s n o i t ec
The Prattler Issue #01
FA14
e n n o C
Editor-in-Chief: Lucille Pratt Art Directors: Sayaka Ueno & Nina Bishop Advisors: Michael Kelly & Sean Kelly theprattler.weebly.com
Conne ctions A BUMPY RIDE
4
FRESHMAN ANXIETY
6
DIVERSITY AND INTERNATIONALISM by Josephine Cheng
8
UNTITLED
by George Dimos
by Lauren Woodard
by Alya Albert
PRATT S.W.A.G.
12
WE’VE GOT SPIRIT! YES WE... WELL, ALMOST by Lana DiCostanzo
15
WAIT, WE HAVE A STUDENT GOVERNMENT? Message from SGA
by Bea Hostman
Letter From the Editor Hello Pratt students, faculty, and community. I’m Lucille Pratt, the freshly minted Editor-in-Chief of The Prattler. We have a new team spearheading The Prattler this year and a distinct vision to go with it. Our new art directors, Sayaka Ueno and Nina Bishop, plan to expand upon past aesthetics for print and include a variety of media for the web. We hope that will come from your input and submissions. We want to provide a quality publication that talks to your needs and desires, as well as extends past the Pratt gates. This is your publication and we want you to look forward to each issue. That meant making changes in the way we considered articles for publication and a complete web revamp. See what’s new at theprattler.weebly.com and tell us what’s working or what isn’t. Send us comments, criticism, or a box of Dough doughnuts. XOXO, Lucille
he responded: “All my friends live here, besides, it’s too expensive to live on 14th Street and Pratt doesn’t offer much help with the transportation. I have a monthly pass that costs $100. It feels like I’m spending a lot.” The pass Diego refers to is the Unlimited Ride MetroCard that provides unlimited transportation for a month and costs $104 to obtain. For Diego, commuting costs more than $900 a year. “I think there should be a shuttle or maybe the Pratt cars should be free,” he suggested. Both of Diego’s points sound valid, but neither has ever been seriously discussed by the board of trustees at Pratt. A free commuter shuttle is a luxury that many colleges with more than one cam-
pus enjoy (like Fordham and CUNY), but it would be an unnecessary facility for us, since Pratt already has a car service company. The Pratt Car Service, situated at 562 Myrtle Avenue, is open 24 hours a day and can be ordered with a phone call. The link between this service and commuting between the campuses does not quite seem to exist yet. The Pratt Car Service staff informed me that the car ride fee from Brooklyn to Manhattan is “about 17 bucks,” but when I asked them whether there is a special discount for students who attend classes in Manhattan, they looked at me as though I came from another planet. Sharon Bae, a third year Illustration Design major, said about the Pratt cars: “They charge pretty much the same as New Bell [another car service that Pratt students typically prefer] but the Pratt car is more convenient. I always call them instead of a yellow cab.” Sharon takes all her classes in Brooklyn and she doesn’t know many people that attend classes in Manhattan. “Have you ever been to the Manhattan campus?” I asked her out of curiosity. “No, not really,” she replied a little embarrassed. I thought to myself that the same was true for me. Even though I have friends that take classes there and have visited the area, I have never seen the inside of a classroom there or been to the Manhattan Campus Library. The two locations appear to belong in two separate worlds, but in reality there is a common thread between them that some unfortunate students have to walk on.
3 Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
11
“We pay a lot of money for college. Pratt should give free MTA cards towards tuition,” said junior Graphic Design major Amir Mills regarding transportation between the Brooklyn and Manhattan campuses. Amir currently takes classes on the Brooklyn campus, but his schedule last year (2013) included a few in Manhattan. “It’s a very small community there,” he commented, “I don’t know anybody there anymore. All my classmates left New York after they finished school.” Junior Construction Management major Diego Sanfiorenzo takes all of his classes in Manhattan, but lives in Brooklyn, a few blocks away from the campus. To the question why he decided to do so,
article by George Dimos art by Tiffany Chan
Connections
3
A BUMPY RIDE
Editor-in-Chief: Lucille Pratt Art Directors: Sayaka Ueno & Nina Bishop Advisors: Michael Kelly & Sean Kelly theprattler.weebly.com
Conne ctions A BUMPY RIDE
4
FRESHMAN ANXIETY
6
DIVERSITY AND INTERNATIONALISM by Josephine Cheng
8
UNTITLED
by George Dimos
by Lauren Woodard
by Alya Albert
PRATT S.W.A.G.
12
WE’VE GOT SPIRIT! YES WE... WELL, ALMOST by Lana DiCostanzo
15
WAIT, WE HAVE A STUDENT GOVERNMENT? Message from SGA
by Bea Hostman
Letter From the Editor Hello Pratt students, faculty, and community. I’m Lucille Pratt, the freshly minted Editor-in-Chief of The Prattler. We have a new team spearheading The Prattler this year and a distinct vision to go with it. Our new art directors, Sayaka Ueno and Nina Bishop, plan to expand upon past aesthetics for print and include a variety of media for the web. We hope that will come from your input and submissions. We want to provide a quality publication that talks to your needs and desires, as well as extends past the Pratt gates. This is your publication and we want you to look forward to each issue. That meant making changes in the way we considered articles for publication and a complete web revamp. See what’s new at theprattler.weebly.com and tell us what’s working or what isn’t. Send us comments, criticism, or a box of Dough doughnuts. XOXO, Lucille
he responded: “All my friends live here, besides, it’s too expensive to live on 14th Street and Pratt doesn’t offer much help with the transportation. I have a monthly pass that costs $100. It feels like I’m spending a lot.” The pass Diego refers to is the Unlimited Ride MetroCard that provides unlimited transportation for a month and costs $104 to obtain. For Diego, commuting costs more than $900 a year. “I think there should be a shuttle or maybe the Pratt cars should be free,” he suggested. Both of Diego’s points sound valid, but neither has ever been seriously discussed by the board of trustees at Pratt. A free commuter shuttle is a luxury that many colleges with more than one cam-
pus enjoy (like Fordham and CUNY), but it would be an unnecessary facility for us, since Pratt already has a car service company. The Pratt Car Service, situated at 562 Myrtle Avenue, is open 24 hours a day and can be ordered with a phone call. The link between this service and commuting between the campuses does not quite seem to exist yet. The Pratt Car Service staff informed me that the car ride fee from Brooklyn to Manhattan is “about 17 bucks,” but when I asked them whether there is a special discount for students who attend classes in Manhattan, they looked at me as though I came from another planet. Sharon Bae, a third year Illustration Design major, said about the Pratt cars: “They charge pretty much the same as New Bell [another car service that Pratt students typically prefer] but the Pratt car is more convenient. I always call them instead of a yellow cab.” Sharon takes all her classes in Brooklyn and she doesn’t know many people that attend classes in Manhattan. “Have you ever been to the Manhattan campus?” I asked her out of curiosity. “No, not really,” she replied a little embarrassed. I thought to myself that the same was true for me. Even though I have friends that take classes there and have visited the area, I have never seen the inside of a classroom there or been to the Manhattan Campus Library. The two locations appear to belong in two separate worlds, but in reality there is a common thread between them that some unfortunate students have to walk on.
3 Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
11
“We pay a lot of money for college. Pratt should give free MTA cards towards tuition,” said junior Graphic Design major Amir Mills regarding transportation between the Brooklyn and Manhattan campuses. Amir currently takes classes on the Brooklyn campus, but his schedule last year (2013) included a few in Manhattan. “It’s a very small community there,” he commented, “I don’t know anybody there anymore. All my classmates left New York after they finished school.” Junior Construction Management major Diego Sanfiorenzo takes all of his classes in Manhattan, but lives in Brooklyn, a few blocks away from the campus. To the question why he decided to do so,
article by George Dimos art by Tiffany Chan
Connections
3
A BUMPY RIDE
FRESHMEN ANXIETY article by Lauren Woodard art by Tina Yu
“Don’t get held up within Pratt. Don’t get stuck. Get off campus to get experience and take advantage of your location.”
Christina Hillman, Senior “You should try and learn as much digital stuff as you can It will give you a competitive edge.”
ILLUSTRATION Courtney Gannon, Freshman “I have anxiety about transitioning from school, to internships and eventually a job.”
Danielle Bertrand, Senior “I’m taking business classes to make the transition easier. I think it’s a good idea to work it out in theory before actually going into the work force. Also, don’t be afraid to email artists you look up to. It’s not unheard of for students to approach idols for advice. I’ve done this personally and it was helpful to me as an artist.”
PAINTING Ji Woo Kim, Freshman I have a problem with time management. I’m already freaking out cause I don’t know how I’ll do all my homework.”
Shaakir Thomas, Senior
“Prioritize. What takes the most time? Everything can be done in bite-sized pieces. Problems seem big, so break them down in a way you can manage. People can see the time you’ve put into something. Your conclusion shows your investment so time management is so important, but if you love what you’re doing you will naturally be inclined to work at it, without being told or reminded. No one tells you to sleep. You just do it. It should be that way with your major as well. You have to ask, “am I here for me?” Professors can’t teach you passion. No amount of education can.”
“I have to take drawing and haven’t drawn since I was eight. It doesn’t make sense.”
Angel Morates, Senior “[I] Disagree! It’s actually a good experience and looking back, it is relevant. The first thing I was taught was to look for highlights, mid-tones and dark-tones. You’ll find in black and white photography it’s very helpful and gives you an eye for it. FASHION
Christina Petillo, Freshman
“Fashion is so incredibly competitive. They push for you to be in the [senior] show and some people don’t get in. I’m afraid of being one of those people.”
Molly Glover, Senior “Don’t stress out about the show. It’s more about your portfolio and experiences. Become friends with the people you work with. They’re great resources and sometimes your best defenders and inspirations. Also, don’t stress out about finding your style, but when you do find it, hold on with two fists. Be passionate about it and keep an open mind. It’s a critical major and you have to find you at your core and be proud of who you are. | PhoINTERIOR DESIGN Kayla Goajardo, Freshman I have anxiety about finding a job. Will it be easy? How competitive will it be?
Adriana Piltz, Senior “Most students I know who graduated last year have jobs. You need to be mentally prepared and motivated. If you work hard, you should be fine. Also, time management is a big thing!” Joohee Choi, Senior “You should use time during vacation to prepare. Study programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, 3-D Max, and Revit. Lots of programs, but if you’re an expert you’ll have an easy semester, and it’ll be very helpful when searching for a job.”
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Rebecca Hsu, Freshman
“I want to be able to draw well. Foundation year, I want to be able to learn everything well and absorb the most important parts.”
Bryan Wong, Senior “My drawing was bad even in high school. I remember taking ceramics and all I could draw was a side view of a vase. My drawing skills had always been lacking, but when I got to Pratt I really started doing a lot of drawing. My sophomore year I took a drawing class for two semesters. It was all great practice. I had to learn to create strong lines without using a ruler. It’s not about hitting right the first time. I’ve made a ton of mistakes to get to where I am now. One of the best drawing professors I had, Joel Wennerstrom, told me there were three categories in drawing: perspective, form, function. You might hit two out of those three but it’s impossible to always hit all three. You have to give and take. What can you do well? Find your advantage and just do your best.”
5 INTERACTIVE MEDIA Mark Fingerhut, Senior “Be true to your work and do your own thing. No matter what your major is you are contributing to the contemporary art world, so everything is connected here in that way. If you ever get to feeling insecure just remember, life goes on, and there is a world out there that is infinitely more fulfilling.” ARCHITECTURE
Nathan March, Senior
“Work on internships after school during the summer. Make your own! Ask around and make calls. I did. I called a company and they said, ‘oh, well we hadn’t thought of having an intern, but okay,’ and they took me on. Don’t be afraid. Be assertive and tell them what you want.”
CERAMICS Maria Ferrer, Senior “I didn’t know what I was going to do my freshmen year. I was undeclared, but as a result I tried a lot of different things. So, my advice is to explore other majors if you can. Follow your impulses without ignoring academics.”
Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
Connections
4
Spencer Hill, Senior
PHOTOGRAPHY
Holly Turner, Freshman
Connections
I harassed you in the cafeteria and on the steps during your precious smoke break time. I called you out on your way to and from classes. I went to studios I didn’t know existed and tracked you down in various workshops (lucky me, I wore closed-toed shoes). Finally, I have this article: the product of the uncertainties I elicited from you freshmen and the wisdom I extracted from you seniors. Thank you for your help. I was anxious my freshmen year about tuition, whether my classes would pay off, or if I would be able to find a job. I found myself asking, “What am I doing here?” So I wanted to write this as a way of easing the fear freshmen or transfer students might be Feeling. It’s okay. Relax. Take this advice, and smother those anxieties everyone.
GRAPHIC DESIGN Nicole Stalil, Freshman “I’m worried about improving my skills enough to find work as a graphic designer.”
FRESHMEN ANXIETY article by Lauren Woodard art by Tina Yu
“Don’t get held up within Pratt. Don’t get stuck. Get off campus to get experience and take advantage of your location.”
Christina Hillman, Senior “You should try and learn as much digital stuff as you can It will give you a competitive edge.”
ILLUSTRATION Courtney Gannon, Freshman “I have anxiety about transitioning from school, to internships and eventually a job.”
Danielle Bertrand, Senior “I’m taking business classes to make the transition easier. I think it’s a good idea to work it out in theory before actually going into the work force. Also, don’t be afraid to email artists you look up to. It’s not unheard of for students to approach idols for advice. I’ve done this personally and it was helpful to me as an artist.”
PAINTING Ji Woo Kim, Freshman I have a problem with time management. I’m already freaking out cause I don’t know how I’ll do all my homework.”
Shaakir Thomas, Senior
“Prioritize. What takes the most time? Everything can be done in bite-sized pieces. Problems seem big, so break them down in a way you can manage. People can see the time you’ve put into something. Your conclusion shows your investment so time management is so important, but if you love what you’re doing you will naturally be inclined to work at it, without being told or reminded. No one tells you to sleep. You just do it. It should be that way with your major as well. You have to ask, “am I here for me?” Professors can’t teach you passion. No amount of education can.”
“I have to take drawing and haven’t drawn since I was eight. It doesn’t make sense.”
Angel Morates, Senior “[I] Disagree! It’s actually a good experience and looking back, it is relevant. The first thing I was taught was to look for highlights, mid-tones and dark-tones. You’ll find in black and white photography it’s very helpful and gives you an eye for it. FASHION
Christina Petillo, Freshman
“Fashion is so incredibly competitive. They push for you to be in the [senior] show and some people don’t get in. I’m afraid of being one of those people.”
Molly Glover, Senior “Don’t stress out about the show. It’s more about your portfolio and experiences. Become friends with the people you work with. They’re great resources and sometimes your best defenders and inspirations. Also, don’t stress out about finding your style, but when you do find it, hold on with two fists. Be passionate about it and keep an open mind. It’s a critical major and you have to find you at your core and be proud of who you are. | PhoINTERIOR DESIGN Kayla Goajardo, Freshman I have anxiety about finding a job. Will it be easy? How competitive will it be?
Adriana Piltz, Senior “Most students I know who graduated last year have jobs. You need to be mentally prepared and motivated. If you work hard, you should be fine. Also, time management is a big thing!” Joohee Choi, Senior “You should use time during vacation to prepare. Study programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, 3-D Max, and Revit. Lots of programs, but if you’re an expert you’ll have an easy semester, and it’ll be very helpful when searching for a job.”
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Rebecca Hsu, Freshman
“I want to be able to draw well. Foundation year, I want to be able to learn everything well and absorb the most important parts.”
Bryan Wong, Senior “My drawing was bad even in high school. I remember taking ceramics and all I could draw was a side view of a vase. My drawing skills had always been lacking, but when I got to Pratt I really started doing a lot of drawing. My sophomore year I took a drawing class for two semesters. It was all great practice. I had to learn to create strong lines without using a ruler. It’s not about hitting right the first time. I’ve made a ton of mistakes to get to where I am now. One of the best drawing professors I had, Joel Wennerstrom, told me there were three categories in drawing: perspective, form, function. You might hit two out of those three but it’s impossible to always hit all three. You have to give and take. What can you do well? Find your advantage and just do your best.”
5 INTERACTIVE MEDIA Mark Fingerhut, Senior “Be true to your work and do your own thing. No matter what your major is you are contributing to the contemporary art world, so everything is connected here in that way. If you ever get to feeling insecure just remember, life goes on, and there is a world out there that is infinitely more fulfilling.” ARCHITECTURE
Nathan March, Senior
“Work on internships after school during the summer. Make your own! Ask around and make calls. I did. I called a company and they said, ‘oh, well we hadn’t thought of having an intern, but okay,’ and they took me on. Don’t be afraid. Be assertive and tell them what you want.”
CERAMICS Maria Ferrer, Senior “I didn’t know what I was going to do my freshmen year. I was undeclared, but as a result I tried a lot of different things. So, my advice is to explore other majors if you can. Follow your impulses without ignoring academics.”
Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
Connections
4
Spencer Hill, Senior
PHOTOGRAPHY
Holly Turner, Freshman
Connections
I harassed you in the cafeteria and on the steps during your precious smoke break time. I called you out on your way to and from classes. I went to studios I didn’t know existed and tracked you down in various workshops (lucky me, I wore closed-toed shoes). Finally, I have this article: the product of the uncertainties I elicited from you freshmen and the wisdom I extracted from you seniors. Thank you for your help. I was anxious my freshmen year about tuition, whether my classes would pay off, or if I would be able to find a job. I found myself asking, “What am I doing here?” So I wanted to write this as a way of easing the fear freshmen or transfer students might be Feeling. It’s okay. Relax. Take this advice, and smother those anxieties everyone.
GRAPHIC DESIGN Nicole Stalil, Freshman “I’m worried about improving my skills enough to find work as a graphic designer.”
DIVERSITY AND INTERNATIONALISM
6
Often people would only start paying attention after I mentioned that I was from Hong Kong; yes, I was born and raised there; yes, I grew up in an international environment; no, Hong Kong is actually quite far from Japan ha ha ha ha but thanks for asking! In fact, the more I repeated my back story, the more I realized people were not intrigued with me, personally, but curious to encounter an Asian speaking such “perfect English” and being so “westernized,” Of course, I’m making a bit of a generalization here. I eventually formed genuine bonds of friendship with people of different ethnicities, despite my initial impression that none of the ‘natives’ could be bothered getting to know any of us foreign or international students. As a senior now, I’m glad to say I no longer feel as I did back then, freshman pack in hand, sinking feeling in heart, talking to someone who was already scouting the room for someone who would be worth their time. It would be a lie to say it I didn’t take it personally, because did. Back then, I couldn’t grasp where the strange tension was coming from; to me, every person I encountered (or encounter now, and will ever encounter) is completely
it. So the media’s, and society’s, stereotypical portraits of races and ethnicities become the ways we “learn” about others, reinforcing our preconception of a world in which it’s ‘them’ versus ‘us.’ Fear of the unknown – the ‘foreign’ -- is extremely effective in motivating people to cling to the familiar. We gravitate towards what feels safe and comfortable and avoid the potential discomfort and awkwardness of unfamiliar situations. I doubt it was anyone’s intention to consciously pick and choose friends based on race and ethnicity that fateful freshman orientation week, but the fact is, it happens. Hell, I might’ve given someone else that same feeling of invisibility at some point in my life—and when it happens, it is a reminder that we’re only human. . Some of us might just need a little more time to expand our world-view, But it’s definitely worth stepping out of your social-ethnic-culture comfort zone. Take it from me, and the person who asked me whether Hong Kong was next to Japan.
7 Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
When I first set foot on New York soil over three years ago as an incoming freshman at Pratt, I anticipated meeting people from all over the world. The Big Apple! Cosmopolitan metropolis, cultural hubbub! Home to eight million people and counting! Even the diverse Pratt community of about four thousand, seemed likely to provide an excellent opportunity to meet, mingle and develop connections with individuals whom I would never have come across at home. I was excited and ready to bring my social A-Game. Remember that girl at freshman orientation who wouldn’t shut up about how she was from across the world and sooo excited to meet new people? Yeah, that was me. In the course of the first week, I began to realize that not everyone shared my mindset when it came to branching out. My fellow students were nice enough, friendly enough, and seemed to be interested enough, but at the end of the day their main concern was— or so it seemed—finding and hanging with familiar types. To put it bluntly, race was a thing. I didn’t think it would be, but it was. Between Asians, the vibe was slightly awkward. Is she Korean? Chinese? Does she even go here? Between non-Asians and me, the vibe was reminiscent of those psychological experiments in which subjects become ‘insiders’ or ‘outsiders.’ No prizes for guessing who felt like an outsider.
independent from her or his race and ethnicity. There are many bases for friendships and relationships -- lifestyle choices, personality, opinions -- but the color of your eyes, your hair, your skin? Hold on... I thought we were living in the 21st century. A conversation between two women sitting near me on the G train a while back caused some long buried thoughts about discrimination to resurface. One lady was describing how she had denied a customer more than one paper bag at the grocery store where she worked, because the place was enforcing stricter environmentally-friendly policies. The customer left, she said, but not before making a big fuss over the ordeal and insulting her. The woman said to her friend, “I know it’s because I ain’t white like them. They don’t understand.” I replayed her words in my mind as I got off the subway and walked home, where I eventually had a revelation about my occasional feelings of alienation. It is quite hard to fully understand a lifestyle and culture that is not your own; you have not -- you can not have -- experienced
Connections
Connections
article by Josephine Cheng art by Natalia Janul
DIVERSITY AND INTERNATIONALISM
6
Often people would only start paying attention after I mentioned that I was from Hong Kong; yes, I was born and raised there; yes, I grew up in an international environment; no, Hong Kong is actually quite far from Japan ha ha ha ha but thanks for asking! In fact, the more I repeated my back story, the more I realized people were not intrigued with me, personally, but curious to encounter an Asian speaking such “perfect English” and being so “westernized,” Of course, I’m making a bit of a generalization here. I eventually formed genuine bonds of friendship with people of different ethnicities, despite my initial impression that none of the ‘natives’ could be bothered getting to know any of us foreign or international students. As a senior now, I’m glad to say I no longer feel as I did back then, freshman pack in hand, sinking feeling in heart, talking to someone who was already scouting the room for someone who would be worth their time. It would be a lie to say it I didn’t take it personally, because did. Back then, I couldn’t grasp where the strange tension was coming from; to me, every person I encountered (or encounter now, and will ever encounter) is completely
it. So the media’s, and society’s, stereotypical portraits of races and ethnicities become the ways we “learn” about others, reinforcing our preconception of a world in which it’s ‘them’ versus ‘us.’ Fear of the unknown – the ‘foreign’ -- is extremely effective in motivating people to cling to the familiar. We gravitate towards what feels safe and comfortable and avoid the potential discomfort and awkwardness of unfamiliar situations. I doubt it was anyone’s intention to consciously pick and choose friends based on race and ethnicity that fateful freshman orientation week, but the fact is, it happens. Hell, I might’ve given someone else that same feeling of invisibility at some point in my life—and when it happens, it is a reminder that we’re only human. . Some of us might just need a little more time to expand our world-view, But it’s definitely worth stepping out of your social-ethnic-culture comfort zone. Take it from me, and the person who asked me whether Hong Kong was next to Japan.
7 Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
When I first set foot on New York soil over three years ago as an incoming freshman at Pratt, I anticipated meeting people from all over the world. The Big Apple! Cosmopolitan metropolis, cultural hubbub! Home to eight million people and counting! Even the diverse Pratt community of about four thousand, seemed likely to provide an excellent opportunity to meet, mingle and develop connections with individuals whom I would never have come across at home. I was excited and ready to bring my social A-Game. Remember that girl at freshman orientation who wouldn’t shut up about how she was from across the world and sooo excited to meet new people? Yeah, that was me. In the course of the first week, I began to realize that not everyone shared my mindset when it came to branching out. My fellow students were nice enough, friendly enough, and seemed to be interested enough, but at the end of the day their main concern was— or so it seemed—finding and hanging with familiar types. To put it bluntly, race was a thing. I didn’t think it would be, but it was. Between Asians, the vibe was slightly awkward. Is she Korean? Chinese? Does she even go here? Between non-Asians and me, the vibe was reminiscent of those psychological experiments in which subjects become ‘insiders’ or ‘outsiders.’ No prizes for guessing who felt like an outsider.
independent from her or his race and ethnicity. There are many bases for friendships and relationships -- lifestyle choices, personality, opinions -- but the color of your eyes, your hair, your skin? Hold on... I thought we were living in the 21st century. A conversation between two women sitting near me on the G train a while back caused some long buried thoughts about discrimination to resurface. One lady was describing how she had denied a customer more than one paper bag at the grocery store where she worked, because the place was enforcing stricter environmentally-friendly policies. The customer left, she said, but not before making a big fuss over the ordeal and insulting her. The woman said to her friend, “I know it’s because I ain’t white like them. They don’t understand.” I replayed her words in my mind as I got off the subway and walked home, where I eventually had a revelation about my occasional feelings of alienation. It is quite hard to fully understand a lifestyle and culture that is not your own; you have not -- you can not have -- experienced
Connections
Connections
article by Josephine Cheng art by Natalia Janul
UNTITLED
8
We are a culture thirsty tribe, and we are seeking it out for ourselves, for fun, and for our art.
WHY AREN’T STUDENTS PARTICIPATING?
There seems to be two defining explanations for this general no-show status. The first is lack of advertisement . Students are finding that it’s difficult to keep up with what is available to them because they don’t know where, when, or what’s happening. Throughout campus there are screens that work as a news source, as well as posters and flyers. There are also the Program Board bulletins. As defined on their web page, “The goal of Program Board is to get students out of their rooms and studios for a few hours to take a much-needed break from the rigorous academics at Pratt, all while promoting a healthy work/social balance.” They have 5 areas of programming for on and off campus events, annual events, Tuesdays in the Union, and most notably, promotion. Comparatively speaking Program Board is the most successful at fostering student participation,
“Pratt is a school whose social life does not revolve around campus.”
9 Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
If you are reading this you know we exist. This is the Prattler, the official student magazine of Pratt, printed once a month since 1940. If you are a freshman then this is most likely your first time picking up a copy, but there’s also a likelihood that you’re a sophomore, junior, or senior losing your Prattler virginity at this very moment. No judgment, some people are late bloomers, we’re just glad you found us, a lot of our classmates haven’t yet. In fact there are a lot of things that go unfound at Pratt. We are the official monthly magazine, but have you heard of Ubiquitous, Pratt’s student run literary magazine? Did you know that the Writing Center houses the second largest public display of reef and marine life on a university campus in the Northeast. Did you even know about the Writing and Tutorial Center open to any and every Pratt student? Maybe you’re a Pratt savvy student, and if you are then you’re probably getting the most out of this $42,866 experience, but a lot of us aren’t. Connan Moody, a well involved junior ID student, thinks there are opportunities for participation because, “Pratt is trying to become a school that is about students rather than people just passing through getting an education.” Connan is in the Kappa Sigma fraternity, president of the inter-Greek council, and plays on the volleyball team. He is part of the minority of the aware and the involved. Yet, if sports and Greek life are not for you, there is still a long list of possibilities. There are always student exhibitions up, but few students not directly related to the show attend. And yes, clubs exist past club day and past email lists. As mentioned we have the Writing and Tutorial Center that offers free tutoring and an aquarium, and you can head over to the Health and Counseling Center for free band-aids, and of course many, many condoms, and lube too. The last center, Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD), offers resume advising and can help you find job opportunities that won’t be on craigslist. On top of this there are individual depar tment events consistently being
By Alya Albert
seemingly due to their ability to broadcast strongly, since most of the students who attend events have been seduced by Program Boards omnipresence. Even so, Pratt student’s talents do not lie in par ticipation. However, Shasha Léonard, an Advertizing Senior who was an RA her sophomore year, does not believe this drought of student participation to be Pratt’s fault. “Something I noticed about being an RA is that people ignore everything… we’re so into our own thing,” she explains. Students were sur veyed on their involvement on campus, and most of the answers were some version of, “I don’t really go to those events.” This is our second reason for mass extracurricular truancy, and maybe the most important: no one cares. The problem is that so many of Pratt activities can’t compete with their off campus counterparts. Eli Todd, a Senior writing major, notes, “Pratt is a school whose social life does not revolve around campus.” We are located in a city, which may or may not be the center of the universe, where anything and everything can and is happening. We all know this, we all love this, many of us are here because of this. “I came to Pratt because I’m an advertizing major and if theres anywhere to do advertizing its definitely NYC,” asserts Shasha. So how can Pratt’s resources exist in a place where they are not necessarily needed? Why see a Cannoneer game when you can walk ten minutes to a Nets game. It’s possible that Pratt needs to step it up. We are not RISD, or SCAD, or Oberlin; we aren’t near any fields or forests. We have New York. Pratt culture is exceptionally unique and complicated, even among other New York City schools, just look around. We get to spend four years of our lives floating around in our little For t Greene oasis. We can lounge on lawns and pet cats
Connections
Connections
held; cultural and diversity events, panels, and councils; endless web resources and databases; NYPIRG and Envirolutions for the activest in all of us; Res Life activities, enough free food opportunities to save us from a cafeteria overdose; interdisciplinary symposiums on weekends, and so on and so forth. This excludes the little known secret of this building called the Library! Seriously though, there is an extensive DVD collection, ranging from your pop standards to obscure titles that you can ask to watch in house, and if you rent a projector, which you can for one day, you’ve got a recipe for a killer movie night in your dorm room or apartment, which as told by a source who has asked to remain anonymous, “Can get you properly laid.” Also consider that if you haven’t found anything that gets you excited yet, initiate something; Student Involvement will work with you to start something new at Pratt. Of course, last but not least, there is SGA, our Student Government Association. They are everywhere, in fact there is a high possibility that there is something on your person right now that has SGA origins. Yet not many people know who they are or what they do. When asked what SGA is, only 1 of 11 students actually knew and not a single one could name the president. 2 of the 11 knew what NYPIRG is and only one student had heard of Pratt’s diversity council. About half of the students were involved in a club, or at least on those email lists. Most of the students had been to at least one of Pratt’s on campus events for students, but almost all said that they have not been back to a second event.
UNTITLED
8
We are a culture thirsty tribe, and we are seeking it out for ourselves, for fun, and for our art.
WHY AREN’T STUDENTS PARTICIPATING?
There seems to be two defining explanations for this general no-show status. The first is lack of advertisement . Students are finding that it’s difficult to keep up with what is available to them because they don’t know where, when, or what’s happening. Throughout campus there are screens that work as a news source, as well as posters and flyers. There are also the Program Board bulletins. As defined on their web page, “The goal of Program Board is to get students out of their rooms and studios for a few hours to take a much-needed break from the rigorous academics at Pratt, all while promoting a healthy work/social balance.” They have 5 areas of programming for on and off campus events, annual events, Tuesdays in the Union, and most notably, promotion. Comparatively speaking Program Board is the most successful at fostering student participation,
“Pratt is a school whose social life does not revolve around campus.”
9 Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
If you are reading this you know we exist. This is the Prattler, the official student magazine of Pratt, printed once a month since 1940. If you are a freshman then this is most likely your first time picking up a copy, but there’s also a likelihood that you’re a sophomore, junior, or senior losing your Prattler virginity at this very moment. No judgment, some people are late bloomers, we’re just glad you found us, a lot of our classmates haven’t yet. In fact there are a lot of things that go unfound at Pratt. We are the official monthly magazine, but have you heard of Ubiquitous, Pratt’s student run literary magazine? Did you know that the Writing Center houses the second largest public display of reef and marine life on a university campus in the Northeast. Did you even know about the Writing and Tutorial Center open to any and every Pratt student? Maybe you’re a Pratt savvy student, and if you are then you’re probably getting the most out of this $42,866 experience, but a lot of us aren’t. Connan Moody, a well involved junior ID student, thinks there are opportunities for participation because, “Pratt is trying to become a school that is about students rather than people just passing through getting an education.” Connan is in the Kappa Sigma fraternity, president of the inter-Greek council, and plays on the volleyball team. He is part of the minority of the aware and the involved. Yet, if sports and Greek life are not for you, there is still a long list of possibilities. There are always student exhibitions up, but few students not directly related to the show attend. And yes, clubs exist past club day and past email lists. As mentioned we have the Writing and Tutorial Center that offers free tutoring and an aquarium, and you can head over to the Health and Counseling Center for free band-aids, and of course many, many condoms, and lube too. The last center, Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD), offers resume advising and can help you find job opportunities that won’t be on craigslist. On top of this there are individual depar tment events consistently being
By Alya Albert
seemingly due to their ability to broadcast strongly, since most of the students who attend events have been seduced by Program Boards omnipresence. Even so, Pratt student’s talents do not lie in par ticipation. However, Shasha Léonard, an Advertizing Senior who was an RA her sophomore year, does not believe this drought of student participation to be Pratt’s fault. “Something I noticed about being an RA is that people ignore everything… we’re so into our own thing,” she explains. Students were sur veyed on their involvement on campus, and most of the answers were some version of, “I don’t really go to those events.” This is our second reason for mass extracurricular truancy, and maybe the most important: no one cares. The problem is that so many of Pratt activities can’t compete with their off campus counterparts. Eli Todd, a Senior writing major, notes, “Pratt is a school whose social life does not revolve around campus.” We are located in a city, which may or may not be the center of the universe, where anything and everything can and is happening. We all know this, we all love this, many of us are here because of this. “I came to Pratt because I’m an advertizing major and if theres anywhere to do advertizing its definitely NYC,” asserts Shasha. So how can Pratt’s resources exist in a place where they are not necessarily needed? Why see a Cannoneer game when you can walk ten minutes to a Nets game. It’s possible that Pratt needs to step it up. We are not RISD, or SCAD, or Oberlin; we aren’t near any fields or forests. We have New York. Pratt culture is exceptionally unique and complicated, even among other New York City schools, just look around. We get to spend four years of our lives floating around in our little For t Greene oasis. We can lounge on lawns and pet cats
Connections
Connections
held; cultural and diversity events, panels, and councils; endless web resources and databases; NYPIRG and Envirolutions for the activest in all of us; Res Life activities, enough free food opportunities to save us from a cafeteria overdose; interdisciplinary symposiums on weekends, and so on and so forth. This excludes the little known secret of this building called the Library! Seriously though, there is an extensive DVD collection, ranging from your pop standards to obscure titles that you can ask to watch in house, and if you rent a projector, which you can for one day, you’ve got a recipe for a killer movie night in your dorm room or apartment, which as told by a source who has asked to remain anonymous, “Can get you properly laid.” Also consider that if you haven’t found anything that gets you excited yet, initiate something; Student Involvement will work with you to start something new at Pratt. Of course, last but not least, there is SGA, our Student Government Association. They are everywhere, in fact there is a high possibility that there is something on your person right now that has SGA origins. Yet not many people know who they are or what they do. When asked what SGA is, only 1 of 11 students actually knew and not a single one could name the president. 2 of the 11 knew what NYPIRG is and only one student had heard of Pratt’s diversity council. About half of the students were involved in a club, or at least on those email lists. Most of the students had been to at least one of Pratt’s on campus events for students, but almost all said that they have not been back to a second event.
Connections
Pratt S.W.A.G. Student Win Awesome Gifts by Bea Hostman
Have you heard of Pratt S.W.A.G.? 1 point
S.W.A.G. is a new reward based system on campus to boost attendance at campus functions. Events hosted by student affairs now have a kiosk with a card reader to swipe student IDs and earn points. These events are at no cost to students, and the swipe is only to log your attendance. Different events have different point values posted on site. Social events are typically one point, while more educational events such as seminars are two points. Recent events include block parties, coffee chats, and freshmeet.
PENCIL
Am I Eligible For Pratt S.W.A.G?
Originally, only new students were signed up to use this system, but since popularity has been growing, all students are able to start collecting points immediately.Currently, there is no website dedicated to Pratt SWAG. However, the Student Affairs office is available to provide information about upcoming SWAG events.
5 points 5 points
LIPBALM LIP BALM
10 points
NOTEBOOK
How Do I Accumulate Points?
After the first point, prizes are awarded every five points. When enough points are collected, students receive an email to come to the student affairs office in Main Building to receive their prizes.
My Club Wants Pratt S.W.A.G!
The office of student affairs is currently working to allow organizations on campus to use the Pratt SWAG system to boost their own attendance. To qualify for the SWAG system, your event must be open to all students at no cost and not incentive-based. Hopefully, with its growing success Pratt SWAG will soon be able to provide users with an event calendar online and a way to check their current point balance.
15 points
T-SHIRT
11 Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
“Part of being an artist in New York City, and going to school in New York City, is being able to absorb all the resources that New York has…”
Connections
10
in antique engine rooms. We literally walk on Tiffany glass. It’s idyllic and a privilege we too often take for granted. However, it is imperative that this bubble expands and connects to the greater community of NYC, because we are afterall students of the city just as much as we are of Pratt. We have some of the greatest resources right outside those iron fences and students are well aware of this. We are a culture thirsty tribe, and we are seeking it out for ourselves, for fun, and for our art. So we’re leaving campus taking full advantage of incredible opportunities, and we’re not really considering what we’re walking away from. We don’t care. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Pratt needs to keep up with its students and it’s city, not an easy feat, but our Pratt culture requires change in a way that is more inclusive, less segregated, and symbiotic with NYC. We also need to abandon notions that Pratt exists in the same vein of other art schools, universities, and colleges; it won’t do us justice. If we wanted experiences that are homogenous with those of the standard American universities we wouldn’t be here; we’re here for the Pratt experience. Pratt’s campus, curriculum, faculty, location, and especially students lay a foundation for an extraordinary and singular happening. Shasha explains that, “Part of being an artist in New York City, and going to school in New York city, is being able to absorb all the resources that New York has… We’ve lost a lot of connectedness to where we are.” Not only have we become separate from our city, we’ve also disconnected from each other. It will require the efforts of all members of the Pratt community to make such changes, especially the administration and students. So let’s get talking, let’s get involved with each other, the city, and Pratt as a whole; It could be really worth it. Go grab some crappy cafeteria coffee and connect. vv
Connections
Pratt S.W.A.G. Student Win Awesome Gifts by Bea Hostman
Have you heard of Pratt S.W.A.G.? 1 point
S.W.A.G. is a new reward based system on campus to boost attendance at campus functions. Events hosted by student affairs now have a kiosk with a card reader to swipe student IDs and earn points. These events are at no cost to students, and the swipe is only to log your attendance. Different events have different point values posted on site. Social events are typically one point, while more educational events such as seminars are two points. Recent events include block parties, coffee chats, and freshmeet.
PENCIL
Am I Eligible For Pratt S.W.A.G?
Originally, only new students were signed up to use this system, but since popularity has been growing, all students are able to start collecting points immediately.Currently, there is no website dedicated to Pratt SWAG. However, the Student Affairs office is available to provide information about upcoming SWAG events.
5 points 5 points
LIPBALM LIP BALM
10 points
NOTEBOOK
How Do I Accumulate Points?
After the first point, prizes are awarded every five points. When enough points are collected, students receive an email to come to the student affairs office in Main Building to receive their prizes.
My Club Wants Pratt S.W.A.G!
The office of student affairs is currently working to allow organizations on campus to use the Pratt SWAG system to boost their own attendance. To qualify for the SWAG system, your event must be open to all students at no cost and not incentive-based. Hopefully, with its growing success Pratt SWAG will soon be able to provide users with an event calendar online and a way to check their current point balance.
15 points
T-SHIRT
11 Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
“Part of being an artist in New York City, and going to school in New York City, is being able to absorb all the resources that New York has…”
Connections
10
in antique engine rooms. We literally walk on Tiffany glass. It’s idyllic and a privilege we too often take for granted. However, it is imperative that this bubble expands and connects to the greater community of NYC, because we are afterall students of the city just as much as we are of Pratt. We have some of the greatest resources right outside those iron fences and students are well aware of this. We are a culture thirsty tribe, and we are seeking it out for ourselves, for fun, and for our art. So we’re leaving campus taking full advantage of incredible opportunities, and we’re not really considering what we’re walking away from. We don’t care. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Pratt needs to keep up with its students and it’s city, not an easy feat, but our Pratt culture requires change in a way that is more inclusive, less segregated, and symbiotic with NYC. We also need to abandon notions that Pratt exists in the same vein of other art schools, universities, and colleges; it won’t do us justice. If we wanted experiences that are homogenous with those of the standard American universities we wouldn’t be here; we’re here for the Pratt experience. Pratt’s campus, curriculum, faculty, location, and especially students lay a foundation for an extraordinary and singular happening. Shasha explains that, “Part of being an artist in New York City, and going to school in New York city, is being able to absorb all the resources that New York has… We’ve lost a lot of connectedness to where we are.” Not only have we become separate from our city, we’ve also disconnected from each other. It will require the efforts of all members of the Pratt community to make such changes, especially the administration and students. So let’s get talking, let’s get involved with each other, the city, and Pratt as a whole; It could be really worth it. Go grab some crappy cafeteria coffee and connect. vv
We’ve Got Spirit! Yes We… Well, Almost
12
As many of you know, once upon a time there was an Engineering school. There was also a very active sports program, including a membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. So what happened? A drop in finances and enrollment forced the Engineering school to make a dramatic exit in 1993. Although the Architecture and Fine Arts schools remained, both programs proved too rigorous and time consuming to allow enough students to participate in sports, thus resulting in its decline. Even men’s and women’s soccer, both of which were varsity teams at Pratt, suffered from lack of interest and were eventually dismantled and replaced with Intramural Soccer. But that was then, this is now. Nearly 10 years later Pratt athletics is making a comeback with the addition of women’s varsity basketball and men’s varsity volleyball last year. “What we’re trying to do is regain that recognition and awareness, of the athletic program,” says Athletic Director Dave Adebanjo. There’s a common misconception that Pratt students are, what I call, athletically nonchalant. This may be true for some but it can’t be said about the population in its entirety. There are creatively talented students who love sports; who played on varsity teams throughout high school and have shelves filled with little gold plastic trophies at their parents’ house back in Whatever-ville. But if the academics of the school are just as demanding if not more than they were before, what’s the point of having varsity teams? “Because of the spirit that it commits,” says Adebanjo. “It helps diversify us from the other art and design schools. In addition to that, nationally, when student athletes are present on campus, the retention is higher, because they have another level of commitment.” Varsity sports also help in the overall recruit-
ment to Pratt as well as broaden the variety of students. “In fact,” Adebanjo continues, “The number of students we’ve been seeing applying to Pratt or reaching out to us just because we have an athletic program, has been astounding. It’s much more than we imagined.” The athletic department even has it’s own unique recruiting process for scouting those dually talented perspective individuals. “Our coaches use online databases, so high school student will sign up and use it as a means for connecting with college coaches,” says Intercollegiate Athletics Associate Director, Ryan McCarthy. “Our athletics website is kind of the opposite in that it let’s students find us so they can fill out a questionnaire. That has everything from their academic information to more about them as athletes.” Then, of course, there’s the old fashioned way of going to high schools and recruiting in person. “There’s no substitute for meeting someone in person, meeting their families in person,” Says McCarthy. Along with Women’s Basketball and Men’s Volleyball, the official website, goprattgo.com, has gotten a major facelift. Students can also look forward to the triumphant return of Varsity Soccer in the near future. The addition of a full-time Sports Information Director and personal trainer are hoped to ensure that students get the proper support this time around. The added sports would also make Pratt a full varsity school, allowing it to apply for a full NCAA Division III membership, which doesn’t allow sports scholarships but would give teams the opportunity to compete nationally against other colleges. The Athletic
13 Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
Do I have school spirit? If by ‘school spirit’ you mean participating in the monetary exchange for an education at Pratt so as to claim it in the future as my Alma Mata, then yes, I do. But aside from paying tuition, a black and gold Pratt sweatshirt somewhere deep in the trenches of my closet is my only representation of “spirit.” If you’ve ever attended a homecoming, or have been to a school with a prevalent sports program, then you know what real school spirit looks like. School spirit is supporting your teams no matter how terrible, because you believe in them. It’s going to the “big game” and cheering on your fellow classmates because he/she has been busting his/her ass on the court/field, dammit. School spirit is pulling out that collegiate sweatshirt and wearing it with pride just because. It’s becoming one with the mascot. So no, I don’t have school spirit, and by the looks of it, neither does anyone else at Pratt but that might change with the recent restoration of the sports program.
“Because of the spirit that it commits. It helps diversify us from the other art and design schools.” Dave Adebanjo, Athletic Director
Connections
Connections
article by Lana DiCostanzo artwork by Atinooch Jungwiwattanaporn
We’ve Got Spirit! Yes We… Well, Almost
12
As many of you know, once upon a time there was an Engineering school. There was also a very active sports program, including a membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. So what happened? A drop in finances and enrollment forced the Engineering school to make a dramatic exit in 1993. Although the Architecture and Fine Arts schools remained, both programs proved too rigorous and time consuming to allow enough students to participate in sports, thus resulting in its decline. Even men’s and women’s soccer, both of which were varsity teams at Pratt, suffered from lack of interest and were eventually dismantled and replaced with Intramural Soccer. But that was then, this is now. Nearly 10 years later Pratt athletics is making a comeback with the addition of women’s varsity basketball and men’s varsity volleyball last year. “What we’re trying to do is regain that recognition and awareness, of the athletic program,” says Athletic Director Dave Adebanjo. There’s a common misconception that Pratt students are, what I call, athletically nonchalant. This may be true for some but it can’t be said about the population in its entirety. There are creatively talented students who love sports; who played on varsity teams throughout high school and have shelves filled with little gold plastic trophies at their parents’ house back in Whatever-ville. But if the academics of the school are just as demanding if not more than they were before, what’s the point of having varsity teams? “Because of the spirit that it commits,” says Adebanjo. “It helps diversify us from the other art and design schools. In addition to that, nationally, when student athletes are present on campus, the retention is higher, because they have another level of commitment.” Varsity sports also help in the overall recruit-
ment to Pratt as well as broaden the variety of students. “In fact,” Adebanjo continues, “The number of students we’ve been seeing applying to Pratt or reaching out to us just because we have an athletic program, has been astounding. It’s much more than we imagined.” The athletic department even has it’s own unique recruiting process for scouting those dually talented perspective individuals. “Our coaches use online databases, so high school student will sign up and use it as a means for connecting with college coaches,” says Intercollegiate Athletics Associate Director, Ryan McCarthy. “Our athletics website is kind of the opposite in that it let’s students find us so they can fill out a questionnaire. That has everything from their academic information to more about them as athletes.” Then, of course, there’s the old fashioned way of going to high schools and recruiting in person. “There’s no substitute for meeting someone in person, meeting their families in person,” Says McCarthy. Along with Women’s Basketball and Men’s Volleyball, the official website, goprattgo.com, has gotten a major facelift. Students can also look forward to the triumphant return of Varsity Soccer in the near future. The addition of a full-time Sports Information Director and personal trainer are hoped to ensure that students get the proper support this time around. The added sports would also make Pratt a full varsity school, allowing it to apply for a full NCAA Division III membership, which doesn’t allow sports scholarships but would give teams the opportunity to compete nationally against other colleges. The Athletic
13 Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
Do I have school spirit? If by ‘school spirit’ you mean participating in the monetary exchange for an education at Pratt so as to claim it in the future as my Alma Mata, then yes, I do. But aside from paying tuition, a black and gold Pratt sweatshirt somewhere deep in the trenches of my closet is my only representation of “spirit.” If you’ve ever attended a homecoming, or have been to a school with a prevalent sports program, then you know what real school spirit looks like. School spirit is supporting your teams no matter how terrible, because you believe in them. It’s going to the “big game” and cheering on your fellow classmates because he/she has been busting his/her ass on the court/field, dammit. School spirit is pulling out that collegiate sweatshirt and wearing it with pride just because. It’s becoming one with the mascot. So no, I don’t have school spirit, and by the looks of it, neither does anyone else at Pratt but that might change with the recent restoration of the sports program.
“Because of the spirit that it commits. It helps diversify us from the other art and design schools.” Dave Adebanjo, Athletic Director
Connections
Connections
article by Lana DiCostanzo artwork by Atinooch Jungwiwattanaporn
14
15 Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
Department is also in the middle of a rebranding process. Does the name SimpsonScarborough sound familiar? You and all the other current students, staff, and faculty as well as 10,000 alumni should’ve received an email from them asking to participate in their survey for Pratt Athletics. Participants can voice their opinions regarding the mascot (currently the Cannoneer) and logo. But don’t fret my dear comrades; although these additions are costly, it’s not going to affect your tuition bill. “My boss, who is the vice-president of student affairs, reached out to senior staff at Pratt and basically found there was a significant amount of support for maintaining the athletic program and improving it,” says Dave. “But one of the things that we’re looking to do to assist is corporate fund raising. One of the major contributing factors was student government, having their support. I believe they were part of the commitment of donating x-amount of dollars in the student fees to assist with the building of athletics.” Imagine if you will, a Pratt in which students have an abundance of support for our teams. It would be, like… I don’t know… normal college but with flare. Pizzazz. Cats. We’d be at the games sporting our chic black and gold, waving our immaculately painted signs, maybe even twerk on the Cannoneer mascot, and then go out for hot wings and beer afterwards (and yes, meatless vegan wings are acceptable). It would be like First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum except a little sportier. Such a Pratt is possible. And it may be closer than we think. I don’t know about you, but I think I’m feeling the spirit already.
SGA are an elected group of students who meet with the administration regularly to discuss students needs. For example, a lot of commuters with bikes wanted air pumps next to the bike racks, so we pestered the administration about adding air pumps, which were installed this summer. We try to make student opinions heard on campus. We host a charrette (a short design contest) every semester to present the administration with student’s creative proposals to influence the school’s decisions. Student proposals from the Student (Re) Union Charrette (redesigning the Student Union) are being implemented right now in the architect’s design for the new space. We hope this semester’s charrette will bring a lot of spirit to Pratt. SGA regulates all the clubs on campus. Club Day was at the beginning of September, but if you missed it, there is still time to join. There are about fifty active clubs on campus, for interests from Academic and Cultural to Religion and Media. You can find a full list of all the clubs at sga.pratt.edu. And if you can’t find a club, you should start one. Email clubs@pratt.edu for more info. Come meet us in the SGA office in Lower Level Main Building (by Student Involvement) or email us at sga@pratt.edu. We’re here for you.
Connections
Connections
Wait, we have a student government?
14
15 Have something you think should go in the Prattler? Email us at theprattler@gmail.com
Department is also in the middle of a rebranding process. Does the name SimpsonScarborough sound familiar? You and all the other current students, staff, and faculty as well as 10,000 alumni should’ve received an email from them asking to participate in their survey for Pratt Athletics. Participants can voice their opinions regarding the mascot (currently the Cannoneer) and logo. But don’t fret my dear comrades; although these additions are costly, it’s not going to affect your tuition bill. “My boss, who is the vice-president of student affairs, reached out to senior staff at Pratt and basically found there was a significant amount of support for maintaining the athletic program and improving it,” says Dave. “But one of the things that we’re looking to do to assist is corporate fund raising. One of the major contributing factors was student government, having their support. I believe they were part of the commitment of donating x-amount of dollars in the student fees to assist with the building of athletics.” Imagine if you will, a Pratt in which students have an abundance of support for our teams. It would be, like… I don’t know… normal college but with flare. Pizzazz. Cats. We’d be at the games sporting our chic black and gold, waving our immaculately painted signs, maybe even twerk on the Cannoneer mascot, and then go out for hot wings and beer afterwards (and yes, meatless vegan wings are acceptable). It would be like First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum except a little sportier. Such a Pratt is possible. And it may be closer than we think. I don’t know about you, but I think I’m feeling the spirit already.
SGA are an elected group of students who meet with the administration regularly to discuss students needs. For example, a lot of commuters with bikes wanted air pumps next to the bike racks, so we pestered the administration about adding air pumps, which were installed this summer. We try to make student opinions heard on campus. We host a charrette (a short design contest) every semester to present the administration with student’s creative proposals to influence the school’s decisions. Student proposals from the Student (Re) Union Charrette (redesigning the Student Union) are being implemented right now in the architect’s design for the new space. We hope this semester’s charrette will bring a lot of spirit to Pratt. SGA regulates all the clubs on campus. Club Day was at the beginning of September, but if you missed it, there is still time to join. There are about fifty active clubs on campus, for interests from Academic and Cultural to Religion and Media. You can find a full list of all the clubs at sga.pratt.edu. And if you can’t find a club, you should start one. Email clubs@pratt.edu for more info. Come meet us in the SGA office in Lower Level Main Building (by Student Involvement) or email us at sga@pratt.edu. We’re here for you.
Connections
Connections
Wait, we have a student government?
ComD
“What do they do?”
Cheyenne Adrian, Senior Fashion Major
P R A T T ’ S Painting
“They smoke a lot.”
Michael Zagalis, 5th Year Architecture
E X Q U I S I T E Photography
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Sculpture
O
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“They make the most of what they got.”
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Alex Harristhal, Junior Drawing Major
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E “... ”
Alexandra Murphy, Senior ComD Major An exquisite corpse constructed by students’ impressions of other majors. Contribute to the next issues corpse by emailing us at theprattler@gmail.com!