New Media Class surprises students in Dining Hall with performance

Wednesday, November 16 appeared to be a day like any other on the University of Bridgeport campus. Students filed into Marina Dining Hall upon its 5 p.m. opening and expected to meet up with friends and classmates and enjoy their dinner as usual. However, as soon as 6 p.m. hit, dinnertime at Marina was transformed into something quite unexpected and simply unusual—for UB especially.

As students filed into Marina on that day, they could sense that there was something different. The tables were separated enough so that there was a huge space in the center of the dining room, purple balloons hung from a few chairs near the center and finally, there was a projector that displayed a digital clock on the wall. There were several students questioning the new set-up and others perplexed by the excess amount of students in Marina.

Students in the cafeteria were startled by what appeared to be a loud argument by two young ladies at one table. One of them stood up and flung her chair to the ground and the dining room immediately became quieted as all eyes were on these two students. The argument grew louder and when it appeared as though it might get physical, one of the Sodexo workers separated the fight—pulling one towards the exit of the dining hall.

Flash Mob in Marina Dining Hall

At this point, the lights shut off and when they were turned back on, numerous students were found standing on their chair yelling: “Shout!” at the top of their lungs (to the song “You make me want to shout”). Afterwards, these individuals ran to the center of the dining room screaming and cheering, as everyone else watched in awe and chattered in excitement. Those students then proceeded to imitate kung-fu style kicks towards one another (to the song “Everybody was kung-fu fighting”). At this point, onlookers began to gather around and take pictures and capture this event with their cell phones and cameras. The participants ran in place, then stood absolutely still for several moments and then proceeded to scatter and run around giving everyone a high-five. Next, F.L.O.H. (Future Leaders of Hip-Hop) appeared and gave an impressive performance, with two dancers even dancing on the table tops. All those who participated ran out of the dining hall clapping and cheering—which led everyone in Marina to cheer them on.

Professor Susan Katz’s New Media class surprised all those who were in Marina Dining Hall, eating dinner as usual, with a string of unusual pretenses. This was the first flash mob ever to be carried out at the university and it certainly had many students talking.

Photo courtesy of S. Katz

According to the New Media Flash Mob website, created by Katz’s class, a Flash Mob is defined as an engaging surprise performance that involves harmless confusion to the audience and spontaneity, playfulness and anonymity for the participants. This flash mob in particular was an mP3 flash mob which had the instructions conveniently in the participants’ ears, via their iPod or other mP3 device.

ELI student Luc Minh Thuy Lien who had never witnessed a flash mob before, enjoyed it a lot, even though the fight in the very beginning startled her (as she was at the adjacent table).

“I liked it,” she said. “Everybody was great. People worked very hard to make the show.”

Junior Geralda Moise participated in the Flash Mob and said that was really fun and that it was much better than she expected.

Senior Yaditza LaViera also partook in the Flash Mob and was one of the students in the fake argument that clearly got everyone’s attention from the get-go. She is in Katz’s New Media Class and this was her first time in a flash mob. Preparing for this event was not as simple as many may have thought and as part of the Creative Team, LaViera was in charge of writing the script for the entire event.

“It was a success,” LaViera said. “It couldn’t have been better. I enjoyed it; and we got a lot of feedback from [the spectators].”

Katz has taught the New Media class before, but it had always been online. This was her first non-online New Media class.

“The goal in this class is to do things that were really new,” Katz said. “That nobody had ever tried.”

She described the crowd sourcing projects that her class underwent and the building of a social network which was “really interactive and fun.”

Katz said she started exploring flash mobs on and doing a lot of research about them.

“I’d been researching flashmobs that people are accustomed to seeing, called mP3 flash mobs, she said. “Since last semester I wanted to do this; where all the instructions were in your ear.  ‘Improve Everywhere’—they were our model.”

“It was really fun,” Katz said. “It felt like New Year’s Eve.”

Katz also mentioned that one of the main things she learned is that there is a lot of ambient noise in Marina. While rehearsing, the noise of the students in Marina Dining Hall was absent, but it was a totally different occurrence on the actual day.

“In that venue, I would run a script that wasn’t so dependent on sound,” Katz said. I think it had to be more actions.”

Katz would like to do another flash mob next year but is very uncertain about doing so.

“I don’t want to bore people,” she said. “I’d like to because it’s really fun, but then [I feel that it can be boring] if it becomes class material two semesters in a row and [some of those participants are] in the same class.”

“It was a lot of work, but we had a lot of fun,” Katz said. “There was a lot of people; There were easily 300 people there.”

Katz said that it was a learning experience.

“I think we did a really, really, really good job,” she said. “It was our first flash mob ever done at the school and it’s something that we can all be proud of.”

<Article can be seen on The Scribe website>

UB students “suit up” for their future: The university introduces its first Annual Career Day

The University of Bridgeport Career Services Center and the Save A Suit Organization banded together on Tuesday, November 15 from 3-6 p.m., to launch UB’s first annual Career Day, entitled “Suit Up For Your Future.” A total of 178 students signed up and the turn-out was phenomenal.

Various tables were set up around the Social Room of the Student Center, which served different purposes, such as: Mock interviews with real professionals, Resume reviews, Linked In Photo booth (where students got a professional head shot taken to use on their Linked In profile photo, or in and other professional context), creation of free students business cards and more.

The most highlighted aspect of the event was the opportunity to obtain business attire for absolutely no cost. Suits for both men and women filled the clothing racks that were lined up on one side of the room. Students were found browsing the suits and items, provided by Save A Suit, at their leisure. Students from the UB Fashion Merchandising Department were also available to assist students who were indecisive.

Save A Suit is a nonprofit organization that began just a year ago and its founder, Scott Sokolowski, understands that there are college students who have some pretty basic needs—and one of them may just be appropriate attire. Sokolowski established Save A Suit after interviewing a young individual who was clearly not dressed for an interview. He asked him why he wasn’t wearing a suit and the person replied, “I can’t afford one.” From then on, Sokolowski made it his mission to help kick-start college student’s careers.

“The first 30 seconds is the most important,” Sokolowski said. “I don’t want anyone walking in at a disadvantage.”

Students browsing through the various selection of suits

Tuesday’s event happened to be Save A Suit’s first big event that they have done.  Numerous colleges have been getting in touch with this organization and “calling left and right.”

“I saw a student walk out of here in tears,” Save A Suit Chief Information Officer (CIO) Jessica Ewud said, “Because he got a free suit.”

Ewud also made mention of a student who came in wearing a shirt and jeans, changed his clothes and walked out of the Social Room wearing “his first suit”.

“Every student said ‘thank you,’” Ewud said. “[We received] positive feedback from everyone; and I was amazed how divers this college was and the ability to work together—[It was a] beautiful thing to see.”

“Any student that needs a suit, we want to be able to give it to them,” Sokolowski said as part of the organization’s mission.

Ewud also said that there were no fitting problems. Students were able to come in, try on a suit and if it did not fit to their liking, alterations were done for free by the Fashion Merchandising Department students.

“[This event] was very student oriented,” Sokolowski said. “We want to thank the University of Bridgeport.”

Volunteer Leslie Tracey thought that the Career Development did a great job.

“I think the event is great,” she said. “[It’s our] first big event, so UB is pretty much on the map!”

Tracey said that “dressing well is something that should definitely be studied.”

“Future employers have specifications [on what is appropriate],” she said. “Unfortunately, this is an image world and people are judged by their outer appearance.”

Graduate Student Natasha Day appreciated all the information packets she received from Pitney Bowes (at the Resume table) and she enjoyed several other aspects of the event.

“I enjoyed the mock interview,” Day said. “The fact that they’re providing clothing for those that don’t have the appropriate attire is a good thing.”

Kingsley Udeh, another graduate student, said that he thinks this kind of event should be organized on a semester basis.

“It motivates and boosts students’ confidence in acquiring skills geared toward employability in the larger society,” Udeh said. “I was privileged to have my resume reviewed and restructured by one of the resume reviewing experts. To crown it all, I picked a free well-designed suit and shirt and neck-tie to match.” 

Corporate Recruiter of Pitney Bowes Veretta Bass-Addison said that they reviewed resumes. They sat down with students and helped them with their resumes.

“There is no perfect resume,” Bass-Addison said. “Every resume is unique and you’re trying to sell yourself.”

Sokolowski encourages students to visit www.Saveasuit.org as well as the Facebook page and support this organization.

Career Services is encouraging students to “save the date” and attend the Spring Job Fair on April 4, 2012 in Wheeler Recreation Center.


<View article on The Scribe website>

“Eclipse Lounge” brings out another year of UB talent

On Tuesday, October 4, the Tower Room of the Arnold Bernard Center (ABC) was transformed into Eclipse Lounge. The lights were dimmed, tiny, yet sophisticated, candles flickered from tall, round tables and finger foods were served by a male and female server and students and guests were ready for another Open Mic Night, meant to be filled with talent on and off campus.

Open Mic first began in the 1^st floor lounge of Seeley Hall and the attendance was phenomenal. Its 2^nd annual event was held in the Art Gallery of the ABC Building and demonstrated another level of aesthetic sophistication, with a wider venue and finally, “Eclipse Lounge” was moved to the Tower Room—an even larger venue, still upholding the expected style.

Courtesy of R. Jeanty

President of the “Elite Class of 2012” Delia Amsterdam and Vice-President and Columnist for “The Scribe” Malakhi have been the hosts of “Eclipse Lounge” since the very beginning, yet it was Eason’s idea to come up with this event.

“I wanted to do something that would force the student body to think outside the box by giving them an outlet to express themselves through their talents in a no judgment zone,” Eason said. “I wanted a nice location that would outdo the art gallery [and] I wanted to showcase the people on campus that usually wouldn’t speak up for their talents.”

Eason commenced the evening of talent, also making mention of this being the final Eclipse Lounge’s Open Mic Night hosted by the Class of 2012. The evening was filled with poetry, dance, singing, instruments and more, by UB students and off-campus guests.

It was Sophomore Jennifer Zantos’ first time at this event and she enjoyed it.

“It was good,” Zantos said. “You never really know how much talent is on campus [until you come out and see it].

Ijeoma Akusobi is a sophomore and likes music in general, but enjoyed other aspects of Open Mic too.

“I like the beginning; the spoken word,” Akusobi said. “I went [to Open Mic] last year and this year was better.”

It was more than I expected it to be [and] it’s sad because it was the last one; but I know we went out with a bang,” Amsterdam said. “It was a joy to be able to do the last Open Mic in the Tower Room—I thank the president for granting our request. We met our expectations and I’m so happy that everyone enjoyed it.”

Eason has been designing bowties for about three months and different designs were made available for students to purchase during the event..

“The thing that makes the ties so special is that they are hand crafted and created with intention to make the customers stand out,” Eason said. “I want them to stand out and take over, hence the name BOWTIE NATION.”

Eason made mention at the beginning of the night that all proceeds will go to the Class of 2012.

Both Eason and Amsterdam hope that students who attended realized that expressing their innermost talent is a great thing.

“It’s ok if you sing, dance or write,” Eason said. “No matter what your race, sexual preference or background is, you will still be heard.”

“I hoped students learn that there are different ways of expressing yourself, whether it be dance, song, poetry, or art; and I hope they took away that they can do anything they put their mind to,” Amsterdam said. “They can accomplish their dreams; and that the class of 2012 puts on the best Open Mics.”

“This will not be the last open Mic,” Amsterdam stated. “We will be passing it down to the class of 2013; hopefully they will bring their own style to it and keep the legacy going on for years to come.

<View article on The Scribe Website>

Brain tumor survivor walks 250 miles to bring awareness

20 years ago, wife and mother Heidi Gottlieb received news that changed her entire life. Doctors diagnosed her with a benign brain tumor, which eventually turned out to be cancerous. Since then, she has had two brain surgeries and two rounds of radiation. This experience led her to become the founder and director of “Brain Matters,” an organization created to bring awareness to the public about brain tumors.

Gottlieb has endured several surgeries, radiation, side effects such as double vision, trouble swallowing and paralysis of the tongue and also, the feeling of fear. When she was first given the news, her daughter was one year old and it was a “frightening time.” It was a time before the Internet and where it was very difficult to find out information about different diseases. Just three years ago she was told that she had a slow-growing, cancerous brain tumor, but after proton radiation, the tumor stopped growing. She is a wife and mother of two and although it is still somewhat scary, Gottlieb is happy about the Internet availability and the knowledge she has now.

On October 1, Gottlieb will be Walking Miles 4 Brain Matters, from her home in Port Washington, NY to Massachusetts General Hospital’s Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center where she was last treated (in 2008)—because this time going there will be under her control. This will be, in total, a walk of 250 miles.

“I am walking for a cause that needs more awareness,” Gottlieb said. “I’m shining a light on a subject quite dark.”

Heidi Gottlieb|| Facebook.com

Gottlieb plans to film a lot of this and will stop at schools, hospitals and various businesses to introduce herself and hand out flyers.

“I’m hoping to have more school participation,” she said. “I wish I had more time and more people.”

Gottlieb said that during the planning of this event she focused more on high schools, but if she had known how difficult it was for high schools to get on board with a project like this, she would have pursued colleges. The estimated number of participants in the walk is yet to be seen, but she will try to post her routes online as she walks.

Gottlieb plans to be in Bridgeport on October 7 and is looking for supporters—whether to join in the walk or to donate for the cause.

“The Brain Matters fundraising website with some great donation ‘perks’ will be up until September 30 and we’re still trying to reach our goal,” she said. “The link to that site is www.indiegogo.com/brain-matters.com.”

Gottlieb emphasized the importance of using a headset with one’s cell phone. She describes herself as an early cell phone user and, as a former film producer, she stated that she was on film sets in 1985 when cell phones weighed “about 5 pounds” and received poor reception.

“The weight has decreased and the reception is much, much better, but there is more and more information and statistics that connects cell phone use to brain tumors, especially cancerous brain tumors,” she said. “Why take the risk? Wear a headset.”

Gottlieb has redefined what it means to keep moving forward and this walk is meant to help create the awareness it needs about a disease that affects thousands of people each year.

“I’m one of the lucky ones,” Gottlieb said. “And there aren’t many, unfortunately.”

Gottlieb plans to write a book in the future about her story and hopes it will be inspirational to people.

Visit www.Brain-matters.org to donate to “Brain Matters” and learn more about how you can get involved.

<View article on The Scribe website>

Modification in Library hours causes reactions from UB students: UB announces 24-hours access to 1st floor of Magnus Wahlstrom Library

Two purple balloons and a standing white board stands at the entrance of the Magnus Wahlstrom Library, informing students, faculty and staff of the major change that will take place tonight, Monday, September 19. The 1st floor of the Library will be open for 24-hours on weekdays, ensuring more study and quiet time for those interested in taking advantage.

Senior and Martial Arts major Shane Staat is “absolutely ecstatic” about this reform in library hours.

“I get so much more done here than I do in my apartment,” Staat said. “I feel better getting work done here than I do at home.”

Staat said that he would have liked for it be 24 hours on weekends, but he can understand how student-demand can play a part in that decision. However, he feels that if Scribe café were open 24-hours too, they would make a lot of money, especially from coffee purchases.

“We [students] need fuel!” Staats said.

Junior Jocelyn Barna is happy about the new library hours.

“I get more done here than my dorm room,” Barna said. “I feel like if I’m in the library, not that I’m forced but, it’s more of an option to do my work.”

No library services will be available after midnight and the Print Room and Copiers cannot be accessed between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m. The Scribe café will have the same hours on Friday and weekends, but will close at 12 a.m. Monday through Thursday, extending three hours past the usual closing time.

Scribe Café Cashier/Server Ramona Nogic said that the new hours don’t really affect her, since she leaves hours before the closing time. However, she does not see the reason for the new 24-hour access.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” Nogic said. “I don’t see many people after a certain time.”

Junior and Biology Major Hannah Boyd lives off campus and states that this change won’t affect her much, except during Finals.

“It encourages us to study at night,” Boyd said. “[Whereas] we should be studying during the day and sleeping at night. I prefer to study in the day [and get my eight hours of sleep].

Boyd is not only concerned about the employees having to work during the night now, but if the extension of hours will even be worth it.

“I wonder if it’s worth the staffing, electricity and the investment,” she said. “I wonder if there will be much people.”

Junior and Student Government President Colin Capaci, is proud to have this change at UB.

“I think it adds to the academic legitimacy of the university,” Capaci said. “Any reputable academic institution has a 24-hour library.”



The Library Hours are as followed: 

Monday- Thursday: 24 hours

Fridays: Open until 9 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m. – all night

Marilyn Nelson shares her renowned poetry at Necessary Voices

The prolonged silence experienced in the Tower Room of the Arnold Bernard Center on Thursday, September 15 was a chance for listeners to absorb the words of Marilyn Nelson. She is an award-winning poet and helped to kick off the first Necessary Voices Lecture Series of the semester with an evident passion for the art of poetry intertwined with history.

Due to construction being undergone in the ABC Building, the Necessary Voices Poetry Reading was held in the spacious Tower Room, on the 9th floor, which provided a scenic view beyond the vast windows. At 4:30 p.m. English Professor (Dr.) Diane Krumrey officially opened up the 2nd year of Necessary Voices, which she explained began last year at the University of Bridgeport and is meant to energize the discussion of ideas and the arts. Krumrey then went on to introduce a “great, poetic treasure,” Marilyn Nelson. Nelson has been teaching for 12 years, has written poetry, music lyrics, children’s books and poetry translations, and is well-known for being Connecticut Poet Laureate from 2001 to 2006. According to The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism (CCT), the Poet Laureate serves as an advocate for poetry and promotes the appreciation of and participation in poetry and literary arts activities among Connecticut citizens.

Nelson began her reading by first emphasizing briefly the importance of meditation, stating that “we learn in silence,” and then moving on to begin a reading from her book, “The Fields of Praise.” She introduced a series called “Mama’s Promises in which she intended the poems to be about feminist theology, where she calls God “Mama,” and started with a poem entitled, “The Lost Daughter.” It highlighted parenting and the importance of children being seen by their parent(s), however, is based on a true experience of being lost in a department store when she was younger.

Poets.org

“[It’s about] accepting the responsibilities of parenting, yet finding it terrifying,” Nelson said. “But connecting it to generations of parents who felt the same way.”

She mentioned her love of historic research and read other poems that were influenced by figures in history—whether it was Venture Smith and “A Treasure Buried,” Connecticut’s official state heroine Prudence Crandall and “Jump, Jump, Jump,” or even “Not my Bones” written in honor of a set of human remains unknown at first but later found out to be an 18th Century slave named Fortune. She shows admiration for George Washington Carver and described him as a saint. Nelson has written poems on Carver and felt that this man is what motivates a person to live a virtuous life.

“I’ve fallen into accident [into] writing about history,” Nelson said. “[I’ve] fallen into it by coincidence, not by choice.”

Sophomore Julie Torres attended the Poetry Reading and said she had read a couple of Nelson’s poems before. Although appreciating Nelson’s historic focus, Torres admits wanting to know more about the person behind the verses.

“I love history,” Torres said. “I wish she would have written more about herself.”

A few years ago, English Professor Eric Lehman saw a wonderful presentation of her work at the Florence Griswold Museum at which “they paired her Venture Smith poems with the work of artists.”

“It was quite moving and got me interested in the rest of her poetry,” Lehman stated. “I hope that my students will be inspired to read and write poetry.”

Dr. Krumrey hoped that her students walked away from Necessary Voices appreciating how inspiring it is.

“She [Marilyn Nelson] really showed us how history can be an inspiration and can be transformed to people of our own time,” Krumrey said. “She’s a really important Connecticut poet and has a lot to inspire students at UB; plus, she’s cool and fun to listen to.”

“I write poetry in an attempt to find deeper truth,” Nelson said. “The truth we are seeking is essentially the same truth.”

When asked what she hopes listeners took away from her readings, Nelson said, “the kind of pleasure that comes from a story told well.”

<View article on The Scribe website>

The memory embedded in America one decade later: The 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks

“Where were you on September 11, 2001?” is a question that many individuals, who were of age at the time, can answer in immense detail. The memory still remains embedded in the minds of those who may have witnessed the horrific scene of the planes striking the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, those who ran up the street of Manhattan after the buildings’ collapse to escape the smothering smoke and ash or even those who were spectators of this fateful occurrence via-television.

Freshman Kristin Shackleton was in her 3rd grade classroom in Illinois at the time of the attacks in 2001.

“A teacher came in to explain [what had happened],” Shackleton said. “I was extremely confused.”

Shackleton said she saw the plane hit the building on the TV when she got home. At the time, she truly thought it was closer to home than it actually was.

Senior Sydney Brown was in Bloomfield, Connecticut 10 years ago, sitting in her 6th grade Social Studies class.

“I remember my teacher found out and started crying,” Brown said. “I didn’t understand and I couldn’t even grasp it.”

At that time, Brown had never been to New York and so the occurrence of a terrorist attack was something that she couldn’t entirely comprehend. Years later, she began meeting different people from New York and was exposed to other points of views and received a brand new insight of that unforgettable day in 2001.

“It could have easily been me,” Brown said. “Those people were just as innocent. It makes you think—to really live your life and keep yourself in check.”

In honor of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, there will be a Remembrance/Memorial Service in the Social Room of the John J. Cox Student Center at 6 p.m. tonight.

UB campus shakes from Earthquake aftershock

Buildings shook, indoor items rattled, the ground quivered and for those who felt it may have been taken off guard and even confused by the rare event on the East Coast. On Tuesday, August 24 a 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook the state of Virginia and left New York City, Washington, D.C., other surrounding states and even places like Chicago and Ohio feeling the aftershock. With a majority of University of Bridgeport students moving to their specified Res. Hall soon and classes beginning in just a few days, it is a wonder what occurred on UB soil during that moment, while students were away.
Dr. Thomas Ward, Dean of the International College, was on the fifth floor of Wahlstrom Library, for an opening meeting for the faculty of the International College, when they suddenly felt the tremors.

“The Library itself was literally shaken,” Ward stated in an e-mail. “More than half of us had experienced earthquakes before and it was clear what had happened. Within two or three minutes, we learned online that the earthquake's epicenter had been in Virginia."

The Scribe Design & Layout Editor and recent UB graduate Camille Jones felt the full effects of the aftershock, within the very walls of her New Jersey home.

“It was a normal day,” Jones said. “I heard my bed shaking, saw my fan shaking, and thought: ‘this is kind of scary;’” It’s not anything I’ve ever experienced before.”

Although very alarmed by the event when it occurred, she is, however, not surprised by this rare tremor felt in New York City and other states on the East Coast.

“Stronger Earthquakes in California can be felt out by the Rockies,” Jones said. “Even when the tsunami happened in Japan, they were taking precautions in California, because tremors like that can be carried very far.”

Assistant Dean of Student Edina Oestreicher was conducting Orientation Leader training for 31 OL’s and she stated in an e-mail that none of them felt a thing.

“We were all stunned to learn of the quake about a ½ hour after it occurred and many of us immediately went to call family and friends to ensure that they were safe,” she stated.

Orientation for new students didn’t begin until today and, therefore, most new students hadn’t even arrived when the quake took place.

“I was phoned by a friend from Chicago asking if I was ok,” Dean of Students Kenneth Holmes stated in an e-mail. “That’s when I learned of the earthquake.

“It certainly did make our faculty meeting all the more memorable,” Ward stated.

Dean Ward also mentioned that he had been in two earthquakes: one in Taiwan and one in Chile.

“I was in Taiwan in September 1999 when the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale. That was very different than what we experienced here,” Ward stated. “I woke up in the middle of the night to find my bed sliding and slamming into one wall of my hotel and then slamming into the wall on the other side of the room. We were lucky that it was so mild here.”

There were no known evacuations that took place on campus.

“Most of my staff were surprised that an earthquake had even occurred because I don’t think many of us think of this phenomenon as something that frequently occurs on the East coast,” Oestreicher stated. “We were relieved to learn that it only caused minor damage and no serious injuries.”