The Global Issues class and Peace and Social Justice Department will hold an environmental rally on April 10.
"It's about making people aware. So many in the classroom said, 'I didn't know this was happening'," Linda MacCammon, head of the Peace and Social Justice Studies and Religious Studies professor, said.
MacCammon teaches the Global Issues class offered this semester. After discussing topics such as overpopulation, climate change, the energy crisis and the wasteful habits of human beings, she and the class decided to organize a rally to open the Fisher community's eyes.
"It worries me that students don't know what's going on," MacCammon said. Her goal is to get Fisher to wake up, which is also the theme of the rally.
The day will include many events planned by the students and MacCammon. A rally will be held in LeChase Commons during free period, which will end in the planting of a tree. Prior to the rally, students will be able to sign petitions to the College and New York State, demanding environmentally friendly changes and suggesting ways to get green.
The day will end with the showing of two films: Hacking Democracy and A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash. Each documentary addresses issues America currently faces. Hacking Democracy tackles the issues concerning voting and elections in the U.S., while A Crude Awakening puts the energy crisis into perspective, showing how big of a deal the addiction to oil is and the toll it's taking on the world.
However, don't expect this to be a one-time thing.
"I don't think it's ever a good idea to have an event once and for all and have the problem corrected," MacCammon said.
MacCammon believes that in order to see the changes she and her students want made, the attempt to make Fisher and America greener will be a continuing process.
To ensure progressive change at Fisher, MacCammon has joined the College's Recycling Committee, by invite of co-chair Lynn Wernert. Kaitlin Daly, Founders resident director, is also trying to start up a Recycling Club for students. Those who are interested in participating in the Recycling Committee should go to the website http://home.sjfc.edu/green and those who want to be a part of the Recycling Club should express their interests by sending an email to recycling@sjfc.edu
Students interested in attending the rally should gather in LeChase Court in front of the Wegmans School of Nursing at 12:30 p.m. on April 10. Petition tables will be set up in the Basil lobby and the Student Life Center from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
"Mother Nature is telling us to clean up our room, and we have to start doing it," MacCammon said.
As published in the Cardinal Courier, St. John Fisher College
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Students get in shape with new fitness classes
Students may have noticed various e-mails concerning the new fitness classes St. John Fisher College is now offering in yoga, Pilates and kickboxing - but what inspired this to happen?
"I am on the Student Affairs Committee. We were at a dinner meeting, and the students expressed their desire for fitness classes to be included in their student experience," Todd Harrison, Sport Management professor and organizer of these activities said.
Students have wanted fitness classes to be offered at Fisher for a while. Some were surprised that they were not.
"I was shocked when I found out Fisher didn't provide this kind of service, but I am very excited that it is now offered," freshman Brittany Fitsik said. "I will definitely be taking advantage of it."
Fitsik isn't the only one who is grateful for this opportunity. According to Harrison, the student response has been very positive overall. Kickboxing has seen the most initial interest, with participation in other classes increasing.
Harrison is "pleased with the response. It shows that the student body has interest in these sorts of activities."
Due to positive response, Harrison has an encouraging outlook on the program.
"I've heard buzz on campus - very encouraging," he said. "This is definitely not a one-semester initiative."
Kickboxing classes are every Monday and Thursday night from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and Friday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pilates classes take place beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, lasting until 7:30 p.m., as well as Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The cost of attendance is $1 for students and $3 for faculty/staff if signed up prior to the class and $2 for students and $5 for faculty at the door. Students and faculty can sign up for classes between 4 p.m. and midnight in the Campus Center.
Classes are held in the basement of the FishBowl and are sponsored by the Sport Management Department, World Gym in Pittsford and the Brockport Dance Department.
As published in the Cardinal Courier, St. John Fisher College
"I am on the Student Affairs Committee. We were at a dinner meeting, and the students expressed their desire for fitness classes to be included in their student experience," Todd Harrison, Sport Management professor and organizer of these activities said.
Students have wanted fitness classes to be offered at Fisher for a while. Some were surprised that they were not.
"I was shocked when I found out Fisher didn't provide this kind of service, but I am very excited that it is now offered," freshman Brittany Fitsik said. "I will definitely be taking advantage of it."
Fitsik isn't the only one who is grateful for this opportunity. According to Harrison, the student response has been very positive overall. Kickboxing has seen the most initial interest, with participation in other classes increasing.
Harrison is "pleased with the response. It shows that the student body has interest in these sorts of activities."
Due to positive response, Harrison has an encouraging outlook on the program.
"I've heard buzz on campus - very encouraging," he said. "This is definitely not a one-semester initiative."
Kickboxing classes are every Monday and Thursday night from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and Friday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pilates classes take place beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, lasting until 7:30 p.m., as well as Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The cost of attendance is $1 for students and $3 for faculty/staff if signed up prior to the class and $2 for students and $5 for faculty at the door. Students and faculty can sign up for classes between 4 p.m. and midnight in the Campus Center.
Classes are held in the basement of the FishBowl and are sponsored by the Sport Management Department, World Gym in Pittsford and the Brockport Dance Department.
As published in the Cardinal Courier, St. John Fisher College
Staying safe while on spring break
Students have probably all seen, or at least heard, about the antics that happen over spring break. Thanks to MTV, we are all guided to think that spring break is a rite of passage - something students strive to do before they graduate from college.
However fun spring break can be, safety can become a problem for students enjoying the sun and surf.
"Wherever you go, know where you are; know your surroundings," was Director of Safety and Security Michael McCarthy's biggest tip. He knows just as well as the rest of us what goes on during spring break and worries about the safety of each individual person who partakes in the annual festivities.
But what exactly are the dangers of the legendary spring break?
According to McCarthy, the biggest threat is alcohol. "Having a good time [with] alcohol can lead to many bad situations" - namely motor vehicle accidents, need for medical attention, sexual assault and property damage. It is also important to have an "extra level of healthy suspicion or paranoia" in unusual surroundings. You cannot assume every situation you encounter is safe or that everyone you meet can be trusted.
As far as the consequences that can be felt for actions taken over spring break, they are "devastating, as you can imagine," McCarthy said.
To stay safe, the best course of action is to always be with people you know.
"A buddy that you know you can trust and help you" is the most important asset to bring along with you on spring break outings, according to McCarthy.
Another important tip is to keep your cell phone on you and full of battery life. Furthermore, once you get to your spring break destination, put important contact numbers (i.e. the local police) into your phone.
Keep McCarthy's words of wisdom in mind when traveling and enjoying break: "If it doesn't feel right, if it doesn't look right, if the hairs on the back of your neck are standing up, you're telling yourself it is wrong."
As published in the Cardinal Courier, St. John Fisher College
However fun spring break can be, safety can become a problem for students enjoying the sun and surf.
"Wherever you go, know where you are; know your surroundings," was Director of Safety and Security Michael McCarthy's biggest tip. He knows just as well as the rest of us what goes on during spring break and worries about the safety of each individual person who partakes in the annual festivities.
But what exactly are the dangers of the legendary spring break?
According to McCarthy, the biggest threat is alcohol. "Having a good time [with] alcohol can lead to many bad situations" - namely motor vehicle accidents, need for medical attention, sexual assault and property damage. It is also important to have an "extra level of healthy suspicion or paranoia" in unusual surroundings. You cannot assume every situation you encounter is safe or that everyone you meet can be trusted.
As far as the consequences that can be felt for actions taken over spring break, they are "devastating, as you can imagine," McCarthy said.
To stay safe, the best course of action is to always be with people you know.
"A buddy that you know you can trust and help you" is the most important asset to bring along with you on spring break outings, according to McCarthy.
Another important tip is to keep your cell phone on you and full of battery life. Furthermore, once you get to your spring break destination, put important contact numbers (i.e. the local police) into your phone.
Keep McCarthy's words of wisdom in mind when traveling and enjoying break: "If it doesn't feel right, if it doesn't look right, if the hairs on the back of your neck are standing up, you're telling yourself it is wrong."
As published in the Cardinal Courier, St. John Fisher College
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