Orientation 2014 by Reporter Magazine

ORIENTATION ISSUE AUGUST 2014 reporter.rit.edu

WAKE UP EDITOR IN CHIEF Alyssa Jackson

I spent a lot of time in the Reporter archives this summer going through dusty magazines and praying I didn’t find a mouse. As I read through magazines from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, I grew more and more disappointed–not only in what Reporter has become but in what our generation has become. We used to have pages of “Letters to the Editor” about issues that really mattered. There was coverage of protests–against the war, against the treatment of RIT staff and students, against racism, against policies being made without student opinion, against the RIT administration not doing their job. Did you know in 1977 students tried to impeach the Student Association President? Last year we found out that RIT will limit smoking on campus despite the fact that few current RIT students were asked how they felt about the change. Reporter’s May magazine was subjected to prior review and was censored at Imagine RIT. This summer Obama is sending troops back into Iraq, hundreds of young girls were stolen in Nigeria and poverty in Detroit is reaching an inhumane level.

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR

Joan McDonough ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

Nathaniel Mathews COPY EDITOR Amanda Moon NEWS EDITOR Taylor Derrisaw LEISURE EDITOR Gino Fanelli FEATURES EDITOR Nicole Howley SPORTS EDITOR Nick Bovee VIEWS EDITOR William Hirsh WRITERS Juan Lachapelle,

Evander Sousa, Dominique Hessert, Nathan C. Castle

ART ART DIRECTOR Rachel Fox ONLINE ART DIRECTOR Jordyn Carias STAFF DESIGNERS Kelly Gatesman,

Liah Perez, Teysia Parks CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS

Kaitlyn Fitzgerald, Ashleigh Butler, Corrine Fallone

PHOTOGRAPHY

But we are doing nothing. I am growing worried that RIT’s upperclassmen are too comfortable just sitting back. So I’m reaching out to you, freshmen you are our newest additions, our new hope. Seek out those passionate students and teachers and tell the administration what you want. Get involved with clubs you care about, hang out at SG meetings (they’re boring and don’t often accomplish much but realize that and make a change), have lunch with Destler and tell him what’s on your mind. You’re holding a tool in your hands right now. Write to us, email us, come to our office, even write for us. Tell us what you want us to write about, write letters to the administration through us, write letters to me telling me exactly what you think. If they’re good, I promise to publish them regardless of whether your opinion agrees with mine. We can learn and grow and change things by generating discussion. Step up, freshmen class of 2014. RIT needs you. Our generation needs you. It’s a burden, but a damn good one.

PHOTO EDITOR Rugile Kaladyte CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Rugile Kaladyte, Matt Burkhart

BUSINESS BUSINESS MANAGER Jaclyn Bergin AD / PR MANAGER Rachael Moynihan PRODUCTION MANAGER Ryan Walsh

ONLINE

Alyssa Jackson Editor in Cheif

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Reporter Magazine is published monthly during the academic year by a staff comprised of students at Rochester Institute of Technology. Business, Editorial and Design facilities are located in Room A-730, in the lower level of the Campus Center. Our phone number is 1.585.475.2212. The Advertising Department can be reached at 1.585.475.2213. “On a scale from 1 to 150 condoms, how good was it?” -NJL The opinions expressed in Reporter do not necessarily ref lect those of the Institute. Letters to the Editor may also be sent to reporter@rit.edu. Reporter is not responsible for materials presented in advertising areas. No letters will be printed unless signed. All letters received become the property of Reporter. Reporter takes pride in its membership in the Associated Collegiate Press and American Civil Liberties Union. Copyright © 2014 Reporter Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion of this Magazine may be reproduced without prior written permission.

TABLE OF CONTENTS cover illustration by Ashleigh Butler

Stories From Their Freshman Years

A visual guide to the tunnel system

Ashley and Tyler

A break down of how meal plans

How to Have a SpringFresh Room

Word on the Street You know you’re a bad roommate when …

on RIT’s academic side

Advice from Destler,

Meal Plans and You

Guide to RIT’s Tunnels

Rings The mystery of Tiger sauce

Dorm room cleaning

can be used

Food For The Alternate Eater

Pick Your Spot Cool places to visit at RIT

Discover vegetarian, vegan, halal and other specific eating options on campus

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STORIES OF THEIR FRESHMAN YEARS compiled by Nicole Howely | design by Kelly Gatesman

DR. WILLIAM “BILL” DESTLER

ASHLEY CARRINGTON

TYLER PIERCE

PRESIDENT OF RIT

STUDENT GOVERNMENT PRESIDENT, FOURTH YEAR FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS DOUBLE MAJOR

STUDENT GOVERNMENT VICE PRESIDENT FOURTH YEAR MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS MAJOR

My first year in college was a real revelation in more ways than one. I went to high school in West Hartford, Conn. at a school that was widely regarded as one of the best public high schools in the nation. When I graduated, I enrolled at an engineering school in New Jersey, where I was surrounded by students from Jersey City and Bayonne who spoke with strong “Joisey” accents and who, much to my chagrin, turned out to be smarter than I was. That was a real lesson to me to “not judge a book by its cover.” I also learned the value of friends who had cars, since I attended what was at the time an all-male college and they were the key to a social life.

When I first came to RIT, someone made a bet with me that I would learn more in my four years in college than I had learned in my entire life. Coming straight out of high school my immediate response was, “Yeah right,” and I took that bet. I am just starting my fourth year here I already have to admit that this was the greatest bet that I have ever lost. I started RIT with virtually no friends and unsure of what to do in life. I guess you can say I was walking in somewhat blind, which was a scary thought. After attending the club fair and meeting with my advisor, things began getting better. The jitters and uncertainty never completely go away but I know that each minute at RIT is an experience. If you want to make things better you have to take the initiative.

Freshman year is something I will never forget. It was filled with anticipation, anxiety and wonderful discoveries. I remember waking up unfortunately bright and early for calculus, the first class of my college career. All the showers were occupied and everyone was in a rush. I was so nervous but I learned. Your entire freshman year is a learning experience. Attending RIT is just as much about finding yourself as it is about the late night studying, group projects and stressful classwork. Get involved and meet new people around campus as soon as you can. Whether that’s sitting in the Corner Crew for a hockey game or playing Rock Band in the SAU on weeknights, get out there and make the most of your freshman year.

photo by Rugile Kaladyte

photo courtesy of Ashley and Tyler

MEAL PLANS

+ YOU by Juan Lachapelle design by Teysia Parks

TIPS + SUGGESTIONS

our venture into the great unknowns of college will begin with understanding how you will eat for the next eight months. While signing up for your housing assignments, you should have chosen a meal plan in order to complete the form. There are a variety of meal plans depending on your year status, where you live and your preference. This short guide will show you what you can do with your meal plan and what options are available to you. More detailed information can be found on the RIT Dining Services Website at www.rit.edu/fa/ diningservices.

MEAL PLAN SYSTEM As a freshman student, you may choose between three types of plans: 20 Plus Plan = 20 meals a week, 7 of which can be meal options anywhere and $250 debit for the semester 14 Plus Plan = 14 meals a week, 5 of which can be meal options anywhere and $350 debit for the semester 10 Plus Plan = 10 meals a week, 5 of which can be meal options anywhere and $650 debit for the semester Your plan is split into meals and debit. Your meals can be used for a single, all-you-caneat session at the Grace Watson dining hall or converted into a meal option that is worth $7.50 in food debit at other dining spots on campus. Debit and meal options can also be spent at on-campus convenience stores (only for food items) and debit can be spent in vending machines as well. You can change your meal plan at mydining. rit.edu, under dining plans. But do it soon — after 4:30 p.m. on Friday of the first week of classes, you cannot change your plan until next semester.

Take some time during your first week of classes to see where the majority of your time will be spent. Some students can benefit more from the 14 or 20 if they will be near Gracie’s (or willing to make the trip across campus) during lunch or dinner. The top student pick is the 10 plus plan, since it provides the largest amount of flexibility with its $650 of debit and you’ll be less obligated to dine at Gracie’s. Managing your debit is important so you don’t run out before the semester ends. Focus on eating big meals using meal plans and small snacks throughout the day with food debit. If you skip meals throughout the week and have leftover meal options on Sunday, spending them at the Corner Store under Nathaniel Rochester Hall is an efficient way of using options. If you have taken college credit courses before attending RIT, you may be eligible for upperclassman status, which gives you the option of the highly coveted all debit meal plan. This plan gives you $2,405 to spend over a semester, 20 meals/week but no meals. Just about every 7 meal options upperclassman recommends this $250 debit plan if you can get it.

20 + 14 +

14 meals/week 5 meal options $350 debit

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

Nathan’s Soup and Salad and Java Wally’s are not under RIT Dining Services so they have some particular rules. Java Wally’s will accept Tiger Bucks and Nathan’s will accept RIT debit and Tiger Bucks, but 10 meals/week neither place will accept meal options. Meal options are included in 5 meal options your total meal count and are not $650 debit separate. For example, if you use five meals on various places on campus that is not Gracie’s, you have five Gracie’s meals left for the week.

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FOOD FOR

ALTERNATIVE EATER by Evander Sousa | design by Teysia Parks

With more than 15 dining locations on campus, RIT Dinning Services works to give those with dietary restrictions a variety of healthy choices. Every restaurant and market on campus serves food options for those with alternative eating styles from vegan to halal to all types of food allergies. In fact, RIT vendors pride themselves on providing multiple options, making sure that you won’t get bored of your diet during your year on the RIT meal plan.

Home to the Mexican restaurant Salsarita’s, Oishii Sushi and the ever-changing Global Grille, the Cantina contains some of the most diverse food on campus. Like the Commons, the Cantina makes gluten-free and vegan dishes as ordered. According to Manager Karla Orozco, the employees should know all of the ingredients in each dish. She recommends that students ask employees what they can have or refer to the ingredient lists posted at the counters.

ARTESANO BAKERY & CAFÉ G V

GRACIES G V D H Most first year students will eat many meals at Gracie’s, not just because it is the main cafeteria on campus but because it offers three meals a day, six days a week, plus brunch and dinner on Sundays. Gracie’s has many stations, including a food bar specifically featuring allergen-free and vegan meals called Simply Eats. According to Production Manager Aimee Mitchell, the Simply Eats menu will continue to expand as the year goes on, giving students an even wider range of healthy and creative meals.

DINING COMMONS G V D Boasting a wide variety of foods, from sandwiches to full steak dinners, the Commons is the go-to place for hungry freshmen. For people with dietary restrictions, the Commons can make many of their meals to order, meaning that they will take out or substitute ingredients as requested. According to General Manager Paul Maushart and Production Manager Daniel Giroux, each gluten-free and allergen-free dish is prepared for students using ingredients stored in a separate location and made with freshly cleaned appliances in order to to avoid cross contamination. On top of that, the Commons has daily vegan dishes including a black bean burger and a salad bar.

G GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS

GLOBAL VILLAGE CANTINA & GRILL G D

V VEGAN OPTIONS

Artesano Bakery and Café is one of RIT’s many coffee shops, but it is also the dessert capital of campus. Tracy Burgio, who has been pastry production coordinator at the café for four years, said that they carry several vegan desserts on a daily basis, as well as some gluten-free options. For a quick meal or a filling snack they also carry several vegan sandwiches and gluten-free wraps and dishes that change throughout the week. Many of the dining options available to students on campus can be catered to individual needs. Multiple restaurant managers suggest that you ask employees about the ingredients in their foods in order to make them work for your diet. Many meals are customizable and it is possible to get the full meal experience without posing a risk to your health. Students also have the option to make an appointment at the Student Health Center to meet with nutrition counselor. They can help you plan out a diet that works for you and tell you more about the alternative eating options available to you on campus. With all the options available, every student can have a healthy diet, regardless of their needs. RIT employees are readily available to you. With their help, you can find many delicious and nutritional meals to enjoy without worrying about them.

D DAIRY-FREE OPTIONS

H HALAL OPTIONS

GUIDE TO RITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TUNNELS by Juan Lachapelle | contributions by William Hirsh | design by Kathryn Eble and Rachel Fox

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Depending on your starting point, it takes six to eight minutes to treck across the academic side of campus. Although the travel time is short, when the journey involves harsh winds, treacherous snow and drive-by skateboarders the trip can be anywhere from bothersome to daunting. Many of these inconveniences can be avoided by learning the layout of an underutilized system on campus: the underground tunnels.

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HOW TO HAVE A SPRING-FRESH ROOM by Nathan C. Castle | design by Teysia Parks | illustration by Kaitlyn Fitzgerald

ne of the hardest challenges for college students to overcome is keeping a clean room. Having a clean room to study, relax and sleep in can make a big difference in your satisfaction with your first year. Unfortunately, the most powerful tool for keeping a fresh room, the open window, isn’t an option for most of the year due to Rochester’s weather. With a few helpful tips, you can have a delightful room without piling onto the stress of college. An unpleasant odor is one of the most important reasons to get into a cleanliness routine. The two most important tools to combat odor are regular communication and a clear roommate agreement. It can be awkward to have to ask your roommate to empty the trash or do laundry but it is important to get an early start. You’ll be glad you got an

THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT TOOLS TO COMBAT ODOR ARE REGULAR COMMUNICATION AND A CLEAR ROOMMATE AGREEMENT.

early start when the (surprisingly common) horror stories start coming out. It’s not all about your roommate however - be considerate and reciprocate whenever you see your roommate clean; there is nothing more frustrating than a roommate that doesn’t clean up. When trying to keep a clean room, what you don’t know certainly can hurt you. Food and waste hidden in a cluttered room will spoil. Even in clean rooms, dust can accumulate in unseen places, trapping odors and making it hard to stay fresh. Vacuuming, doing laundry and cleaning your sheets will go a long way in keeping odors at bay. Regular maintenance isn’t always enough. Fortunately, there are some cheap options for keeping a room fresh. To get rid of smells, simply pour baking soda into a bowl and let sit for a few hours. Make sure to seal any unused baking soda, or it will lose its effectiveness. Another option is to pour a layer of baking soda onto the carpet, let sit for a few hours, then vacuum. If you want an extra clean scent or if you have someone coming over last minute, Febreze and Glade both make products powerful enough to cover up most odors, as long as you aren’t too stingy. Keeping a clean room needs to be a team effort, but you don’t have to be Martha Stewart to get the results you want. By creating a schedule and working with your roommate you can stop smells before they begin. Innovative and cheap solutions, like deodorizing with baking soda, can keep your room clean on a budget. More expensive solutions, like Febreeze fabric spray, can be used to go the extra mile to make your room an oasis of freshness.

PICK YOUR SPOTS by Dominique Hessert | design by Liah Perez and Rachel Fox | photography by Rugile Kaladyte

Many freshmen will spend their early weeks at RIT cooped up in their dorms, utilizing just the space immediate to their room to study, nap, eat, etc. They get in a rut, and as a result, possibly minimize their social interactions. I’m here to tell you the best places to study, use the bathroom and hang out on campus.

STUDY PLACES ON CAMPUS

READING ROOM Entering the Reading Room, located on the second floor of the Campus Center, there is not a brick in sight. The two heavy wooden doors can be closed to block out the hum of student life, allowing the silence to swallow you and enable you to focus. Books cover the walls and the room is filled with long tables and a few big, comfy chairs.

SIMONE CENTER The Simone Center is accessible through the University Services Center by Global Village. It’s a charming spot that offers comfy furniture and an indoor fountain as well as project space, project support, mentorship and access to any innovation resource on campus. In addition to the resources it offers, its location near Global Village means that it’s surrounded by several food services, so you can step away from your studies and grab a quick lunch or coffee break if needed.

ERDEL COMMONS This is a glass-enclosed area that can be found at the entrance of Gleason Hall. Both faculty and students utilize it as an informal work space. The windows give you much needed and often lacking warmth of light. The area is a great place to get together with a group of friends to do work and you can get a snack or beverage from the vending machines nearby, too.

BATHROOMS ON CAMPUS SECOND FLOOR OF BOOTH Although public restrooms aren’t the most pleasant, they can be tricky to avoid when you’re in class or miles away from your own toilet. If you get bored easily while taking care of your business, the bathroom on the second floor of Booth has stalls perfect for you. They are usually filled with drawings and commentary from the art students (unless they have just been covered with another fresh coat of paint).

CAMPUS CENTER This is the gold standard of facilities. These beautiful bathrooms are located on the first floor of the campus center right across from the Kathy Hall Conference Room and Center for Women and Gender. Clean and nicely unscented, these stylish restrooms have tiled floors and walls and even a color scheme of beige dancing between the walls and the stalls. The long mirrors above the sinks stretch across the main wall to help you maintain your stylish look.

WHERE TO HANG OUT WHEN THE WEATHER IS NICE GLOBAL VILLAGE FIRE PIT This is a great spot to hang out in Global Village. The seating area consists of couches and umbrella-covered tables. It’s surrounded by food services so it’s a great location to grab a meal with your friends and relax. Come nightfall, stringed lights bring a magical vibe to the environment. One downfall of relaxing here, however, is Rochester weather. It’s unpredictable. The fire pit is beautiful …when the weather’s beautiful.

ZEN GARDEN There is a peaceful little contemplative garden situated in the corner of the Kodak Quad. It has a small pond, a bench and a variety of flowers that make it a beautiful natural space. There is plenty of shade from trees, so on sunny days it provides the perfect environment to relax in while still enjoying the warmth.

THE FOUNTAIN Hidden behind Louise Slaughter Hall and close to Golisano Institute of Sustainability, this secluded fountain is surrounded by a large open area consisting of benches and pathways. The path leading to this spot is lined with trees filled with white blossoms, a refreshing contrast to the brick buildings that surround them. The fountain has a modern look, where half of it transforms out of its cement holder into a mini garden, with plants and shrubbery growing from it.

ALTHOUGH RIT CAN BE FILLED WITH BRICKS AND A GRAY SKY, UNEXPECTED BEAUTY IS WOVEN IN HIDDEN SITES. CHOOSING THE SAME SPOTS TO SPEND YOUR TIME CAN UNDOUBTEDLY RESULT IN A FEELING OF CONFINEMENT. VARIETY CAN TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERIENCE AT RIT; GO EXPLORE.

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WORD ON THE

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YOU KNOW YOU’RE A BAD ROOMMATE WHEN…

photography by Matt Burkhartt design by Kelly Gatesman The opinions expressed are soley those of the students and do not reflect the views of REPORTER.

“Your roommate doesn’t shower in weeks.” Nate Sliverman Film and Animation

“Your roommate sings in his sleep his own freestyle rap.” Joe Hudden Industrial Engineering

“Your sink is used for dirty dish storage.” Trevor McCleary Industrial Design

“Their boyfriend sleeps in the room every night.” Lindsay Martinescu Imaging Science and Psychology

”

“Your idea of a wall decoration are bicycles (3 of them).” Chris Haluszczak Industrial Engineering

compiled by William Hirsh | design by Liah Perez and Rachel Fox illustration by Corrine Fallone

RINGS Tuesday, April 15 7:19 p.m. [Text] If I walk around looking like I’m trying to contact an alien race, it’s because the [flunking] frigid wind keeps blowing my earbuds out, so I’m holding them in. But I’d be up for some extraterrestrial communication, too.

Monday, May 5 12:15 a.m. [Text] Someone on the bus smells like campfire and vomit. Happy Monday! Monday, May 5 10:10 a.m. [Text] So yeah, I just walked in on someone “educating” themselves to the Reporter. Monday, May 5 4:43 p.m. [Text] Rings, no one will tell me what’s in the Tiger Sauce in the Ritz ... What is it? Fireball? Tiger blood? Liquefied tuition money??!? Wednesday, May 7 2:32 p.m. [Text] I liked it better when the hockey arena was blue #suckmybrick

The opinions expressed are solely those of the students and do not reflect the views of the REPORTER.

Have something to say? Call or text: 585.672.4840

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