Link round-up: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

Something Old:
Buffalo News reports on President Obama's plan to use community colleges to improve the workforce. The report once again confirms that community colleges have been experiencing record high enrollments and hints at possible admission caps in the future if this trend continues. The article fails to mention SCCC but does cite several community colleges in NY.

Something New:

Times Union reports on the new gymnasium being built in Schenectady's Center City located on State Street across from Proctors. This new gym, belonging to the YMCA of Schenectady will also be home to our Basketball and Volleyball teams when it is finished in January.

Something Borrowed:

This holiday season the Salvation Army will use more "plastic kettles" in addition to ringing bells outside of the department stores and hoping that jolly shoppers will drop their spare change in the old kettles. These plastic kettles will take credit cards so you can borrow money from Visa, MasterCard, or American Express, to donate to the Salvation Army and pay them back latter.

Something Blue:

Rite Aid on Eastern Avenue was robbed on Friday afternoon. Police said that when one of the suspects was confronted by a sales associate because he was shoving items down his pants the suspect punched the associate in the face and fled. He was wearing blue jeans.

Liveblog from the Commons at SCCC

11:36: Well it's been over an hour and nothing too exciting has happened today, I do have to get moving on to other things. I guess that not everyday is as exciting as the last. Sometimes it's better to just be laid back and normal. I'm glad tat I didn't hear any teasing or see and fighting today. I guess I am thankful for peace and quite normal days.

11:34: Student is singing: "Ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley low enough" as she walks down the hall. Students here at SCCC love to sing

11:33: It's nice to see teachers stop their students in the hall and talk about their classes.

11:31: The Political Science Club just showed up and I feel so bad, he's sitting there holding up a flyer. I let him borrow my markers. 

11:28: It's nice to hear people talking about what their doing for the holidays. 

11:26: He added, "always remember that nothing is ever that difficult because you never know until you try.

11:24: What a nice student, the one that wrote about being thankful for SCCC.

11:21: Hey those kids are too young for college. What are they like 7 and 8?

11:19: I have another interested student who is finally going to write that he is thankful for "SCCC." This poster has been here for three days now and no one has wrote that down yet! Good for you Culinary Arts student. Good for you!

11:17: Things are starting to pick up around here. Security and maintenance are getting another table ready. I guess the Political Science Club is planning on having an event down here too. They are probably selling raffle tickets.

11:15: F-in this and F-in that. I'll never understand that aspect of culture. Wow, this girl just did a Thanksgiving dance!

11:14: This guy keeps walking back and forth on the cell phone. It wouldn't be so bad except that his boots aren't tied up and are making the annoying clunking noise as he walks back and forth, back and forth. To add to his loud annoying shoes, he's cursing like crazy and talking about bailing friends out of jail loud enough so that everyone is forced to hear his conversation.

11:11: This guy behind me is using the payphone. I didn't know that people still did that. Yesterday, this girl was on it for almost an hour. Today, this guy was really quick. I guess all college students do not have cell phones.

11:09: Another one that loves to color. I should have made her sign my poster board.

11:07: A lot of guys are wearing T-shirts today. It's kind of funny how T-shirts in cold weather is such a guy thing.

11:05: Those doors between Stockade and Elston Hall are quite squeaky. Time for some WD-40.

11:03: We are half way through out liveblog experience and all I've got so far are cupcakes, carolers, and Dave. Another student just complained about have class today for the entire time. I guess she thought that because it is the day before Thanksgiving that the teacher would give them a break. What's funny about the whole thing is that she's been a student here for a couple of years. She should know how we role at SCCC. We don't take days off.

10:59: It is pretty hard to liveblog and talk to students at the same time. A student just picked up a turkey to color and talked to me about caroling for our Christmas event. I am so excited.

10:56: I got a student to come sign my poster. She's thankful for her wonderful lounges (aka: People in the commons).

10:54: Why don't any of these students work on school work or read while they have time in between classes. I think one guy actually has some school work out. The rest of the students are playing music and games, or making out. Yes, the students here love to make out with each other in the Commons. Its like the back stairwell in high school.

10:49: The administrators are planning of transforming this space and making to more sectioned off, including a place for laptops, a pool table, comfy chairs and work stations.

10:47: This guy just walked by in a tank top. Yes it is a little warmer today than most, but it's still November. My dad wears T-shirts outside in this weather too though. 

10:45: And out the door he goes with a group of four girls now. They must all be friends.

10:43: It figures that today would be so uneventful... Wait a minute. I know that guy, that's David, what is he doing with those girls. He's got two kids at home. He just saw me, and boy did he looked shocked.

10:40: People keep walking by my table. They look interested but the also look terrified, like their afraid to stop because I might ask them to do something terrible.

10:37: OMG that girl just ate a cupcake. I hope that she's not going to eat that other one in her hand too! Listen to me I am insanely jealous of those girls eating their cupcakes.

10:35: The group of students who might be singing Christmas Carols for SAB next week are passing out cupcakes. It's too bad I started my diet two days ago; they look yummy.

10:32: There's not too much going on this morning here in the Commons. I think that a lot of students must be getting ready for Thanksgiving.

10:30: I made it. Better late than not at all-- that's what they say.

ok so my computer is warming up for a live blog stay tuned. k.moore reporting fom her cell at the commons

Monday: Day 1 of Commons invasion

So, yesterday was the first day of my three day post-up in the Commons, and it showed me several sides of SCCC that I hadn't before taken the time to notice.

I setup shop not knowing how exactly I was going to go about this "Thanksgiving-SAB promoting-iPod-Nano-raffleing event." But I decided to go with the flow.

First I layed out the Thanksgiving themed table cloth, a pumpkin, some quarter flyers with SAB meeting times and location, colouring handouts with pilgrim turkeys, little Indian boys with bowls... Let me spare you the discription and today I will take a picture and you can just see the display for yourself.

Anyway, I noticed that once some of students saw the raffel tickets, they would imediately approach the table to find out what was going on. I asked them what they were thankful for. The most popular responses were:

1) Everything
2) Life
3) Friends and Family

If they added something that they were thankful for, I would give them a raffle ticket for participating in an SAB event. I told them that each SAB event that they participated in would earn them another chance at winning the iPod Nano. I gave them the quarter flyer and they would put it in their pocket, sign the poster board, and fill out the raffle ticket.

When students responded with a duplicate response for our "We Are Thankful For..." poster, I would ask them to think a little more and be more specific.
One of the students in his chef uniform told me that he was thankful for life. I told him yes, we have that here and pointed to where it was written. "Is there anything else that you can think of that you are thankful for?" I asked.
He told me that he had almost died and that was why he was really thankful for life. I asked him what happened and he told me about how he went down a steep hill on his mountain bike, hit a parked car, and had to go to the hospital. I asked him what saved him, and his reply: "My strong ass head."
And, there you have it. "My Strong (minus the ass part) head" was added to our posterboard.


We have a meeting today, I wonder if any new students will show up. Last week we had none. And to make matters worse and rub it in a little more, there was another club in our meeting room. A club with about 40 members.

There are a couple of clubs on campus that can draw in big groups of students. I assume that this is because they are geared towards distinctive populations. Once you can identify with a social group, you are more apt to actively participate. I know this to be true because I am currently researching how these social groups work on the Web. Studies have proven that joining these groups actually builds self-concept.

Speaking of self-concept. While I observed the comings and goings of students in between their classes, I overheard a horrible thing. I really wanted shake this girl and find out what the hell her problem was. She was teasing a disabled student about that student's disability. I only caught the end of what she was saying, but it was obvious that her intentions were not helpful but rather, hurtful.

These are college students! This is not high school anymore. How the hell can someone be so childish and mean.

I was angry.

I think that I could talk more about some of the things that I saw and heard yesterday, but I have got to get back downstairs for Day 2 of my Commons Invasions"

A devistating week in Schenectady: link round-up

UGG! I missed the Schenectady Holiday Parade this year because I was too busy doing school work.


It was hard to find more jolly happy souls in Schenectady this week.

One Schenectady woman was arrested for neglecting to provide needed care for her puppy. Sadly, this happens to a lot of animals in the city. I've seen owners toss their kittens out on the street because they couldn't afford to get them fixed. It's really sad.

You know what else is sad? A man burning to death in a truck in Delanson. I wonder why he couldn't get out.

On a more positive note, it looks like you still have one more chance to get the H1N1 vaccine if you missed the clinic on Friday. But, the fact that this flu is so rampid that you have to get vaccinated for it is not very comforting.

I guess that's it for happy news in Schenectady for the week. The rest seems to be robbery after robbery and even a rape conviction.

What is this world coming to?

Liveblog event comming soon

Starting Monday I'll be moving my office to the Commons.

Not really; but I'll be hanging out there with some Thanksgiving crafts and information while simultaneously promoting the Students Activities Board.

To make the event even more exciting, I will be liveblogging from the commons area on Wednesday from 10:00- 11:00 am. So come by, and let me know how you plan on celebrating your Thanksgiving, pick up some Thanksgiving goodies and just have a good time.

Hope to see you there.

Technology is amazing. I can post from my phone.

More on Ellen Gootblatt

Hear's more from an SCCC student on her experience at Ellen Gootblatt's presentation from Tuesday:

It was a great session and I was pleased to have darted from a class that I was cleared with the professor to leave early enough to catch most of her presentation. As she was talking I felt like she showed me through her style of speaking that it was okay to be where I was in life.I learned it was okay to be realizing there are alot of creeps out there today in the dating world, and it's okay not to succumb to the one thing they desire.
She gave information that was clear and understandable for any age. Thus giving her a 10 on the scale, only because there is no 11.
I think if she were to come back , I would not only see her again but I would promote others to not miss out on such a well versed individuals seminar. She was worth the weight in Gold. Her words and examples showed the realness to conversation that is generally uncomfortable to talk about. She had the ability to answers several questions from the attendees. I would say to anyone who missed her due to prior obligations to make sure next time she comes here that they schedule accordingly as she is not a speaker to be missed. Surely we can't make you go, but you'll be glad you did!

Leslie

Thanks for sharing Leslie! Were glad you enjoyed this speaker, and that your teacher was understanding.

Ellen Gootblatt back by popular demand

Yesterday, Ellen Gootblatt, relationship expert, motivational speaker, creator and host of the #1 rated NYC talk radio show WABC, former Harlem high school and junior high school teacher and a dearly compassionate and energetic woman, came back to SCCC once again to wow her audience.

I am sorry to say that I had to miss her presentation, but if I ever want to become a teacher myself, I have to get through school first, and I had class at that time. I think that Ellen would understand.

What makes Ellen so great is her witty remarks, innate ability to demand her audiences' attention, draw them in, and be real to herself and her listeners. I got to see Ellen talk at the 2008 Fall Orientation here at SCCC and she was amazing. She activated her audience and took a bunch of questions from the students about their relationships.  He advise was invaluable for students and adults.

Ellen on another stop at SCCC  Ellen drew in such a huge audience that there was standing room only in the Auditorium. Again, school came first and I missed this presentation as well.

"She's easy to talk to. I just feel like I could tell her anything and she would listen to me and not judge."

-SCCC Student

Yesterday, Ellen came back to SCCC to share her radiant personality, sharp wit, creditable experience and oblique sense of humor. There is no doubt in my mind that she wowed her audience once again.

Since I couldn't be there for myself, I thought it might be a good idea to do a quick interview with someone who did get to see Ellen and listen to her share her expertise.

[K. Moore] What did you think of Ellen Gootblatt?

[Student] I loved her! She was really fun to listen to.

Did you learn anything new?
I think that we tend not to love ourselves as much as we should. We think that loving has to be between two people. But, it doesn't and it shouldn't be just that.

How well did her discussion map onto your own life and experiences? You can use a scale from 1-10, 10 being “she explained my entire life thus far” and 1 being “That lady was crazy, I don’t know what she was talkin’ bout.”

She was a 9. She didn't tell my whole life story, but even the things that didn't really apply to me still made sense and might be applicable in the future.
 

Would go to another presentation if she came back? 
Definitely, it was a lot of fun. 

This blogger from another school sums up one of Ellen's presentations very well.

Judging from the responses, I am going to take an educated guess and predict that Ellen will be back again.

Next time, I hope I can make it to her presentation. I could use the mental flush. When I heard Ellen speak, it was like she was that little bit of sunshine breaking threw the clouds making the picture become much clearer. I had been living with these clouds so long that I had begun to not even notice them anymore, then Ellen came, shed her wisdom and changed my pattern of thinking in a positive way.

Excuses that count. Or do they?

In my previous post, Top five excuses used in school, I stated that being late to class was a viable excuse for being late. True. Our elevators do take forever-and-a-day to pick you up and raise you to your destination, but this is no excuse for being late.

The reason being: we have stairs.

Today more and more college students are entering their freshmen years obese. According to the Minnesota State University Reporter, students put on 4-6 extra pounds during their first year of college. This extra weight gain can be attributed to several factors including, but not limited to, increase in drinking alcohol, eating fast and easy to make (or buy) junk foods, and eating too closely to bedtime.

All this information got me thinking: what does 4-6 pounds of fat look like?

So, I googled the median number of pounds gained by college students in their first year (5lbs-for those of you who don't get along with math very well) and here is what I found

Picture via Caloriecount.com

Looks tasty, doesn't it?

Anyway, back to my point. If this is what we have to look forward to when starting out at college (as well as the depression that sometimes accompanies weight gain) then how come we are wait around for elevators that consistently make us late?

There is no excuse.

We should be taking the stairs. Working off that popular Western burger and fries that we picked up in between classes from Chartwells. We should be on time to class. Maybe a little out of breath, but nevertheless punctual.

Next time you are thinking about waiting forever-and-a-day for that vertical coffin to come carry your perfectly capable body up several flights of stairs.

Stop.

And think.

Remember that picture.

Remember those statistics.

Find the nearest stairwell.

And start climbing.

And K.Moore, that includes you too!

A short round-up of upcoming events in and around Schenectady

I don't think that there is any better way to get your children interested in the study of science than to bring them to events like those that The Childrens Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST), located in Troy, holds several times throughout the week. This week they will be featuring a special program on Nanotechnology for children 6-11 years old. This program is designed for students who are home schooled. Hey, if these kids really like this program, send them over to SCCC in a few years to register for our Nanoscale Materials program.

Speaking of the children, did you know that November is National Adoption Month? Wed. November 18th at 4pm in front of the Schenectady County Office Building on State St. people will be speaking about their experiences with adoption.

SCCC Players is putting on a performance of The Importance of Being Earnest. I read this play in Literary Studies at St. Rose. It's very funny, and I hope I can make it to their show.

What SCCC has taught me outside enrollment.

So, today's post is my final post guest-blogging here at My SCCC Daily.  And I have to say I have learned some important lessons, with apologies to K. Moore.
When I first realized I was going to be blogging here I panicked for two reasons: firstly, I have enough trouble pulling myself together to keep up on my own blog, and secondly, as I mentioned in my first post, Schenectady was completely alien to me.  After initially dropping the ball, I was informed that dropping the ball was simply not an option.  I had to figure out how to accomplish what I needed to accomplish, even if I didn't believe I could (special thanks for the shove goes to, oh, you know who). No doubt, I will have to be reminded of this lesson again, but I think it is one of the big ones we all must learn, especially as students.  Just acting and accomplishing even when we doubt ourselves, is a skill that successful people utilize, and I'm guessing that acting in this way is what makes nontraditional students and returning students so well-adjusted.  Teachers will always give us assignments we're unsure about, bosses will always give us jobs that make us question our capabilities, but we must remember that not only are others always depending on us, but we are depending on ourselves.

So, I think I figured it out.  I blogged on a topic I knew little about.  Surely, had I been here for a month, rather than a week, I would have gotten even better, but once I actually decided to step up to the plate, I think I did what I thought was impossible.  It's pretty funny to think that a school I never enrolled in taught me this much.  On that note, I will allow you all to welcome back K. Moore, the true proprietor of this blog.  But do me a favor; if you like K. Moore's blog, put yourself out there too: leave a comment or better yet, join a club and then leave a comment.

Sayonara SCCC,

Dana

The semester is coming to a close, and so is my time here.

Well, I am sure SCCC students, much like myself, are hitting the proverbial wall when it comes to the semester's work.  Still, you all must hang in there until that Glorious Thursday of Freedom also known to some as Christmas Eve.  In between jobs, families, winter sleepiness, and generally feeling burnt out, we must pull ourselves through to the end of the semester.  Here's a little inspiration to remind us why all this hard work and stress is worth it:

• It's important to keep focused on the things that make us happy, and to share that joy with others, SCCC alumni Janice Dejordy did, and now she's reaping the benefits.
  

• The great Thomas Edison, whose machine works is known to us all as Schenectady's GE headquarters had some witty things to say about hard work.
  

• Watching good television (especially in the city where it was first demonstrated) is a classic way to recharge and have a laugh, check out Ugly Betty (character Marc St. James is from Schenectady).
  

• Good theater also helps too!  The Mop & Bucket Co. Improv Theatre sounds like a great stress- buster. Check them out!

Keep working hard!
Dana

Astral projection of myself to Schenectady.

In my continued exploration of all things Schenectady, I've been thinking about the types of places I might like to go or things I'd like to do, were I a visiting student.  So here is my virtual itinerary for my virtual visit.

While you may not even know what a vegan is, college is certainly an ideal time to learn about diverse cultures and lifestyles, especially if they are healthy ones.  Schenectady is to home to Big Guys Pizzeria and Moon and River Cafe.  From my online perusal, Big Guys is your typical pizzeria that also offers a vegan menu with non-dairy cheese pizza, subs, calzones, and even fake meet toppings.  Wierd? Maybe.  Different? Yes. Delicious? You bet your bippy!  Unfortunately, I couldn't find a virtual menu or even very many reviews.  Actually, the one review I did find specifically mentions that they have never tried any of the vegan items.  Clearly, the reviewer was not a curious, intellectual SCCC student, attempting to expand his or her horizons.  I fancy myself as a vegan restaurant reviewer, and I urge you to do the same.  There's a special thrill in making oneself a foodie for the day; real restaurant reviewers taste several dishes in a sitting (to get a "feel" for the cuisine), which basically embodies the values of any healthy college-aged male, and many females like myself!  After you steal a copy of the menu (just kidding) sit yourself down and write a witty little review, so that Steven S. isn't the only, lonely guy here talking about this stuff. 

Fortunately, Moon and River Cafe does have their own website. They even boast a scan of their menu; still, the best shot at reading it is to print it out, since half of it is upside down (hopefully SCCC students don't have a print quota like us Rose Buds)!  None the less, after salivating for several minutes a casual glance over the thing, I would totally be down for the tofu tapenade sandwich washed down with a vegan chocolate banana shake.  I suddenly have a strong urge to visit Schenectady-- nobody makes this stuff in my area of Albany! What's also great is that they seem to have events happening every night, (read: live music).

What else would you do, oh, guru of all things Schenectady, you ask?   Well, I'd be taking it back to the good old days, and I would go to the roller rink.  Maybe, I'd even go there as a field trip with my SCCC club friends.  This place really rocks my skate socks.  They have a Cheap Skate night where four dollars gets you in the rink, grooving to the sounds of the 70's, not to mention a Family Night, so all of you non-traditional students can get in on the fun without breaking the bank.

Last, but not least I would explore SCCC's campus and take a stroll down to visit K. Moore so I could find out some other fun things that some of the clubs and organizations are doing.

Dana

College from the other side.

Since reading K. Moore's post entitled: Open Letter To the Four Year Private College Students who owe more than $40,000 in loans, I have been thinking a lot about the implications behind my experience as a four year private college student.  As a psychology major, and a generally curious person, I like to illuminate the reasoning behind one's path and decisions in life, and I realized I hadn't thought very much about mine.  So, one of the first things I did was check out this list about the pros and cons of community colleges.  My determination?  After reading this, I can't help but wonder about what I would have done differently with my college career.

I must say that I wasn't ready for college by the time I graduated high school.  However, being seventeen at the time I had very little say in my future.  I had excelled in high school and my family had pressured me high expectations for me to go right away to a college where I could get a Bachelor's Degree.  I just let myself be pushed because I did want an education and because I listened when people said that I wouldn't go back if I took a gap year (many of you are proof, however, that that is a myth!). 

Because I was pushed I ended up having a much longer, and more difficult college career.  Although I did have academic scholarships, more money was wasted on classes I withdrew from or failed to attend, because I was unprepared to be a college student.  Ideally, I would have taken a year off to discover myself and recoup from a traumatic senior year.  Then, I would have taken my time to determine the right college for me.  It is obvious that non- traditional and returning students are always the most motivated.  I have grown to love Saint Rose, but in all likelihood I would have attended a SUNY school, because K. Moore is right, the extreme cost is hardly justifiable.  I also would have been able to graduate with less debt hanging over my head.

Still, my college experience has had its benefits, many of which come from being a resident student.  Firstly, the ability to live away from home, surrounded by other college students, helped foster independence from my overbearing extremely loving parents.  Secondly, the dormitory experience does lend itself to the development of the community.  I know many wonderful commuter students at Saint Rose, but the students who are most immersed in student activities are the residents; reading this blog has only reinforced that idea for me.  From the blog, I can only get a taste of the hard work that K. Moore does to increase student involvement, and I doubt I would have been as involved on campus had I not lived there. I am excited to see that SCCC is creating a dorm because I think that the students who get to live there will be greatly enriched by student activities. 

At this point, I will just have to say that it is less about the particular educational path that's better and more about finding the right one for your circumstances.  So if you are a non-traditional student, or fresh out of high school, the key is to choose carefully so that you can make the most out of your education, while minimizing the pain!

Dana

Finding my way to SCCC.

Greetings SCCC Daily Readers,

I'm K. Moore's guest-blogger for the week, Dana.  I am also a student in the same blogging class as K. Moore at The College of Saint Rose.  Blogging here will be interesting; I believe will be able to offer a unique perspective on SCCC life.

Firstly, I must let you in on a little secret: I have never set foot in Schenectady in my life (I'm student without a car or a driver's license).  The implication of that is, of course, that other than my exposure to this blog, I have very little prior knowledge about Schenectady County Community College.  In fact, my first exposure to Schenectady's existence was thanks to the late, great Kurt Vonnegut, who set many of his stories in the region.  Anyone who's read any of his books (and if you haven't-- get to it!) will understand what I mean when I say that Schenectady exists in my mind as a place filled with time-travelers, alien contact, and quirky heroes.

So, what is it that someone with such Schenectady experiences can offer here?  I hope to share my perspectives shaped by being a resident student at a four-year college.  My research tells me that there are nearly as many traditional students at SCCC as non-traditional ones, and that the majority of students are from the capitol region.  So, my college path serves as a nice contrast.  Maybe I'll even dig up some tasty tidbits in my research of Schenectady itself to share with you.

Keep tuning in to find out what happens next.

Dana

I say Synecdoche, you say Schenectady: A Link-filled round-up.

I took a drive through Schenectady.

Greetings, SCCC Daily readers.  This is Daniel Nester filling in for Kristine as she guest-blogs elsewhere. 

A word about me: I teach at The College of Saint Rose in the English department, where I am teaching a blogging class, among other academic feats. How do you teach blogging, you might ask?  Well, the class falls under the rubric of "professional writing," and lots of professional people blog, Kristine included.

Anyway, onward to a free association-type SCCC round-up. 

My post's title alludes to a very, shall we say, eccentric movie called Synecdoche, NY. Your guest blogger is tolerant of many things eccentric, but he has to say it challenged even his avant garde sensibilities.  Some people loved it; me, not so much.  The movie's title is a play on Schenectady, New York, where the movie takes place.
A trio of stories rom the Times Union: The mayor will train you to be a better landlord? The first H1N1 shots have come to town. Schnectady county ranks high in the state for domestic violence.


The Business Journal reports that he family of Enotech founder Fred Kindl donated a building to SCCC.

An SCCC rep went out to Binghamton to woo seniors.

I didn't know that Schenectady's General Electric Headquarters has the distinction of having the sequential ZIP code 12345.

See you soon.

A couple of stories in the news this week: Nov. 9

This Sunday our President Quintin Bullock delivered the keynote address at the local Schenectady NAACP Freedom Fund dinner  which will honor six people including a student from Schenectady High School.

SCCC is not the only school with booming enrollment. It seems that many community colleges are experiencing record enrollments .

Share your blessings and help families have a niceThanksgiving Dinner

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many families will struggle to prepare a Thanksgiving feast for their loved one. Help these families enjoy this holiday by donating nonperishable food. The College Store will be taking collections and offering a 10% discount on any item in the store (except textbooks) for your donation.

Welcome Dana, and good-bye for now

SCCC readers:

During the next week I will be guest blogging for Abby's Web. A NCIS fan blog.

Ms. Dana will be filling in for me here throughout the week. She's a bright, corky, and fun, college student, and I am sure you will enjoy reading her posts and the temporary change in pace.

What if every student participated in student activities? What if there were no students to volunteer?

If every full-time student participated in an extracurricular activity on campus, then they would each have $53 (the cost of their student activity fee) to spend through the school on whatever they wanted. Each student is required to pay this fee, but out of the thousands of students that attend SCCC only a handful of them participate in student clubs and organizations and spend the collected pot of cash.

The funds are divided up and dispersed into the clubs and organization's budgets by the Student Government Association at the end of each semester. The amounts are based on previous budgets and predicted funds for the upcoming year.

When the semester begins, students hold meetings and elect officers that will hold leadership positions for the club or organization. At these meetings, members bring their ideas for campus events and spend their student activities and yours as well.

If there were no student volunteers, there would be a whole bunch of money and no one to spend it. There would be no student sponsored activities and that means... no mechanical bulls, Fiesta Latina's and costume contests.

Top five excuses used in school

1. "I missed class because I was sick."
-Yeah, and you just happened to be sick during the hour and fifteen minutes that you were supposed to be in class giving a presentation.

2. "I couldn't do my homework because my computer wasn't working."
-Okay, then who logged onto your facebook account and posted a status update that you were watching Ferris Bueller's Day Off tonight with friends after happy hour at Katie O'Byrnes.

3. I'm late to class because I got a flat tire.
-Getting a flat two months ago doesn't really excuse your lateness today.

4. I missed class because I sneezed twice in a row and thought I might be sick, and since you have it posted everywhere to stay home if you're feeling ill, I thought I should not go to class.
-You need to read over the signs and symptoms for H1N1 again.

5. I am late to class because of the elevators.
- Now that an excuse I'd believe!  

Top seven frustrating moments explaining something that is quite simple

1. How to log onto Angel
2. How to get an SCCC email
3. How to get your student ID
4. How to succeed in your classes
5. How to build a network
6. The importance of building a network
7. The benefits of joining a club/organization

What is the overall problem with education in the United States?

In the United States

Overall? Probably money.

Money causes a lot of problems in the United States.There are not enough staff, teachers, even bus drivers and bus monitors, to run schools as efficiently as they should be run and provide students with personalized attention and the direct instruction that they deserve.


In New York State

Most of our teachers are highly qualified.

I know for a fact that in New York State teachers are put through some rigorous training and certification processes that ensures that all teachers are well prepared for the classroom. The program requires a lot of testing, observations, and hands-on demonstrations.

New York State hasn't always had such demanding criteria for teachers. In fact, teachers never used to have to get their masters degrees. Now, a new teacher has five years after certification to graduate with their MA or MS. Current teachers are going back to school to obtain these degrees.


At SCCC

At community colleges instructors can teach with a masters degree. Private institutions and universities usually require a PhD.

However, this is NOT a problem with the education system.

I have had many experiences when the guy with the Masters was a much better teacher than the one with the PhD. It all depends on the person. Degrees aren't everything, but they sure mean a lot when you are looking to standout to potential employers.

What I hate about the color light blue

Light blue is not Royal Blue. It will never represent our school spirit. A color like light blue doesn't have the strength and boldness that a school like SCCC needs behind it and representing it.

When we take the court (wherever it may be), or the baseball field, or the river with our boats ready to row our way to the finish line, we need strength behind us. We need boldness. Something that will catch our competitors' attention and let them know we are tough; we are real; we didn't show up to lose.

We are winners.

We are Royal Blue.


"Royal blue is the color of royalty to welcome the coming of a king."

We are coming.

We are kings.

Link round-up: week of November 1st

If you haven't heard the great news, I'll tell you. SCCC is expanding. Family of the late Fred Kindl has donated his property located at 201 State Street to the College. This space will most likely be used as an Admissions building.

In case you are wondering where he is now, former SCCC President, Peter F. Burnham of Brookdale Community College is currently taking medical leave of absence.

So, the City of Schenectady is blaming the 2000 Census for its financial problems and now has plans to do a better job getting more accurate numbers next year.

College Day is coming and our own Athletics Director David Gonzales takes notice of the SCCC advantage, saying, "we're a real bargin." But,  if you are interested in becoming an SCCC athlete you had better hurry up: enrollment is filling fast!

Who will be the next sheriff in town? Harry Buffardi's, now a member of the SCCC faculty, has retired from his position as Sheriff of Rotterdam. Tomorrow is elections day. Don't forget to go out and vote!

Top seven tastes of the real world that you experience at SCCC

1. A taste of the cost of textbooks
2. A taste of not having enough time. Or, in other words, two- three hours of homework for every hour of class time
3. A taste of responsibility. Yes, you actually have to read the text, the signs, the instructions.
4. A taste of ethics. It is better to contact your teacher before you miss a class. (This works for employees too).
5. A taste of scholarly research. We all have to take College Composition.
6. A taste of sacrifice: Some weekends must be reserved for studies.
7. A taste of success pending graduation.

An Interview with K. Moore

If you haven't noticed, which you should have because you have been checking this blog daily, I haven't posted in a while.

Well, if you know anything about me at all, you know that I'm a busy woman. This is not an excuse for my lack of writing, however.

But, in addition to my over stuffed life, I moved last weekend and did some damage to my back in the process. I've been working on settling into my new home, writing research papers, and catching up on my Method's in Teaching course at St. Rose. This weekend was Halloween and the boys and I got all dressed up in our costumes and knocked on some doors for candy. I didn't get candy, but the kids did.

So, in the spirit of sharing some of my own life events, I've decided to grant you a short an interview.

1. What is your favorite TV show? Without a doubt, Grey's Anatomy. It's the only show that I watch on a regular basis. I have to admit, the new season started off kind of depressing. I couldn't get through an episode without crying at least twice. Events on the show are beginning to settle down and the drama is picking up, but I can't seem to watch without wondering- Where's Izzy?

2. Pepsi or Coke? Why? Diet Coke! I don't like how strong and syrupy regular soda tastes. Coke- because it's a classic.

3. Why did I choose to blog about this topic? Easy enough. Read my mission statement.

4. What is your favorite outside class activity? Playing with my boys. It's hard being a student, employee, and mother. I miss out on a lot of things in my kids lives. So, whenever I get time outside of class, I love to spend time with them. We like to watch movies, play games, and visit family.

5. What is the first book or movie that changed your life? Terminator when I was little I saw the part where the playground was burning and I had nightmares for years. I can still see that image in my mind and it scares me.

6. First car you ever owned? My dad helped me get my first car. I think it was a Cavalier, but I don't really remember for sure because I only had it a week before the thing died on me.

7. What inanimate object are you most afraid of? Lately it has been the heater in our new place. It has been making a horribly loud clunking noise in the morning that wakes me up. Its a good thing that big brother sleeps so soundly, because if he heard that noise in his room he'd be jumping into bed with me in an instant.

8. What was your favorite childhood TV show or cartoon? Get Smart. I'd watch it before I went to bed each night.

9. Favorite pre-college memory? Wow, I can't remember. It feels like I have been writing college papers all of my life.

10. What website do you visit most often? Besides this one? Google.com- I'm always googling something that I want to know more about.