The College went ‘Drowsy’
Kimmel Talks about ‘Guyland’
Michael Kimmel came to the College, speaking about the new challenges today’s men face in the 21st century.
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February 29, 2012
No. 7
Vol. CXXXVI.
Career services talks job options College gets lucky: all students get housing While a potential shortage of beds for upperclassmen next year had been a concern at the College, an email sent out on Wednesday, Feb. 22 notified students that all sophomores and juniors who applied for housing by the skills, that translate to almost any form lottery deadline received time slots. The last time when all students received time slots was two years ago, for of employment. “The transferrable skills are going to the 2010-2011 school year.
Transferrable skills are key in workforce By Tom Ciccone News Editor Students were shown the multitude of career possibilities available when graduating with an English major when Lynette Harris, assistant director of the College’s Career Center and liaison for the school of arts and communication and the school of humanities and social sciences, gave her presentation “Marketing Your Transferrable Skills: Making Them Work for You” in the Business Building on Thursday, Feb. 23. The event, sponsored by the English honor society Sigma Tau Delta and the Career Services office, focused on the best tips for nailing job interviews, marketing personal skills to employers, as well as learning to network with companies. Harris started off the presentation by asking how many students in the room were once told that no jobs were left in the employment market, to which most of the students in the room raised their hands. “It is a myth,” Harris said. Not only are jobs available, Harris said, but the average amount of jobs a person will have in their lifetime is 47. The presentation focused on the idea of “transferrable skills,” such as basic communication, writing and computer
get you the prize,” Harris said. Harris also talked about the feasability of graduating with an English degree, informing the students about many of the jobs available to graduates, such as working in publishing and news organizations, pursuing work in the education system and being employed in many other positions in public relations, law and banking. Harris also stressed the importance of researching the companies before you apply for job interviews with them. Many students asked questions about Career Services Spring Career and Internship Day that is scheduled to take place in the Brower Student Center on March 16. Harris offered some simple tips to guarantee strong first impressions with employers, such as sending out thank you emails to show sincerity and interest in the company. “That is very lasting,” Harris said. “They’ll remember that.” When asked on how to dress for the event, Harris replied, “Just remember, you’re going to the career fair not the club.” More information about the Career and Internship Day can be found on the Career Services’s website.
Vaginas open up for anniversary
Lisa Nitzsche / Staff Photographer
Students of the College perform the monologues based of Eve Ensler’s pioneering play. By Julia Corbett A&E Editor
It’s a part of the female anatomy, yet some women can barely bring themselves to say the word. Some women can shout it from the rooftops while others avoid it at all costs.
That’s right — it’s the vagina. Women in Learning and Leadership put on its 10th annual production of the “Vagina Monologues” from Friday, Feb. 24 through Sunday, Feb. 26 in the Mildred & Ernest E. Mayo Concert Hall. The monologues coincide in the same month as V-Day, which calls for the halt on female violence and mutilation. Though this day is technically Valentine’s Day, once violence stops, it will be known as Victory Over Violence Day. The show began with four women entering the stage, led by senior journalism major (and Signal staff writer) Alyssa Mease, to their respective positions under three spotlighted microphones. The women introduced the monologues and the word “vagina.” “It never sounds like a word you want to say,” recited sophomore business major Samantha Hoffer. see VAGINA page 19
Panel looks at the future of American inmates
Ashley Long / Photo Editor
The panelists explain the challenges prisoners face once released back into society. By Andrew Miller Nation & World Editor Students, faculty, policymakers and correction officers analyzed the challenges of past and current educational systems in N.J. prisons on Tuesday, Feb. 21 in Roscoe West Hall. Hector Stewart, a sophomore enrolled in the College’s urban education masters program,
made generalizations about the way society views prisoners. “Much of society believes inmates to be specimens,” he said. What people do not realize, Stewart went on, is that “inmates are engaged in writing and discussion. They are not specimens — they are brothers, fathers and most importantly, learners.” A law known as the “Education and Rehabilitation Act” requires
that the Department of Corrections (DOC) provides education to incarcerated individuals so that they attain at least a ninth grade education level. Even though the law has good intentions, it is somewhat idealistic. “The problem is much harder to fix with inmates — think of how long it takes for a student in school to increase by one reading level,” Jecrois Jean-Baptiste, director of the Office of Educational Services in the N.J. DOC said. The purpose of this law is to ease the transition from prison life to real life. Tracey Symphax, CEO and president of Capital City Construction and a formally incarcerated citizen, has personal experience with the power of education on decreasing rates of formerly incarcerated persons being rearrested. “My saving grace was that I had a trade,” he said. “Education has to be at the top of the agenda to stop the revolving door.” In addition to examining a prisoner’s education, the panelists shifted the discussion to changing the upbringing of prisoners.
“About 80 percent of inmates in N.Y. are from seven neighborhoods,” Margaret Atkins, chairwoman for the Integrated Justice Alliance said, “It may be good to invest money into these neighborhoods.” Bonner scholars and other students from the College have also taken part in the education systems in prisons. They tutor various inmates to help them reach a high school level and even attain their GED. The College also provides associate degrees for inmates in order to encourage them to take classes and prepare for life after prison. History professor Robert McGreevey taught a joint class with students from the College and prisoners at Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility. “The class transformed everyone in some way,” he said. “For example, TCNJ students who did not know what they wanted to do before the class decided to pursue public interest law.” The class impacted Wagner inmates as well.
Lions kick some ice The club ice hockey team wins the conference championship.
Student Government unhappy with administrative decision
See Sports page 25
See Opinions page 13
When SG found out about Centennial residents’ increased chances of receiving time slots, they decided to speak out.
“The class presented a rare opportunity for people inside to interact with college students,” McGreevey continued. “It made them feel like college students, and helped with their self confidence.” Alfred Kandell, administrator of the Albert C. Wagner YCF, rose an excellent point concerning perceptions that inmates have of being treated as prisoners. “If we treat them like felons, they will behave like felons. If we treat them like TCNJ students, they will act like students,” he said. However, Kandell did distinguish that the education given to prisoners must be more pragmatic to adjust to their atypical situations. “The biggest problem with academics is to oversympathize with inmates,” he said. “Corrections officers have seen more, and can’t be easy on the prison population.” Kandell does support his first statement about how inmates should be treated, but he recognizes the reality of the situation — despite how willing an inmate is to learn, he is still an inmate.
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