By Lori Michael and Joelle Captua
Staff Writers
The saying, “The older the wiser,” holds true at William
Paterson University. This year’s graduating seniors are not only
leaving behind their legacy, but their secrets to surviving college. The
Pioneer Times surveyed a random sample of graduating seniors on their
experience at WPU. The soon-to-be graduates were asked to name the best
and worst professors and courses they encountered during their years of
study. Undergraduates may want to consider their answers when registering
for classes next semester.
Christina Avila of West Islip, N.Y. enjoyed classes with English Department
professors Dr. James Hauser and Dr. Barbara Suess.
“I found their classes to be extremely intellectually stimulating
and enjoyable,” says Avila. “They are also great professors
and people who really care about their students and show it. That’s
what I look for and hope to accomplish when I become a teacher. It just
really makes it a wonderful learning environment when you have that combination.”
Erin Bang, Wantage, names Dr. Christine Kelly, of the Political Science
Department, as her favorite professor.
“We got to know each other well,” says Bang. “Plus,
she helped me apply myself in order to excel.” |
By Lori Michael
Staff Writer
The set of public policies and initiatives to help eliminate past and
present discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national
origin, is constantly put into question. Affirmative Action is designed
to help integrate minorities into accomplishing the goals they sought
out to do, such as going to college or getting a job. However, should
someone’s race/gender be strongly weighed for college admission?
“Getting into college should be based on your own merit,”
says Joe DeGuzman, who is Filipino. “If I got in [to college] for
being a minority I would feel guilty.”
Across the country, colleges and universities use Affirmative Action
as a stepping stone for acceptances or rejects. For instance, the University
of Michigan Law School awards a certain number of points to a person who
is either black or Latino. William Paterson University, on the other hand,
claims it does not base their acceptances on Affirmative Action. But on
the Undergraduate/Graduate application, one still has to put a check in
the box for race and gender.
“If you always need a stepping stone then mind set will not change,”
says Corey Schor.
Former President Lyndon Johnson established Affirmative Action into
law in September 1965. The policy was recognized among blacks, Latinos,
women, and other minorities who would no longer tolerate inequality and
segregation. Affirmative action outlawed formal legal segregation between
the races, but is it fair?
|
By Kelly A. Morgan
Staff Writer
So you want to become a substitute teacher? In that case, you better
be prepared to fill out paperwork.
To become a licensed substitute teacher in New Jersey, you first must
have a minimum of 60 college credits. Sixty credits are required by the
state under the administrative code, making it a law. If you lack the
required 60 credits, you will not even be allowed to fill out the paperwork.
There is no required GPA; anyone is free to apply for certification. Paperwork
for substitute licensing is available at local board of education offices.
You have to fill out pages and pages of documents that include all of
your personal information, like your address, Social Security number,
educational background, health history, employment experience, etc. You
also must sign an oath of allegiance, which is your promise to uphold
the constitution.
"When I first saw all that paperwork and found out I had to get
fingerprinted, I almost changed my mind," said Joseph Zisa, 22, a
substitute teacher in Lodi. "Filling out all those pages took a lot
of time but now that's it's
finished and I'm substituting, it has really been worth it."
Your paperwork also includes an official college transcript that you
can buy for around $2 at your college registrar or bursar's office. The
document usually has to be mailed to the superintendent of schools in
the district
where you want to substitute. You also are required a physical examination,
and a Mantoux shot that tests you for tuberculosis. Your doctor must write
a prescription noting that you tested negative.
"I really don't like shots and the Mantoux test is one of the worst
but you have to look at it like this you go in, get it done, and it's
over", said Elizabeth D'Amico, 22, a substitute teacher in Bergen
County. |
Larry Clow
Staff Writer
“This campus is dead.”
It’s a common complaint heard at William Paterson. But, for every
student that says there’s nothing to do on campus, there is another
student actively participating in a club, athletic team, or some kind
of organization. According to administrators, the problem of apathy must
be solved with a concerted grass-roots effort on the part of students.
And while many students feel that the WPU campus is apathetic, there is
a core group of dedicated students working to make things better.
The decline and rise of Greek life
Vicious hazing, non-stop partying, blowing off class, and acting stupid—they’re
all persistent stereotypes about Greek life on college campuses. While
those assumptions are still prevalent at William Paterson, Greek Senate
President Jess Benedetti is working to change the public perception of
Greeks.
“In the 80s, being Greek was really cool, and it was the thing
to do,” said Benedetti, a junior. “Then there was the big
hazing scare in the early 90s, and all these stories came out that aren’t
even true…and when one incident happens at one school, all of a
sudden, all Greeks are (seen as) bad.”
Benedetti has been working not only with other Greeks, but also the Student
Government Association (SGA), the administration, and professors to change
the way Greeks are looked at. |
By Steve Baker
Staff Writer
Imagine lifting weights obsessively at the gym to gain muscle and yet
still feel puny afterwards. This is just one of the symptoms of the body
dysmorphic disorder known as muscle dysmorphia or bigorexia.
“Muscle dysmorphia is a preoccupation with the idea that one is
not sufficiently muscular. These individuals obsess about their muscularity
and have little control over compulsive weight training and dietary regimens,”
said Dr. Katherine Silgailis, associate professor of exercise and movement
science.
In addition to compulsory exercise regimens, men and women with muscle
dysmorphia are highly self critical, have shame and dissatisfaction with
their body image and repeatedly weigh themselves and examine their bodies
in the mirror to check for weight gain. Widespread use of bodybuilding
supplements and/or steroids have also been noticed in those afflicted
with the disorder.
Those with muscle dysmorphia experiences high levels of anxiety and
stress in time spent away from the gym. They feel painfully self-conscious
and wear baggy clothes to hide their self-perceived smallness. Should
the disorder go untreated, these obsessive-compulsive workout routines
could have a negative effect on one’s social life, career, and family. |
By Erin Bang and
Nazek Habatfa
Staff Writers
Sept. 11th has past and the dust has cleared. But 18 months later, this
historic city, home to at least six of the 19 hijackers, remains a place
of inquiry.
Paterson has a rich history that dates back to 1792, with the country’s
earliest efforts to reduce dependence on foreign goods and develop its
own industries. Alexander Hamilton created the Society of Useful Manufactures;
its funds served to develop the first planned industrial city in the United
States This city would become Paterson. Efforts proved to be successful
with the rise of industrial production after the Civil War.
The city’s production originally included a number of industries,
including textiles, firearms, silk, and railroad locomotive manufacturing
industries. Paterson’s nickname became “Silk City” as
production soared; more than half of the country’s silk was manufactured
in Paterson by the late 1800's. The 72-foot Passaic River Falls served
as a source of manufacturing power, while the water was used for dye.
Another factor of Paterson’s success was it’s proximity to
New York City’s fashion market.
Paterson was also the site of historic labor unrest that focused on anti-child
labor legislation, safety in the workplace, a minimum wage, and reasonable
working hours. The city fell victim to labor strife in the early part
of the 20th century and never recovered after the silk industry’s
withdrawal.
Paterson’s first wave of immigration, mostly from Eastern Europe,
began to taper off in 1910. The city was predominantly white with a large
Jewish community. Immigration in the mid-20th Century brought more diversity
to Paterson.
|
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