Casey Schieda

Freshman Blogging Project: Title IX

To begin Freshman year at Stockton University, every freshman, residential and commuter, had to attend mandatory events during Welcome Week.  One event that stuck with me was called “Let’s Talk about Sex! (Consent and Title IX).”  The program was held on Tuesday, September 1^st, 2015 on campus in the I-Wing Gym.

In order to effectively relay the information, the freshman class was divided by gender, a female session and a male session.  The program was run by the Women’s Gender and Sexuality Center and had help from other departments within the University as well.  The main speaker, Laurie Dutton, began the program by explaining what it means to fully consent to sexual activity.  She discusses the Red Zone, the first six weeks of college when most sexual assaults occur, and how to steer clear of these perilous situations.  For example, campus police are always available to escort someone home if they feel unsafe walking on campus from either the campus center to their dorm or their friend’s dorm to their dorm.

Additionally, the speakers shared a story about a college student named Jeanne Clery who was raped and murder in her dorm room in 1986 at Lehigh University.  This horrifying event led to stricter security on college campuses.  The Clery Act states that universities and colleges must provide statistics of crimes and sexual assault cases on campus and in the surrounding areas to students.  The act works cohesively with Title IX because Title IX states that universities and colleges must provide a safe environment for students, free of sexual discrimination and other sexual crimes.

Along with these legal aspects of sexual harassment and assault, the concept of consent was portrayed through a video about tea.  The video was gripping and intrigued the audience, as suggested by the chuckles in the room.  An example from the video was that the narrator mentioned, “If someone says they want tea, but then they pass out once the tea is made, do not continue to force them to have tea.”  This was referring to a situation where someone consents to sex, then loses consciousness for whatever reason and can no longer consent to sex.  The point was that if one could understand the concept of not forcing someone to drink tea, they should not force them to have sex.  Thus, the event was informative for females and males because it discussed topics relating to sexual violence, assault, harassment, and consent.

I was really engaged in this program because I hear the horror stories on college campuses but never really think it will happen at my school.  The event was an eye opening experience because anything can happen to anyone who is not careful and I want to be prepared and hopefully avoid a sketchy situation at all costs.  Additionally, my mother was a student at Lehigh when the student, Jeanne, was attacked so I had heard her mention the story before and was glad to hear that her family made a positive out of a terrible situation.  The Clery Act has probably saved so many lives just by publicizing the crime rates and sexual assault statics.  As a whole, I thought this program was very helpful and relevant to incoming female freshmen and will have a lasting impact on the students.

Casey Schieda

Freshman Blogging Project: S.O.A.R.

S.O.A.R. stands for “Stockton’s Overnight Adventure Retreat” and is a camping trip designed to facilitate friendships among the incoming freshmen and transfer students at Stockton University.  The trip was at the YMCA Ockanickon campground from August 25-27, 2015.

Each new student was assigned to a tribe- orange, red, navy, sky, purple, pink, green, or yellow.  The tribes would share cabins together, cruise meals together, and participate in several activities throughout the program.  A group of Stockton students called T.A.L.O.N.S, The Activity Leaders of New Students, were the leaders of each tribe and helped the program run smoothly.  The S.O.A.R. experience is organized by the Office of Event Services and Campus Center Operations.

Throughout the camping trip, students took part in icebreakers, such as “Ride that Pony” or “All of my Friends and Neighbors,” to familiarize themselves with each other and help eliminate the awkwardness among the groups.  Also, activities such as low elements and high elements forced students to step out of their comfort zone and to trust new people.  For example, in the high ropes, students had the opportunity to climb the rock wall.  Although this may not be something that they normally do, students were encouraged to be daring and to have faith that their friends belaying and spotting were reliable.

The Tribathlon was another event that united the tribes and added some fun competition.  Tug of war and dodge ball were two events that were part of the Tribathlon and allowed students to show their pride and commitment to their designated tribe.  The staff at the YMCA campground was very instrumental in making S.O.A.R. an amazing and enjoyable experience.  Sam, Stephanie, and Rick were a few employees who really showed an interest in the students and taught them how to create friendships that would last throughout college and after.  In summary, S.O.A.R. was a great experience for students who wanted to expand their comfort zone and meet new people who they will be acquainted with for the next four years.

I was a member of the orange tribe on S.O.A.R. this year and I am thrilled that I went on the trip.  Climbing up the telephone pole and jumping off with my only support system being a harness was the most exhilarating experience for me.  Additionally, I met two of my best friends on the trip and felt so comfortable going into freshman year with a support system.  The T.A.L.O.N.S. acted as great role models and were able to shed light on some concerns I had about starting college.  Thus, S.O.A.R. was a once in a lifetime experience that I would recommend to every incoming freshmen attending Stockton University because it helps to create friendships and open new doors for students who are anxious about starting a new chapter in their lives.

The Stockton Outdoor Adventure Retreat is held every year three days prior to Welcome Week. The S.O.A.R program is run by Jen Radwanski with the help of the The Activity Leaders of New Students also known as the T.A.LO.N.S. S.O.A.R is held at Camp Ockanickon in Medford New Jersey, 45 minutes from the University. This year the students attending S.O.A.R moved into their dorms the morning of Tuesday, August 25th and left for camp Tuesday night. They spent all day Wednesday and Thursday at camp and returned home the night of the 27th.

S.O.A.R is the greatest opportunity for incoming freshman. New students get 2 nights and 3 days to bond with each other at Camp Okacnicion. Students are assigned to specific tribes that they remain with for the duration of their trip. The tribes participate in team building activities including various group games. There is a rope course at the camp which includes rock climbing walls where students can push their boundaries and learn to trust themselves as well as each other. There is also a beautiful lake where students can go kayaking and canoeing during free time. Everyone on the trip eats breakfast, lunch, and dinner together which allows everyone to mingle between the tribes. The Camp Staff is friendly and encouraging to Stockton Students and really adds to their experience on S.O.A.R.

S.O.A.R wouldn’t be the amazing experience it is without the T.A.L.O.N.S. The student leaders are exciting and down to earth. They are so thrilled to be on S.O.A.R and make the new students feel comfortable. The T.A.L.O.N.S play a key role in the leadership development in each of the students that attend. From sunup until sundown the T.A.L.O.N.S mingle in games such as the Newspaper Interviewer in which everyone is essentially “speed introducing eachother” and goes to as many people as possible in a minute. Additional games include the leadership training which entails the entire group to go through team-building experiences such as balancing on a log and attempting to move into birthday order, or approaching a “spider web” and having to lift people to get through each opening. Through it all, the T.A.L.O.N.S always smiled and pushed each student to chase their lion. The sense of community they brought into the S.O.A.R program truly made it an exceptional experience.

Overall, S.O.A.R is an unforgettable experience for all who attend. Every incoming freshman should apply. For those who didn’t have a chance to attend as a freshman you can always apply to become a T.A.L.O.N.S. S.O.A.R allowed me to feel comfortable in my new home at Stockton. I met amazing leaders and made friends that I will have for a lifetime. I thank everyone who played a part in putting together S.O.A.R and recommend it to every incoming freshman.  

With the help of several faculty members and volunteers, Stockton University hosted its 12^th annual Day of Service on September 12, 2015. Though participants are encouraged to engage in service projects regularly, this event takes place once a year.

When first arriving, volunteers chose to be on one of four teams. Each team then rotated among four different service projects. For my team, our first stop was in C-wing. Topics for this presentation included the services ACUA (Atlantic County Utilities Authority) offer, opportunities at Stockton’s very own organic farm, and information on the Water Watch Club. What stood out for me was the actual harm that bottled water poses on someone’s health. It’s just the type of information companies do not warn about.

Next, we learned about the dangers of prescription drugs and heroin In Atlantic County. We also learned of the ways we can help others cope with addiction. Another interesting project was definitely working with Books without Borders. We helped this club package books for underfunded libraries. The day ended with information on how to educate oneself on current matters of government. During this time I registered to vote. I also learned about the Petey Greene Project, a program in which volunteer teach prisoners hoping to get a GED. I learned how our generation really needs to know what’s going on in the government we’ll eventually take over.

While many enjoyed this day, most can agree that the event did not meet expectations. Many new-comers anticipated more hands-on projects, instead of just learning about them. Volunteers from previous years preferred the old way Day of Service was organized. Overall, the day inspired me to get more involved.

Running from September 3rd to September 6^th, Chrysalis Staging and the Stockton University School of Arts and Humanities Theatre Program proudly presented Promised Land in the Experimental Theatre. After volunteering to usher on opening night, I was invited back the next night to view the show. The play, written and directed by Lane McLeod Jackson, took place in a post-apocalyptic world where climate change has wreaked havoc and left the earth barely able to support human life. Abraham, played by Rodger Jackson, is a farmer/scientist trying to help move humanity forward. He has built a community with strict laws, such as when and how much people can eat and when couples are allowed to have children. Although his community is thriving (as best they can in this destroyed world) Abraham constantly feels conflicted over the amount of power and control he has over others. His wife Ester, played by Melanie McLeod, is always supporting him and reminding him of how the decisions he’s made, though harsh, have helped keep them all alive and fed. She supports Abraham in his work to move forward towards a better future. However, their daughter Rebbecca, played by Carla Gamarra, does not share their hopeful thinking and thinks that they should just accept the present reality and try to make the best of it. As things are starting to look bleak, in walks a smooth talking salesman named Elliot, played by Evan Williamson, who may have the key to what Abraham and Ester need – if they can trust him. This play causes people to question the morality in the way these characters are surviving. In a world where the end has already happened and people are struggling to survive, is there truly good and bad? Or does survival become the only thing that matters? The play puts its characters in a permanent grey zone, leaving the question of whether they are good or bad totally up to you.

Brittany Holmes

Lenard

Life of the Mind

14 September 2015

Blog #1

Now soar like an Osprey! I had the pleasure of attending the Student Outdoor Adventure Retreat (S.O.A.R.) the week before classes started.

On the morning of August 25^th I left home and drove to Stockton to formally move in to my dorm, so that I could attend S.O.A.R at Camp Ockanickon. All the new freshman students who were accepted and paid $250 for this unique program were put in different colored tribes. I was assigned to the “red” tribe. Tribes made it easier to keep track of the 238 students that attended S.O.A.R. I moved into my dorm and had lunch with my family. After lunch was finished, I was called to my tribe and we did many ice breakers and got to know each other. Then the T.A.L.O.N.S. which were assigned to each tribe told us to board the buses and we were off. After an hour or so of driving, we finally arrived at the camp. We gathered our belongings and were directed to the cabins we would be staying in for the next two nights.

The following morning, August 26^th, we woke up bright and early and ate breakfast which started the day. Let the activities begin! My red tribe started off with an activity that was called “Low Elements.” This was not just one activity, but multiple activities that were designed for team building. One activity was called “Lava Rocks” where we had to get a group of 14 people from point A to point B by using only seven small carpets. There were certain rules; for example, someone always had to have a body part on the carpet or else it would be taken away. Another rule was that we couldn’t touch the ground, or what was called the “lava” or we would have to start over again. My group was able to get everyone across the “lava” successfully! The second part of the day we went to a presentation on the many different ways that a student could get involved on campus.

On the third and final day we woke up early and started our day. The first activity was a board game called “Keep it Real” that was designed to get to know people I played the game with. I enjoyed this game because we got to really know the people we were playing with a little better than just knowing their favorite color. I got to know if they have ever experienced someone being racist, how they felt about certain topics like bullying, and what they feel most strongly about in their life. After we finished all the morning activities, we ate lunch, and then we continued on to the next and final activity, the high ropes course. The high ropes course was a course in which I climbed up a wooden pole and walked across to the other side and then came back, and it also had a rock climbing wall. That was not my favorite, it was scary.

When it was time to pack up and leave I was excited to start the school year, but also sad I had to leave Camp Ockanickon because I had so much fun with everyone. S.O.A.R. was a great experience, I made tons of new friends, experienced many fun activities, and did things outside of my comfort zone. I am glad that I got to participate in S.O.A.R. and would recommend it to any incoming freshman!

On Thursday, September 10, I attended the “Meet the Greeks” event hosted by the Greek Council. This event was a one time event and was located in the Campus Center Event Room from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Inside of the room, each organization had their own table set up. There was music playing; it was a fun and inviting atmosphere.

Entering the event, I was uncertain about my opinion on fraternities. I decided to go to the event just to open my mind to different things. Although I had no interest in joining a frat, I figured it could gain something just by attending. I walked in and approached the first Fraternity that caught my eye. I spoke with representatives from the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. They gave me many impressive statistics about their organization and showed me a myriad of awards that they received, many of which were from volunteering and service to the community. I even spoke with the President of the fraternity, who gave me his business card with his contact information.

Overall, the event was very informative and well organized. Not only was I able to speak with members of each fraternity, I was able to speak with the leaders of each fraternity. I left the event with a much different feeling than I had when I entered. My opinion on fraternities had completely changed. I had a newfound respect for the service and academic achievement that some of them were capable of. The event had me wondering if I should join one of the many fine fraternities that Stockton has. I applaud the Greek Council for putting together such a great event and making it so easy for me to acquire helpful information about Greek Life at Stockton University.

On Saturday, September 12th, Stockton held the 12th annual Day of Service to inspire students to serve in the community as well as provide them with information to do so. This year, each student was able to experience every service project. This arrangement gave us the opportunity to decide what we like best, and what we would like to continue in the future.

The first project my team attended was health and wellness in which the team split up into small groups and went to different locations to learn about a variety of health related topics including CPR, green dot, suicide awareness, and prescription drugs. I chose the CPR information session which was taught by Stockton EMS. This was very informative as well as interactive. We watched short videos with step by step instructions on how to perform hands only CPR, and were able to practice these steps on dummies. After this session, I felt that I would be able to help if I were ever in a situation in which someone needed CPR.

We then regrouped and went to the hunger and homelessness session which began with an inspiring introduction from a member of Covenant House. She opened our eyes to the realities of homelessness, especially among people our age. Not only did she share some of her experiences in working with Covenant House, but she made it clear that it is possible for us to help too.

After that, the team went to the civics session where we discussed issues such as frisk and seizure, the death penalty, and student evolvement in politics. I was able to hear my teammates different opinions on these topics, making me think more in depth about them. I was also encouraged to involve myself more in politics when we learned about the lack of participation in people ages 18 to 21. Here, we also learned about the Petey Greene Program which allows volunteers to make a difference in the lives of prisoners by educating them, and helping them get their GEDs.

The day was filled with other services and organizations such as Books Without Borders, Circle K, and the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Overall, it was a great day to work with new people, and learn about a variety of ways to serve the community in the future.

On Monday, June 22, the incoming freshman and transfer students came with their guests to the orientation. First, everyone was given free bags and T-shirts, then got their pictures taken for their IDs, and then gathered in the Campus Center event room. The students were welcomed by the university faculty and were given an introduction about Stockton. Then, the student leaders introduced themselves to us and held a small and humorous play. At the end of this session, all the students were split from their guests and were divided into different groups according to their schools. Since I’m a NAMS student, I was in group 1.

My group was escorted to a group session meeting room and filled out a survey about our academic backgrounds and expectations about our college careers. Then, we gathered in a classroom and we first watched a short video about a young boy talking about working hard to achieve his dream. Then the orientation leaders answered our questions about student life and academics. They also showed and explained to us how to use the Go Stockton Portal and how to register for classes. Then some NAMS faculty members joined the session and explained the academic system at Stockton and then we were divided into even smaller groups according to our majors and we were advised on which classes to take this semester. Then we had a short lunch break and then registered for classes.

After registration, we gathered in a hallway to play “All My Friends and Neighbors” and “Ships and Sailors.” After that, the commuter and residential students split up. I went with the other commuters and the T.A.L.O.N.S. told us more about commuter resources and opportunities on campus and about the club “Commuters on the Go.” We also played a Jeopardy-like game with questions about the university and the campus and the two teams were the Tributes and the Smarties. Last but not least, we answered another survey about orientation and asked a couple of questions about Welcome Week.

At the end of the orientation, there were some refreshments and gifts given out and there were tables around the campus center with information about campus organizations and facilities. I think that orientation was a wonderful event that I will never forget.

Tasbeeh Muhamed