OWWR: Old Westbury Web Radio

Era of our Lost Fathers

My podcast explores the ongoing epidemic of "lost fathers" in the African American community. Hear the perspective of young males in the inner city as well as a  new father who represents the emergence of a new generation.

Download lostdads_mixdown.mp3

Jena Six Forum Available for Download

Have you heard about the "Jena Six"? The case of six black teenagers charged with attempted murder in the small town of Jena, Louisiana has caused a national controversy.  Critics say that these indictments are evidence of a racist criminal justice system. 

On Thursday September  20, Dr. Divine Pryor, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions at Medger Evers College came to the recital hall to lead a forum on the Jena Six.

Here is Dr. Pryor's remarks in full : Download jena_6_forum.MP3  (55 minutes)

Will More Money Mean More Recruits for the NYPD?

There has been a significant decline in the number of new police officers coming out of the New York City Police Department.  Many people are eliminated during the screening process because they fail to pass tests.  Before eligible candidates can join the academy, they must take a physical exam. That's followed by a physical agility test, a psychological evaluation and finally, a thorough background check.

     If they make it to the Academy, recruits must then undergo an intensive six months of basic training.  The curriculum is broken up into four categories: Physical Training and Tactics, Recruit Integrity, Firearms and Tactics and Driver Training.

     Recruits are responsible for purchasing their uniforms and other equipment; a cost that easily runs into thousands of dollars. To help ease the burden, the Municipal Credit Union has begun issuing credit cards to help ease the financial strain.

                     

    Over the past few years the number of recruits graduating from the academy has dropped. More and more police officers are also resigning before their retirement time is reached.  In 2005 alone 867 resigned and in 2006 another 902 retired.  Many pointed to low pay as the reason for their early departure. Top pay for experienced police officers is $59,588, this does not include overtime. In 2005 the starting pay for new police officers plummeted to a record low of $25,100 for the first six months in the academy. Upon completing the academy there is a raise to $32,700.

“They should raise the starting pay to about $40,000 and the top pay should range from about $65,000 to $70,000 per contract."

     A new contract is currently being negotiated.

    

                                                                                         ---by Kimell O'Reily

Walk To Cure Juvenile Diabetes

                                 

Do you know someone who suffers from Diabetes? Do you want to help make a difference? Come join the Sophomore Class Government & SGA as they walk to cure Juvenile Diabetes. The event is September 30th, 2007 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Student Union Rotunda. For more information you can contact Adesuwa Enabulele your Sophomore Class President of SGA at 516-479-1126 or email her at [email protected], [email protected] .

Sports Journalism Scholarships

"If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a sports journalist, this should be of interest.

The Freedom Forum, in cooperation with the NCAA, is seeking scholarship applications from college juniors with career goals in sports journalism, majors in journalism or experience in campus sports journalism. Eight one-year nonrenewable $3,000 scholarships will be awarded. Your application must be postmarked by Friday, December 14, 2007.

For further information, contact Suzy Hays at the NCAA, P.O. Box 6222, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6222 or call 317-917-6477. "

--Courtesy of Dean of Students Wayne Edwards

A House Divided

           It can be a positive experience or it can be something that you despise. Dorm life on a college campus can make or break your overall college experience. While many students dislike the idea of sharing a room with one or more roommates or living in a sometimes dirty, congested area, others  believe dorm life is something of a gift, an opportunity to live with new people, make new friends, and get away from home for a chance at independence.

            Students who dorm at SUNY Old Westbury also fall into two camps. Those who said they liked resident life were generally in new building housing. They had plenty of nice things to say about the new dorms, such as how nice and spacious the rooms were, how clean the bathrooms were, the sense of security, the free shuttle rides on and off campus, etc. Current dormer and former RA Chris Dallas said, " I really enjoy the cleaning crew in the bathroom and how clean it is compared to what they have in the old building." Other students complemented the school on how many things there are to do by the new side and that it is just a nice place to live while at school.

            All of the positive comments on life in the new dorms serves as a sharp contrast to student reaction from the old buildings.  Residents complained about the long walk to visit friends on the new side. They also describe the old buildings as filthy, believe the rooms are too small, and say the cleaning staff is hard to find. Tiffany Sandera, who lived on the old side before moving to the new side said there was one advantage to the old dorms, "It is very private." 

           Walk down the hallway in an old dorm and you can see the mold, rust and hair in the bathrooms. The dorm rooms could've passed for closets in the new side. It also smelled, looked ratty and beaten down.

          

              Either you live in the penthouse on the new side or your stuck in your closet of a room on the old side.  Dorm life has it's good moments and it's bad. The question is, are you willing to take in some of the bad moments for the good or if you're in a bad situation, are you willing to stay in the situation you're in for some good?

                                                                           ---By David Imondi & Grace Sabale

The Importance of Internships

Join us!!!!!This valuable workshop will discuss the Importance of Securing an Internship.Gain valuable experience, explore your future career and learn networking skills. The workshop will be held in the Science building,S100. September 26,2007 from 12PM-1PM.  For more information,call ext.3053.

SGA Application Now Available!

The following is an email from Miss Maziely Crisostomo, Student Government Association President.

Hello Old Westbury Students!

 

Now is the time to get involved in student life here at

Old Westbury! As your new SGA president I will be

appointing students to fill vacant positions in the Student

Government Association.

 

Available positions:

 

E-board:

 

Vice president of clubs and organizations

(**Please note this position is still pending until

the new constitution is passed.)

 

Student Senate:

·  Chemistry and Physics

·  History & Philosophy

·  Mathematics, Computers & Information Science

·  Modern Languages

·  Sociology, Criminology

·  Visual Arts

·  Accounting

·  Finance & Business Economics

·  Education (2 Positions available)

Only those students who are majoring in the

specified academic area are eligible to run

for that representative position.

Student Court:

·  Associate Chief Justice

·  Court Justices

Please complete the attached application and return

to the SGA president via email at [email protected] . Also applications can be dropped of at the SGA President’s

office room 301L in the student union.

Yours truly,

Maziely Crisostomo

SGA President

**Please note that Interviews will held the week of October 1-5 ^th , 2007**

A sign up sheet for the interview hours will be posted. On the SGA President’s door which is located in the student union room 301L. If you have any questions please email at [email protected] or call 516-876-3274

 

Download sga_appointment_application_sep20071.doc

Maria Davila

Jena Six Forum: Thursday 9/20

Have you heard about the "Jena Six"? The case of six black teenagers charged with attempted murder in the small town of Jena, Louisiana has caused a national controversy.  Critics say that these indictments are evidence of a racist criminal justice system. 

On Thursday September  20, Dr. Divine Pryor, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions at Medger Evers College will lead a forum on the Jena Six.

Jena Six Forum:

Thursday September 20

12:30pm

Recital Hall, Campus Center

Classes Will Resume Wednesday 9/19

"All classes at SUNY College at Old Westbury will resume on Wednesday, September 19th, with the 8:30 a.m. period.

The water main serving the College's Academic Village has been repaired."

--Michael Kinane, Assistant to the President for Advancement.