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Parapsychologist discusses ghosts and hauntings

By Carleen Boyer

Writer

Dr. Rich Robbins, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences, gave a presentation entitled “Ghosts and Hauntings: Decide for Yourself,” aiming to provide an unbiased opinion of why hauntings and other phenomena occur, this past Monday, Oct. 24.

Robbins, a certified parapsychologist, began his presentation by giving a historical background  of hauntings and ghosts. According to Robbins, the word “ghosts” comes from the Old English word “gast,” which literally translates to “life force.”

“Unfortunately, most of what we know about ghosts is from sensationalized media,” Robbins said.

The presentation contained of a number of photos that captured various ghost-like apparitions and Robbins told the history and legend of each photograph.

“The old pictures with images of potential ghosts were just plain spooky.  There was nobody altering the photos back then, the technology was not there.  I don’t know what else could explain the clearly defined, ghostly images,” Matt Cohen ’12 said.

In one particular photograph, a group of airmen posed for a photograph. One of the men in the squadron, Freddy Jackson, had been killed just two days prior. When examined closely, observers could see the ghostly face of a man that looked like Freddy Jackson standing behind one of the men.

Robbins also distinguished hauntings from ghosts. A haunting, he said, is “the idea that there has been an imprint on the environment, and that such an emotional event occurred that it’s somehow recorded by the environment.” The environment then “plays back” this “recording.” Robbins gave Gettysburg, PA as an example of a haunting.

Another phenomenon associated with ghosts is known as the electronic voice phenomenon (EVP). This occurs when recordings are taken at haunted places, and in later listening, a ghostly voice appears in the sound file. To some audience members, the EVP seemed to provide proof of the existence of ghost.

“Some of the EVPs make me think that it might possibly be real. Maybe the ghosts talk quietly in these recordings because they think that some of us might understand them,” said audience member Casey Donahoe, age 12.

In order to present both sides of the story, Robbins gave naturalist explanations of hauntings. Using his background in psychology and other fields, Robbins used examples such as sleep paralysis, blind spots, motion illusions and psychological projections to explain ghost-related phenomena.

Robbins used psychological reasoning as well as things such as electromagnetic fields and infrasound that could explain such phenomena. He spoke of a team of researchers that consisted of engineers, physicists, architects and other professionals that scientifically analyzed Eastern State Penitentiary, which is considered one of the most haunted places in Philadelphia. Using a naturalist lens, the researchers explained many of the phenomena that occur there scientifically.

To conclude the presentation, Robbins gave a list of haunted places on campus, including Hunt Hall and Roberts Hall. He urged those in the audience interested in conducting ghost hunts to be as scientific as possible.

“The results are only as good as the researchers conducting the experiments,” Robbins said.

“Being able to see the science behind a lot of the theories allowed me to decide which theories of hauntings seemed plausible, and which ones didn’t,” Jeff Finegan ’14 said.
By presenting both the scientifically explained and the unexplained, Robbins encouraged those present to decide for themselves about ghosts and hauntings.

The Bucknellian’s Q&A with Dr. Robbins

Q: What initially sparked your interest in hauntings and ghosts?
A: It was my experiences growing up when I was a kid; my parents moved into a house in Bloomsburg. I think I was two or three, but lived there until I was 15. The local urban legend story was that a gentleman hanged himself in the basement and was haunting the house. We had strange things happening in the house. For instance, my brother claims to have heard a conversation in the corner of his room, and my father said he saw a figure walk behind him in the mirror. The TV would randomly change channels as we were watching. Going through high school, I thought that I wanted to be a ghost hunter. When I was finishing my undergraduate degree, I started looking around for grad programs and wrote to the big names in parapsychology. They told me to pursue a “legitimate” area, get a degree, get a job and do this on the side, so that’s what I did. I got a master’s [degree] in experimental psychology and a Ph.D. in social psychology, but as I was doing everything, I continued to keep up on books and journals in the area of parapsychology. I took a course in the APRF and they “certified” me as a parapsychologist.

Q: How has your background in psychology helped you to look at hauntings from a naturalist perspective?
A: I have a very strong background and training in experimental methods and in experimental psychology but then also social science research in general. I know about the effects that medications and drugs have on our perception. I know about things like the need for conformity, the need to belong to a group, the power of suggestion. I think all of these things combine from psychology, social psychology, physiological psychology and research methodology. It allows me to be more of a scientist looking at the phenomenon than a believer going in and looking at the phenomenon.

Q: What is your personal stance on ghosts, and does this influence your presentation?
A: I have to admit that when I first started I was a believer, and I wanted to do this to prove that there were such things as ghosts, and then I went through my education and my training and so forth and I became more agnostic. As a scientist, I want to see the proof and I want to do all of the critical thinking things like considering the source, and verifying the source and having baseline data to compare things to. I would need some definitive proof, and again rule out all natural causes to be able to say that there’s something supernatural going on. Even today, even if we were to rule out all natural causes and theories, again there might be something we don’t know and in 20 years we might have the technology to say, “Wow, we used to believe that ghosts were dead people, but really, it’s this, and now we know this.” I’ll probably be agnostic until I die and then I’ll know the truth.

Q: When did you begin doing presentations on ghosts and hauntings?
A: I did my first presentation here, and it was very basic, and every year I’ve added more stuff. I never had the opportunity at other places, and I’ve even designed a course in parapsychology. I just happened to be talking to Kari Conrad. We were talking about other things and she came in and saw my office and all my stuff and I told her about my interest in ghosts. I said, “Wouldn’t it be cool to do a presentation a week before Halloween?” It’s something I’ve wanted to do but I’ve never had an opportunity to do it until I was here.

Q: What’s the best advice you can offer to those investigating ghosts and hauntings?
A: I think [the best advice I can give is to] be skeptical. Also, don’t go in believing, be scientific and consult people who know. For example, if there is a history of something going on in [a certain] house, get a legitimate history of the house. Maybe talk to a geologist or a physicist about environmental things. Look up as much information as you can on hauntings and ghosts. It’s difficult if people don’t have the scientific methodology, research and backing. Just be skeptical and be as scientific as possible. What you think may be a paranormal experience, a geologist or physicist might be able to explain.

Q: What do you hope that audience members will take from this presentation?
A: I think the main thing is, don’t be a blind follower or believer, and consider all possibilities. Don’t just presume that it’s all true and remember that TV and movies are made for ratings and to make money, which doesn’t mean they’re always the best proof. These shows make [hauntings and ghosts] seem common when in real life these events are rare. Again, just be skeptical, and don’t take for granted or simply believe what you see on TV. You can study anything as long as you study it scientifically.

 

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International basketball star returns

By Meghan Finlayson

Writer

Live your lives without boundaries, said international basketball player and University alum JR Holden ’98, who led the Russian Olympic Team to Beijing and has been rated as one of the top five influential Americans to have played overseas.

Holden came to the Barnes & Noble at Bucknell University bookstore to promote and sign his book “Blessed Foosteps,” which documents his incredible professional international basketball career, this past Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 22. 

Holden was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. and began playing basketball at age eight. Patrick Flannery, former basketball coach at the University, recruited Holden in 1994. Holden attended and played basketball at the University, graduating in 1998. He had an incredible career and was inducted into the University Hall of Fame in 2008. Although he always dreamed of playing in the NBA, he went on to play professional basketball in Europe. He has lived in Latvia, Belgium, Greece and Russia, where he currently resides and plays. He threw the game-winning basket to beat Spain, giving Russia its first gold medal in the 2007 FIBA European Basketball Championship.

“He is a great person: sincere, honest, bright and talented. Totally motivated to succeed … we have remained close friends,” Flannery said.

Holden’s recently published memoir serves as a tribute to perseverance and faith. He wrote it for his daughter, and it has become a national hit. The memoir also is said by many to have the potential to become a film. 

“Hard work and dedication will pay off when times get tough,” Holden said. It took a lot of both to get where he is today. The book follows Holden’s journey in the development of his professional career.

“There are many messages that one can take [from the book],” Holden said. “One: that living life without boundaries could be the key to your success, and two: that when it’s all said and done, you have to be able to look in the mirror and know that you did everything you could to reach your own personal greatness.”

“The book should motivate, inspire and allow people to dream,” Flannery said. 

Holden’s memoir seemed to be well-received by students.

“It is great to hear about what the alumni achieve, and I was happy I got the chance to meet [Holden] and hear about the book,” Tara McCann ’13 said. 

Holden offered some last words of advice to athletes and University students. 

“Enjoy this time at school. This could be the last time you pursue your passion with no boundaries … and believe in yourself enough to know that anything you want in life is attainable,” Holden said.

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Pizza Phi extends hours

By Nikki Briggs

Writer

Most surrounding pizza options only deliver until 2 a.m., but Pizza Phi, who has expanded it’s presence on campus, has extended its delivery option until4 a.m.

“If we’re open, we’re delivering,” co-owner Rick Thomas, who moved back to Lewisburg five years agoto a family that did not have much pizza-making experience.

“We came in here, trying to give a good product,”Thomas said.

Since then, the restaurant’s New York-style crust, among other options, has become very well-known and popular. 

Customers are also drawn to Pizza Phi for its welcoming atmosphere.

“Not only is it good food, but [Pizza Phi] has a much bigger campus presence then anywhere else I’ve been downtown,”Erin Roy ’14 said.

Pizza Phi has participated in fundraisers with various on-campus groups, including Chi Phi’s event for the Special Olympics last semester. The restaurant donated $1.50 of every $10 purchase to the cause, as well as working with a Management 101 company to help the Make-A-Wish-Foundation. The restaurant has also helped out with Public Safety’s Children’s Miracle Network and is doing a fundraiser with Management 101 Company A, A Perfect Pair for Foster Care, this semester.

Additionally, Pizza Phi speaks often with the coaches in the athletics department to organize donations.

“You give, and people will give back,” Thomas said.

The Pizza Phi menu can be found at www.pizzaphi.com or you can call 570-523-1116 for more information.

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Occupy Wall Street rally spreads to Lewisburg

By Jen Lassen

Writer

Approximately 300 Lewisburg community members and 100 University students joined 143 other colleges and universities by sponsoring the University’s own version of the Occupy Wall Street rallies on Oct. 15 from 1-2 p.m. at the Lewisburg Post Office. The event was sponsored by the University’s Social Justice Residential College.
Originally beginning as a protest in New York City, the Occupy Wall Street movement has become a national and even international phenomenon coming to college campuses everywhere.
The event included community support and initiative. Co-sponsors were the Joseph Priestly Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, C.A.R.E., the Spilling Ink Writers Collective, the Central Susquehanna Citizens Coalition, the Local Action Network, the Mondragón Bookstore, the Center for Non-Violent Living, Organizations United for the Environment and the Norman Thomas Society. David Kristjanson-Gural, senior fellow for the Social Justice College and associate professor of economics, commented on the main motivation to bring an Occupy Wall Street protest to the community.
“There’s a need to create a democratic space for people to voice their concerns about economic justice; in general, this is missing at a local and national level. A foremost concern is expressing individual views on these issues,” Kristjanson-Gural said.
The rally was structured to include an open-microphone speak-out against economic injustice and excessive corporate domination. Individuals had the opportunity to speak for two to three minutes each about how the economic crisis is affecting them and what they think ought to be done.
“Human beings should be worth more than dollar bills,” David Blaides ’15 said to the crowd on Saturday.
According to Kristjanson-Gural, students benefited from the rally in multiple ways.
“The rally gave students experience speaking out in public and helped them ‘find their voice’ on these issues, and they commented on how the rally helped them to further understand the course material they’re currently learning at Bucknell. It was certainly successful in helping fulfill the educational goal of students,” he said.
As for the community, “[the rally] allowed groups and people for social justice to recognize their significance and encourage them to keep doing the work they’re doing in this field,” Kristjanson-Gural said.
The rally was carried out peacefully. There was very little evidence of opposition to the rally, and local traffic honking in support of the event was continuous.
Professor of English Saundra Morris described the larger implications of the rally that united the University and Lewisburg community.
“These rallies are important to demonstrate to Wall Street and banks and financial institutions that people are going to start standing up for themselves. People want the government to tax the rich. They want CEOs to stop making wildly more money than workers. They want jobs. They want healthcare and not corporate welfare. These rallies across the nation and the world demonstrate those desires,” Morris said.
“Hopefully, this rally marked the beginning of an ongoing process where people will continue to participate in democracy and let their own voices be heard,” Kristjanson-Gural said.
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Faculty approve open access to research

By Siobhan Murray

Contributing Writer

University faculty recently adopted a new open access policy that allows articles, research results and other intellectual scholarship produced by University faculty to be accessed freely on the Internet. Faculty voted overwhelmingly in favor of the measure on Oct. 4.

“This vote was significant not only for faculty in making their scholarship available to the world, but it also signified how our faculty see what happens at Bucknell in a global context,” said Param Bedi, vice president for Library and Information Technology.

The open access policy provides the University with a nonexclusive, paid-up, worldwide license for any scholarly articles and makes them available in an online database.

“Open access is compatible with copyright, peer review, revenue (even profit), print, preservation, prestige, quality, career-advancement, indexing and other features and supportive services associated with conventional scholarly literature,”  Harvard University fellow Peter Suber said in his overview of open access.

A 2010 study by Library and Information Technology found that almost one-fifth of articles published by faculty were not available to their own students and colleagues.

“The goal of open access is to remove pricing barriers and permission barriers in order to disseminate scholarship as widely as possible,” said Andrew Asher, the University’s fellow for the Council on Library and Information Resources in his open access blog.

Many supported the decision for open access because it is ethical for the scholarly community. It will enable equal access to materials for all, giving scholars with less resources more of an equal footing. Many felt that because research is publicly funded, it should be available to the public without subscription fees or other barriers.

The University is only one of many universities moving toward this change. Institutions like Duke, Harvard, University of Kansas and Oberlin have recently made the transition to open access, but the University is one of “only a handful of other liberal arts schools who have done this,” Bedi said. It will help faculty research to “be distributed more widely and cited more often than their non-open-access counterparts,” he said. 

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University awarded grant to address high-risk drinking

By Sara Gilgore

Due: 10/17

The University recently received a $15,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to help with efforts to reduce problematic drinking among students.
The grant was received through an application process, Dean of Students Susan Lantz said. Lantz worked with Tracy Shaynak, director of the Women’s Resource Center, and Hannah Roberts, psychologist and alcohol education specialist, to complete the application for the grant. This is the second consecutive year the University has been awarded a grant from the PLCB.
“This grant allows us to continue with our alcohol education initiative for first-year students,” Lantz said.“AlcoholEdu,” an online course intended to educate students about high-risk drinking in a college environment, is required for students to complete prior to their arrival on campus, Lantz said.
“This educational program motivates behavior change, discusses effects of alcohol and assists students in making healthy and safe decisions,” she said.

Shaynak believes there are many benefits to receiving the grant, in addition to its support for “AlcoholEdu.”

“We are grateful for the support we receive from organizations such as the PLCB not only for financial reasons, but also because it validates the important work being done by Bucknell faculty, staff and students, and enhances our ability to plan, implement and assess meaningful initiatives on campus,” Shaynak said.

Other programs that target high-risk drinking are also developing.

“Receiving this grant helps us with our other alcohol initiatives,” Lantz said.

The University received a $30,000 grant from the NCAA in April 2011 as part of its CHOICES program.

According to John Hardt, director of athletics and recreation, the grant will help start the “Raise Your Voices, Make Good Choices” initiative on campus, a three-year program directed by Roberts and Associate Athletics Director Maisha Palmer.

“A ‘Student Voices’ committee, consisting of one representative from each Bison varsity athletic team, will be formed with the intention of planning alcohol-free events, providing alcohol education and ultimately forming a peer group that will be trained in such areas as bystander intervention,” Hardt said.

He said this initiative is intended to provide education on alcohol abuse, as well as alternative programming for students.

“The program aims to help Bucknell students make informed and responsible decisions not only regarding their own health and safety, but also that of their peers,” Hardt said. “A goal of the program is to help students understand that they have a responsibility for the well-being of those around them.”

The University also participated in the National College Health Improvement Program (NCHIP) Collaborative on High Risk Drinking last spring, with 30 other institutions including Dartmouth College.

“This unprecedented initiative is using comprehensive assessment techniques to identify and implement the most effective ways to tackle high-risk drinking on college campuses,” Lantz said.

Shaynak agrees this issue deserves attention.

“The misuse of alcohol remains one of the most difficult issues facing colleges and universities today, and it can significantly impact the student experience on campus; most notably, in regard to alcohol overdose and physical and sexual assault, but also in regard to academic performance and the quality of the interpersonal relationships our students enjoy,” Shaynak said.

These three separate initiatives in the last six months have demonstrated the University’s interest and concern regarding alcohol abuse problems on campus, Hardt said.
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Issues and themes in Native American society influence River Symposium

By Sara Blair Matthews

Writer

Native American themes of unity and strength as well as the importance of health in the Native American community were discussed at this year’s sixth annual Susquehanna River Symposium .

The event took place on Oct. 14 and 15, featuring a mixture of lectures, appreciation events, panel talks and keynote addresses. All of the events took place in the Elaine Langone Center and were free and available to the public. 

The first event was a tree dedication ceremony held in front of the Krebs Family Fitness Center. Sid Hill, president and Tadodaho (spiritual head) of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, led the ceremony. His dedication focused on the themes of unity and strength within humanity. Our society is governed by natural laws, such as how animals live and how we uphold peace and contentment in our forests, he said. He stressed the importance of not taking more than we need. “Mother Nature provides for all of us,” he said.

“The tree of peace is a strong symbol of comfort, peace and contentment,” Hill said.

Hill discussed the importance of not going against the current.

“It is important to respect, cherish and acknowledge [Mother Nature’s] needs, so there is something for future generations to enjoy. It is up to us to keep up the earth for those future generations,” he said.

He also spoke of the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. There is no end to the roots, and like the floor in our house, everyone is welcome, he said.

“We are of one mind, heart and body, and we must protect each other and our trees,” Hill said.

Another highlight of the weekend was the “Health and Identity in Native Communities” talk and panel session held from 3:00-4:30 p.m. on Friday.

Ann Dapice, director of education and research at Native American non-profit organization T.K. Wolf, started by discussing problems in Native American society. She cited stalking, obesity, alcoholism, violence and cancer increases as major issues. She said that Native Americans have the highest unemployment, school dropout and alcoholism rates of any ethnic group.

“American Indians, especially women, are the most likely to suffer violence out of all races,” Dapice said.

Obesity has also become a large problem among Native Americans because the government only supplies them with lard and wheat flour. Native Americans are forced to make the best of their unhealthy options. 

“If the river [is] healthy, people are healthy,” said panelist David Arquette, director of the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force.

Most Native American diets consist of fish that come from the river. When hazardous waste sites contaminated the river, the Native Americans lost their main food source and were forced to consume foods high in carbohydrates. Arquette said this is directly linked to the increase in diabetes and obesity among people in his tribe.

“Unfortunately, most of the doctors on these reservations have been kicked out of their native states for malpractice, so they are not always qualified to prescribe drugs to people,” Aquette said.

Also, most of them are unfamiliar with Native American heritage and common diseases, so it is hard for them to treat the Native Americans. Tribes are trying to encourage more of their members to attain medical degrees so they can come back and help their own tribes, Dapice said.

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Former Titans coach encourages standing up to discrimination

By Meghan Finlayson

Staff Writer

Herman Boone, former high school football coach who is most well-known as the inspiration for the 2000 film “Remember the Titans,” visited campus on Monday. Boone, played by Denzel Washington in the movie, coached at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., and spoke to the University community about standing up against the injustice, segregation and discrimination that still exists today.

Boone began teaching and coaching in Virginia in 1958. Overall, his teams had 99 wins and only eight losses over nine years. The team he coached in 1966 was noted as “The Number-One Football Team in America” by Scholastic Coach’s Magazine.

In 1971, Boone was hired as head coach by the newly integrated T.C. Williams High School. He won the position over Bill Yoast, the coach of the team before the high school was integrated. Yoast became the assistant coach, which was an upset to the white community at the time. In working together, the two coaches put their differences aside and brought together an unfocused team in a town defined by prejudice. They worked to teach the team not only how to win a championship, but also how to be caring citizens and leaders in their community.

“Have the guts to speak up; true acceptance and diversity begins and ends with an individual,” Boone said.

Once, when he traveling with the team, he separated the buses into offense and defense positions, instead of by race, as the boys did when they divided on their own.

“These boys looked at me like I was out of my mind. Diversity was not even in their vocabulary,” Boone said. As time went on, the team came together. “I knew they didn’t like each other, but I demanded that they respect each other,” Boone said. 

He described his team as evolving into one with courage, tenacity and commitment.

“It was a heroic decision that these boys made. They shocked the nation by accepting the challenge of integration and diversity, and accepting the souls of each other…it was not about football, it was about incredible young men who found a way to talk to each other,” Boone said.

Boone emphasized the importance of having character and tolerance, and not losing a sense of humor.

“My parents taught me that hatred and prejudice are born out of fear. There was no place for that on my team.”

His coaching, combined with the boys’ determination, created an unstoppable force that eventually united the entire city.

“They found a way to celebrate their differences,” Boone said. Their team won the 1971 Virginia State Championship and was ranked second in the nation. As a result, the team gained national attention. “If you win with dignity and character, the world will tend to watch you,” He said.

As he wrapped up his speech, he left students with one final quote that inspired him and his team: “Remember these three words. Good. Better. Best. And by God do not rest until your good is better and your better is best.”

Overall, students seemed very happy when leaving the presentation.

“Seeing Coach Boone speak about the events that we have all seen in the movie was inspirational. The hope that he is trying to instill in young people is extremely powerful,” Katherine Griffith ’13 said.

The Bison head football coach, Joe Susan, was also present at the speech.

“The presentation … is one that echoes through our campus and into the world as we know it today. At times we are sheltered from the ‘real world.’ The more we know of the constant battle for diversity, the better prepared our students will be as they move from here and progress through life,” Susan said.
Boone has been named coach of the year six times, speaks at universities across the country, and has written for several magazines.
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University hosts Negro League Baseball exhibit

By Olivia Seecof

Staff Writer

A traveling exhibit exploring the history of the Negro Leagues in baseball opened in the Bertrand Library, Level II on Oct. 12 and will run through Nov. 22. The opening of the exhibit kicked off a series of events exploring America’s pastime during the segregation era.

The exhibit is entitled “Discover Greatness: An Illustrated History of Negro Leagues Baseball” and has been on tour since 1993.  It includes many old photographs documenting African-American baseball players from the late 1800s through the 1950s.  The collection of photos focuses on the Negro teams that formed in 1920 and ended in 1960.

The Kansas City-based Negro Leagues Baseball Museum presented the exhibit.

“The Negro Leagues are an entry into understanding the history of segregation. A ‘great migration’ of black people from rural to urban areas occurred during this time period. In these urban cultural enclaves, leisure activities such as baseball were very important. Some argue that the integration of baseball was the first crack in the walls of segregation,” said Raymond Doswell, vice president of Curatorial Services.

Greg Krohn, associate professor of economics arranged to bring the exhibit and many speakers.

“I thought that [the exhibit] would be a way for many of us to learn more about the period of segregation in the United States and to recognize the accomplishments of the athletes that played in the Negro Leagues. The exhibition and speakers would supplement the study of the history of leagues and discrimination in my Sports Economics course,” Krohn said.

Planned events to complement the exhibit include speakers such as Hal Richman ’58 and Baseball Hall of Famer Monte Irvin. Irvin’s speech “Only the Ball Was White – a conversation on Black Baseball” was held in the Elaine Langone Center (ELC) Forum on Wednesday.

Upcoming events include “The Story of Strat-O-Matic Baseball and the Negro Leagues Players Set” with Richman, inventor of Strat-O-Matic Baseball, on Oct. 24 in the ELC Center Room at 7 p.m.  Attendees will play a game with sets of Negro Leagues and Hall of Fame baseball player cards.

“If It Ain’t Got that Swing: Black Baseball and Black Music in the Era of the Color Line” with Robert Cvornyek and Lawrence Hogan will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 in Bucknell Hall with a Jazz concert to follow. Cvornyek is a professor at Rhode Island College and Hogan is a historian of Union County College.

“I am looking forward to going to the concert and enjoying the music,” Samantha Lara ’13 said.

“Raceball: How the Major Leagues Colonized the Black and Latin Game” will be held in the ELC Forum at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 with Robert Ruck. Ruck is from the University of Pittsburgh and author of a book by the same name as his lecture.

The exhibit is open for another month, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the photographs and attend the sponsored events and speakers.

 

Photos!!

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CDC centralizes employment process

By Olesya Minina

Writer

Recent changes have been made to the student employment process on campus to make it easier and more efficient for both students and employers. The student employment process on campus has been known to be slow and decentralized as, up until the beginning of this semester, there was no central location where students could search and apply for jobs.
“Overall, everyone benefits from a central housing place of available opportunities. The new process moves toward giving all students the ability to learn about campus opportunities, and to gain valuable work experience and money while they are here studying,” said Megan Adams, manager of recruiting, alumni relations and career services.
Effective Aug. 1, 2011, all student hiring is facilitated by the Career Development Center. The BRIDGE, an existing web-based employment management tool currently used by students for internship, externship and post-graduation employment searches, will centralize the employment process at the University.
“The BRIDGE will provide a vehicle to post all campus employment opportunities so that all students have one central place to see what jobs are available on campus,” Adams said.
This transition will also benefit first-year students because they can begin to familiarize themselves with the BRIDGE early, which will ease the process of their search for jobs and internships in the future.
“After talking to many departments about their employment process the students and task force found that the process was decentralized and needed change,” said Edward Loftus, director of the Office of Strategy Implementation.
Beginning last fall, the Business Process Review Task Force (BPRT) was asked to address the student employment system and to make recommendations that should be implemented by the Operations and Management Group at the end of spring semester. The student employment recommendations were researched and crafted by three people from the BPRT, as well as Professor Matt Bailey and his operations management students. They questioned various departments regarding the application processes and documented work flows which were used to find flaws in the employment process.
“Each employer had their own recruiting process for the students they were looking to hire and in this sense, it was very fragmented from department to department. One of our recommendations … was to utilize the Bridge to host on campus student employment opportunities. This enabled employers to reach a broader base of potential candidates while at the same time, allowing for easier access to potential jobs for students,”  said Matt Goll ’12, a member of the task force.
According to Adams, feedback since the changes have been implemented has been very positive. The process is easy, efficient and quickly provides large applicant pools, thereby ensuring more talented and committed student employees. Students are able to have a better awareness of the part-time campus jobs available to them. These jobs provide work experience, something employers value when looking to hire recent college graduates.
“This process was a great collaboration among administration and students to find flaws and create recommendations in the student employment process,” Loftus said. “It is important to acknowledge the fact that students collaborated and found a process they thought would be most effective and that now the BRIDGE, with a tab separate for campus employment, is out there and is an efficient resource for finding a job that is right for you.”
The BRIDGE now makes communication between employers and students easier by providing more detailed job descriptions, including more standards, official descriptions, and expectations. The new employment process provides vast improvements, benefits, and department collaboration which opens up jobs to a larger pool of applicants through a more clearly structured portal. Students can login directly through myBucknell/BRIDGE and click the “Jobs On Campus” link on the home page.