Ignorance in Education at Springfield College

Yesterday I was meeting with some Americorps staff that came in to see what we (Springfield College students) were doing in Americorps. They wanted to know what we thought of the program and what our school could do to improve and other things of that nature. While I was meeting with them, we had gotten into a discussion about how our school is based around education. Charlene (SC's director of Americorps) and I are trying to set something up at Putnam Vocational School in Springfield MA. Charlene had received an email stating that they only wanted tutors and did not want some program in there. While I am willing to tutor, something I've always wanted to do is talk to students about graduation, how to survive in the real world, and possibly going to college. I wanted to give these students some activities and I wanted them to get something out of it. I wanted to encourage them to do what they always wanted to do; have the sky be the limit. In this discussion when Charlene had told me and the Americorps leaders what we are trying to accomplish, it brought on a whole other discussion.


Charlene was also mentioning how she wanted to set up a one credit course; where America Reads, Americorps and all volunteer students take a 2hr session and discuss problems and also what they have gotten out of volunteering, basically sharing experiences and trying to improve. Charlene had said she presented this class probably at a bad time, where the administration was in the process of changing classes and credit values, what was needed to graduate, and so forth.


While maybe it was a bad time, it could've also been Springfield College's conservative views that keep SC from growing in a positive manner in the education system. One of my biggest issues with my college is this ultra-conservative atmosphere created by SC's administration. What made me want to come to this college no longer exists in my mind, it is all the negatives that make me want to leave, if I had not come this far already.


Throughout the years here at SC many things have changed on campus that have put a negative damper on the students here at SC. The Vagina Monologues were banned at SC last year, probably having something A) to do with the fact the word "Vagina" is mentioned in it (God forbid, since we are all college students the last time I checked.) and B) at the last performance someone stole most of the money and SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) suffered from it. We believe the money that was stolen was the last straw to make administration pull Vagina Monologues out of its 4 years of performance. Another thing lost here at SC is CAB's (Campus Activities Board)poster sale. The poster sale revenued at $1000 as a fundraiser for CAB; but was banned as well. (Most likely because some posters had Bob Marley, and some girls in bikinis. Another give me a break moment.)


Over the years I have noticed a great increase of students transferring out for the schools lack of diversity and things to do on campus. It has now started to become more of a "suitcase school". It is believed that about 94% of SC's students are white. (And about 95% of that has parents with a lot of money.) Which brings me back to the conversation with the Americorps people.


I let them know some of the stupidity going on here, and how I would like that to change. This ultra-conservatism is getting to the point where it is leading to students downfalls. The Vagina Monologues and the poster sales are just two of the many examples where this campus fails its students. I explained to the people from Americorps that I would never want my child to be taught by a teacher that graduated from Springfield College unless I know that they know how to deal with students with problems. I mean really know, not just the stuff they get out of a book. I explained that I came from a city; I've seen the problems students have and have struggled myself. I know what it is like to come from a poor family; that there has been a time in my life where my family was dependent on the food bank. There was a time in my life I had to accept charity from places where I had once given to. I know what it is like to live off the government, and I've seen what is done to children around me who don't have great or any parents at all. I lived near section 8 housing my entire life; I've seen my fair share of abuse and bullying, and lack of education. I am still currently trying to build myself up from that, as my family still struggles.


And the problem with Springfield College is that many students do not come from that background, are not embraced in it, are not taught how to deal with kids, how to form some kind of teacher/student relationship where the teacher actually understands and helps the student. Most students at my school volunteer to get some kind of payment or to get some kind of hours on their resume, and do it because they feel that they have to, there is no learning experience from it. Even the students here who do pre-practicum and practicum have no idea what they got themselves involved in. While I can't say every student is like that, the majority of students are like this, which really disturbs me. It disturbs me the most because one of the worst sections of Springfield is right on the outskirts of Springfield College. And what are we doing about it? Nothing.


The Americorps leaders had said that that they had noticed how Springfield College is placed in such an area where there is opportunity for SC students to grow and learn such a culture, yet SC has a way of secluding students away from it all. As one of my Springfield friends once said "Springfield College is a fantasy land." He got that right. It is a fantasy land here. I find no logic, no sense of reality, and all I hear from most students how mommy and daddy pay for everything, how they think getting a job is going to be a piece of cake, complaining how that they can't use their card more then once in one eating period, unrealistic problems that every time I hear it I want to slap someone upside the head.


My friend had told me once some guy in her class was afraid of getting a part time job, like working at McDonalds. If you can't handle that pal you might as well quit wasting your parents money and live at home like a scaredy cat bum. If you can't handle a part time job how the hell do you think you are going to handle a full time job, that is twice as hard, twice the money, and twice the stress and twice the time you put in than a part time job?


I had a professor here who told my class this story once. It was about how he was helping a student at a local elementary school, and how he had given up on a student,which he is now regretting, especially after I explained something to him. He was telling us how he helped this student, and he was having problems at home. My professor felt bad for him and was constantly buying him gifts to encourage him to learn. Just before Christmas break my professor handed him some Christmas gifts, including a jacket. When he had given him these gifts, the boy said "Thanks, but I know I will be getting more for Christmas." My professor said "That's good, enjoy your break." and left. When they got back, the student was not improving, and he also questioned the student why he no longer had his jacket. He told him that it was taken away from him. After that, my professor could no longer deal with what he thought was the student's lack of appreciation for him, and quit volunteering at the school. What I told my professor later is what opened his eyes to probably one of his biggest mistakes.


When the boy had said "Thanks, but I will be getting more for Christmas", he was not talking about gifts. In an abusive home that is code for "I'm going to get some severe beatings and punishment for having these brand new things." When I told my professor that, he was in shock. I said typically in an abusive home (which my teacher suspected in earlier sessions, which is why he gave him gifts in the first place), if gifts are given to a child in that situation, that stuff is always taken away from them. They also get some kind of punishment for it. A person in that situation doesn't feel appreciated in that situation in getting gifts because they automatically know what is going to occur. They go home, they get yelled at, their stuff is taken away, and are punished, usually a beating or some kind of physical harm. That is why the student didn't seem to appreciate anything given to him from my professor. This really disturbed my professor,and he had said he wonders if he should attempt to find this student he had once had and apologize to him. But he debates it, wondering if the student will ever forgive him. I do not blame my teacher, although it is some type of ignorance, it is something that should be taught to teachers how to deal with this situation. This is something I feel Springfield College students should be learning, especially since this is an educational focused school and we are surrounded by many kids in that situation and others like it.


What I would like to do as I said earlier, is to work with high school students. I would also hope that Charlene could get this class rolling, or something like it. I also hope that someday Springfield College wakes up and smells the coffee. We need more diversity and we need more real life situations to throw these students in. It sickens me to know that most of these graduates of Springfield College leave without really knowing what is out there. I understand Springfield College wants to keep face and not have controversy, but that is all part of learning. Students here don't benefit from anything without some experience, and SC should be more willing to do trial and error with programs. Springfield College needs to be more free spirited. While some people might think all I'm trying to do is cause trouble, all I am trying to do is give people a chance and have them really understand what education is all about, and it isn't handing a kid a book or ball, it is something that teachers and students learn together.

Reaction to Hillary Clinton at Springfield College

The post previous to this one was a class assignment,however, it is good that we did that because I have a lot to say about this whole ordeal.

I went to class, and got a coffee while observing there was about 3 or 4 secret service people present in the building. (Guess they aren't that secret now are they?)I ran to my dorm and grabbed my books for class as well as my digital camera. I stood in a line that went from the gym to the library (which is about a half mile distance, at least.) After about a half hour or so I finally get in, of course though, standing room only at this point. I was behind the flag and couldn't see a damn thing, and of course there are a ton of taller people (who should be nice to the short women like me and let me up front a little, or get out of the way at least.) Suddenly a bunch of people ran up the stairs to the upstairs track, except we got kicked off. Later on a bunch of people did it again, and same result. Third time being the charm, we got upstairs before they blocked us out again. While being up there, I was still struggling to find a spot where I could take pictures (last minute I decided to try the video option of my camera.) I end up next to this woman, who was a beastly woman. We got talking and she started asking my views on politics and whatnot, asking questions like "What do you think of abortion?" I told her my views, how I think a woman should have a choice on whether or not to have a baby if for example, she was raped. She ranted on how people should always have a choice, that protection should be enforced, and how some people shouldn't have any kids in the first place. While I agree that some people shouldn't have kids, there are other options of taking care of that problem besides murdering someone.

She briefly got into an argument with one of my former classmates, when she went on the topic of tattoos and how they shouldn't be allowed. She thought that they were disgusting and unhealthy and all this nonsense spewing out of her mouth. While I agree that it is a lifetime thing, and that some people don't think, and they have to cover up for jobs, tattoos are not the worst things in the world. I agreed with my friend and what she had to say about tattoos. I was split between them.

She kept bitching about how the politician is late, that she had other things to do, and I was at the point to tell her to get out. She was annoying me to no end. Hillary showed up about 40 minutes late.

While I was filming, Hillary made a comment on how "When the vice president shot that guy, I knew....(said something on how we need Bush and Cheney out of office)" I mentioned on how Bush choked on a pretzel in the beginning of his presidency. She was like "I think that was his father" and I was like "No, that was him". (I wanted to tell to get her facts straight, she may be older than me and more into politics, but I pay attention to the news, for crying out loud.) Then Hillary mentioned on how she would improve loans for college students and college concerns, and I said "Yea especially at this school." The damn woman had to put her two cents in and say "No, schools nationwide."

Okay lady, first of all, you do not pay for this school. I assume the attitude of the people in Springfield towards students in Springfield College is that we have money. Granted that my school is a private school, but not everyone is made of money. I pay for my own tuition (thank you), I don't depend on mommy and daddy like the majority of students in this school does. What Hillary says effects me too. I am not saying that students in other schools don't need help, but at that moment in my school I care about my own damn needs, and I need to know if Hillary Clinton is going to help me. I wanted to hit that lady. How dare you assume that I don't need help as much as everyone else in college? I wanted to tell her to the hell out of my gym that I pay $38,000 a year for. (Okay, so we all contribute somehow, but do we get my point here?) The school is one of the most expensive schools, so don't go there with me. I am already $45,000 in debt to this stupid place, okay?

The lady left after that, which I was grateful for, because a fight was going to break out soon if she didn't leave. I taped the speech the best I could, except for this little boy who wouldn't sit still for 5 seconds. I was grateful when they left so I could film better.

Besides the dumb lady, and the fact Springfield College did a terrible job setting up (we could have more people sit down if they constructed the stage placement better, but then again what the hell do I expect from my school? Not much.) I enjoyed what Hillary said. While I don't know who I am voting for yet, I have to say this by far is the best experience I had, and I had the opportunity to see a historical moment.

Hillary Clinton Comes to Springfield College

Last night a surprise knock on the door lead me to utter disbelief. Two announcements my Resident Assistant told me was that one, one of the girls in my dorm had passed away. Secondly, that Senator Hillary Clinton was coming to my school today. I haven't made any decisions on who to vote for, so this is a great opportunity for me to see what this is like. The biggest concern I had is that I felt that due to this presence and also due to that this girl died I felt school should've been shut down today. Springfield College is a small school, and Springfield itself is not the best area. It is good that Hillary is showing up so she can see the City of Springfield in its utmost glory (being really sarcastic here about Springfield.) I also don't know if Springfield College can handle all the craziness that is going to occur.

It is funny how this occurred. My RA told me apparently the campaign was looking for a place in Western MA and literally just came across Springfield College in their routes. I think the campaign liked our school because we have really green glass and old buildings.

I think this would be a good coverage area simply because this part of MA tends to be ignored, however, we are not far from the heart of Connecticut either. Connecticut is not far from NY, making it worthwhile for Hillary to show up in this area. Springfield (last time I checked) is the 18th most dangerous city; crimes committed not far from the school. So this would let Hillary allow her campaign to focus on how to change cities like Springfield. Springfield was once a beautiful city, and while it is improving, it still needs a ton of work done. She can base her campaign on improving working conditions and economy, as well as education, and use Springfield as an example.

I am going to attend to this rally, and I hope to see what Hillary Clinton claims to do for me, if I vote for her.

USA Today's Focus on Bush

Article

While reading the weekend USA TODAY paper, I noticed the main focus on the paper was on President Bush. Looking at the layout, they had Bush on the right hand side, while candidates of the upcoming election were laid out on the other side. Beneath that is an article focused on the Iraq war, and an article on police databases that started being focused on after 9/11. The general catch USA TODAY was using is grabbing the readers attention to politics, with little emphasis on the Writer's Strike and Sports. On the back of the first section was the national weather, while the emphasis on the back page of the second section showed the "weather section" of the economy. That emphasis was a eye catcher on the national money crisis, and this bank was advertising on how their company would work.

The other focus I think the USA TODAY paper was trying to make is raise people's concerns over politics and money, as a tagline under Bush's picture was to advertise an article about the new tax break President Bush just passed.

USA TODAY actually put sports and entertainment on the back burner, which I think is good, unlike other papers that focus on things like Britney Spears. This particular paper focused on things that are rather important, not issues that don't affect the everyday American.

Frosty Backlash

Frosty Messages

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I have to agree both parties are in the wrong here. First of all, most public officials keep their number private, so why wouldn't you be expecting harassing calls if you stupidly have your number out for the public? Secondly, the student called during a lunch break. It wasn't like he called early in the morning, so she really shouldn't be that mad at him. If you had phone calls all day, why don't you do a public announcement, even if you're not going to cancel school, or leave a phone number that goes directly to a voicemail that explains the plans in inclement weather. Here in New England most schools and colleges have some kind of system so if parents or students have concerns over a weather announcement or whatever, that they have the capability of leaving a message there. While three inches of snow is no big deal here in New England, it sure is in Virginia, as it is not as common. It's like rain in California, it hardly ever happens.


The woman made a complete idiot out of herself, and why for one second wouldn't she think about her choice of words? Snotty brats? Did she forget that she was a child herself once? I think the student should have called the house considering that one it was a public number and two he was in charge of making decisions, and I feel he made a bad choice. The wife should learn to butt out and let her husband take the hit. She was asking to be YouTubed.


Now as far as the other phone calls are concerned, the report said the couple had received calls as early as 4am. Why wouldn't you yell at those people? Does it make any sense to yell at a kid who called midday, as supposed to someone who called at 4am?


I applaud the kid, and there are people saying that there is a liability issue. How is it liability when the idiot has his phone listed? If it was private, it would make more sense.


Change your number pal, and stop risking kids lives for three inches of snow. Just keep them later in the year, like we do. Duh. Cancel school, no harassing phone calls. That was easy.

Fashion Faux Pas In Plus Sized World

I have some of the biggest issues with the fashion world when it comes to plus sized clothing. Oprah tends to run these episodes where she has women made over, or have them literally being stripped of their old clothes and telling them what to wear and gives these suggestions to the audience. I have a huge issue in this field as it is nearly impossible for a plus sized women to dress. Oprah can give all the advice in the world, but that doesn't stop the fashion industry from making hideous clothes or making it nearly impossible to afford. Let me explain.

The pictures above are taken from Fashionbug.com, Ebay.com, and a few plus sized clothing websites. Now the top picture is from some fashion show in which I would love to kill the person who took that photo and let that on the Internet. First of all, her hair is an absolute rat's nest. Her skin is way pale for that dark eyeshadow. I know they are trying to advertise for plus sized lingerie, but I honestly think they would've had a better model. Not only that I think that whole thing makes her look like a prostitute. That has to be the most hideous picture I have ever seen in my entire life.

The second picture is advertising for the plus sized pregnant mom. I understand that the point of the sweater is to make sure the belly sticks out a bit, but again it is not flattering to the pregnant mom. I would never show my face in public if I was wearing that sweater while being that pregnant. There is other flattering maternity clothing.

Below it is a girl's pair of jeans, in which my daughter (if I had one) would never be caught dead wearing. It is not flattering to any young girl, all you have to do is throw on a purple shirt and she would be Barney. A bright green color and jeans mixed with a big girl equals disaster.

Jeans in general should be designed better. I hate walking into stores like Fashion Bug and finding jeans that are hideous. They tend to be over baggy, too tight, "mom" jeans, elastic waist, too pale or that stupid "washed" color. And any good jeans that you do find are way too overpriced. It really doesn't cost that much to add a few more inches of cloth.

I've noticed places like Walmart will charge an extra dollar or two for XXL or bigger clothing. It is a matter of a few cents to make it bigger, so at this point all Walmart is doing is trying to get a bigger profit out of the big people.

Another big pet peeve of mine is the next picture which shows a tank top. Whose arms are that fricking big? Granted I know that I am big but seriously some of the armholes are large enough to stick my thigh in. I hate trying to buy tank tops because I tend to buy some that are slightly smaller just so that my bra doesn't show through the arm hole. It's really sad that these designers think that all big women have these huge arms. They supposedly use these "fit models" that try on the clothes these designers make before they market them. I think they should do a better job in that department, because they mostly suck.

Designs are really important too, and I want to know why the things that no woman should ever wear they make large quantities. Everytime I shop I see bad clothing in large quantities but find few good pieces in the mix . For example, the only way any woman should wear that shirt in the last picture has to have a belt, or it will look terrible. Not only that, I saw there was a matching skirt with it. No way in hell should it be worn. I like how I also see faded jeans (a big no-no), or tacky prints and designs on shirts and jeans.

I think Oprah should have a show on showing designers how to make actual plus size clothes, and affordable for the everyday woman. Like nice jeans at $20 and a shirt that costs $10 and actually looks really good. We know how to look good, we need the designers to make us look good.