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Birch Mansion Mystery Continues SGA Hosts Midterm 10.28.2010
A Publication by the Students for the Ramapo College Community By AMY FEZZA News Editor
Walking up the strategically placed burnt orange brick staircase, leading up to the imposing double doors, one must grip the rusted ring handle in order to open the front entrance of the wellknown Birch Mansion. As the antique doors are forcefully pulled open, a shrill sound resonates through the Victorian-style foyer. Screams can be heard through the mansion’s inner landscape with its gargoyle sculptures that sit atop a thick wooden banister,
see BIRCH on page 6
photos by Stefanie Mauro
XLI No. 7
Elections, Four New Senators Sworn In
By ELYSE TORIBIO Staff Writer
Midterm elections were held last week in search for four new senators in the Student Government Association. Nicole Mazewski, sophomore, and Kim Schwabe, junior, were chosen as senators-atlarge, while freshmen Kevin Cottino and Nicole Panzica were assigned as alternates. Lindsey Daly, junior, was elected senate secretary. Schwabe, a transfer student, had decided that running for senator was something she had been considering since choosing Ramapo as the place to finish earning her degree. “My goal is to get as involved in campus life as possible, and I feel like SGA is one of the best ways to do that,” Schwabe said. As part of their duties, senators of SGA are assigned to be liaisons for different offices and departments on campus, as well as to be informed of their respective policies and developments. Schwabe
explains that her time working under the first-experience director at her previous school will come in handy for her position, especially since she is the liaison for the Center for Academic Advising and First-Year Experience. “I definitely think that will help me with the position here,” Schwabe said. “I've really found that I enjoy working with and getting to know freshmen and new students in general, and helping them transition to a school and make the most of out the experience.” Newly elected senator-at-large Mazewski hopes to use her position to help make improvements to the reputation of Residence Life, for which she is the liaison. “[My goal] is to work hand-inhand with Res Life to re-vamp their housing selection process,” Mazewski said. “They’ve gotten the bad slack, and people have a lot of problems with them. I want to
Annual Halloween Dance Surpasses Last Year’s Expectations Birch Mansion was built in the late 1800s for Theodore Havemeyerʼs daughter Lillie and her husband John Mayer.
By REBECCA PENHAKER Staff Writer The annual Halloween dance hosted by the freshman Class Council Tuesday, Oct. 26, more than tripled last year’s attendance. The event may have been organized by SGA, but it was the responsibility of the freshman council to make it a successful affair with the planning, advertising and student body’s participation. “This class council is very adamant about getting involved. It’s very exciting to see such a great turnout,” Steven Wiltbank, sophomore class representative said. The Trustee’s Pavilion was pulsating with loud music and bright lights illuminating the
dance floor. Cobwebs and giant spiders covered the walls, with black and red tablecloths and balloons setting the mood for an all out Halloween themed night. Students enjoyed free pizza and refreshments, and enjoyed each others’ creative costumes. The four best costume contest winners each won $25 Ramapo Dollars or a gift certificate to the school bookstore. Halloween outfits ranged from cowgirls, to superheroes, and even music icons. Freshman Santiago Castro decided to go as his favorite artist, Lady Gaga, “I’ve never cross dressed before, so I thought, why not try it in college? And I love Lady Gaga,” Castro said.
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Students were thrilled to have so many students dressed in costume for the dance, since other school events lacked participation. Freshmen Chris Gabbet and Lisa Tordo, who were the Grim Reaper and Batgirl, respectively, enjoyed being able to marvel at their fellow peers’ costumes. “I’m really happy people dressed up,” Gabbet said. “At Frightfest, only seven people were in costumes. And we were two of them.” “It’s great how everyone is dancing,” Tordo said. “Usually people are just hanging back leaning on the wall, but tonight everyone is on the dance floor.” Although the dance is open to all students,
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see SENATORS on page 6
the majority in attendance were freshmen. “This is kind of like a social for the freshmen to get to know each other,” freshman class council representative Marissa Eck said. Although some of the students would have like to have seen other grade levels present, they still appreciated the turnout the dance received and would like to have more events on campus of this caliber. “I love keeping busy in school,” Castro said. “We’re poor college students. We need free things.” rpenhake@ramapo.edu
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