November, 4th this year has proven to be a special day. The anticipation, the race between candidates Obama and McCain, and the results had many John Jay Students excited.
Janel Smith, a senior Criminal Justice Major, beamed a smile when talking about the results of the race.
“I was in total shock. I was so excited but moved. I cried a little and laughed a lot with my mom. I was even more excited when I realized that Obama wasn't going to get assassinated the moment people found out. I was surprised to see all of the people celebrating, and I was so proud that people were able to put race aside and vote for him. When he gave his speech I was completely overwhelmed,” she said.
Natalia Ruiz, a John Jay alumni in the Government and Latin Studies fields, was equally overwhelmed. “I was so happy I did a dance and cried out. This made freaking history and I was proud that it was him. He deserved it; a fighter and a speaker and a sure damn good candidate turned-president.”
But not all students were ecstatic.
Shea Donato, a John Jay Graduate student in the Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Deviance fields, found November, 4th a bittersweet day.
On Obama’s victory, she was excited. “The best word to describe my reaction is ‘conflicted’. First, the good news. An Obama/Biden administration. Oh hells yes. And a friendly Congress that won't do everything in its power to stop everything that Obama tries to do? Even better. Normally red states going blue? Even better. And the fact that race was not a significant issue according to exit polls? The best news of the night,” she said.
But there was also bad news. “Not only did one of the most progressive states in the union, California, pass Proposition 8, states like AR restricted the rights of unmarried couples from adopting children. In their furor to ban ‘the gays’ out of normal civilization, they've also inadvertently taken out unmarried heterosexual couples from the adoptive parent pool.”
Proposition 8 was a state ballot voted on in California that overrode the Supreme Court decision to allow Same-Sex marriage in California. In essence it brought California back to marriage being restricted to heterosexual couples.
“Just one of many examples of bigotry harming everyone, and not just the group that is being marginalized. These restrictions came on the heels of a night of ‘change’ and I'm afraid were overshadowed by Obama and Biden's amazing victory. It's been nice to see that attention has started to pick up over it, but November 4th literally represented a huge step forward and a huge step backward for civil rights.”
There was also students who weren’t democrats who had mixed reactions to the results.
Anthony Muzio, a senior at John Jay, said “I respect Obama’s charisma, but I disagree with a number of his views. I feel the same with McCain, so I voted Nader. I don’t care what color the president is, I care that people don’t use there brain when they vote,” he said.
Muzio also felt that race, or Ethnicity, was very important in this Presidential race, but not in a positive matter. “I’m independent so I knew I was gonna lose, but honestly I feel that most people either voted for Obama cause he was either Black, just cause he was a democrat, or because it seemed like the cool thing to do. I hate that. It’s like when people say they’re a met fan yet they can’t name a damn player on the team.”
Jodel Jeremie, a senior of the English Major at John Jay, felt the opposite. “I’m waiting to catch a republican crying over the fact that black people supposedly are selfish, because all they care about is having a black president.”
Edward Cambro, an alumni of John Jay for Forensic Psychology and Thematic Studies, is also a republican, and was less concerned with race, and more with the future of his party. While his party didn’t win, he felt that change, an important slogan for Obama’s campaign, may be coming for his party as well. “As a Republican I can't say I was too pleased with the election. I'm glad I got to see the first black President in my lifetime, but I would've preferred it be Colin Powell. Considering, however, the way the GOP has been moving towards these neo-cons like Bush Sr and Jr, maybe this loss will change things for my party,” he said.
Others, though, found inspiration in the election. Sade Solomon, a senior at John Jay, saw it as motivation for many of younger generations. “I really hoped that the youth of our race and culture would take a hint from him and use him as a model for their own lives. They have someone to look up to that isn't an entertainer or a criminal so now they can buy into what he says instead of the negativity that has been out there for so long,” she said.
One way or another, the results of November, 4th is one that will be a milestone in the memories of many students, whether positive or negative. Many students were happy, though, and saw the day as the start of change in the nation. Vanessa Garcia, a senior at John Jay, could barely find the words to convey her happiness. “I cried. I got the New York Times. I’m going to frame it.”
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
A Few Good (wo)Men
This November, A Few Good (wo)Men opens up Thursday, the 20th, at John Jay’s Gerard W. Lynch Theater, directed by Professor Moller and performed by John Jay students.
Movie aficionados may recall the 1992 film directed by Rob Reiner, starring Jack Nicholson and a pre-scientology Tom Cruise. What some may not know is that it was first a play, written by the West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin and produced by David Brown on Broadway in 1989. Now the play comes to John Jay, directed by Professor Lorraine Moller of the Department of Speech, Theatre and Media Studies.
But why now?
“I wanted to do something that was appropriate for the election year. I wanted to do a play that embodied a respect for the military but at the same time challenged the reality that sometimes the military abuses its power, its power to advance the power of democracy, at the extent of the common person, or the little guy,” said Moller.
But that wasn’t all. Moller also had a message for John Jay students who are unsure of what this play means for them: “I also knew this to be a fast moving court room drama,” Moller said, “that would be compelling in a criminal justice element, and knew it had the potential to appeal to an audience that was interested in this kind of court martial thriller.”
For anyone not familiar with the play or the movie, the “play focuses on a young attorney who exposes a colonel for the unsanctioned hazing of a young marine”. The play delves into different topics, mainly what happens when the power of military authority is abused in the name of national security. Moller said that where most plays need longer scenes to truly function, this play is just as cinematic as the movie. Rather than being linear, having a beginning, middle and end, the plays scenes jump back and forth, like a film.
Something that may interest viewers is that while the original plot only had a sole female protagonist, the current production is being done almost entirely by a female cast. Many of the roles have been adapted for female characters as the director felt that women should be shown to have “the same nobility and moral fiber that men have”. Moller felt that John Jay was “better suited” for finding women to fill these roles, saying that they “have filled them out rather handsomely” and “have done a great job” in meeting the challenges of filling such big shoes.
Dedication to the atmosphere of the play was shown in just the sheer amount of preparation the cast has gone through. Actors and actresses have been trained heavily for the sake of remaining faithful not only to the original play, or the popular movie, but to military life in general.
“We had two guys from the marines come and work with them, in spanking blue uniforms, covers (hats), gloves, and I kind of expected that they were going to be over the top and arrogant. One of them turned out to be a graduate of John Jay; the two of them were so likeable,” said Moller. The marines’ presence was to teach the performers military demeanor to incorporate into the roles.
Moller laughs as she also adds a type of preparation that some of her cast may not have enjoyed. To avoid the usual tardiness performers have been known for generally, rehearsals were run like physical training. “We decided to make the rehearsal into a military environment,” she said. Performers were made to do running exercises, push-ups, and the like for the first 30 days.
The AFGW cast also received training in the handling of arms. David Routh, assistant coach of the rifle squad, trained them in marching techniques and military demeanor for eight weeks, on Tuesdays. Rubber ducks, or driller rifles, hard plastic replica rifles of the M16 assault rifle, were bored from ROTC. All in all, actors have learned to salute, march, keep posture and do the various cadence routines of marine gun holding just like any new soldier would to push authenticity as far as possible.
Moller, whose niece is a Sergeant in the marines and has been deployed to Iraq, is a pacifist who firmly protests the Iraq War. Ironically, this is what attracted her to the play. “The attack of a military authority really drew me in; the Iraq War, and my skepticism, and the necessity and nature of war. “
Deeper yet, to understand characters like Jack Nicholson’s Colonel Jessup and keep him fresh and three-dimensional, she found herself looking at the military in a slightly different light. She had to consider how fanatical military personnel similar to Jessup may have to imagine making decisions in the moment, “not just for one man, but for everyone in the corp”. She found herself more empathetic to the military, and “how it is to command a military regiment”, especially “when someone in the unit has to die to prevent the entire platoon from danger”. Despite her newfound peak at military life, she remains strong as ever in her Anti-War sentiments.
For students interested in seeing the production, the showing starts on the 20th and ends on the 25th. Tickets are $10; $5 for students, and can be purchased and reserved online at www.ticketcentral.com or by calling 212-279-4200.
A Few Good (wo)Men is not the only John Jay play being developed. Professor Tarantino, director of the wildly successful West Side Story production that ran two years ago, is directing The Last Days of Judas Iscariot under John Jay’s new APACHE project. APACHE, the Arts Partnership and Collaborative in Higher Education, is a collaborative initiative between the students at John Jay and from the colleges belonging to the Great Lakes Colleges Association. The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is a courtroom drama that takes place in an imagined world between Heaven and Hell, a modern purgatory called Hope. It re-examines the plight and fate of Judas, the New Testament’s most infamous sinner.
The production opens on Tuesday, April 21st, and run until Saturday, April 25th.
Performances:
Thursday, Nov. 20th ; 12:30 & 8:00
Friday, Nov. 21st ; 12:30 & 8:00
Saturday, Nov. 22nd; 8:00
Sunday, Nov. 23rd ; 3:00
Monday, Nov. 24th; 12:30
Tuesday, Nov. 25th; 7:00
A Few Good (wo)Men by Aaron Sorkin
Gerald W. Lynch Theater
Tickets: $10
$5 All Students
Movie aficionados may recall the 1992 film directed by Rob Reiner, starring Jack Nicholson and a pre-scientology Tom Cruise. What some may not know is that it was first a play, written by the West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin and produced by David Brown on Broadway in 1989. Now the play comes to John Jay, directed by Professor Lorraine Moller of the Department of Speech, Theatre and Media Studies.
But why now?
“I wanted to do something that was appropriate for the election year. I wanted to do a play that embodied a respect for the military but at the same time challenged the reality that sometimes the military abuses its power, its power to advance the power of democracy, at the extent of the common person, or the little guy,” said Moller.
But that wasn’t all. Moller also had a message for John Jay students who are unsure of what this play means for them: “I also knew this to be a fast moving court room drama,” Moller said, “that would be compelling in a criminal justice element, and knew it had the potential to appeal to an audience that was interested in this kind of court martial thriller.”
For anyone not familiar with the play or the movie, the “play focuses on a young attorney who exposes a colonel for the unsanctioned hazing of a young marine”. The play delves into different topics, mainly what happens when the power of military authority is abused in the name of national security. Moller said that where most plays need longer scenes to truly function, this play is just as cinematic as the movie. Rather than being linear, having a beginning, middle and end, the plays scenes jump back and forth, like a film.
Something that may interest viewers is that while the original plot only had a sole female protagonist, the current production is being done almost entirely by a female cast. Many of the roles have been adapted for female characters as the director felt that women should be shown to have “the same nobility and moral fiber that men have”. Moller felt that John Jay was “better suited” for finding women to fill these roles, saying that they “have filled them out rather handsomely” and “have done a great job” in meeting the challenges of filling such big shoes.
Dedication to the atmosphere of the play was shown in just the sheer amount of preparation the cast has gone through. Actors and actresses have been trained heavily for the sake of remaining faithful not only to the original play, or the popular movie, but to military life in general.
“We had two guys from the marines come and work with them, in spanking blue uniforms, covers (hats), gloves, and I kind of expected that they were going to be over the top and arrogant. One of them turned out to be a graduate of John Jay; the two of them were so likeable,” said Moller. The marines’ presence was to teach the performers military demeanor to incorporate into the roles.
Moller laughs as she also adds a type of preparation that some of her cast may not have enjoyed. To avoid the usual tardiness performers have been known for generally, rehearsals were run like physical training. “We decided to make the rehearsal into a military environment,” she said. Performers were made to do running exercises, push-ups, and the like for the first 30 days.
The AFGW cast also received training in the handling of arms. David Routh, assistant coach of the rifle squad, trained them in marching techniques and military demeanor for eight weeks, on Tuesdays. Rubber ducks, or driller rifles, hard plastic replica rifles of the M16 assault rifle, were bored from ROTC. All in all, actors have learned to salute, march, keep posture and do the various cadence routines of marine gun holding just like any new soldier would to push authenticity as far as possible.
Moller, whose niece is a Sergeant in the marines and has been deployed to Iraq, is a pacifist who firmly protests the Iraq War. Ironically, this is what attracted her to the play. “The attack of a military authority really drew me in; the Iraq War, and my skepticism, and the necessity and nature of war. “
Deeper yet, to understand characters like Jack Nicholson’s Colonel Jessup and keep him fresh and three-dimensional, she found herself looking at the military in a slightly different light. She had to consider how fanatical military personnel similar to Jessup may have to imagine making decisions in the moment, “not just for one man, but for everyone in the corp”. She found herself more empathetic to the military, and “how it is to command a military regiment”, especially “when someone in the unit has to die to prevent the entire platoon from danger”. Despite her newfound peak at military life, she remains strong as ever in her Anti-War sentiments.
For students interested in seeing the production, the showing starts on the 20th and ends on the 25th. Tickets are $10; $5 for students, and can be purchased and reserved online at www.ticketcentral.com or by calling 212-279-4200.
A Few Good (wo)Men is not the only John Jay play being developed. Professor Tarantino, director of the wildly successful West Side Story production that ran two years ago, is directing The Last Days of Judas Iscariot under John Jay’s new APACHE project. APACHE, the Arts Partnership and Collaborative in Higher Education, is a collaborative initiative between the students at John Jay and from the colleges belonging to the Great Lakes Colleges Association. The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is a courtroom drama that takes place in an imagined world between Heaven and Hell, a modern purgatory called Hope. It re-examines the plight and fate of Judas, the New Testament’s most infamous sinner.
The production opens on Tuesday, April 21st, and run until Saturday, April 25th.
Performances:
Thursday, Nov. 20th ; 12:30 & 8:00
Friday, Nov. 21st ; 12:30 & 8:00
Saturday, Nov. 22nd; 8:00
Sunday, Nov. 23rd ; 3:00
Monday, Nov. 24th; 12:30
Tuesday, Nov. 25th; 7:00
A Few Good (wo)Men by Aaron Sorkin
Gerald W. Lynch Theater
Tickets: $10
$5 All Students
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Homework
Problems with article:
1) Author uses himself numerous times but it has no importance on the article. Using himself doesn't neccesarily illustrate any points of interests, doesn't create an imagery, etc, it just mentions himself.
2) The article is very long. Over detailed I'd say. For anyone not a doctor and not a uber-medical enthusiast I'd say this article's length and detail would frighten casual readers. I'm still shaking. To play devil's advocate against myself, I like to have the details and information available, but when you read, especially McCain's section, some of the released information could have been summarized.
3) Focus/Goal: It was clear to me that they were trying to share the importance of knowing our possible president's health, but at times it just felt like a Term Paper than an article. In addition, there wasn't much of a goal with this article, nothing the journalist was trying to achieve besides sharing information. This may seem like a tough call, but I say this mainly because, for example, the reader reaches the Obama section, the journlalist runs out of steam and talks at length about smoking, as if we haven't seen a truth commercial. Or going into needless details over things that didn't need reiteration seemed to me like the author was trying to squeeze more juice out of a dried orange. It felt more like the article was droning on.
I also felt that the journalist wanted to stop this thing and talk about why they think sharing medical history is important, but this only came in bits and a little at the end.
4)Journalist style: Again, it felt like a Term Paper. Across different possible journalism articles, it felt too much like a Thesis and not enough like an article for a paper. The lead wasn't too bad, but was over. Information wasn't varied by importance but rather whatever came next I suppose. The conclusion felt more like the conclusion of an essay or the rather bad stories where an author tries to summarize everything in a paragraph or two.
5) Bad Ending: The quote wasn't something I'd want to go out on. It didn't have punch, in my eyes, that makes you go "Wow. That was a good story" and it didn't make me think "That makes sense due to the story". I think the last quote, if you end that way, should in itself relate to or summarize the story but leave a little punch, or style, for your article. I felt neither.
6) Not enough quotes, I think, but a lot of reference.
The Good:
It tried to be fair across the board, avoiding bias, by stating simply facts. It didn't take sides.
It tried to cover each candidate, so that, even the ones that took little space at least were mentioned.
It reported what info was obtained and what couldn't be due to lack of participation.
1) Author uses himself numerous times but it has no importance on the article. Using himself doesn't neccesarily illustrate any points of interests, doesn't create an imagery, etc, it just mentions himself.
2) The article is very long. Over detailed I'd say. For anyone not a doctor and not a uber-medical enthusiast I'd say this article's length and detail would frighten casual readers. I'm still shaking. To play devil's advocate against myself, I like to have the details and information available, but when you read, especially McCain's section, some of the released information could have been summarized.
3) Focus/Goal: It was clear to me that they were trying to share the importance of knowing our possible president's health, but at times it just felt like a Term Paper than an article. In addition, there wasn't much of a goal with this article, nothing the journalist was trying to achieve besides sharing information. This may seem like a tough call, but I say this mainly because, for example, the reader reaches the Obama section, the journlalist runs out of steam and talks at length about smoking, as if we haven't seen a truth commercial. Or going into needless details over things that didn't need reiteration seemed to me like the author was trying to squeeze more juice out of a dried orange. It felt more like the article was droning on.
I also felt that the journalist wanted to stop this thing and talk about why they think sharing medical history is important, but this only came in bits and a little at the end.
4)Journalist style: Again, it felt like a Term Paper. Across different possible journalism articles, it felt too much like a Thesis and not enough like an article for a paper. The lead wasn't too bad, but was over. Information wasn't varied by importance but rather whatever came next I suppose. The conclusion felt more like the conclusion of an essay or the rather bad stories where an author tries to summarize everything in a paragraph or two.
5) Bad Ending: The quote wasn't something I'd want to go out on. It didn't have punch, in my eyes, that makes you go "Wow. That was a good story" and it didn't make me think "That makes sense due to the story". I think the last quote, if you end that way, should in itself relate to or summarize the story but leave a little punch, or style, for your article. I felt neither.
6) Not enough quotes, I think, but a lot of reference.
The Good:
It tried to be fair across the board, avoiding bias, by stating simply facts. It didn't take sides.
It tried to cover each candidate, so that, even the ones that took little space at least were mentioned.
It reported what info was obtained and what couldn't be due to lack of participation.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Writing Center Revised
“Our job is to work with the students, not to do the work for them,” said tutor Angelica Blazina.
The room is off-white; every nook and cranny of the space available is used for desks, chairs, or computers. At the front of the room, just a few feet ahead of the entrance, is the desk where I was promptly greeted. Even late at night the the room is buzzing with activity. This is the
“I’m taking it for English,” said Tracy Raysor, a sophomore who has been coming to the
The
Sitting nearby was long-time tutor and supervisor Kennesha Barnwell, surrounded by other long time tutors Angelica and Roxanne Sejarto, who’ve worked there for about seven years, among others. All of them sat close together, winding away the hours as the night reached the later hours. “We’ve had papers from science, literature, math, yes, we’ve had math papers. I don’t know why we’ve had math papers, it was rare, but we get papers from math.”
Day to day students generally walk in, either taking any tutor available.
Over time some begin to schedule appointments with those favored tutors. But during certain academic “seasons” of the year, walk-ins find there are less tutors available, and competitive reservations may begin.
During the times of the Cuny Proficiency Exam, mid-terms, and finals, the tutors find themselves with more students and appointments than they can handle. “We’ve had over a thousand students come in for individual appointments. And for the workshops we have seven workshops a day, full with 30 people, 40 people…” said Kennesha, shaking her head as she leaned back in her seat. “It’s absolutely impossible because the CPE, the exam, is happening now, but during testing time, mid-terms, and finals we’re always swamped…and we have less funding and less staff [than before].”
“Most people walk in, but some are powerhouse workshops, like the CPE, so people want to register to reserve a seat,” added Zully, finding time away from some of her front desk duties as the work day drew to a close.
But still the tutors work with great proficiency, a literary version of Spartans tackling an overwhelming workload and still making it through stronger than ever. Tutors themselves are hand-picked by and go through a long path to becoming a full tutor. “It’s based on recommendation, [then] you have to take a year course before you’re allowed to teach and tutor," Zully comments as she assists an outgoing student setting up her next appointment.
Finishing with her student, she turns and folds her legs in her chair. “There’re two courses; varying types of grammar, varying types of teaching skills, and public speech. It’s pretty, pretty intense.” These courses are not open to any student either, but reserved for the tutors through ‘independent study’, which earns credit and can work towards an English Honors.
Later, tutors receive addition training. “Everyone is training to work in every discipline; tutors in training are not allowed to teach the CPEs; very rarely will anyone see a tutor in training teaching; since they’re in training they’ll really be observing," said Zully.
But tutors aren’t just glorified students with a knack for writing and simple patience. Many are graduates, and, according to Kennesha, “more than half of the permanent staff have a Masters Degree, or is working towards one.” Some have even gone into teaching, like Angelica, who began teaching at John Jay this semester as a Professor. The transition from student to tutor is smooth, according to the tutors, and Roxanne adds “you feel good, coming full circle.”
But it also doesn’t make it any easier when dealing with troublesome students. “When I first became a tutor, I guess I was a little naïve. I was a little too nice and she started coming with big piles of research, to leave them for me to read, so I could tell her what I read and tell her what she should read," said Angelica, blushing embrassingly while in thought.
Kennesha added firmly, “Students need to know we’re not doing their work. Students come in here and they think we’re being mean and assume we’re being lazy and we don’t want to do our work and why we’re repelling them, it’s because we’re not in charge of interpretation, the process you bring to us is the final product. We can help you enhance it and make it better but it’s still up to you to interpret your assignment. It’s your work. We can’t write it for you.”
It doesn’t end there either: often, like police officers, the tutors find that they’re never off duty. “Someone hands you a paper at the store and asks you to read it,or you’re walking home to the subway and someone hands you a paper because they recognize you," Kennesha said.
“It’s
But all of the tutors gathered agree on one thing. “When you get a student in here and they want to improve, they’re the best you can get,” said Kennesha. “When you get students who come in and say ‘I don’t want to be here,’ it’s just horrible. It can make an hour session feel like forever.”
“To have a student come back and say thank you for the help, it always makes you feel good,” added Roxanne.
"I had one at graduation, who dragged me to meet her mom and dad and grandmother…and her mom said ‘you’ve helped her so much’, and I was like ‘oh my god, I feel so happy!’” said Kennesha.
At the end of the day, through the long workloads and difficult sessions, the group seems to draw it’s energy from each other. As some tutors head home, many hug or kiss cheek to cheek farewells, saying goodbye until the next day.
“I’ve met some of my best friends from this staff,” Roxanne said excitedly, beaming a grin to her friends.
“We’re all enjoying our time together because it’s a great group of people to work with,” said Kennesha. “We’re definitely family.”
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Writing Center Story
“Our job is to work with the students,” said tutor Angelica Blazina, “not to do the work for them.”
The room is off-white; every nook and cranny of the space available is used for desks, chairs, or computers. At the front of the room, just a few feet ahead of the entrance, is the desk where I was promptly greeted. Even late at night the the room is buzzing with activity. This is the
“I’m taking it for English,” said Tracy Raysor, a sophomore who has been coming to the
The
“We’ve had papers from science, literature, math,” said long-time tutor and supervisor Kennesha Barnwell, surrounded by other long time tutors Angelica and Roxanne Sejarto, who’ve worked there for about seven years, among others. “Yes, we’ve had math papers. I don’t know why we’ve had math papers, it was rare, but we get papers from math.”
Day to day students generally walk in, either taking any tutor available.
Over time some begin to schedule appointments with those favored tutors. But during certain academic “seasons” of the year, walk-ins find there are less tutors available, and competitive reservations may begin.
During the times of the Cuny Proficiency Exam, mid-terms, and finals, the tutors find themselves with more students and appointments than they can handle. “We’ve had over a thousand students come in for individual appointments. And for the workshops we have seven workshops a day, full with 30 people, 40 people…” said Kennesha, shaking her head as she leaned back in her seat. “It’s absolutely impossible because the CPE, the exam, is happening now, but during testing time, mid-terms, and finals we’re always swamped…and we have less funding and less staff [than before]…”
“Most people walk in, but some are powerhouse workshops, like the CPE, so people want to register to reserve a seat,” added Zully.
But still the tutors work with great proficiency, a literary version of Spartans tackling an overwhelming workload and still making it through stronger than ever. Tutors themselves are hand-picked by and go through a long path to becoming a full tutor. “It’s based on recommendation,” Zully comments as she assists an outgoing student setting up her next appointment, “[then] you have to take a year course before you’re allowed to teach and tutor.” Finishing with her student, she turns and folds her legs in her chair. “There’re two courses; varying types of grammar, varying types of teaching skills, and public speech. It’s pretty, pretty intense.” These courses are not open to any student either, but reserved for the tutors through ‘independent study’, which earns credit and can work towards an English Honors.
Later, tutors receive addition training. “Everyone is training to work in every discipline; tutors in training are not allowed to teach the CPEs; very rarely will anyone see a tutor in training teaching; since they’re in training they’ll really be observing.”
But tutors aren’t just glorified students with a knack for writing and simple patience. Many are graduates, and, according to Kennesha, “more than half of the permanent staff have a Masters Degree, or is working towards one.” Some have even gone into teaching, like Angelica, who began teaching at John Jay this semester as a Professor. The transition from student to tutor is smooth, according to the tutors, and Roxanne adds “you feel good, coming full circle.”
But it also doesn’t make it any easier when dealing with troublesome students. “When I first became a tutor, I guess I was a little naïve,” said Angelica, wearing an embarrassed blush while in thought of a past student. “I was a little too nice and she started coming with big piles of research, to leave them for me to read, so I could tell her what I read and tell her what she should read.”
“Students need to know we’re not doing their work,” added Kennesha firmly. “: “Students come in here and they think we’re being mean and assume we’re being lazy and we don’t want to do our work and why we’re repelling them, it’s because we’re not in charge of interpretation, the process you bring to us is the final product. We can help you enhance it and make it better but it’s still up to you to interpret your assignment. It’s your work. We can’t write it for you.”
It doesn’t end there either: often, like police officers, the tutors find that they’re never off duty. “Someone hands you a paper at the store and asks you to read it,” Kennesha said with a smile. “Or you’re walking home to the subway and someone hands you a paper because they recognize you.”
“It’s
But all of the tutors gathered agree on one thing. “When you get a student in here and they want to improve, they’re the best you can get,” said Kennesha. “When you get students who come in and say ‘I don’t want to be here,’ it’s just horrible. It can make an hour session feel like forever.”
“To have a student come back and say thank you for the help, it always makes you feel good,” added Roxanne.
“I had one at graduation,” relates Kennesha with a smile as her eyes wandered up to the ceiling, “who dragged me to meet her mom and dad and grandmother…and her mom said ‘you’ve helped her so much’, and I was like ‘oh my god, I feel so happy!’”
At the end of the day, through the long workloads and difficult sessions, the group seems to draw it’s energy from each other. As some tutors head home, many hug or kiss cheek to cheek farewells, saying goodbye until the next day.
“I’ve met some of my best friends from this staff,” Roxanne said excitedly, beaming a grin to her friends.
“We’re all enjoying our time together because it’s a great group of people to work with,” said Kennesha. “We’re definitely family.”
Thursday, October 9, 2008
3 Ideas
1) My first idea is to get a look at the tutors in John Jay, and the people who go to them. I just had an assignment in my film class on Tuesday where we filmed a trio of interviews between the head of the W building's tutor group and three of her top of tutors. It was interesting to see their views and I know there will be a short film/documentary of a sort being made, so I wouldn't mind getting to interview them myself, interview students who go to the tutors, students who don't go (and why they don't) and teachers opinions, plus information on that possible video coming out and why they chose now to film one.
2) I'd like to see how students involved with government are dealing with the upcoming elections. I know some students are making sure people are voting, some are having debates, some are making predictions, etc. I'd like to see how they're using their time, why they're supporting who they do, what are they doing on campus to get students involved, and how this year's politics are shaping what they're looking to do with their careers in politics. Sources are student government, debate club/team, the voter registration organization, etc.
3) I'd like to talk about one of the upcoming drama events. On the 15th there is the Castle being performed at John Jay, and beyond that is the A Few Good Men performance coming in a few months (I think, have to check out) being performed by an all-female cast, and Prof. Tarantino is planning a play called The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. I'd like to talk about the plays (whichever one I will do, or possible mention all three in the article, by concentrate on one), and I'd go to the Professor's hosting/directing their respective plays, the students performing, students and faculty who are going or not going, and why, and possibly the actors and actresses from without our college. I want to know why the plays are being performed, how is it revelant to the current times either in John Jay, New York, or the US, and how much impact will it have. If the play were to come during the time of the article, I'd like possibly getting people's reactions or my own.
2) I'd like to see how students involved with government are dealing with the upcoming elections. I know some students are making sure people are voting, some are having debates, some are making predictions, etc. I'd like to see how they're using their time, why they're supporting who they do, what are they doing on campus to get students involved, and how this year's politics are shaping what they're looking to do with their careers in politics. Sources are student government, debate club/team, the voter registration organization, etc.
3) I'd like to talk about one of the upcoming drama events. On the 15th there is the Castle being performed at John Jay, and beyond that is the A Few Good Men performance coming in a few months (I think, have to check out) being performed by an all-female cast, and Prof. Tarantino is planning a play called The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. I'd like to talk about the plays (whichever one I will do, or possible mention all three in the article, by concentrate on one), and I'd go to the Professor's hosting/directing their respective plays, the students performing, students and faculty who are going or not going, and why, and possibly the actors and actresses from without our college. I want to know why the plays are being performed, how is it revelant to the current times either in John Jay, New York, or the US, and how much impact will it have. If the play were to come during the time of the article, I'd like possibly getting people's reactions or my own.
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Path To Happiness-Revised
“The rents are ridiculous,” says Maureen Petersen, an officer of the Department of Homeless Services. “The high cost of rent is what a lot of people come here for.”
PATH—or the Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing—is a temporary placement connected to the EAU: an Emergency Assessment Unit, under the DHS, or Department of Homeless Services. Here DHS Officers and Employees take care of a difficult task: trying to help homeless families get homes. But it’s not easy.
With a rising cost of living—an effect of the nation-wide economic problems, many find that they don’t have enough money to keep up with rent, especially in New York. A New York University Study in 2006 even concluded that households making about $32,000, 80% of the median citywide income, would not be able to afford many of the apartments in the city. Specifically the report stated that in a span of three years there had been a drop of 205,000 apartments that would have been affordable to the median, and majority, salary of New Yorkers. Also, the median price of unsubsidized apartments made a 20% increase in this time—from $750 to $900. And it has increased since then.
“What makes it bad is that Guiliani had changed it all,” continues Petersen, referring to the state of her department. Petersen, who’s worked for the DHS for more than a decade, has seen plenty changes. “All boroughs had EAUs, but he converged them all into one, this one, and made it more hectic. That’s why a lot of kids are displaced out of school. If they had an EAU in each borough, it’d be better.”
“It’s the worst on kids,” another officer adds, who asked to keep their name anonymous. Standing next to a family of four, including a mother and her kids, the officer looks on and frowns. “The process of [the kids] going back and forth, the kids being shuffled around; they might be in the Bronx, they might be in Brooklyn, y’know? It’s hard,” the officer adds.
“It’s disgusting,” says one client, a mother standing outside. She paces back and forth, shifting side to side in frustration besides her friend. “I was just arguing with him on how f***ed up it is,” she adds. “If we didn’t have no place to go, I wouldn’t be here.” And it’s no doubt that the children hurt the most. While standing there, countless children stand by their parents and older siblings as late as eleven o’clock, and beyond. “They’re missing out on school cuz they have to be here,” says one client, “that’s an ACS case but what can you do?”
Walking into the large stone building of the EAU, the first thing a family encounters in the brightly lit building is not warm meals and blankets, but metal detectors, though some would consider it a necessity. “It’d different. Every day it’s different,” says Masullo, a DHS Officer standing ready at the metal detectors. He takes a look at the monitors and shakes his head. “Never know what you’re going to get.”
“We have to check for contraband and weapons,” says his fellow-officer Gonzalez as she also checks the screen of an incoming client’s bag. “All bags must go through—if they beep, they get checked.” And while some may think this is a trivial step, others would disagree.
“When I was at the Men’s Shelter by Bellvue Hospital, a man tried to come in with a machete,” says Petersen, a long time employee of the DHS. “Had it up the sleeve of his jacket.”
After passing the metal detectors, families reach the Processing Stage. Here they must put in their information and the reasons behind their homelessness, leading to a temporary overnight stay while an investigation is made on the client’s claims. After moving to Reception, more information is needed to prepare the family for the Family Worker, who gives the family a medical check. Employees of the Diversion Department try to see whether there are other ways for families to go without staying in the shelter system, but if things are approved the family is given a temporary housing in a ten day placement. If found eligible, the family will be guided to a Tier 2 Housing: an apartment for their family. But, if found ineligible according to varying circumstances, the family may have to start the process all over again.
In addition, guidelines and rules are constantly changing. “A lot of people mess it up for others,” says Petersen of the system at PATH. “One client can do something bad and it changes everything for everybody else.”
One officer had an example. “[A Family] can be at the end of her 10 day placement period, and it can be 11 at night, and [they] can have kids; and they have to get them out, instead of waiting till morning.” The officer shakes their head in disapproval. Unfortunately, this is not a rare story for the families at who arrive at PATH.
Naturally, the process can cause tension between employees and clients. “I don’t like working here,” says another DHS employee who’d rather stay anonymous. “These guys are assholes. They make us feel like it’s us…like it’s our fault. But it comes from up high. They’re the ones maneuvering everybody.”
Occasionally, tempers will escalate to the point of confrontation; other times the DHS officers find themselves dealing with all sorts of situations. “It’s more than just police work,” says Masullo as he keeps his eyes on the clients entering the building. He grins and adds “We’re translators, babysitters, referees…everything.” The other officers smile grimly, nodding in agreement.
Whatever the case may be, one thing is clear: the city’s cost of living is rising, and salaries aren’t following as closely. Worse, families, for various reasons that some are responsible for and others not, are getting caught in a web of problems that can’t be solved until rents are stabilized and made affordable not for the rich—but realistically for the majority of the population—the average New Yorker.
PATH—or the Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing—is a temporary placement connected to the EAU: an Emergency Assessment Unit, under the DHS, or Department of Homeless Services. Here DHS Officers and Employees take care of a difficult task: trying to help homeless families get homes. But it’s not easy.
With a rising cost of living—an effect of the nation-wide economic problems, many find that they don’t have enough money to keep up with rent, especially in New York. A New York University Study in 2006 even concluded that households making about $32,000, 80% of the median citywide income, would not be able to afford many of the apartments in the city. Specifically the report stated that in a span of three years there had been a drop of 205,000 apartments that would have been affordable to the median, and majority, salary of New Yorkers. Also, the median price of unsubsidized apartments made a 20% increase in this time—from $750 to $900. And it has increased since then.
“What makes it bad is that Guiliani had changed it all,” continues Petersen, referring to the state of her department. Petersen, who’s worked for the DHS for more than a decade, has seen plenty changes. “All boroughs had EAUs, but he converged them all into one, this one, and made it more hectic. That’s why a lot of kids are displaced out of school. If they had an EAU in each borough, it’d be better.”
“It’s the worst on kids,” another officer adds, who asked to keep their name anonymous. Standing next to a family of four, including a mother and her kids, the officer looks on and frowns. “The process of [the kids] going back and forth, the kids being shuffled around; they might be in the Bronx, they might be in Brooklyn, y’know? It’s hard,” the officer adds.
“It’s disgusting,” says one client, a mother standing outside. She paces back and forth, shifting side to side in frustration besides her friend. “I was just arguing with him on how f***ed up it is,” she adds. “If we didn’t have no place to go, I wouldn’t be here.” And it’s no doubt that the children hurt the most. While standing there, countless children stand by their parents and older siblings as late as eleven o’clock, and beyond. “They’re missing out on school cuz they have to be here,” says one client, “that’s an ACS case but what can you do?”
Walking into the large stone building of the EAU, the first thing a family encounters in the brightly lit building is not warm meals and blankets, but metal detectors, though some would consider it a necessity. “It’d different. Every day it’s different,” says Masullo, a DHS Officer standing ready at the metal detectors. He takes a look at the monitors and shakes his head. “Never know what you’re going to get.”
“We have to check for contraband and weapons,” says his fellow-officer Gonzalez as she also checks the screen of an incoming client’s bag. “All bags must go through—if they beep, they get checked.” And while some may think this is a trivial step, others would disagree.
“When I was at the Men’s Shelter by Bellvue Hospital, a man tried to come in with a machete,” says Petersen, a long time employee of the DHS. “Had it up the sleeve of his jacket.”
After passing the metal detectors, families reach the Processing Stage. Here they must put in their information and the reasons behind their homelessness, leading to a temporary overnight stay while an investigation is made on the client’s claims. After moving to Reception, more information is needed to prepare the family for the Family Worker, who gives the family a medical check. Employees of the Diversion Department try to see whether there are other ways for families to go without staying in the shelter system, but if things are approved the family is given a temporary housing in a ten day placement. If found eligible, the family will be guided to a Tier 2 Housing: an apartment for their family. But, if found ineligible according to varying circumstances, the family may have to start the process all over again.
In addition, guidelines and rules are constantly changing. “A lot of people mess it up for others,” says Petersen of the system at PATH. “One client can do something bad and it changes everything for everybody else.”
One officer had an example. “[A Family] can be at the end of her 10 day placement period, and it can be 11 at night, and [they] can have kids; and they have to get them out, instead of waiting till morning.” The officer shakes their head in disapproval. Unfortunately, this is not a rare story for the families at who arrive at PATH.
Naturally, the process can cause tension between employees and clients. “I don’t like working here,” says another DHS employee who’d rather stay anonymous. “These guys are assholes. They make us feel like it’s us…like it’s our fault. But it comes from up high. They’re the ones maneuvering everybody.”
Occasionally, tempers will escalate to the point of confrontation; other times the DHS officers find themselves dealing with all sorts of situations. “It’s more than just police work,” says Masullo as he keeps his eyes on the clients entering the building. He grins and adds “We’re translators, babysitters, referees…everything.” The other officers smile grimly, nodding in agreement.
Whatever the case may be, one thing is clear: the city’s cost of living is rising, and salaries aren’t following as closely. Worse, families, for various reasons that some are responsible for and others not, are getting caught in a web of problems that can’t be solved until rents are stabilized and made affordable not for the rich—but realistically for the majority of the population—the average New Yorker.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Finding a PATH to Happiness
Wednesday—At night the streets are dark. Streetlights scantily litter the sidewalks. But as you come upon 346 Powers Ave, in the Bronx, a lighted path comes into view, literally.
PATH—or the Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing—is an EAU: an Emergency Assessment Unit, under the DHS, or Department of Homeless Services. Here DHS Officers and Employees take care of a difficult task: trying to help homeless families get homes. But it’s not easy.
Walking into the large stone building, the first thing a family encounters in the brightly lit building is not warm meals and blankets, but metal detectors, though some would consider it a necessity. “It’d different. Every day it’s different,” says Masullo, a DHS Officer. “Never know what you’re going to get.”
“We have to check for contraband and weapons,” says fellow-officer Gonzalez as she checks the screen of an incoming client’s bag. “All bags must go through—if they beep, they get checked.” And while some may think this is a trivial step, others would disagree.
“When I was at the Men’s Shelter by Bellvue Hospital, a man tried to come in with a machete,” says Officer Petersen, a long time employee of the DHS. “Had it up the sleeve of his jacket.”
After passing the metal detectors, families reach the Processing Stage where they must put in their information and the reasons behind their homelessness, leading to a temporary overnight stay while an investigation is made on the client’s claims. After moving to Reception, more information is needed to prepare the family for the Family Worker, who gives the family a medical check. Employees of the Diversion Department try to see whether there are other ways for families to go without staying in the shelter system, but if things are approved the family is given a temporary housing in a ten day placement. If found eligible, the family will be guided to a Tier 2 Housing: an apartment for their family. But, if found ineligible according to varying circumstances, the family may have to start the process all over again.
“It’s disgusting,” says one client, shifting side to side in frustration besides her friend. “I was just arguing with him on how f***ed up it is,” she adds. “If we did have no place to go, I wouldn’t be here.” In addition, guidelines and rules are constantly changing. “A lot of people mess it up for others,” says Petersen of the system at PATH. “One client can do something bad and it changes everything for everybody else.”
Naturally, the process can cause tension between employees and clients. “I don’t like working here,” says one DHS employee. “These guys are assholes. They make us feel like it’s us…our fault. But it comes from up high. They’re the ones maneuvering everybody.” Often, tempers will escalate to the point of confrontation; other times the DHS officers find themselves dealing with all sorts of situations. “It’s more than just police work,” says Masullo as he keeps his eyes on the clients entering the building. “We’re translators, babysitters, referees…everything.”
Sometimes officers find their only solace in each other. “Working with Petersen is a blessing and a privilege,” says Towns, another of the DHS employees. “We’ve been working together for over 10 years…working here when it was a men’s shelter. It was peaceful!”
But perhaps the persons most caught in the troubles of the shelter system are children. “They’re missing out on school cuz they have to be here,” says one client, “that’s an ACS case but what can you do?”
“It’s the worst on kids,” another officer adds. “She can be at the end of her 10 day placement period, and it can be 11 at night, and she can have kids; and they have to get them out, instead of waiting till morning.” In addition, families may find that while all they want is a warm place to stay, they often times may be in for a trip. “The process of [the kids] going back and forth, the kids being shuffled around; they might be in the Bronx, they might be in Brooklyn, y’know? It’s hard,” the officer adds.
And what’s to blame?
“The rents are ridiculous,” says Petersen. “The high cost of rent is what a lot of people come here for. What makes it bad is that Guiliani had changed it all: all boroughs had EAUs, but he converged them all into one, this one, and made it more hectic. That’s why a lot of kids are displaced out of school. If they had an EAU in each borough, it’d be better.”
PATH—or the Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing—is an EAU: an Emergency Assessment Unit, under the DHS, or Department of Homeless Services. Here DHS Officers and Employees take care of a difficult task: trying to help homeless families get homes. But it’s not easy.
Walking into the large stone building, the first thing a family encounters in the brightly lit building is not warm meals and blankets, but metal detectors, though some would consider it a necessity. “It’d different. Every day it’s different,” says Masullo, a DHS Officer. “Never know what you’re going to get.”
“We have to check for contraband and weapons,” says fellow-officer Gonzalez as she checks the screen of an incoming client’s bag. “All bags must go through—if they beep, they get checked.” And while some may think this is a trivial step, others would disagree.
“When I was at the Men’s Shelter by Bellvue Hospital, a man tried to come in with a machete,” says Officer Petersen, a long time employee of the DHS. “Had it up the sleeve of his jacket.”
After passing the metal detectors, families reach the Processing Stage where they must put in their information and the reasons behind their homelessness, leading to a temporary overnight stay while an investigation is made on the client’s claims. After moving to Reception, more information is needed to prepare the family for the Family Worker, who gives the family a medical check. Employees of the Diversion Department try to see whether there are other ways for families to go without staying in the shelter system, but if things are approved the family is given a temporary housing in a ten day placement. If found eligible, the family will be guided to a Tier 2 Housing: an apartment for their family. But, if found ineligible according to varying circumstances, the family may have to start the process all over again.
“It’s disgusting,” says one client, shifting side to side in frustration besides her friend. “I was just arguing with him on how f***ed up it is,” she adds. “If we did have no place to go, I wouldn’t be here.” In addition, guidelines and rules are constantly changing. “A lot of people mess it up for others,” says Petersen of the system at PATH. “One client can do something bad and it changes everything for everybody else.”
Naturally, the process can cause tension between employees and clients. “I don’t like working here,” says one DHS employee. “These guys are assholes. They make us feel like it’s us…our fault. But it comes from up high. They’re the ones maneuvering everybody.” Often, tempers will escalate to the point of confrontation; other times the DHS officers find themselves dealing with all sorts of situations. “It’s more than just police work,” says Masullo as he keeps his eyes on the clients entering the building. “We’re translators, babysitters, referees…everything.”
Sometimes officers find their only solace in each other. “Working with Petersen is a blessing and a privilege,” says Towns, another of the DHS employees. “We’ve been working together for over 10 years…working here when it was a men’s shelter. It was peaceful!”
But perhaps the persons most caught in the troubles of the shelter system are children. “They’re missing out on school cuz they have to be here,” says one client, “that’s an ACS case but what can you do?”
“It’s the worst on kids,” another officer adds. “She can be at the end of her 10 day placement period, and it can be 11 at night, and she can have kids; and they have to get them out, instead of waiting till morning.” In addition, families may find that while all they want is a warm place to stay, they often times may be in for a trip. “The process of [the kids] going back and forth, the kids being shuffled around; they might be in the Bronx, they might be in Brooklyn, y’know? It’s hard,” the officer adds.
And what’s to blame?
“The rents are ridiculous,” says Petersen. “The high cost of rent is what a lot of people come here for. What makes it bad is that Guiliani had changed it all: all boroughs had EAUs, but he converged them all into one, this one, and made it more hectic. That’s why a lot of kids are displaced out of school. If they had an EAU in each borough, it’d be better.”
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Masoud's Response to India Story
First and foremost, I think the lead is extremely effective.
It is a little misleading in one technical sense: it makes me think there are poor people who are spending all their money on fashion. Instead, it shows what may be the outcome that Vogue and other marketers are looking for in Asia’s future.
But as you read on you see that it’s the very image of the lead that makes the article strong because, at least for me, I feel outraged when people who are poor get into superficial things and put it in front of practical survival. And it’s appalling to me that Vogue would actually want to market and introduce brands into a place where people are struggling to eat. That’s like introducing a Nike sneaker to an old, vagrant man in a third-world country. What is he supposed to do with it? Does looking expensive fill a stomach? No.
And the quote that saving money is a “western attitude”? Not quite. First, that’s a general statement, and second, that is so wrong in so many ways. Why should they “fix that”? These people need to save when they’re living under 1.25 a day, budgeting is very important, and they want to change that?
The sources were appropriate to a certain degree: let me explain. In one sense it’s perfect: it uses the focus of the article, and the quotes from the different marketing representatives pretty much paint a picture of what the representatives are looking to do, and how “morally invested” they seem to be. The quotes alone make me want really pissed that Vogue seems to be so nonchalant on what they could be doing to the people of India.
On the other hand, a more complete article may have more sources. While the quotes show what they are planning, the article doesn’t get any sources beyond Vogue: like one of these ordinary people and whether they think it’s positive or negative what Vogue wants to do. The way it is now sort of guides the reader into a singular perspective that isn’t exactly objective.
I think it helps us as students in seeing a) topics that are really important and raise questions, and b) makes us remember what to add and what to omit.
It is a little misleading in one technical sense: it makes me think there are poor people who are spending all their money on fashion. Instead, it shows what may be the outcome that Vogue and other marketers are looking for in Asia’s future.
But as you read on you see that it’s the very image of the lead that makes the article strong because, at least for me, I feel outraged when people who are poor get into superficial things and put it in front of practical survival. And it’s appalling to me that Vogue would actually want to market and introduce brands into a place where people are struggling to eat. That’s like introducing a Nike sneaker to an old, vagrant man in a third-world country. What is he supposed to do with it? Does looking expensive fill a stomach? No.
And the quote that saving money is a “western attitude”? Not quite. First, that’s a general statement, and second, that is so wrong in so many ways. Why should they “fix that”? These people need to save when they’re living under 1.25 a day, budgeting is very important, and they want to change that?
The sources were appropriate to a certain degree: let me explain. In one sense it’s perfect: it uses the focus of the article, and the quotes from the different marketing representatives pretty much paint a picture of what the representatives are looking to do, and how “morally invested” they seem to be. The quotes alone make me want really pissed that Vogue seems to be so nonchalant on what they could be doing to the people of India.
On the other hand, a more complete article may have more sources. While the quotes show what they are planning, the article doesn’t get any sources beyond Vogue: like one of these ordinary people and whether they think it’s positive or negative what Vogue wants to do. The way it is now sort of guides the reader into a singular perspective that isn’t exactly objective.
I think it helps us as students in seeing a) topics that are really important and raise questions, and b) makes us remember what to add and what to omit.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Spring Semester Story
“Yeah, we get some interesting people here,” says Jake. “You wouldn’t figure a bookstore would be that interesting. But it’s the beauty of Borders, man.”
Standing at the front of the store as several people walk by, Jake, a former member of the Loss Prevention team for six months, and recently changed into the Merchandise team, stares into a stack of books under his arm as he recounts his time working in Borders. “Dude, it’s so awesome working here just because of the amount of beautiful women who come in here. Gorgeous. People come from all over the world and shop here, so you get to see a lot of different people.”
Borders Bookstore, located on the second floor of the Colombus Circle Mall in between 58th St. and 60th St.,on 8th Ave, is a hub for diversity. “We really get a lot of tourists, you know? I mean, a lot of our customers are New Yorkers, but since we’re right next to Central Park, close to Times Square, and next to like, five trains and tons of buses, we get all kinds of tourists here,” Jake adds. “But we also get these weirdos sometimes too.”
And that’s where things get really interesting. “We call them our P.O.I.s,” says Frank, a current member of the Loss Prevention Team. “People of Interest. We get all kinds of people here,” he says, pulling out the L.P. P.O.I. binder. “We have a person we call Friday who has been coming every single Friday for the last two years. He comes in at the same time in the morning, goes to the magazine area, makes a huge stack of magazines that we have to put back when he’s done, then goes to Sports, Fiction, and finally leaves the store about twenty minutes later. He’s a little off, but he’s harmless.”
“He even asked me to tie his shoes once,” says Josh, another former L.P. member who’s been at the store for over a year.”
“Then there’s who we call the ‘Eye of Sauron’” Frank continues, “who always comes to the store late and never leaves when we close the store. And then she acts real bitchy when you try to ask her to leave. God I hate that woman.”
But besides the colorful characters who the employees have come to see as regulars over time, the store also has tons of Events that attract various kinds of stars and various kinds of customers. “We have Events regularly at every Borders store in New York,” says Bob, the head of the Events Management organization in the store. “We generally get a lot of authors. Just recently we had Roger Mudd (an author who wrote about CBS over the years). We also get celebrities. In this upcoming month we’re going to have Ricki Lake and Gene Hackman.”
When asked if they ever had anything to worry about when preparing for an event, the tall, lanky man pushes his glasses up his nose and chuckles lightly. “Just the other week, when we [had a medium] as a guest, we had to keep security on look out for a woman who seemed to follow our guest to every place she went. We don’t know if she was an avid fan, a skeptic, or what, but thankfully she just didn’t show up,” he says with a smile.
Generally Borders has a wide range of books, but often has trouble with keeping up with the amount of books needed. “We usually order a few dozens of books when preparing for our tables at the front,” says one merchandise employee about the Bestseller’s Tables at the front, “but corporate or the warehouse may only send us a third of what we ask for at a time. It’s very frustrating.”
Also, many have had issues with the Borders Rewards Program. “Well,” says one customer leaving the store, “it doesn’t compare to Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble’s discount lets you get a percentage of the books, all the time. This Borders program, you have to buy up to $150 of merchandise, and then when you reach that number, you get five bucks to take off of whatever purchase you make. But you have to use it in the month. They basically give you a small, cheap reward that you have no time to use.”
Another customer, a tourist, also had issues. “I travel a lot. I don’t come from here. It’s hard for me to want to sign up for this program knowing that it’s going to take me a long time to reach $150. And then what? I’ll only have $5.”
But Lewis, a Service Manager at the registers at Borders, had more to say. “There’s more to the program than what some people assume, and that’s what we really have trouble with,” he starts. “When you get a Borders Rewards Card, you not only get the Borders Bucks, but you also get emails with printable coupons that often give up to 40% discounts on all items. Those perks are unique to us.”
But one of the biggest questions any Borders employee is asked pertains to their biggest rival corporation. “What makes us different from Barnes and Noble?” starts Neuman, a Manager who has been with the company for many years, “Is definitely customer service. We try to instill in our employees the need to be as friendly and helpful as possible. Sure Barnes and Nobles is a bigger company. We may be smaller, but we have employees of all ages, all walks of life, all lifestyles. We represent the customers we’re serving.”
Standing at the front of the store as several people walk by, Jake, a former member of the Loss Prevention team for six months, and recently changed into the Merchandise team, stares into a stack of books under his arm as he recounts his time working in Borders. “Dude, it’s so awesome working here just because of the amount of beautiful women who come in here. Gorgeous. People come from all over the world and shop here, so you get to see a lot of different people.”
Borders Bookstore, located on the second floor of the Colombus Circle Mall in between 58th St. and 60th St.,on 8th Ave, is a hub for diversity. “We really get a lot of tourists, you know? I mean, a lot of our customers are New Yorkers, but since we’re right next to Central Park, close to Times Square, and next to like, five trains and tons of buses, we get all kinds of tourists here,” Jake adds. “But we also get these weirdos sometimes too.”
And that’s where things get really interesting. “We call them our P.O.I.s,” says Frank, a current member of the Loss Prevention Team. “People of Interest. We get all kinds of people here,” he says, pulling out the L.P. P.O.I. binder. “We have a person we call Friday who has been coming every single Friday for the last two years. He comes in at the same time in the morning, goes to the magazine area, makes a huge stack of magazines that we have to put back when he’s done, then goes to Sports, Fiction, and finally leaves the store about twenty minutes later. He’s a little off, but he’s harmless.”
“He even asked me to tie his shoes once,” says Josh, another former L.P. member who’s been at the store for over a year.”
“Then there’s who we call the ‘Eye of Sauron’” Frank continues, “who always comes to the store late and never leaves when we close the store. And then she acts real bitchy when you try to ask her to leave. God I hate that woman.”
But besides the colorful characters who the employees have come to see as regulars over time, the store also has tons of Events that attract various kinds of stars and various kinds of customers. “We have Events regularly at every Borders store in New York,” says Bob, the head of the Events Management organization in the store. “We generally get a lot of authors. Just recently we had Roger Mudd (an author who wrote about CBS over the years). We also get celebrities. In this upcoming month we’re going to have Ricki Lake and Gene Hackman.”
When asked if they ever had anything to worry about when preparing for an event, the tall, lanky man pushes his glasses up his nose and chuckles lightly. “Just the other week, when we [had a medium] as a guest, we had to keep security on look out for a woman who seemed to follow our guest to every place she went. We don’t know if she was an avid fan, a skeptic, or what, but thankfully she just didn’t show up,” he says with a smile.
Generally Borders has a wide range of books, but often has trouble with keeping up with the amount of books needed. “We usually order a few dozens of books when preparing for our tables at the front,” says one merchandise employee about the Bestseller’s Tables at the front, “but corporate or the warehouse may only send us a third of what we ask for at a time. It’s very frustrating.”
Also, many have had issues with the Borders Rewards Program. “Well,” says one customer leaving the store, “it doesn’t compare to Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble’s discount lets you get a percentage of the books, all the time. This Borders program, you have to buy up to $150 of merchandise, and then when you reach that number, you get five bucks to take off of whatever purchase you make. But you have to use it in the month. They basically give you a small, cheap reward that you have no time to use.”
Another customer, a tourist, also had issues. “I travel a lot. I don’t come from here. It’s hard for me to want to sign up for this program knowing that it’s going to take me a long time to reach $150. And then what? I’ll only have $5.”
But Lewis, a Service Manager at the registers at Borders, had more to say. “There’s more to the program than what some people assume, and that’s what we really have trouble with,” he starts. “When you get a Borders Rewards Card, you not only get the Borders Bucks, but you also get emails with printable coupons that often give up to 40% discounts on all items. Those perks are unique to us.”
But one of the biggest questions any Borders employee is asked pertains to their biggest rival corporation. “What makes us different from Barnes and Noble?” starts Neuman, a Manager who has been with the company for many years, “Is definitely customer service. We try to instill in our employees the need to be as friendly and helpful as possible. Sure Barnes and Nobles is a bigger company. We may be smaller, but we have employees of all ages, all walks of life, all lifestyles. We represent the customers we’re serving.”
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Spring Semester Profile Story
“These are my kids,” says Ahmed, pacing around a room full of teenage mentally handicapped children. “They’re just as normal as any other teenagers.”
Ahmed smiles as one autistic child name Mikey, who walks only on his tip-toes, nimbly trails him until catching up, and then fervently takes his hand and just stands there by Ahmed’s side. Ahmed, at least six feet tall and two hundred pounds, completely dwarfs the more average sized and skinny Mikey, and yet it makes no difference in how comfortable Mikey is at his side.
Around them are about eight other such adolescents whose mental disabilities have severely slowed down their process of learning, communication, and social interaction. Ahmed, who has worked at the Robert Joliculeur School at Easterseals in Manchester, New Hampshire for seven years, finds that working there has given him a wider perception of the world, especially the children who suffer from Autism, Down’s Syndrome, and many other forms of mental retardation, and also how the world reacts to them.
“Most people don’t understand them,” he says, embracing the shoulders of another child named Timmy. “They want to be loved just like any other child wants to. But because most people don’t understand them, they get scared of what they don’t understand. And the kids may not understand many things, but they can sense that, feel how people react to them.”
Later, sitting down in the Family Room, where parents who visit their children can spend private time with their sons or daughters, Ahmed sat down at a desk cooling his hot French Vanilla Coffee and took a seat. His eyes are tired and yet his body is relaxed in his chair, leaning back as he takes a sip from his drink. “These kids, its amazing how far they’ve come. Look at Mikey,” he says, taking another sip. “When he first started here, he would not let go of blanket. He’d cover up with three or four blankets and would always hit his head to the point that we had to put a helmet on his head and mitts on his hand. And look at him now.”
And it was true. The Mikey in the Boys 1 common room had no blankets and no head gear, and no gloves. “It all takes persistence, and a love for the job. Some people cannot take it. We’ve had people come here and leave in weeks.”
But it hasn’t been an easy journey for Ahmed. Though his passion has been great for the kids, it has taken a toll on his private life. Long hours, sometimes 14 to 16 hour days (or more) have taken too much time out of his family life and put on a strain on his marriage. All he can do is slowly shake his head and lightly shrug. “It’s tough, it really is. All I can do is take it one day at a time. This place, these kids, need a lot of time. And that can be hard for someone to understand.”
But he remains hopeful. “I’m glad to see that the world, especially the U.S., is growing more aware of these children. Autism research is growing, documentaries are coming out, people are learning. Now all we have to do is make them see these children for what they are.”
Later, back at the Unit, Ahmed goes from child to child, and while some of these children seem uncomfortable around some people around, all of them respond well with Ahmed. Normally quiet, unsocial individuals looked up to Ahmed with their own quirky expressions, some smiling, others giving a short grin, some holding onto him, some playing with his hands, and so on.
“These kids are no different from any other teenagers. They have tantrums, they get happy, they have favorite foods and they have things they don’t like so much.” He stops to look at all the kids around him, looking from his far left to his far right, and then smiles. “They just need the chance to be normal.”
Ahmed smiles as one autistic child name Mikey, who walks only on his tip-toes, nimbly trails him until catching up, and then fervently takes his hand and just stands there by Ahmed’s side. Ahmed, at least six feet tall and two hundred pounds, completely dwarfs the more average sized and skinny Mikey, and yet it makes no difference in how comfortable Mikey is at his side.
Around them are about eight other such adolescents whose mental disabilities have severely slowed down their process of learning, communication, and social interaction. Ahmed, who has worked at the Robert Joliculeur School at Easterseals in Manchester, New Hampshire for seven years, finds that working there has given him a wider perception of the world, especially the children who suffer from Autism, Down’s Syndrome, and many other forms of mental retardation, and also how the world reacts to them.
“Most people don’t understand them,” he says, embracing the shoulders of another child named Timmy. “They want to be loved just like any other child wants to. But because most people don’t understand them, they get scared of what they don’t understand. And the kids may not understand many things, but they can sense that, feel how people react to them.”
Later, sitting down in the Family Room, where parents who visit their children can spend private time with their sons or daughters, Ahmed sat down at a desk cooling his hot French Vanilla Coffee and took a seat. His eyes are tired and yet his body is relaxed in his chair, leaning back as he takes a sip from his drink. “These kids, its amazing how far they’ve come. Look at Mikey,” he says, taking another sip. “When he first started here, he would not let go of blanket. He’d cover up with three or four blankets and would always hit his head to the point that we had to put a helmet on his head and mitts on his hand. And look at him now.”
And it was true. The Mikey in the Boys 1 common room had no blankets and no head gear, and no gloves. “It all takes persistence, and a love for the job. Some people cannot take it. We’ve had people come here and leave in weeks.”
But it hasn’t been an easy journey for Ahmed. Though his passion has been great for the kids, it has taken a toll on his private life. Long hours, sometimes 14 to 16 hour days (or more) have taken too much time out of his family life and put on a strain on his marriage. All he can do is slowly shake his head and lightly shrug. “It’s tough, it really is. All I can do is take it one day at a time. This place, these kids, need a lot of time. And that can be hard for someone to understand.”
But he remains hopeful. “I’m glad to see that the world, especially the U.S., is growing more aware of these children. Autism research is growing, documentaries are coming out, people are learning. Now all we have to do is make them see these children for what they are.”
Later, back at the Unit, Ahmed goes from child to child, and while some of these children seem uncomfortable around some people around, all of them respond well with Ahmed. Normally quiet, unsocial individuals looked up to Ahmed with their own quirky expressions, some smiling, others giving a short grin, some holding onto him, some playing with his hands, and so on.
“These kids are no different from any other teenagers. They have tantrums, they get happy, they have favorite foods and they have things they don’t like so much.” He stops to look at all the kids around him, looking from his far left to his far right, and then smiles. “They just need the chance to be normal.”
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