CAMPUS NEWS Issue 23-1 FIRST COPY FREE! A successful semester
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CAMPUS NEWS College V Paper
A successful semester
Issue 23-1 FIRST COPY FREE!
A NEW YEAR 2021
Winning in Spring 2021
ON TEACHING The year of 2020 was filled with many challenges
for all of us. We now need to look forward to making
7
the year of 2021 a better one. You can experience aca-
demic success to help ensure success in your career en-
deavors. Let’s investigate some actions we can take
now to make this a productive semester in college.
ELECTION GURU 25 Please read more on page 3
MacKenzie Scott donates $60M to CUNY
The City University of New measuring program outcomes and
York celebrated and expressed assessing the organizations’ ability
deep appreciation to MacKenzie to make effective use of the fund-
Scott after the author, philanthro- ing. The gifts were on top of $1.7
pist and former wife of Amazon’s billion that Scott gave to 111 non-
Jeff Bezos announced in December profits and institutions earlier in
that two CUNY colleges were the year.
among recipients of financial gifts “These incredible gifts are a
to organizations and institutions clear signal that the message
supporting those that have been about CUNY’s value-proposition –
hardest hit by the pandemic. Both academic excellence, affordability,
Borough of Manhattan Commu- social mobility, and commitment to
nity College and Lehman College social justice – is resonating in the
received $30 million, each gift philanthropic community nation-
among the largest in the Univer- ally and outside our traditional cir-
sity’s history. cle of supporters,” added
“On behalf of the CUNY commu- Chancellor Matos Rodríguez. “I in-
nity, I thank MacKenzie Scott for vite other philanthropists commit-
recognizing the role we play in pro- ted to these values dear to CUNY
viding an accessible onramp to the and myself, to take a look at the
middle class for all New Yorkers,” transformational nature of the
said Chancellor Félix V. Matos Ro- work going on across our 25 col-
dríguez. “This groundbreaking gift leges.”
will allow the nation’s largest The gifts build on the recent tive and comes to the college be- across 25 campuses, the largest
urban public university to con- successes at both institutions, who cause of Lehman’s track record of gift the Mellon Foundation has
tinue to fulfill its mission as an un- together serve 40,000 undergradu- outstanding advancement of social made to CUNY in its 45-year his-
paralleled engine for upward social ate and graduate students. mobility for our students, a record tory of supporting the university.
mobility at a time when people are Lehman College,CUNY’s only ma- that exists through the long-stand- The gift included $2.5 million for
turning to CUNY to get back on jority-Hispanic senior college, has ing efforts on our students’ behalf the Chancellor’s Emergency Relief
their feet. A gift of this size as we been ranked by the American by every part of the college.” Fund, established swiftly in April
turn the page on such a challeng- Council on Education as first in
“Our institution prides itself on to help students weather the eco-
ing year brings us renewed hope the nation among designated His-
altering the lives of our students in nomic impact of the pandemic. It
for the opportunities it will create panic Serving Institutions for help-
ways that will help them obtain ca- started with initial gifts of $1 mil-
in the months and years ahead.” ing students improve their
reer training, obtain their dream lion each from the Carroll and Mil-
In the essay that announced her academic standing through educa- ton Petrie Foundation and the
of earning a degree and moving up
generous gifts totaling more than tion. Borough of Manhattan Com- James and Judith K. Dimon Foun-
the socioeconomic ladder,” said
$4.1 billion in recent months, Scott munity College, the largest of dation and later $1 million from
Borough of Manhattan Commu-
outlined the process by which her CUNY’s colleges, was named this Robin Hood. By the fall, the fund
nity College President Anthony E.
team of advisers selected the recip- year one of 10 national finalists for had grown to more than $8 million.
Munroe. “Our students have been
ients, noting that they were chosen the 2021 Aspen Prize for Commu- Separately, CUNY’s 25 campuses
disproportionately impacted by the
in part because of their strong gov- nity College Excellence, the na- raised $8.6 million for a total of
pandemic. This gift will have gen-
ernance and history of working on tion’s signature recognition of high nearly $17 million in emergency
erational and exponential impact
the frontlines to provide resources achievement and performance relief funds. Earlier this month,
on our students and BMCC insti-
to vulnerable populations from un- among community colleges. CUNY Tuesday, the one-day of giv-
tution’s ability to create new mod-
derserved communities, work that “On behalf of the entire Lehman ing on the Tuesday after Thanks-
els and innovative ways to address
has become even more vital this College community, we are deeply giving, raised a record of nearly
our students’ needs in and outside
year. grateful to Ms. MacKenzie Scott $2.4 million from over 6,000
of the classroom.”
The CUNY colleges were among for this extremely generous gift donors for the University. And in
The gifts capped an extraordi- November, BNY Mellon awarded
384 recipients selected from a total that will enable the college to fur-
nary year in philanthropy for $10 million to CUNY to support in-
field of 6,490 organizations, wrote ther its mission as a catalytic an-
CUNY and Chancellor Matos Ro- novative educational programs
Scott, who relied on hundreds of chor institution in the Bronx,” said
dríguez. In August, the Andrew W. and workplace initiatives that tar-
field experts, funders and non- Lehman College President Daniel
Mellon Foundation awarded $10 get underserved New Yorkers.
profit leaders to pare down her list, Lemons. “The gift is transforma-
million to CUNY to drive change
Campus News | January 2021 | Page 2
The Professor’s Office Hours
Tips for success this spring semester
Prof. John DeSpagna College also offers opportunities
Campus News to try new things and broaden your
horizons. Along these lines, try
The year of 2020 was filled with taking an internship. This can pro-
many challenges for all of us. We vide you with invaluable experi-
now need to look forward to mak- ence working in a field. You can
ing the year of 2021 a better one. find out if you want to pursue a
You can experience academic suc- certain field as a career. The op-
cess to help ensure success in your portunity to network and turn this
career endeavors. Let us investi- into a job are also positives that
gate some actions we can take now can be attained.
to make this a productive semester
in college. Colleges also have numerous
scholarships that are available to
One of the characteristics of suc- students. Look on the college web-
cessful people is that they have a site to find out about these schol-
plan of what they want to accom- arships and apply for them to help
plish. Let us apply this on a per- with your tuition.
sonal level. The first day of class, I
spend a few moments talking Where are you going to transfer
about success and then have stu- to after you earn your community
dents write out their five-year college degree? This is something
plan. This relates to academics, that you must put a lot of thought
college, career aspirations, family into. Go on visits to other colleges
and what you want to accomplish. and set up an appointment with
someone in your Transfer Office. ways building. One of ways to do a skill that you will need to de-
Students are asked to think about
Think about what major you want this is to try and obtain part time velop. Speak to one of your profes-
this during the semester. On the
to pursue and how other colleges employment in the field you want sors to help you with this. Read
last day of class, everyone is asked
can be a fit for you here. to have a career in. A company over the resume multiple times
to write out their five-year plan
Try to stay focused on a path- may want to hire you after gradu- and see if any resume building
again. Try this to get focused on
way to success where you are al- ation, and this will facilitate your workshops are being held on cam-
what you really want to do.
job search. Ask if the company of- pus.
As you are planning your path,
it is also important to work with
‘Stay focused. fers benefits such as tuition reim- As the year of 2020 presented us
bursement to help with your
an advisor. Go and talk to one of
your professors a couple times dur-
Set aside time college degree.
all many challenges, we need to
look forward and build a better to-
ing the semester. Do not just talk
about the courses you are taking.
blocks to study Time management skills. This is
something that you can work on, so
morrow in 2021. Try and incorpo-
rate some of these ideas into the
Ask for help with advisement and
how you can build your career.
each day.’ your time is spent in an efficient
and effective manner. Set aside
new year to help you move toward
reaching your academic and career
time blocks to study each day to goals in 2021!
Write stories.
help ensure academic success.
Do you need a little extra help in John DeSpagna is a business
Get published.
one or more of your courses? Many professor and
colleges offer the opportunity to Chair of Account-
Reach people.
utilize the services of Learning ing and Business
7 7
Centers. These are common in Administration
areas such as Math, English, and Department at
Accounting. Take advantage of Nassau Commu-
these services to enhance your nity College in
learning experience. Garden City, New
Contact editor@cccn.us with your story!
Building an effective resume is York.
Campus News | January 2021 | Page 3
Rockland partners with Franklin U.
Rockland Community College an- RCC Associate Provost, Dr. Robert Franklin’s tuition rate. For additional transfer informa-
nounced its newest partnership Schultz. “There’s no doubt about “A college degree has become a tion, please email Andy Amick,
with Ohio’s number one nonprofit it—the RCC-Franklin 3+1 Partner- necessity for individual economic Franklin University Admissions
university for online degrees, ship is designed to help students opportunity and America’s compet- Counselor, at
Franklin University, highlighting achieve advanced degrees and suc- itiveness in the global economy,” transferinfo@franklin.edu or you
our shared commitment to making cess in their career of choice.” shared Dr. David Decker, President, can set-up a phone or virtual meet-
college more accessible and afford- For more than 115 years, Franklin University. “Through our ing by visiting Andy’s calendar at
able. Through today’s announce- Franklin University has built a rep- Community College Alliance, we www.franklin.edu/appt/andya.
ment, students at Rockland utation as a pioneer in educating can extend access to our recent 24% Franklin University offers virtual
Community College now have the adult learners, and removing barri- reduction in undergraduate tuition office hours on Tuesday and
additional opportunity to build on ers to higher education for ambi- and tuition guarantee, and gener- Wednesday each week from 4:00 pm
their achievements, by maximizing tious adults. Through Franklin’s ous transfer policy, to bring a degree to 7:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time)
their associate degree credit toward Community College Alliance (CCA), within reach to meet our students’ via Zoom. Stop in to say hello and
earning a bachelor’s degree, while students can build upon the credits needs.” find out more about the incentives
staying in their own community. they earn at Rockland Community of our partnership by clicking on the
For information on how you can
“RCC students who take advan- College by transferring credit seam- maximize Rockland Community Zoom link below:
tage of our 3+1 Partnership with lessly to Franklin. This convenient College credits to cut the total cost o Tuesday’s 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Franklin University can conve- 3+1 program saves students time of a bachelor’s degree in half by Join Zoom Meeting
niently continue to take courses and money and allowing students to choosing Franklin - a private, non- franklin.zoom.us/j/93588017171.
that count toward the third year of do as much of the third year of their profit and regionally accredited in-
their bachelor’s degree, while re- bachelor’s degree right here at o Wednesday’s 4:00 – 7:00 pm
stitution, visit Join Zoom Meeting
maining right here on our campus, Rockland Community College – www.franklin.edu/cca.
paying our tuition rates,” remarked paying our tuition rate instead of franklin.zoom.us/j/99100848222.
Get Ahead with a Deeper Learning
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Start Here. Go Far.
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Campus News | January 2021 | Page 4
Not all colleges are seeing declines
Darren Johnson
Campus News
Most colleges have been reporting sobering en-
rollment numbers this fall, the first full semester
in our Covid-era. Covid, as you know, heavily dis-
rupted the second half of the Spring 2020 semes-
ter, so colleges had to adapt over the summer to
keep currently accepted students and recruit
new ones to take the places of students backing
out due to risk of Covid and/or wanting a partic-
ular college experience (in person vs. online).
According to last month’s report from the Na-
tional Student Clearinghouse Research Center,
overall undergraduate enrollment is down by
560,000 students nationwide, or 3.6 percent com-
pared to 2019 (which also was a down year). And
even that number is a bit misleading, as this fall,
for-profit colleges (think University of Phoenix)
were up a whopping 5.3 percent. That’s likely
because such schools were adept at delivering on- Russell Sage College
line education anyway, and many people didn’t
want to leave their homes.
Vice President for Enrollment Management. the boring, passive style of classes analogous to
However, some schools are reporting gains “The extra attention paid to those who did de- a 20th century message board.
in enrollment, and I’ve interviewed key enroll- posit played a huge role in making this happen.”
ment officials at several of them, to understand “We did away with asynchronous,” Gruse said.
what they are doing differently. In each issue Sage administrators say it was really impor- “It’s something the faculty didn’t want to do.”
of Campus News, I will feature a different col- tant to stay in touch with students, current and “At the beginning of the semester, we had 46
lege’s perspective, when it comes to enroll- prospective, through every part of the process. percent of courses listed as in-person fully with
ment. You can find the collected stories on our an additional 30 percent hybrid, which is usually
website, campus–news.org, as they appear.
Recently, I spoke with Doug Gruse, Senior Di-
‘The extra attention one class on campus each week with the other
class remote. As time went on, more of the fully
rector of Marketing and Communications at Rus-
sell Sage College, which has campuses in Albany
played a huge role in-person courses moved to the hybrid and some
fully remote. The remaining 24 percent is a mix
and Troy. I had heard that the 2500-student col-
lege’s population was on the upswing, despite the
in making this happen.’ of fully online programs that were functioning
online prior to COVID and fully remote courses.
Covid disruption, and despite that Upstate col- We expect to have a similar experience in the
leges in general had been seeing declines due to “Our health team has been on top of things spring, with at least 75 percent of courses having
a shrinking high school graduating population. and very diligent, sending messages to students some component of an on-campus experience,”
to keep them informed as to what the safety pro- said Theresa Hand, Provost.
While, nationally, four-year private colleges cedures are,” Gruse said.
were down 0.1 percent, according to the NSCRC Students knowing exactly what they were
report, Sage was actually up 1.6 percent to start Sage has small class sizes and, spanning two going to get, and being frequently communicated
the semester. campuses Upstate, has plenty of space for social with, surely helped Sage keep them in the
distancing and quarantining, as necessary. But pipeline.
“We were really happy with our numbers,” there have been few instances of Covid-related
Gruse said. “We worked hard to make sure our Gruse praised the faculty: “They made stu-
issues on campus, even considering the regular dents feel closer to the campus, opening up new
college experience is the best it can be, and as testing of the whole Sage community.
safe as it can be – and keeping a line of commu- avenues for dialogue.”
nication open with all students and answering I’ve also found that colleges that had a good
what questions they might have.” mix of in-person and online classes helps. Sage
is currently 46% in-person and 30% hybrid. Of To learn more about Russell Sage College, visit
“The staff really came together to wind up over the classes that are fully online, they are inter- sage.edu.
last year’s numbers,” added Thomas Nesbitt, active (Zoom based) and not “asynchronous” –
Campus News | January 2021 | Page 5
So You Want to Major In...
Journalism is making a comeback
Darren Johnson stink at first. You need to get your story is done, even after hours.
Campus News practice in somewhere. • Do you like meeting new
I thought for this month’s edition • Do you like deadline pres- people? Going to new locations?
of the “So you want to major in…” sure? I tell students that Journalism You don’t have to be an extrovert to
column, I’d take a crack at writing it is the one subject where a procrasti- be a journalist, but you can’t be
and propose Journalism as a subject nator can do well. In essence, writing afraid of encountering a wide array
worth considering. a newspaper story is about waiting of people and situations. From boring
until the last possible minute to sub- town board meetings to exciting
Now, I didn’t major in Journalism. mit your work. A journalist is always BLM and Trump rallies – you’ll do it
I majored in English with a Writing waiting until there’s no time left to all.
concentration (and had a second get in that final copy. Maybe you’ll
major, Pre-Law with a Sociology con- If you are a bit more of a rules-fol-
get a phone call just before press lower, and don’t like to draw atten-
centration), but, in essence, all of this time from someone who can add a
coalesced into a Journalism career, tion to yourself, and if the truth and
good quote to your story. Maybe you a responsibility to your readers isn’t
and I have taught the subject at the can fine tune your lead paragraph.
college level and advised school pa- a priority, maybe instead major in
That’s part of the art. If you are the Public Relations. Sure, some people
pers for many years, and do still. type of person who waits until the say journalists are biased; but those business) still isn’t easy, but it’s eas-
My viewpoint on whether Journal- night before to write your term pa- polls are mostly about national jour-
ism is a useful major or not has wa- pers, and still you get A’s, you might ier than in the past. For example, a
nalists. At the local level, other stud- paper like Campus News would
vered over the years. Twenty years make for a good journalist. ies say, the vast majority of people
ago – sure thing! Ten years ago – have required at least a few full-
• Do you have a desire to trust their hometown writers. timers and a real newspaper office
maybe not. Now? Yes, I think there
‘From boring town board
see your name in to make it from desktop to the
are some new opportunities. print? A bit of an streets two decades ago. Now it can
meetings to exciting BLM and
First, let me ask if you agree the ego? Writers take be done from a kitchen table by one
following: pride in seeing person and some freelancers and gig
Trump rallies – you’ll do it all.’
• Do you actually like news- their bylines atop workers. Send the files to be printed
papers? When I was in college – an article. Sure, over the Internet to a printer. Con-
even high school and before that – I there are behind- sidering Covid, interviews can now
actively sought out newspapers, even the-scenes jobs at be done by Zoom.
– gasp! – paying for them with newspapers, like copy editor or pub- Now, about the business
lisher, but you don’t need a Journal- While the digital revolution killed
change from my car’s ashtray. I often prospects. Yes, 20 years ago, I’d tell off many newspapers in the past
had newspaper delivery jobs, start- ism degree to get those jobs. A you getting a Journalism degree is
journalist takes pride in ownership of decade, these same technologies can
ing at age 12, and even had an fine. There were plenty of big and save small newspapers a lot of money
“adult” route in college, and consid- an article, and feels good about hav- small newspapers, and they were
ing their work shared to a larger au- and make newspaper creation possi-
ered getting the paper for free a perk. hiring. Ten years ago, I was more ble for an upstart. Thus, young Jour-
Yeah, I know, everything’s digital dience. Also, your name is your bond hesitant. These papers were going
with your readers – that they can nalism grads may be able to create a
now, but that doesn’t mean newspa- out of business due to the digital rev- niche for themselves.
pers don’t exist. If you find yourself trust you to shoot straight. You olution and social media. But now?
attracted to newspapers – in all aren’t a PR person hiding behind a
corporate letterhead. While your odds of being picked up Darren Johnson
forms – Journalism may be the right by a major newspaper are far less
major for you. • Can you rise to the occa- owns Campus News
than in decades past, and the and a historic com-
• Are you willing to work sion? A news story can always be salaries are worse and workload
improved. You can call more sources, munity paper in Up-
on your craft? I always joined more, the opportunity to create a state New York, The
school papers. You don’t have to be read more background research, talk journalism startup – either digitally
to more people. Not all stories re- Greenwich Journal
the Editor in Chief – that position is or in print – is easier than ever. You & Salem Press. He’s
often politically chosen anyway – but quire such gumption, but if a re- no longer need the big conglomer-
porter gets a scent of a hot story, that been a newspaper
you should at least want to prove ates. staffer and college Journalism advi-
your mettle at a small publication. overdrive kicks in. Do you have that
extra gear? Or are you more of a 9-to- Starting a small-town paper (or sor and over 1000 of his articles
There is a lot to learn. And you might buying one that’s about to go out of have appeared in other newspapers.
5er? The journalist will stay until the
Campus News | January 2021 | Page 6
Two completely different teaching jobs
Kaylee Johnson Of course this is not true for every
Campus News situation, but overall private
schools have taken a hit during
I recently made a career transi- this time of high needs and modern
tion from teaching at a very technology.
Catholic school located in a very af-
The dismissal line at the private
fluent resort town to an inner city
school I worked for was always in-
public school, in the midst of a pan-
tercepting top of the line cars and
demic. A lot went into this move, as
eye-rolling moms. Children would
I knew the two schools were han-
arrive in the morning with well
dling COVID protocol very differ-
combed hair and hearty snacks to
ently due to funding, laws and
eat while silently reading and jour-
population. Moving from a tiny
naling about the mini trips they
high socioeconomic private school
took over the weekend. Everything
to a large low socioeconomic public
seemed very Norman Rockwell,
school required many adaptations
and while the job lacked both ad-
in my teaching style, objectives and
versity and diversity, it was still a
use of technology. The Catholic
wonderful experience, just not all
school I was working for did not
of the time.
have adequate funding and there-
fore a lot of the classroom technol- As a disclaimer, I am liberal and
ogy was dated or glitchy; but due to do not want to come off as a white
the average income bracket of the savior or supremacist in my writ-
families sending their children to ings about my new career situation
that school, all of the students had and the disparity I have witnessed.
professional equipment set ups at In college I worked in some city The teachers at this school have to open and close windows for stu-
home for remote learning. Many school districts, but never any as utilitarian and strict teaching dents and block websites like
Catholic and private schools have poor as the one I am working in styles that leave little room for YouTube during school hours, as
dated resources or fail to modernize now, where students brush their cutesy cookie cutter exploitation. there is not the helicopter assis-
their method of running a school teeth in the morning at school and The students thrive on structure tance that I observed and experi-
due to various reasons, and the take home food bags in the after- and unconditional positive regard, enced working in a private school
pandemic has hit them especially noon. All meals are provided for but most of all setting.
‘Teaching remotely at
hard. free and consistency.
many stu- There is a sense of leadership
Imagine this – a lot of private Trying to and community in my current
a low socioeconomic
dents take
school parents are already a little teach remotely school that aims to overcome the is-
extra for
helicopter, but if they can watch at a low socioe- sues associated with extreme
urban school is
their family
the school day through Zoom; it conomic urban poverty, at least during school
members at
gives them some sort of new power. school is im- hours. All of the faculty members
immensely difficult.’
home. On
I saw veteran teachers of thirty mensely diffi- work together to provide sanctuary
my first
years cry as parents screamed at cult for a and peace for the student body,
day at this
them for not knowing how to locate multitude of above all else. I have a newfound
new job, a
files in Google Classroom. A lot of reasons, and luckily my new school passion for teaching, as I realize all
third grader got into a fist fight
older teachers at private schools has not been put in that situation of the students’ social and emo-
with another student for making
also struggle to use new technol- this year. About a quarter of the tional needs, and the concise plan-
fun of his foster care situation. Be-
ogy, but know they have to live up students are remote though and is- ning that goes into teaching them,
fore I knew it, there was a pool of
the standards of the parents paying sues arise when there is not ade- and, on top of that, awareness and
blood on the ground and I tried to
tuition – the parents with public quate wifi, even though all sensitivity.
remember if I could legally grab
school friends who talk about See- technology is provided by the
the student throwing the punches.
saw or Kahoot!, so there is added school. Students in this school also
I did, and he flailed at me. The rest Kaylee Johnson
pressure to catch up. The problem have working class parents, so they
of the students in the classroom is a 2020 graduate
is that many private schools do not are often left alone during the day
shrugged their shoulders and told of the College of
have the funding or resources to and cannot access files on their
me it happens all the time. I was Saint Rose in Al-
provide proper technology training own or just fail to show up to class
too soft, asking them to breathe bany.
to teachers, so everybody suffers. entirely. Here, we have a program
and reflect.
Campus News | January 2021 | Page 7
SUNY medical colleges see Covid bump
State University of New York ing, treating, and erad-
Chancellor Jim Malatras last icating this deadly
month announced a significant virus. M.D. applica-
year-over-year surge in M.D. pro- tions are up because
gram applications to SUNY’s four more people are seeing
medical schools. Compared to the what we are capable
number of applications received in of, and know that
2019, the University at Buffalo, there is no better place
Upstate Medical University, Stony to learn and launch
Brook University, and Downstate their medical careers.”
Health Sciences University all ex- Back in April at the
perienced a notable spike in M.D. height of the pandemic
applications in 2020. and pursuant to an ex-
SUNY M.D. Program Applica- ecutive order signed by
tion Increase Breakdown: Governor Andrew
• University at Buffalo: 40 Cuomo, 227 medical
percent students from Upstate
Medical University,
• Upstate Medical University: Downstate Health Sci-
26.2 percent ences University, and
• Stony Brook University: 13.5 Stony Brook Univer-
percent sity graduated early in
• Downstate Health Sciences order to work on the
University: 8.5 percent frontlines and provide
sciences. I think what’s happening ences University President Wayne
much-needed relief at over-
The uptick in applications to is that individuals who may have J. Riley, M.D., said, “We are proud
whelmed hospitals. Many were as-
SUNY’s four medical schools is thought of entering medical school of the increased number of applica-
signed to hospitals in the New York
part of a broader nationwide trend. have taken another look and are tions to the College of Medicine,
City Metropolitan area, the epicen-
According to the Association of seeing the amazing work physi- which we view as a testament to
ter of the pandemic in the U.S.
American Medical Colleges cians, physicians-scientists and the impact our own physicians and
(AAMC), medical school applica- University at Buffalo Vice Presi- community physicians are doing in healthcare workers had during the
tions are up 18 percent over the dent for Health Sciences and Dean caring for humanity in one of the pandemic. Our applicants under-
last year thanks in large part to the of the Jacobs School of Medicine greatest medical challenges of our stand the value of what they can
example set by medical workers, and Biomedical Sciences Michael time.” learn—as the next generation of
doctors, and public health figures. E. Cain, M.D., said, “The fact that healthcare leaders—in a commu-
Stony Brook University Presi-
so many of our young people have nity often hard hit by chronic ill-
“The unwavering commitment of dent Maurie D. McInnis said, “The
decided during this once-in-a-cen- nesses and other health disparities.
doctors and public health experts impact of science and medicine
tury pandemic that they want to They know the training they re-
to providing care, vital information, have never been more evident than
‘run toward the trouble’ as the say- ceive will prepare them to serve
solace, and hope during the darkest they are today. This novel coron-
ing goes, and not away from it, is where there is the greatest need.”
moments of this pandemic has been avirus pandemic has certainly
extraordinary and humbling. It has
a profoundly inspiring experience raised awareness of the need for SUNY Health encompasses four
been nothing short of inspiring to
for us all,” said Chancellor Mala- more doctors, and significantly ele- academic health centers, five hos-
see the determination that our stu-
tras. “It has also served as an vated the importance of medical re- pitals, four medical schools, two
dents, medical residents and fac-
awakening and turning point for search and innovation. The dental schools, the state’s only col-
ulty are bringing to their work
many young people who are now increase of applicants to the Ren- lege of optometry, and 37 other
every day to improve the care of pa-
motivated to join the ranks. From aissance School of Medicine in 2020 campuses dedicated to health pro-
tients in Buffalo both during and
being on the frontlines in March – nearly 5,900, our highest ever – fessions and services. Together,
after this pandemic.”
and developing the world’s top- is inspiring in that it demonstrates SUNY Health graduates more than
ranked saliva test, to cutting edge SUNY Upstate Medical Univer- a new generation is answering the 11,000 health professionals every
research about how the virus be- sity President Mantosh Dewan, call and we look forward to welcom- year, including one of every three
haves and leading trials for the M.D., said, “The pandemic contin- ing the class of 2025 to our campus medical school graduates, nearly
Pfizer vaccine—our physicians and ues to shine a spotlight on the out- in July.” one of every three nursing gradu-
physician-scientists have been at standing work of those in the ates, and one of every four dentists
SUNY Downstate Health Sci-
the very forefront of understand- medical professions and biomedical in the state.
Campus News | January 2021 | Page 8
Black daughter, white mother – both faculty
LaGuardia Community College race, white privilege, and the con- Uganda, and the
mother-daughter professors Joni troversies that now sur- Congo.
Schwartz and Rebecca Schwartz r o u n d N o w ,
have co-authored a new book, transracial though, she
Learning to Disclose: A Journey of and inter- adds, “I am
Transracial Adoption (find it at national aware and
learningtodiscloseajourneyoftr.go- adoptions. now I cannot
daddysites.com), exploring their “My adop- go back to
relationship and identities. Hait- tive parents colorblind-
ian-born Rebecca was adopted by never talked ness. And it
Joni Schwartz in 1990. about race is like I am
Both are faculty in LaGuardia’s much there- making my-
Humanities Department. Joni fore I never self look in the mirror relationship.” She adds: “From my
Schwartz is a professor of commu- saw myself in as I come to this con- position of privilege, I did not have
nication studies, and Rebecca a racial way; I sciousness, that there to recognize that I was White …
Schwartz is an adjunct professor. just saw hu- is color and I am Embracing my White racial iden-
They’re pictured together at left. m a n i t y , ” Black, and what am I tity perhaps made me feel that I
writes Rebecca, going to do with this?” might be more distant from my
The book offers first-person ac- daughter and all I wanted was to
counts from both women as they who has Joni responds with
worked exten- be close — to bond as mother and
contemplate their memories and “regret” for “not discussing and daughter.”
experiences while reflecting on sively with hu- manitarian grappling with race earlier in our
organizations in Haiti, Jordan,
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Campus News | January 2021 | Page 9
Cody’s Column
What I’ve learned in 18 years
Cody Fitzgerald tion of All Mankind. I mean they’re optional
Campus News stairs, come on.
On Dec. 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy 6. Moderation is Key. As a recovering
Air Service launched a surprise military attack (diet) coke addict, I want to tell everyone that
on Pearl Harbor, going down as one of the worst moderation is a lot more than a vocabulary word
moments in United States history. This event ul- in health class. You can refer to my doctor and
timately caused the United States to enter into ask about my accidental Thanos cosplay when
World War II, another difficult and bloody time my face blew up and turned purple last summer
for the country. I was the second national over soda.
tragedy to occur on Dec. 7. 7. Cherish Your Time. You can be mad at
This past week, on Dec. 7, I turned 18 years family members over petty arguments all you
old. Although my childhood was at times want but always remember that that time is
plagued with stress, bad haircuts and Facebook, going to run out one day and you don’t get to say
I look back on a great 18 years with tons of life you’re sorry or you forgive them. Move on and
lessons and experience that I’ve garnered over make the memories that you want to think
time. Today, I’d like to present 18 lessons that about when that day comes.
I’ve learned over 18 years. 8. The Tooth Fairy Is Weird. I spent my
1. Use Your Voice. I lucked out and got a first 9 years of life believing someone broke into
platform right here in this paper, but everybody my house, watched me sleep and traded up-
has a voice, and everybody has the potential to wards of $5 so they could take my tooth and add
say the change they want to see. Whether that it to their astronomically large collection of chil-
‘Don’t be afraid to create
be injustice, prejudice or what is acceptable as a dren’s teeth. What were we thinking?
pizza topping, don’t hold back. 9. Respect Younger People. I hate to
2. Make Your Own Opinions. The world break it to you, but young people took the ropes
when it came to Black Lives Matter and climate change that you think
is so beyond divided right now that you’re going
to have loved ones on completely opposite ends change, while the ones we’re brainwashed to au-
tomatically respect supported racism and tear
is necessary.’
of the spectrum. Don’t listen to your parents,
your friends, your teachers, me or anyone else. gassing protestors, all while burning fossil fuels
are going about life the absolute wrong way. The
See the facts, see what’s happening, and make and complaining about reusable bags.
world sucks, but if we laugh we can make it suck
your own opinions. 10. Question Authority. “The powers that a lot less.
3. Don’t Wait. Nerves get in the way. It be” is the same group that waited until 2015 to
14. Pringles are Garbage. Don’t deny it.
takes time but you have to train your brain to be decide gay marriage was okay and that Amy
They come in here on their high horse thinking
brave enough and reach out to that person, or Schumer should be recognized as a comedian.
it’s okay to make a container with a circumfer-
try out for that sport or tell your grandmother Just because they’re older or in a higher position
ence so tiny that a medium to large dog could not
that her “Granny’s Warehouse” half-toy store, than you doesn’t mean they’re right in any ca-
get their paws in it. They’ve sat and done
half-strip club business idea isn’t going to take pacity.
NOTHING for years as the people get their
off. 11. Don’t Be Afraid of Being Offensive. hands stuck reaching for a potato chip and go
4. People Are Important. This admit- This is the one that does me in, I can feel it. Ob- into a midlife crisis. There are answers, they just
tedly took me until the coronavirus to under- viously casual rudeness and bigotry isn’t accept- don’t want to accept it. What about a Pringles
stand, but all you need is people. It doesn’t able, but (so long as it’s not you complaining can where you twist the bottom and the chips
matter that I haven’t seen a movie in theaters about wearing a mask), don’t be afraid to create come up? Maybe you remove a piece of the lid as
or that I wasn’t able to retrieve my Toys R Us change that you think is necessary. you get deeper into the can (potential sponsor-
gift card that I dropped in the store before it 12. “Full House” was never good. I’m not ship with Lego?). Point is, we’re being brain-
closed, because I had friends and family with me sorry. washed by the elites into thinking that this is all
always. The connections and relationships you we’ve got. We need to see change and we need it
13. Laugh Every Day. Who have you never
make are more important than any material now. #WarOnPringles
seen laugh? Those people are definitely the most
item and you can’t convince me otherwise. miserable that you’ve ever met. If you’re not 15. Always Listen. Even the stupid ones
5. Escalators Are the Greatest Inven- smiling at a joke or a friend’s misfortune, you continued on page 13
Campus News | January 2021 | Page 11Liv It to Me
What’s your most memorable New Year?
Liv Thygesen hotel. Each morning we
Campus News would meet in our
groups and visit with the
The humidity was perfect on the roof of the staff. As a result of our
hotel. The air was warm and with it wafted the language and cultural
smells of the city below. Fried empanadas and bonds, we had been in-
grilled chicken filled our nostrils. The yellow vited to share the holi-
lights of the surrounding apartments and busi- day with the owner of
ness glistened like twinkling stars under the the hotel and his family.
black sky. We must have been on the tallest Not only were we asked
building in the city to see this far and to see with to share the food, space
such detail. The entire circumference of Cordoba and company with his
was visible. Being that it is warm in South family, but we were also
America on the first of January, nearly everyone invited to partake in
in the city was outside. The maze of the streets their New Year’s tradi-
below was abuzz with bicycles and families en- tions. As they indulged
joying the warm New Year’s Eve. Other than in fresh baked em-
the occasional hollering from the street immedi- panadas and Malbec
ately below us, the only sounds we could hear wine, we indulged in em-
were the dulcet tangoes playing over the stereo. panadas and Malbec. As
It was a mirage of glittering lights, mouthwater- they danced a milonga, we danced a milonga. It our new friends explained that the lanterns rep-
ing cuisine and local music. was truly a time for celebrating family and for resent unity and hope for the new year. The
For some in our group, it was their first time celebrating cultures. lanterns are lit, and a wish is made for prosper-
out of the United States. For others it was their The magic of the evening blossomed at the ity in the up and coming year. The lanterns rep-
first time navigating a foreign land in a foreign stroke of twelve. From the streets below us resent spiritual growth and once lit and released,
tongue or it was an opportunity to return to a whizzed up past our heads the whistling glow of ignite good fortune for all. They beckoned us to
land of their past and revel in the joy of youthful fireworks. Fireworks from every direction and come closer so that we could all take turns light-
memories. We had only arrived in country less for as far as the eye could see illuminated around ing a part of the lantern and release it into the
than a week before and had already become good and below us. Singing and yelling rang out as heavens. The giant lantern lifted in the air as if
friends with the other guests and owner of the everyone began hugging. For miles around in a filled with helium. Surrounding us as they lifted
perfect circle around the city, rooftops were illu- to the heavens, were hundreds of paper lanterns.
minated w/ the glittering glow of floating Each one filled with love, hope and well wishes
lanterns and bursting fireworks. Hundreds of from everyone in the city.
paper lanterns rose from the streets below and Together on a warm evening on a hotel
filled the sky around us. The moment was rooftop in Cordoba, Argentina, we not only
breathtakingly magical. Nowhere at any time in brought in the New Year together, but we shared
the United States would we be permitted to light in the beauty of each other’s’ cultures and com-
paper lanterns and release them into the sky. pany. How will you spend your New Year’s this
This was a moment to treasure and lock away year?
forever. The beauty and mystic of being sur-
rounded by fireworks for miles and elegant paper
lantern lighting the way for a successful New
Year. From behind the stairway door, the owner Liv Thygesen has been a ma-
pulled out a giant paper lantern. The hand cut rine, educator and community
details was exquisite. Each fold had a diamond, advocate. She owns Sip & Swirl
or a star delicately cut into the thin paper. in Greenwich, NY.
Swirls and leaves were painted around the
frame. It was almost a shame to ignite such a
fragile work of art. The apprehension of destroy-
ing such exterior beauty was diminished when
Campus News | January 2021 | Page 12Now a cyber-sleuth
Zach Singleton, a 2018 Suffolk County Community College graduate
with an associate degree in Cybersecurity, and 2020 New York Insti-
tute of Technology (NYIT) graduate was recently awarded a presti-
gious Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Scholarship. The
scholarship is part of the DoD’s student recruitment program aimed
at generating the next generation of national security professionals.
In exchange for a full scholarship, Singleton will perform a service ob-
ligation with the DoD as a civilian employee.
Singleton graduated from the New York Institute of Technology in
2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and is con-
tinuing his journey at NYIT to earn a master’s in cybersecurity next
year. “Suffolk shaped me into the student I am now as a graduate stu-
dent,” Singleton said.
Singleton, of Ridge, explained that as a student in Longwood High
School he knew he wanted to attend Suffolk County Community Col-
lege because it offered “the best program for what I wanted to study”
and said he took classes at Suffolk while in high school.
“Zach was self-motivated,” said Suffolk Associate Dean Fara Afshar,
who Singleton credits as one of the professors who mentored him at
Suffolk.
What I learned (cont.)
should be heard so we know what ety’s expectations, you’re going to
not to do. Anything anyone ever turn into the byproduct of people
says has value and can be applied that you don’t even like. There’s no
to how you should or shouldn’t view way to please everybody but you’ll
things. Shutting someone up just never truly be the person you want
fuels them and makes them want to to be until you can love who you are
talk more. today and accept everything that’s
16. Home Depot’s “Do Not wrong with you. You are flawed.
Climb” Signs are just recommen- You have problems that you’re
dations. You heard me. never, ever going to fix no matter
how hard you try. Don’t fight it, ac-
17. No One is Above You. cept it and love everything about it.
Don’t view celebrities and popular
figures as a different species, out of
respect for them and yourself. There you have it, 18 years and
These people are people, they screw 18 things to say. You can listen to
up and they say stupid things and me or not, but I like to think you
do stupid stuff and you shouldn’t be view Pringles and Home Depot with
brainwashed and influenced by a much clearer mindset now.
them.
18. Love Yourself. Teenage Cody Fitzger-
years are some of the worst when it ald is a
comes to self confidence. I went Schuylerville
through it myself, being ashamed of (NY) High
how you look, or dress, or what School senior as-
music you listen to or even what piring to become
you eat. Bottom line is, it doesn’t a screenwriter
matter what anyone thinks but you. and comedian.
If you live your life catering to soci- Campus News | January 2021 | Page 13New MSNBC leader hopes to propel network
Brian Steinberg thousands of viewers who watch
Variety their shows live and en masse.
Special to Campus News News networks have seen their rat-
ings soar during the Trump admin-
Rashida Jones, an up-and-com- istration and over the course of the
ing news executive at NBCUniver- coronavirus pandemic, when mil-
sal, will take the reins at the lions of people are staying close to
company’s MSNBC cable-news out- home.
let in February, setting her up to be At the same time, MSNBC’s
the first Black executive to run one business lags that of its two main
of the nation’s big cable-news out- rivals, Fox Corporation’s Fox News
lets at time when that business is Channel and WarnerMedia’s CNN.
of growing importance to the na- Fox News is seen securing nearly
tion’s large media conglomerates. $2.98 billion in revenue from ad-
Phil Griffin, who has worked at vertising and affiliate fees in 2020,
MSNBC since its launch in 1996 according to market-research firm
and as its president since 2008, is Kagan, part of S&P Global. CNN is
Rashida Jones
expected to step down at the end of seen capturing more than $1.72 bil-
January. Griffin has enjoyed close lion. MSNBC, meanwhile, is ex-
ties to many of MSNBC’s prime- pected to win just under $1.11 recently reworked its daytime and NBCUniversal’s best-known out-
time stars, including Rachel Mad- billion. Executives at many of the weekend schedules in ways that lets is the latest in a series of
dow, the linchpin of the network’s cable-news networks have been give more time to Nicolle Wallace, moves Conde has made after tak-
lineup, and Joe Scarborough and girding for a potential dip in view- a late-afternoon anchor who is an ing oversight of NBCU’s news oper-
Mika Brzezinski, two of its morn- ership in 2021, a dynamic that is internal favorite at the company, ations under the still-early
ing hosts. typical of coverage in the year after and add anchors from diverse back- corporate regime of NBCU CEO
a presidential election. grounds to the network’s Saturday Jeff Shell. Since coming aboard as
“Rashida knows and under-
and Sunday schedule. chairman of NBC News Group in
stands MSNBC, in part because it’s Jones has gained traction in re-
In recent months, said Conde, May, Conde has outlined new goals
where she started when she first cent years because of her talent in
Jones “has masterfully guided our to diversity the editorial and exec-
joined NBCU seven years ago,” devising special news reports that
coverage of the global pandemic, utive ranks and backed decisions to
said Cesar Conde, chairman of have encompassed everything from
the social justice protests and un- place former Fox News anchor
NBCUniversal’s news operations, presidential debates to complex
rest, Decision 2020, and the two Shepard Smith in CNBC’s early-
in a memo to staff. “She knows that town halls, including one devoted
most-viewed Democratic presiden- evening schedule and move former
it is the people who work here that to a discussion of criminal justice
tial debates in television history. MSNBC weekend anchor Joy Reid
make it great, and she understands from the Sing Sing correctional fa-
She helped lead the preparation for to early evenings on weekdays.
its culture. She also appreciates cility in Ossining, New York, in the
the impact and potential of the fall of 2019 that required security Kristen Welker’s role as general She will join a growing group of
brand.” election debate moderator. And she senior female executives in the TV-
‘Fox News earned $3B;
has steered many of our ground- news business, including Fox News
The Wall Street Journal
breaking editorial series.” Media CEO Suzanne Scott and
previously reported the ex-
CNN $1.7B and Jones will no doubt call upon CBS News President Susan Zirin-
ecutive move.
many of those kills in her new role. sky.
MSNBC just $1.1B.’
Jones will take the helm
The cable-news networks have in Many people at MSNBC may
of an operation that has, at
recent years come to rely more find it hard to envision the place
a time of peak digital con-
heavily on special events like town without Griffin’s touch. Under his
sumption of content, be-
halls and one-on-one newsmaker aegis, MSNBC embraced a more
come one of the main ways media checks for all personnel and pieces interview. In recent months, for ex- progressive lens on the news, fol-
companies like NBCUniversal have of a set that had to be brought in ample, MSNBC has featured spe- lowing the popularity of former
of catching big live linear audi- from as far away as Las Vegas. She cial weeks of Craig Melvin’s primetime host Keith Olbermann
ences. In an era when many tradi- was most recently in charge of daytime show that call upon the with Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes
tional TV viewers are migrating to breaking-news coverage across anchor to hold forth from remote and Lawrence O’Donnell. Griffin
streaming outlets, MSNBC an- both NBC News and MSNBC as locations. renewed a contract with MSNBC in
chors like Maddow, Nicolle Wallace well as daytime and weekend news
Placing Jones in charge of one of 2017 for an undetermined amount
and Joy Reid capture hundreds of programming at MSNBC. MSNBC of time.
Campus News | January 2021 | Page 14Texas, I’ll miss you when you secede
Greg Schwem his emotions and pent-up
Special to Campus News frustration caused him to
drop the F-bomb on live TV
while being interviewed fol-
This time next year, anyone lowing the August 2019
landing in Texas may be faced mass shooting in El Paso.
with a very long walk through the OK, he dropped it eight
airport, a journey that culminates months earlier while con-
in a large room and an interview ceding the Senate race to
with a suspicious Texas ranger Ted Cruz; but so did I, and I
who demands to know just what don’t even live in the state.
you’re planning to do in the Lone
Star state. Ditto for anyone at- George Strait. No, he did-
tempting to enter by motorized ve- n’t write “All My Exes Live
hicle. in Texas,” but I became a
fan after hearing the song.
Sound far-fetched? Not if you’re Surprisingly, it was an old
Texas GOP Chairman Allen West girlfriend who turned me
or Texas Attorney General Ken onto the tune, with lines
Paxton, both of whom have floated like, “And Allison’s in
the idea of leaving the United Galveston, somehow lost her
States of America following the sanity.”
Supreme Court’s refusal to hear,
but no doubt willingness to hyster- Truck Yard. Food trucks,
one afternoon. Swipe left. 100-degree days Texas records in
ically laugh at, Paxton’s lawsuit dogs, picnic tables, live bands and
Hearing “The Big D” ad nau- a calendar year, the state may
seeking to invalidate 10 million a treehouse all crammed into one
seum. Attention, anybody not liv- well burst into flames before West
votes cast for President-elect Joe amazing Dallas dining, drinking
ing within the Dallas borders: You can carry out his plan.
Biden. and commiserating experience
do not live in “The Big D.” Pull out Mr. West, your party seems to
“Perhaps law-abiding states So yes, I would miss all of that.
a map if you need proof. I was first have already seceded from sanity.
should bond together and form a But, Mr. West, if you do choose to
made aware of locationally chal- If you do in fact leave the country,
Union of states that will abide by form your own country, state, ter-
lenged Texas residents in 1985 just give me a few hours’ notice. I
the constitution,” West said in a ritory, playground or whatever
when I interviewed for a sports re- might want to swing by and pick
you have
‘Judging by the number of
statement following the decision. porter up some barbecue sauce or have
in mind, it
Mr. West, my first instinct was position one final Tex-Mex meal.
just means
100-degree days, the state
to say, “Go ahead,” as doing so sig- in Gar- And, like the Supreme Court,
outsiders
nificantly decreases the chances l a n d , ignore you should our paths cross.
will no
may well burst into flames.’
that I will ever meet you face to Texas,
l o n g e r
face. But then I envisioned what and the
have to Greg Schwem is a corporate
my life would be without Texas, a editor
deal with stand-up comedian and author of
state I have traveled to often for offered me the job by asking if I
the following: two books: “Text Me If You’re
business and, occasionally, pleas- was “ready to move to the Big D.”
Dallas/Fort Worth International Breathing: Observations, Frustra-
ure. I would certainly miss the fol- Yes, it’s in Dallas County and
Airport. For some reason, Ameri- tions and Life Lessons From a
lowing: yes, it boasts nearly a quarter mil-
can Airlines has decided that Low-Tech Dad” and the recently
Austin. No, I’ve never been to lion residents. But it’s not Dallas released “The
flights to any location worldwide
South by Southwest or Austin City and never will be. I live in the sub- Road To Success
must first stop at DFW. I have
Limits, but that’s immaterial. I’m urbs of Chicago, yet I don’t iden- Goes Through
been forced to experience that air-
happy just strolling up and down tify as living in “The Big C.” Or, the Salad Bar: A
port while flying from Chicago to
Sixth Street, listening to all types just to spite Dallas lovers, “The Pile of BS From
Minneapolis, Miami, New York
of music the city has to offer. Sixth Bigger C.” a Corporate Co-
City and multiple other destina-
Street is like Bourbon Street in tions that required first traveling Mariachi bands. My outdoor median,” avail-
New Orleans, but without that an- in the opposite direction and then dining experience should not have able at
noying vomit smell. backtracking. to include these guys. Amazon.com.
Beto O’Rourke. I’ve always liked Amarillo. I spent a week there Humidity. This might be irrele- Visit Greg on the web at
the guy and liked him more after vant. Judging by the number of www.gregschwem.com.
Campus News | January 2021 | Page 15You can also read
