc Greenberg of Simply Steno. COST: $6.99 The iHourglass app has the following features: Seven different hourglass styles, quick reset and adjustable time intervals. To use the app, pick the length of time needed, flip over your device, and the sand trickles down. Select either a buzzer or a sound alarm to alert you when the time has finished. COST: FREE
SPRING STUDENT CONFERENCE By Kim DelleCamelie
On Saturday, May 19, 2012, the Career Services Office at the Commack Campus is hosting its third annual Spring Student Conference for court reporting students at the Sheraton Long Island Hotel in Hauppauge, New York, from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. The cost to attend is $35 per person and lunch is included. Scheduled to attend is Lynette Eggers, Assistant Director of Educational Services for the National Court Reporters Association, Justice Michele M. Woodard, Nassau County Supreme Court Judge, Jeffrey Benz, realtime reporter, and Anthony Frisolone, Federal reporter. There will be raffles and door prizes throughout the day. In addition to the impressive speakers who are lined up, representatives from Advantage Software, ProCat, and Stenograph will be on hand with production demonstrations of the newest professional machines and software. The goal of the student conference is to provide our students with a unique up-close-and-personal insight into the exciting field of court reporting from leaders in the field. To register for the event or for more information, please contact Kim DelleCamelie in the Commack Career Services at (631) 499-7100 or KDelleCamelie@libi.edu
QUEENS CAMPUS LIBRARY by Adrianna Arguelles
ALPHA BETA KAPPA GAMMA By Kim DelleCamelie
The Long Island Business Institute Commack Campus congratulates our 2012 Alpha Beta Kappa Gamma of New York Chapter National Honor Society inductees. All inductees will be honored at the induction ceremony, which will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sheraton Long Island Hotel. The criteria to be nominated to join the honor society is attaining a 3.75 or higher GPA, earning 30 credits at LIBI, acquiring grades no lower than a B, excellent attendance, and no more than 9 transfer credits. We are proud to honor those students who have excelled in the program and have met these exacting standards. Congratulations!
Day of Service at LIBI Queens Campus Martin Luther King, Jr. once asked, “What are you doing for others?” Mindful that there are less fortunate individuals in our community who are struggling to put food on the table, LIBI hosted a week-long a canned food drive beginning January 17th, 2012 which coincided with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Holiday and the Lunar New Year. The project was spearheaded by Mrs. Adriana Arguelles, the college librarian, with the assistance of Mr. Jesus Chan. Four large boxes of assorted canned goods from soup to jello to popcorn were collected from generous students, faculty, and staff. These were donated to the Food Pantry of Saint George’s Episcopal Church, our neighbor here in Flushing.
Lunar New Year Celebration: The Year of the Dragon The dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese zodiac and represents power, success and happiness. Ms. Coco Chang, an accounting major student, started us off on the right foot with a thrilling Lunar New Year. We were delighted with her performance and we’d like to thank Ms. Chang. Freshman Seminar comes alive at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) Mr. Michael Gomez’s Freshman Seminar Class and Mrs. Adriana Arguelles enjoyed a visit to the Met. The journey began when the class met with Ms. Diana Rowan, the museum’s docent, who guided the group to the wonderful gallery of Chinese art. Students listened with enthusiasm as they toured the exhibits of the Yuang, Ming and Qing dynasties, the handscrolls exhibition and “The Chinese Art in the Age of Revolution: Fu Baoshi”, one of the China’s greatest modern period painters. The visit continued to the seventeenth century Chinese garden where they learn about the Ming dynasty and hardwood furniture. Ms. Rowan’s expertise made the visit special. The field trip was a success, and students are still asking when they will be able to return. Black History Month LIBI joined the Black History Month celebration during February. The 2012 theme, “Black Women in American Culture and History”, was expressed in display throughout the college. Books, posters and films completed the exhibition.
By Jesus Chan, Jasmine Downer, and Jose Santana
A TUNEFUL JOURNEY The LIBI Choir began its journey in 2009 with a performance at the commencement ceremony when they sang the National Anthem. At its inception, six faculty members decided to combine their vocal talents to enhance the school spirit. We are not only multicultural but also diverse in our educational disciplines. In the second year, the choir performed at the Annual Holiday Party in addition to the commencement ceremony. Although we lost one of the original members, our composition was not drastically affected. We immediately regained another enthusiastic educator, who was willing to share her talents. Now that we are in our third year, we have not only grown in numbers but also expanded our musical repertoire. In addition to the National Anthem, a theme song was also created and sung for the 2011 commencement ceremony. The Beatles’ “Yesterday” provided the lyrics of “LIBI.” Our year ended with two seasonal events: a Thanksgiving mini-concert and the Annual Holiday Party. At the request of President Monica Foote, the LIBI Choir performed a mini-Thanksgiving fundraising concert in November. The school spirit was fostered by the participation of two talented students. This event raised approximately $650, which the choir presented to Saint George’s Episcopal Church for a much needed steeple that was completely destroyed by a tornado almost two years ago. The LIBI Choir closed the year by singing yuletide songs at the 2011 Holiday Party.
MARCH MADNESS FOOD DRIVE
AT COMMACK LIBI by Sheila Baldwin
The annual spring fundraiser at Commack LIBI was a food drive to supplement the food pantry at St. Patrick’s Parish in Bay Shore, New York. Their food pantry serves needy people in the community, and their Soup Kitchen feeds 75 people twice daily. Through the efforts of students, faculty, and staff, ten boxes of donations have already been collected to aid in the replenishment of non-perishable food items for the pantry. The collection began on March 1 with a slow start at first, but many students found it in their hearts to donate both money and food along with our staff and faculty. The food was collected in a cart that was decorated to attract attention and was soon overflowing with food items ranging from canned soup and meats to pasta and cereal. We even had a big, pink bunny asking for donations if you were unable to purchase food. The monies received were spent on other food items as the parish does not accept monetary donations for the pantry. The drive will end on Friday, March 30, and we will be proud to bring our donations to them. Many thanks to all involved in our drive for their much needed and appreciated support. It has turned out to be a great success!
MEDICAL CODING
SAFETY AWARENESS By Brendan Keane
This past January was National Stalking Awareness Month. In January 2004, the National Center for Victims of Crime launched National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM) to increase the public’s understanding and to raise awareness about stalking. What is stalking? Simply, stalking is one person’s harassing, obsessive, or threatening behavior towards another person. Any repetitive, unwanted contact between a stalker and a victim or any behavior that threatens or places fear in that person constitutes stalking. Some of the statistics regarding this crime are staggering. The highest rate of stalking involves the ages of 18-24 years old. Three and a half million people over the age of 18 are stalked each year in the United States, with the majority of stalking victims being stalked by someone they know. Only ten percent of stalking victims are stalked by a stranger. What should you do if you are the victim of stalking? The first rule is to have no contact with your stalker. As a stalking victim, you're frustrated, angry, and maybe in fear for your safety. It is natural to want to confront the stalker and demand they do not contact you. Do not have any contact with this individual, for they are looking for the very attention you are giving them by acknowledging their behavior. Take action. Let your friends, relatives, and coworkers know you are being stalked. Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. When you go out, know where you need to go and the safest route to get there. Trust your instincts. If you sense something is wrong, get away from the situation. Keep your cell phone with you at all times and have it programmed for 911. Stalking is a crime in New York State. Contact your local authorities when you are receiving these unwanted advances, whether they are in person, cell phone, or e-mail. Until next time, be safe.
by Colette Valentine, Flushing My name is Colette Valentine, and I am a current student at LIBI. I am enrolled in the Office Technology with Medical Option program and am expected to graduate in August 2012. When I first started at LIBI, there were many students enrolled in the medical program. As time went on, I noticed that these classes were decreasing in size, and students were becoming afraid to study it. Many students felt that this program was too difficult for them and were discouraged by the Medical Coding class. I personally feel that this is a good program and an excellent field of study. I have an extensive background in the medical field and am very passionate about it, so I felt that I needed to do something to encourage students to stay in the program and help them realize that they can succeed. I came up with the idea of starting a Medical Club for the LIBI students. I believe that this club will not only assist students who are struggling in their Medical courses but will also be enjoyable and fun for all. The Medical Club’s main objective is to be supportive, informative, and encouraging to all students in the medical program. Every Wednesday from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. we meet and discuss different issues that we are having in our medical classes. Our goal is to support LIBI’s current students, fellow students to come, and faculty. This is just the beginning to what I know will be a great club at LIBI.
NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT EXCURSION By Susan Cochrane, Kelly DiFede, and Toni Sesterak, Commack As internship students, we had the opportunity of touring the Nassau County Supreme Court in Mineola with Mrs. Ann Spessard, our internship teacher. Mrs. Spessard guided us floor by floor, starting with the basement where we now know where freelance reporters check in for depositions and where we were able to see numerous EBT and deposition rooms. When done, we met with Kristen Young Malito, head court reporter at the courthouse, who not only shared some of her experiences with us but also answered our abundance of questions. Overall, our experience was extremely informative and left us with an eagerness to begin our professions. Thank you, Mrs. Spessard, for a wonderful day! Editor: F. Magarelli
Art Director: Y. Yang
Published By Long Island Business Institute
718.939.5100
Queens Campus: 136-18 39 th Avenue, Flushing
631.499.7100 L. I. Campus: 6500 Jericho Turnpike, Commack