Diversifying the Greek Series: Race and Ethnicity took place 8 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the Terrace Room. It was hosted by Interfraternity Council and facilitated by Common Ground.
The event highlighted issues and conversation surrounding race and ethnicity in the Greek System.
This event, only open to Greek members, was comprised of student-led discussion and safe space conversation. Students were not allowed to wear their letters.
“The purpose of the event is to talk about how race and ethnicity become a factor in the Greek community and how that relates to someone of a different color or background in terms of comfortability and brotherhood/sisterhood,” said Alex Sandoval ’15, GAME Chair of IFC and one of the hosts of the event.
Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority expressed their experiences regarding not having housing in Hunt Hall and having much smaller numbers in their organizations.
Students discussed ways to make Greek life a more open and engaged community to all, as well as how to diversify Greek life, combat the idea of social hierarchies, refrain from excluding students through the hosting of offensive themed parties (South of the Border, Ghetto Fabolous, Bat Mitzvah) and finally how to reach out to all students on campus for recruitment.
Over 70 members of different Greek organizations attended this event. Next month the program will develop discussions surrounding gender.
The push to improve the University Student Recreation Program did not stop after President John Bravman’s announcement about new late-night hours at the Kenneth Langone Athletic and Recreation Center (KLARC) in mid-November. There is no denying that the University has an impressively active student body, with 75 percent of incoming students having lettered in at least one varsity sport prior to arrival. This creates a high demand for extra recreational opportunities in the realm of club sports, intramural activities and fitness classes.
The recent addition of late-night classes such as Hour of Power Yoga, Booty Barre and Zumba intends to accommodate the needs of students who might have class or prior commitments during the day and during afternoon gym hours.
“I love the late night gym hours because it alleviates the pressure of choosing between going to the gym or doing homework,” Rob Cavanaugh ’16 said. “I can always get my work done before the gym closes because it stays open later.”
Many students, faculty members and representatives from the administration have been busy working to shepherd new KLARC initiatives and fitness opportunities aiming to foster a healthy lifestyle among the student community. This small core team meets as “focus” groups to discuss and review the success, progress and demands of the recreational programs in order to decide how to best allocate the University’s resources and funding to improve the wellness and lifestyle choices of the community.
This team is comprised of members chosen by John Hardt, director of Athletics and Recreation, because of their involvement in and perspective of recreational activities on campus. Michael Wald ’13 serves on the committee to give a student’s perspective and complements representatives from the administration such as Ed Loftus, director of Business Planning. Together they work with other committee members to complete a detailed review of current program offerings, available resources and communication methods to enhance student awareness of the opportunities available to them. Loftus deems the main purpose of these focus sessions as conducting a “holistic review of student needs.”
One of the challenges is deciding how to maximize finances and space. One of the issues brought up within the group has been the long wait for treadmills during rush hours at the KLARC. While it would be easy if the solution were to spend more money and buy additional treadmills or high-demand fitness equipment, the KLARC does not have limitless funding, space or power availability. Instead, Loftus suggests that a more creative approach might be needed such as determining which machines are underutilized and could be replaced with machines such as treadmills that seem to be the most popular pieces of equipment. Issues such as these circulate during meetings and are high on the docket to be addressed and solved after the committee finishes focus group meetings.
Another debated issue is the accessibility of trainers for athletes on club teams and programs. Not being able to make an appointment with any of the athletic trainers to get taped or have an injury checked out puts these athletes in a tough position, because as Loftus acknowledges, “there is no real access there but they get injured every bit as much as varsity athletes,” making this a prominent problem for students.
“It is understandable that in a training situation the varsity athletes should take precedence, but that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be any access for other athletes,” Kelsey Fletcher ’14, member of the Bucknell Dance Company said. “We all practice just as hard and should all have the ability to get medical attention for sports-related injuries without having to leave campus.”
Other students who sustain injuries don’t know where to turn to get the medical help they need.
“I would have loved to have seen the trainer, but I assumed I couldn’t so I didn’t try,” Running Club member Chris Dunne ’15 said.
Although this issue is slightly outside the scope of KLARC initiatives, there is a separate Health Care initiative that Loftus and Hardt are heading, directed entirely at creating a strategic plan for sports medicine and the allocation of health resources such as athletic trainers available to students.
So far, these focus group meetings and initiatives have been a significant success and have garnered notable praise from students; late night classes have become popular and are often bustling with participants. The committee plans to continue meetings through May, when review and considerations of recommendations will occur. It hopes to implement new changes by Fall Semester 2013 and throughout the 2013-2014 academic year.
Looking forward to the construction of new senior residential housing uphill and Academic West prompts the consideration of renovating pre-existing outdoor spaces and creating new venues. Spaces such as basketball and volleyball courts have already been revamped since the fall. Loftus added that the volleyball courts are currently blocked off by concrete in order to install lighting to enable and encourage future evening usage.
Students are encouraged to get involved with the decision making behind the new recreational initiatives by providing feedback and suggestions via the Our Bucknell suggestion box in myBucknell. Additionally, if you have detailed thoughts on the review or potential enhancements, please contact Loftus to engage the core team in discussion.
Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society initiated 165 new members Feb. 26, holding an initiation ceremony in Larison Dining Hall at 5 p.m.
Alpha Lambda Delta has been honoring first-year students in over 250 institutions of higher education for the past 80 years. This national organization recognizes students who have maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher and are in the top 20 percent of their class in their first year of higher education.
According to the Alpha Lambda Delta Facebook page, the organization constitutes a community of over 100,000 recognized students in the United States, and over 700,000 graduates of the society nationwide.
Article II of the Alpha Lambda Delta Constitution states that “the purpose of the society shall be to encourage superior scholastic achievement among students in their first year in institutions of higher education, to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning and to assist women and men in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their roles in society.”
According to Alpha Lambda Delta’s national website, their motto is “we shall pass our torches on, one to another.”
Provost Mick Smyer was the invited speaker for the ceremony. He spoke to the new members about leadership, as well as the importance of undergraduate education.
After Provost Smyer’s speech and the actual initiation ceremony, when the students signed the chapter roll and officially became members, Dylan & Maverick, a three-piece band from Williamsport, Pa., performed both covers and original songs for the students during dinner. Tyler Bogaczyk ’15 knew the members of the band personally and arranged for the band to come.
“The ceremony and dinner itself were lovely and very nicely planned,” Connor McLaughlin ’16 said. “The food was particularly excellent. It is truly an honor to be a part of this prestigious society here at Bucknell.”
According to Co-President Kathryn Modugno ’14 the dinner was a new idea this year.
“This year’s ceremony was particularly special since it marked our chapter’s 75th anniversary on campus,” Modugno said. “The other officers and I are very excited this year to help Alpha Lambda Delta have a more active presence at Bucknell.”
Chapter officers include Co-Presidents Kristen Ronca ’14 and Modugno, Vice President Rachel Greenberg ’15, Secretary Paden Troxell ’15 and Treasurer Bogaczyk. Lynn Breyfogle, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Karen T. Marosi, Associate Dean of Engineering, are the Chapter Advisors.
“We are looking forward to working with the new members and helping them become more involved in the Lewisburg community through service projects,” Modugno said.
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Singer Pat Benatar will headline Bucknell’s annual Chrysalis ball this year.
Katey Duffy
Contributing Writer
Pat Benatar will be this year’s Chrysalis performer on April 26 in Gerhard Fieldhouse.
Some of Benatar’s famous hits include “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” and “Love Is a Battlefield.” She has won a total of four Grammys, and the A.C.E. committee looks forward to this year’s event. Benatar, a New York City native, will be visiting the University for the first time this spring.
“Pat Benatar is such a funky and fun singer. Her music really inspired me to envision a pop-art theme for Chrysalis this year: think Andy Warhol, bright colors and cool decorations. I’m so excited for the event and hope everyone else is, too!” Jen Lassen ’15, A.C.E Traditions Chair, said.
The event will kick off at 8:30 p.m. and students of all ages, as well as faculty and community members, are encouraged to attend this University tradition. Guests are asked to dress in semi-formal attire for the festivities, and hot appetizers will be served along with an extravagant chocolate fondue station.
“Chrysalis is one of my favorite events at Bucknell, and I think Pat Benetar is going to be a great act this year,” said Zack Beltran ’13, current Concert Committee Chair and former Traditions Committee Chair. “Choosing an artist requires appealing to a large age range, considering that students, faculty, administration, trustees, alumni and friends of Bucknell attend Chrysalis. When I organized Chrysalis two years ago, we hosted Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and last year we hosted the Village People. I think choosing Pat Benetar is another great addition to the history of Chrysalis artists. Her music is upbeat and very 80s! As a senior, I’m looking forward to attending Chrysalis and can’t wait to see how current Traditions Chair, Jen Lassen, puts together the night.”
Tickets go on sale at the CAP center or at other campus box office locations starting on March 18. If you buy your tickets before April 8, the price for students is $15 and for other Lewisburg community members it is $30. Ticket prices rise after April 8 to $20 per student and $35 for others. Tickets will also be sold at the door on the night of April 26 with prices being $25 for students and $40 for others.
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Lee DeWyze, winner of season nine of American Idol, will perform on Friday night at Uptown.
Paige Bailey
Contributing Writer
American Idol Season Nine winner Lee DeWyze will be performing at Uptown tonight at 9 p.m. DeWyze won over millions of viewers as a contestant and winner of Idol, and is known for his laid-back Midwestern charm.
DeWyze is an accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist from Illinois. Prior to his Idol audition, he had already developed a following on the Chicago club scene. His post-idol album, titled “Live It Up,” was released in Nov. 2010 and was well-received. A year ago he released another post-Idol album titled “What Once Was.”
DeWyze is also known for his twist on classic covers like “Hey Jude,” “Simple Man” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
“We are very excited to welcome another American Idol winner to Uptown, almost four years after the incredibly successful David Cook concert following his win,” Stephanie Wyld ’14 Uptown Manager said.
“We feel that Lee has a great sound that fits Uptown and is different from the big concerts the school brings,” Wyld said.
Uptown managers and staff are excited for students, faculty and guests to have the chance to see this rising star perform before he makes it big like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks.
“The Uptown staff is excited for what will be another memorable night,” Emilie Ratajczak ’15 Uptown Manager said.
The concert is FREE and doors will open at 8:50 p.m. Those attending must bring their BUID; one guest per BUID is permitted.
The University’s Uptown nightclub has provided the campus with both new and traditional events so far this semester including a Pub Night, Speed Dating, Candy Land Trivia Night, Karaoke Night, a Poetry Slam, a Rave and a Super Bowl party.
“Uptown is a space that constantly evolves in response to students’ interests and we are open to bringing whatever events and entertainment appeal to the most people on campus,” Uptown manager Steph Wyld ’14 said.
The potential for Uptown is large, and staff members and students hope to take advantage of the space for future event scheduling.
“I could see a kind of hang out vibe like a seventh street for uphill,” Kelsey Fletcher ’14 said. “If it could have coffee, or a larger extension of snacks offered I think it would be a cool place to do homework. I’ve also liked the comedians and performers that come there. I think that it has a more intimate vibe than seeing something in the Weis Center.”
“There have been some events that were really fun, like the Karaoke Night and Speed Dating,” Ivan Flores ’16 said. “But the one I enjoyed the most was the International Party. I loved that they played such a huge variety of music. I think that having more dance parties would be really fun for everyone, but especially for the people who don’t drink, so there is a place for them to party without alcohol involved.”
Uptown also hosted magician and entertainer Michael Kent on Feb. 15, and looks forward to hosting Lee DeWyze, American Idol Season 9 winner on March 1.
“I’d like to see more music acts in the future,” Conor Pierson ’15 said. “I’ve liked when music acts or bands play there. I usually try and make it out when Uptown has music on the schedule.”
With the planned construction of new uphill housing likely to shift the student body onto the campus, Uptown is likely to see increased usage by the student body.
The University administration is aware of a possible movement of the downtown drinking culture to uphill locations by limiting the availability of downtown housing to students in the future. Dean of Students Susan Lantz has suggested making Uptown open to underage students when serving alcohol to those over 21 is an option at events.
“What will younger kids do when they don’t have a downtown party to go to when there is less of a downtown–might be going to a dorm with hard alcohol rather than a downtown party with a keg when only 200 students can live downtown,” Lantz said. “The administration is open to students’ opinions. Should we open Uptown to underage students when it’s serving alcohol? We don’t know. But we’re asking these sorts of questions.”
FroBot, “The Redbox of Frozen Yogurt,” is the brainchild of University alumni Jeremy O’Sullivan ’09 and Melissa Nelson ’09.
Christina Oddo
News Editor
Jeremy O’Sullivan ’09 and Melissa Nelson ’09 launched FroBot, “The RedBox of Frozen Yogurt” a few years after their graduation.O’Sullivan, chief executive officer, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and is a Certified Public Accountant. O’Sullivan was working at a Big Four accounting firm when he decided to lead FroBot.
Nelson, chief development officer, received a bachelor’s degree with honors in accounting, and spent two years as an auditor for Deloitte & Touche after college. Currently, Nelson is pursuing her JD at the University of Maryland School of Law.
FroBot is a new kind of vending machine that is the smallest, single-unit frozen yogurt retailer. FroBot freezes real organic yogurt, flavored with organic ingredients. There are three simple steps involved in this new frozen yogurt shop experience. First, the customer places a cup down on the serving area. Second, the customer selects cup size and flavor from the touch screen. Last, the customer pays by swiping a card and in a matter of 15 seconds, a frozen treat is customized and served.
O’Sullivan and Nelson’s interest in frozen yogurt and vending machines was sparked by their boredom and disgust with regular vending machines.
“We’ve never celebrated mediocrity,” Nelson said. “Why not create something people actually look forward to using?”
The two believe that real, wholesome food is fundamental to the health of communities and to the success of people.
“With today’s technology, there’s just no reason for it,” Nelson said. “We were dissatisfied and our friends and co-workers felt the same way. We wanted to do something disruptive. We believe FroBot speaks for our generation’s demand for something better.”
O’Sullivan and Nelson believe that frozen yogurt is the perfect on-the-go food, because it is both delicious and healthy. The two also attribute this start-up, as well as their innovation and devotion to this new project, to their college experience.
“Bucknell encouraged us to find our passion,” Nelson said. “We dabbled a bit in everything–from lending a hand at theater performances to TA-ing various classes. Ultimately we ended up as members of the Student Managed Investment Fund and Jeremy became part of the student government. We’ve learned that Bucknellians appreciate a good idea. The best example of this is when Jeremy was a part of BSG and they were planning the senior last-day-of-class celebration. Jeremy persuaded BSG to make it a champagne toast, despite some reluctance, and people loved it. And as far as we know, it became a lasting tradition.”
On Nibletz.com, Nelson speaks further on her University experience, by mentioning the limited eating options in Lewisburg.
“We would make the mile and a half hike to this place called ‘The Freez’ to get something good. This got us talking about possibilities. Years later, we we’re still complaining about the same thing: a good place to go that was convenient and didn’t close by the time we got off work. We also knew we weren’t alone in our discontent, hearing frequent complaints from coworkers.”
According to Nibletz.com, O’Sullivan and Nelson wish they could freeze time for a year and add new technology to the market. For the immediate future, they look to advance the scope of toppings in vending machines, to include toppings like fresh fruit.
“Jeremy and I both lived on McDonnell 2NW our freshman year,” Nelson said. “We might as well have been from different planets but became best friends almost overnight. We definitely make a profound team. FroBot is a product of an amazing seven years.”
Visit the following sites for more information about FroBot:
The student-led service organization, Bucknell Advancing Communities, Educating & Serving (BACES), travels to the Dominican Republic each year over Spring Break. This organization is the University’s only fully student-led Spring Break service program, and this year 26 students, which is more than ever before, will be traveling to the capital, Santo Domingo.
“BACES has a unique way of bringing people together, advancing not only the communities we visit in the Dominican Republic, but also the Bucknell community,” said Tom Hackett ’14 and Maggie O’Brien ’14, two students who went on the trip last year and are now student leaders. “By creating lasting friendships built on service and teamwork, we strive to overcome the various social barriers that often divide our campus.”
In the Dominican, the students will take part in medical clinic outreach, deliver food to a very impoverished community and spend time with students at a local school. In order to participate in these parts of the trip, the students work with the greater community through many different fundraising efforts.
“We have a very short amount of time to raise a very large amount of money in order for this trip to happen,” President of BACES Daniela Calcagni ’13 said.
The most recent fundraiser BACES held was a three-on-three basketball tournament and they raised $300. During the Lewisburg Ice Festival, BACES sponsored an a capella concert in which various campus groups performed. Many members of both the University and Lewisburg communities attended. In addition to these fundraisers, there are currently photos on display in the Connections Gallery (attached to the Samek Art Gallery on the third floor of the Elaine Langone Center). These photographs highlight the 2011 BACES trip and they will be on sale for $30 a piece at the end of the exhibit. This exhibit will last until Feb. 26.
Besides monetary fundraising, BACES also holds a continuous toy, clothing and medical supply drive. They are always willing to take donations of any of these items, as the people they serve in the Dominican are in great need of basic essentials. People looking to donate, monetarily or otherwise, are encouraged to contact Calcagni at dmc046@bucknell.edu.
Members of this year’s trip are anxious to get to the Dominican Republic and spend time with new friends serving an underserved community.
“One of the best parts about being a leader is getting to watch everyone grow together and become best friends over the span of a week,” Internal Vice President Kristen Ronca ’14 said.
The money that BACES is working to raise will make a large and lasting impact in the Dominican Republic.
“Over the past five years I have watched the BACES students spend countless hours organizing, fundraising and toiling to make the lives of people they don’t know just a little bit better and to expose others to the need that exists in our world,” faculty advisor Trace Coats said.
The University entered a nationwide intercollegiate recycling competition known as RecycleMania on Feb. 10. The program was created in 2001 as a competition between Ohio University and Miami University to increase recycling on both campuses. Since then, the competition has expanded to over 600 colleges representing 49 states and four Canadian provinces. The competition is endorsed by the American Forest and Paper Association and the College & University Recycling Coalition.
The competition will last for eight weeks, ending on March 30, and members of the University community will be challenged to do their best to recycle more and reduce waste all around campus during this time. Encouraging students to raise environmental awareness and promote recycling participation, RecycleMania enters its seventh straight year of competition on campus.
“Schools report recycling and trash data which are then ranked according to who collects the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the least amount of trash per capita or have the highest recycling rate,” Merritt Pedrick, associate director of operations, said. “With each week’s reports and rankings, participating schools watch how their results fluctuate against other schools and use this to rally their campus communities to reduce and recycle more.”
Last year, the University came in second place among the Patriot League schools with a recycling rate of 19.15 percent. Throughout the entire competition, students and staff across the country collectively recycled 94.4 million pounds of waste.
Ginna Freehling ’15, president of the Environmental Club, warns students about skewing the purpose of the competition.
“In past years we have had conflicting views on the incentives for this competition and the motivation to recycle,” Freehling said. “We have seen students buy cases of bottled water so that their weight in recyclables increases. This is not the purpose of the competition.”
More information about the competition can be found on the RecycleMania website: http://recyclemaniacs.org/
It is not often that you find college students who confess their insecurities or broadcast their crushes in a Facebook status or Twitter post. However, many students are letting down their walls and sharing guarded secrets through the anonymous “Whisper” application. Created in April 2012 by Michael Heyward in response to students’ building pressure to create perfect versions of themselves in other social media outlets, this new iPhone application and website allows college students to post their private thoughts in a public forum that is 100 percent anonymous.
While other anonymous social media forums have existed, such as FormSpring or Facebook’s notorious Honesty Box, Heyward sees Whisper as a mobile-accessible safe space away from vicious comments and posts that often result from other forms of anonymous media.
“It may be comforting to see a kid your own age go through the hard things that you go through because a lot of the times on Facebook people are putting out an image that everything is great and fine when it’s not,” Samantha Deana ’14 said.
According to Heyward, the purpose of Whisper is to help college students feel less alone and more supported in a world that has become increasingly hypercritical and conformist. Many public platforms of social media encourage users to craft a public persona that will be viewed and judged by others. Motivations behind writing on a friend’s wall instead of sending a private message, or Tweeting about an event that one is attending, have major social implications and strive to further a person’s outward image to their circle of friends. Instead, Whisper does not promote self-image, but self-expression. The forum, built to promote a safe and accepting community, allows users to post statements and thoughts that some might feel too vulnerable confessing to even close friends.
Paging through various “Whispers,” you will find posts about a variety of topics ranging from daily worries and admissions of embarrassing habits, to confusions about sexuality and admissions of loneliness. Some posts are as trivial as “I cannot sleep with socks on. Anyone have the same problem?” or “I prefer men with tattoos,” while others could convey substantial grief. Whispers can be created, sent and viewed within seconds. To post a Whisper, you first choose a photo from the search feature or from your own personal camera roll. After selecting an image, you can adjust the color and tone of the image, an effect similar to Instagram. After entering text and choosing a font, the Whisper is posted and set free amidst the forum of other users’ secrets. An addition tab, called “Nearby,” allows you to view posts by students in close geographic proximity and even shows the relative distance of the user in miles.
Like Facebook, Whisper is an interactive network; users receive notifications if another user has commented on their post, and can even respond to these comments and carry out a conversation with another user in an anonymous setting. In this way, college students can express themselves and garner support from other users who can view, “heart” or reply to posts with similar feelings or concerns.
With the recent privacy controversy that has milled about such monster sites as Google and the Path app, skeptics may argue that nothing electronic can remain completely confidential. Yet, Heyward finds the beauty of Whisper in the absence of tracking information or data collection that could lead a post back to a specific user.
“It’s a means through which people can express their personal thoughts on social media without judgment,” Luciana Salles ’14 said.
Currently, over 250,000 students are using the app nationwide and this number is rapidly growing. It is fair to say that Whisper has become a haven and secret retreat for many students.
