Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
CNBC Reports on the Day of Action and NJUS
Here's the article:
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Students from the state's public colleges say they need to hold jobs and take out loans to be able to afford a higher education in New Jersey.
Students met with lawmakers Tuesday to plead for more higher education funding. An action day is scheduled on campuses Wednesday.
Rutgers University President Richard McCormick told a Senate budget panel Monday that the state's four-year schools expect to hold tuition increases below 10 percent if Gov. Chris Christie's budget is approved.
The budget calls for $714 million in operating aid. That's about the same as last year.
Rutgers senior John Aspray said a 9 percent tuition increase would mean about $1,100 more per student.
Daniela Jorge of William Paterson University says 70 percent of students work 25 hours a week or more.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Students from the state's public colleges say they need to hold jobs and take out loans to be able to afford a higher education in New Jersey.
Students met with lawmakers Tuesday to plead for more higher education funding. An action day is scheduled on campuses Wednesday.
Rutgers University President Richard McCormick told a Senate budget panel Monday that the state's four-year schools expect to hold tuition increases below 10 percent if Gov. Chris Christie's budget is approved.
The budget calls for $714 million in operating aid. That's about the same as last year.
Rutgers senior John Aspray said a 9 percent tuition increase would mean about $1,100 more per student.
Daniela Jorge of William Paterson University says 70 percent of students work 25 hours a week or more.
Kean Buys Student Publicity...
If any of you have seen the recent facebook post on the Kean University fan page, or gotten an email about the 'Share your experience' contest, then you might be excited at the prospect of doing a small amount of work (writing 250-300 words about you life at Kean) to win an iPad, Dell Netbook, or color Nook. What you might not have thought about is this: Is Kean really so messed up that it needs to buy good publicity from its students?
I'm not saying that there's nothing good to write about at Kean... But I do recognize that students who really, really want that iPad are probably going to sugarcoat their submissions, if not lie outright. I know, for instance, that I could write the shit out of that contest and tell only truths--but is it worth it to ignore all the heartbreaking experiences I've endured here just to play around on an iPad?
The truth is, I really love iPads. And I would totally enter a contest to own one--but not at the cost of betraying my own beliefs. Certainly not at the cost of betraying all of you out there who read this blog, and most assuredly not at the cost of misleading prospective students who might check out the Kean Facebook page to see what current students are saying about their school.
I looked at the contest on the Kean University facebook page today and saw a comment left by a student, Adolfo, who is in a similar situation to mine. He wrote, " I originally came to KEAN UNIVERSITY to major in Philosophy but then I found out it was dismantled and could no longer major in it." I was a Philosophy Major when I entered Kean, but I am no longer. The department that once fed my intellectualism is dead, the courses that first led me to question the 'system' at Kean are gone, and yet I definitely took a moment to think, Man! I could totally win an iPad in this contest!
I guess iPads are incredibly persuasive technological devices. I guess it's easy to forget the things that hurt us in the past when things are going well, again.
But its not worth it to forget just because the dissemblance of Social Work and Philosophy are in the past. Just because they're 'old news' doesn't make the fact that they happened unimportant. It doesn't diminish the cost to the students. I've learned to live with it, at this point--all of us have, mainly because we have to--but the fact that we can live with it doesn't mean we should have to. What we need to do is remember that we were wronged, remember that we deserved better treatment from the school, and the President, that claim to love us like their children.
Don't lose yourself in it, don't mope. Just remember.
That way, when Kean offers you an iPad or a laptop or some other mouthwateringly attractive device in exchange for a publicity sound-bite, you'll recognize that they're trying to pay you off to do it. So please, all of you out there who might have considered entering that contest the way I did, refrain from it unless you really do have only good things to say. Don't sugarcoat. Don't lie.
Or, even better, go ahead and post something--just tell the truth. Tell it like it is.
I'm not saying that there's nothing good to write about at Kean... But I do recognize that students who really, really want that iPad are probably going to sugarcoat their submissions, if not lie outright. I know, for instance, that I could write the shit out of that contest and tell only truths--but is it worth it to ignore all the heartbreaking experiences I've endured here just to play around on an iPad?
The truth is, I really love iPads. And I would totally enter a contest to own one--but not at the cost of betraying my own beliefs. Certainly not at the cost of betraying all of you out there who read this blog, and most assuredly not at the cost of misleading prospective students who might check out the Kean Facebook page to see what current students are saying about their school.
I looked at the contest on the Kean University facebook page today and saw a comment left by a student, Adolfo, who is in a similar situation to mine. He wrote, " I originally came to KEAN UNIVERSITY to major in Philosophy but then I found out it was dismantled and could no longer major in it." I was a Philosophy Major when I entered Kean, but I am no longer. The department that once fed my intellectualism is dead, the courses that first led me to question the 'system' at Kean are gone, and yet I definitely took a moment to think, Man! I could totally win an iPad in this contest!
I guess iPads are incredibly persuasive technological devices. I guess it's easy to forget the things that hurt us in the past when things are going well, again.
But its not worth it to forget just because the dissemblance of Social Work and Philosophy are in the past. Just because they're 'old news' doesn't make the fact that they happened unimportant. It doesn't diminish the cost to the students. I've learned to live with it, at this point--all of us have, mainly because we have to--but the fact that we can live with it doesn't mean we should have to. What we need to do is remember that we were wronged, remember that we deserved better treatment from the school, and the President, that claim to love us like their children.
Don't lose yourself in it, don't mope. Just remember.
That way, when Kean offers you an iPad or a laptop or some other mouthwateringly attractive device in exchange for a publicity sound-bite, you'll recognize that they're trying to pay you off to do it. So please, all of you out there who might have considered entering that contest the way I did, refrain from it unless you really do have only good things to say. Don't sugarcoat. Don't lie.
Or, even better, go ahead and post something--just tell the truth. Tell it like it is.
DAY OF ACTION TOMORROW!
Kean is hosting an NJUS State-Wide Day of Action event tomorrow:
New Jersey does NOT provide for its college students! Join us at Kean University to peacefully protest the problems with NJ's Higher-Ed system that are falling on the backs of public university students! The NJUS Day of Action is happening simultaneously at all of NJ's Public Universities—so don't be left out! Join the movement that's changing the game at the state level: Austerity is out, and Education is number one on April 13th!
The Frisbee-Toss for Student Freedoms:
Join fellow students outside the University Center and Library for lively games of frisbee—feel free to get competitive or just fool around. Bring your own frisbee and your own friends, or join a game and take the opportunity to meet other Kean students, discuss the problems that NJ Higher Ed faces both on campus and at the state level, and learn about the US's first-ever state-wide Student Union, NJUS.
The Towel-Lay Against Tuition Hikes:
You've heard that we're not allowed on the grass at Kean University? Well apparently it's A-Okay if you're laying or sunbathing on a towel, so bring one by and enjoy the grass that's so much greener without foot-traffic! Share your college experience with other New Jersey students and learn why our state is number 50 out of 50 in provision for Higher Education. Make your voice heard (in the most relaxing way possible) by laying on the grass!
New Jersey does NOT provide for its college students! Join us at Kean University to peacefully protest the problems with NJ's Higher-Ed system that are falling on the backs of public university students! The NJUS Day of Action is happening simultaneously at all of NJ's Public Universities—so don't be left out! Join the movement that's changing the game at the state level: Austerity is out, and Education is number one on April 13th!
The Frisbee-Toss for Student Freedoms:
Join fellow students outside the University Center and Library for lively games of frisbee—feel free to get competitive or just fool around. Bring your own frisbee and your own friends, or join a game and take the opportunity to meet other Kean students, discuss the problems that NJ Higher Ed faces both on campus and at the state level, and learn about the US's first-ever state-wide Student Union, NJUS.
The Towel-Lay Against Tuition Hikes:
You've heard that we're not allowed on the grass at Kean University? Well apparently it's A-Okay if you're laying or sunbathing on a towel, so bring one by and enjoy the grass that's so much greener without foot-traffic! Share your college experience with other New Jersey students and learn why our state is number 50 out of 50 in provision for Higher Education. Make your voice heard (in the most relaxing way possible) by laying on the grass!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
NJUS State-Wide Day of Action (Wednesday, April 13th)
Well, April 13th is only a week away and Day of Action is planned, plotted, and poised to call college students from Ramapo to Trenton into action.
That's right—New Jersey's United Students are going to be demonstrating all across the state next wednesday in the hope of calling attention to toll of underfunding public higher-education. New Jersey ranked 50th this year in provision for public universities, a mark that sits in stark contrast to the states previously impressive funding for primary and secondary public education. It might seem as though higher-ed is just another victim of Governor Christie's budget cuts, but a look into the past proves otherwise:
New Jersey's funding for public universities has dropped 18% since 2007, before Christie took office, and moved us back in the state rankings for post-secondary school expenditures... Moved us back an astonishing single place from 49th to 50th, to be exact. So it's pretty apparent that the Garden State hasn't given its college students the money they deserve for a while, now.
NJUS plans to change that, and their first orchestrated call-to-action is next Wednesday. Students will be walking out, demonstrating, holding discussions, spreading the word, making a racket and having a damn-good time doing it (especially if they are sad they missed the 70's)—all to call attention to the gross mistreatment of public higher ed at the state level. Montclair State University, William Patterson University, Jersey City University, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Rowan University, TCNJ (The College of New Jersey), all three Rutgers Campuses, and—you guessed it—Kean University will be hosting events put together by local NJUS members.
Kean's schedule of events is still in the works, but we know about two things that are definitely happening between 12:30PM and 4:30PM:
The Frisbee-Toss for Student Freedoms:
Join fellow students outside the University Center and Library for lively games of frisbee—feel free to get competitive or just fool around. Bring your own frisbee and your own friends, or join a game and take the opportunity to meet other Kean students, discuss the problems that NJ Higher Ed faces both on campus and at the state level, and learn about the US's first-ever state-wide Student Union, NJUS.
The Towel-Lay Against Tuition Hikes:
You've heard that we're not allowed on the grass at Kean University? Well apparently it's A-Okay if you're laying or sunbathing on a towel, so bring one by and enjoy the grass that's so much greener without foot-traffic! Share your college experience with other New Jersey students and learn why our state is number 50 out of 50 in provision for Higher Education. Make your voice heard (in the most relaxing way possible) by laying on the grass!
Check out Kean's Day of Action Facebook event, which is open to all, as well as the NJUS Statewide Day of Action Facebook event in order to sign up, show your support, and learn more!
That's right—New Jersey's United Students are going to be demonstrating all across the state next wednesday in the hope of calling attention to toll of underfunding public higher-education. New Jersey ranked 50th this year in provision for public universities, a mark that sits in stark contrast to the states previously impressive funding for primary and secondary public education. It might seem as though higher-ed is just another victim of Governor Christie's budget cuts, but a look into the past proves otherwise:
New Jersey's funding for public universities has dropped 18% since 2007, before Christie took office, and moved us back in the state rankings for post-secondary school expenditures... Moved us back an astonishing single place from 49th to 50th, to be exact. So it's pretty apparent that the Garden State hasn't given its college students the money they deserve for a while, now.
NJUS plans to change that, and their first orchestrated call-to-action is next Wednesday. Students will be walking out, demonstrating, holding discussions, spreading the word, making a racket and having a damn-good time doing it (especially if they are sad they missed the 70's)—all to call attention to the gross mistreatment of public higher ed at the state level. Montclair State University, William Patterson University, Jersey City University, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Rowan University, TCNJ (The College of New Jersey), all three Rutgers Campuses, and—you guessed it—Kean University will be hosting events put together by local NJUS members.
Kean's schedule of events is still in the works, but we know about two things that are definitely happening between 12:30PM and 4:30PM:
The Frisbee-Toss for Student Freedoms:
Join fellow students outside the University Center and Library for lively games of frisbee—feel free to get competitive or just fool around. Bring your own frisbee and your own friends, or join a game and take the opportunity to meet other Kean students, discuss the problems that NJ Higher Ed faces both on campus and at the state level, and learn about the US's first-ever state-wide Student Union, NJUS.
The Towel-Lay Against Tuition Hikes:
You've heard that we're not allowed on the grass at Kean University? Well apparently it's A-Okay if you're laying or sunbathing on a towel, so bring one by and enjoy the grass that's so much greener without foot-traffic! Share your college experience with other New Jersey students and learn why our state is number 50 out of 50 in provision for Higher Education. Make your voice heard (in the most relaxing way possible) by laying on the grass!
Check out Kean's Day of Action Facebook event, which is open to all, as well as the NJUS Statewide Day of Action Facebook event in order to sign up, show your support, and learn more!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Student Org Elections Start Tomorrow!
Hey there everyone,
Don't forget to vote in the student organization elections that start tomorrow!
You have until Tuesday at 6:00PM to make your voice heard!
Don't forget to vote in the student organization elections that start tomorrow!
You have until Tuesday at 6:00PM to make your voice heard!
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