The half semester has already passed, but looking back on my memory, I learned a great deal about how to work with other people. Sometimes you really need some suggestions and a partner, which could give you a diverse perspective.
At SGA (Student Government Association), we work hard to provide a fun environment for every Johnson State student. We have recognized more than 20 clubs, which are run by different students who are persuaded by their interests. I am Zhen Huang, the senate representative of Tango Club, International Club and Green Solutions Club. Tango Club is meeting and rehearsing on Tuesday and Thursday every week from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. It is open for everybody. Last week we recognized three new clubs: Football Club, Half Time Diamonds and Women’s Ice Hockey.
In the same manner, SGA is hosting many events around campus including: BINGO, Poker Night and other events, hoping to make our campus more delightful and fun. Coffee House is on every Thursday night. Movies are on Mondays and Wednesdays. If people have questions about what we are doing, you can stop by at anytime. On every Friday, we have SGA meetings at 10:00 AM and you are more than welcome to stop by. All questions, comments and suggestions are welcome.
Zhen Huang
SGA Senator
In response to Brittany Rhodes “Life Is a Load of Laundry, Set on Spin” article. I read Brittany’s article, as I often do, and this time I was unfortunately very disappointed by her very inappropriate accusations about certain things.
The most important misconception was with her comment having to do with our “oh-so unnecessary” activity fee.
I don’t think she really understands where that “oh
so unnecessary” budget goes to. I think that it’s important that she know where that money is going, so I am
writing to her and anyone who wants that information because they feel like Brittany does know where that
funding is going.
We have several groups that get large amounts of
that money. Some of these groups include WJSC,
Gihon River Review, Casino Night, the V.T. History
Videos, Scholarships, Mini Grants, Basement Medicine,
Dibden shows and weekend specials (e.g. ghost
hunter, laser tag). It also pays for some of those fabulous
night time activities that Brittany brings up.
Just to elaborate a little on some of these, Casino
Night, which the “unnecessary” activity fee pays for,
sends all the proceeds to benefit the United Way. That
money also grants two scholarships every year, and lets
students have extended class experiences through the
mini grants.
Also, to put it ever so nicely, the money
pays for the production of the paper she puts her articles
in. I would also like to point out that the activity
fee is very minimal for all that it does.
This fee is very necessary, despite her thoughts on it. I hope this will
change her mind and several others about it.
Ashley Favreau
SGA Senator
Five-Day Week Will Hinder Students
As a student amongst other students, it was interesting
to hear that the Academic Dean was looking
very strongly at having Friday for the Fall 2008
academic year as a mandatory class day. He feels that
not only is there a need for it, but that it will help
students. My belief, which was represented well with
the 5-10 students I was with at the time, is that it will
hinder us, especially those who work throughout the
weekend, part time, to make ends meet.
The Faculty Council is meeting on this issue in several
weeks, so I think that it is important to somehow
judge what the feeling of the general student is, and
to get the information out there. It should be noted
that no students are being asked to come to the
Faculty Council to testify on how this change in the
academic week would affect them. Perhaps it is time
to look into this issue?
Andrew Parent
Freedom — What?
Freedom. Ah, what a word. The very mention of it conjures images of broad, open plains, a motorcycle, the wind whipping through my hair.
Of course, in America, the notion of freedom is our prize possession.
At every instance, the word is called forth to defend our rights of consumption, of war, of ideology and of dominance. Freedom, we say, that is what we will fight to preserve.
This week, I went to the funeral of my partner Liz’s grandfather. The service was held in a small Baptist church in Williamstown Mass, and I attended, as I often do on such occasions, with a certain anthropological glee.
If you’ve been to your gynecologist or doctor lately, chances are they’ve mentioned the latest vaccine used to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts, both of which are caused by human papillomavirus, which is more universally known as HPV. More and more young women are being offered this medicine. Some women are glad that there is a way to protect themselves from a common type of cancer and an STD. Others are concerned that young women will be more promiscuous because it lessens the risk of becoming infected with genital warts. Don’t you think that if a woman is smart enough to learn about and receive treatment, that she’s smart enough to enjoy safe sex?
Read MoreWe live in a technological El Dorado. An average JSC student probably owns a color television set, a landline telephone, a computer whose equivalent twenty years ago would have filled a large room, a cell phone the size of a deck of playing cards, two or three radios, and home video device capable of playing DVDs (and, for the nostalgic, videotapes). It is rather curious, then, that the origins of technology are not delved into deeper, or by more.
Read MoreThere is something very wrong in our country when poverty is increasing and the middle class is shrinking at exactly the same time as the wealthiest people are becoming much wealthier. That growing economic divide is not what America is supposed to be about.
Read MoreThe Johnson State College (JSC) College Republicans is a group that will not only promote forms of Republicanism, but also the political discourse here at JSC.
Republicanism is, as best put by Thomas Jefferson, “government is that which governs the least.” Thus, limited government helps curtain perhaps limitless power structures that government could form, which in the end wouldn’t be the best for the citizenry.
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