An Ad that Speaks Volumes

Not being a major league consumer, I don't pay much attention to ads, even those that are clever and entertaining. 

But once in a while an ad comes along that does more than just push a product.  Now and then an advertisement contains a message that's pretty thoughtful and that deserves a "way to go" from the public.

One such ad, produced by the Dove company, has been talked about lately in both print and online media.  The ad is titled "Real Beauty" and it's about women's perceptions of their appearance.  The ad features several women who are asked to describe themselves to an artist who, working behind a curtain, draws a sketch based on their descriptions.  Later on, the same artist produces a second sketch, one based on another person's description of the same woman. 

The results are revealing:  In each instance, the second description (as reflected in the sketches) is much more flattering than the subject's description of herself.  

The troublesome thing about the ad, of course, is that it never really takes on the real culprit: a culture that's obsessed with beauty, especially in women.  If the ad had proclaimed something really revolutionary, like "We worry far too much about appearance," it would have truly broken new ground, especially coming from a giant of the beauty industry.   

But still, the Dove ad is okay: it seems to be telling women to give themselves a break when it comes to stressing over their cheeks, hair, eyes, skin, and other features.  Its message: "You're prettier than you think.  Don't be so self critical."

Some still might take issue with the advertisement's attempt to sidestep the "Does-beauty-really-matter" question, but to me, the ad delivers a positive message.  Far too many women--college-age women in particular--beat themselves up for being imperfect in the looks department.  Men also criticize their own appearance sometimes, but they're not nearly so harsh or relentless as women, whose inner critic often drives them to unhealthy diets, unnecessary surgeries, and extreme makeovers.

So if the Dove ad (below) makes a few young women go easy on themselves (and maybe be happier), it's done a good thing and deserves a shout-out.

Michelle Schimel at NCC

(Note: "What's Up, NCC?" periodically publishes the writing of NCC students, including members of the Vignette, the campus newspaper, about issues in the news.  In the story below, Janelle Clausen, the newspaper's features editor, reports on "Ending Gun Violence," the title of an April 18 talk at the college by New York State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel.  Ms. Clausen's article originally appeared in the Vignette.)

               Gun Control Debate Comes to Nassau

Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel raises awareness about gun violence and tries to answer citizens' concerns

                                                                          
Since Newtown, "gun control" has been on the lips of many politicians, and Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel (D-Great Neck) was not the exception at NCC last Thursday, nor has she ever been.

Nearly 100 Nassau residents and members of the college community flooded the 11th floor of the Tower through security screenings to hear the assemblywoman's take on gun violence and voice their concerns.

Schimel has been a long-time advocate for reducing gun violence, serving on the Board of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence for nearly 20 years before becoming the co-chair of the bipartisan New York Chapter of State Legislators Against Illegal Guns in 2011.  She was also involved in the drafting of the NYSAFE Act, the first assault weapons ban in New York State in 2000, and other measures.

Schimel presented gun violence statistics, stating the importance of reducing these instances.  In comparison to other peer industrialized nations, the United States ranked as "the most armed nation" and arguably one of the most violent.

"We should be embarrassed," she declared.  "We've got 30,000 murders versus our closest number, 173.  It's quite a difference, isn't it?"

Paired with this, according to Schimel, is $40 billion a year in costs from gun injuries "on the public dole." She said that she'd much rather invest that money in other things such as education and healthcare.

Schimel said that the gun culture is here to stay because of how profitable it is, but called for regulations to try to curb the violence.  Having spoken with Governor Cuomo and state police, she said that she was expecting facts that would prove that the laws work.  She dismissed the idea that the government aimed to take guns, as they're a viable means of defense.

Among one of the regulations in place was the recent passage of the NYSAFE Act, which Schimel claims to have been part of.  The NYSAFE Act, often called the "Gun Control Act," was signed into law in February.  Schimel described it as an attempt to keep guns out of the hands "of people who shouldn't have guns," such as the "violent mentally ill, people with restraining orders, children, and past felons."  It also set limits on the amount of rounds a person could carry.  She didn't understand why it took 13 years to pass, but was confident that the pending NRA lawsuit against it wouldn't stand due to the Heller decision.

Schimel was critical of the recent failure of Congress to pass background checks described as "the middle ground."

"I was hoping that yesterday in Washington there would be middle ground, background checks, not even universal!" she said. "Dead.  Done. Now what?"

Schimel cited that 90% of the people (the "silent majority") supported such measures, and said that they need to speak up.  "Who," she questioned, "are politicians hearing from?"

In the question and answer session that followed, Nassau residents and members of the college raised their concerns about gun control and the latest legislation.  Despite [cultural program coordinator] Phyllis Kurland's calls to keep inquiries below two minutes, many warranted more complex answers than the time allotted.

Among the concerns were the seven round capacity limits not excluded for retired officers, health records, usage of other weapons, rifle registry, sales issues, and how it is hurting law-abiding citizens.

NCC faculty member Paul Pilipshen raised concerns regarding the safety of his wife from the round limitations and the right to choose.  "Why do you want to make my wife less safe?" he asked.

Schimel responded that nearly everything is regulated and firearms should be no exception.  To conclude, she stated, "If she can't take down her perp in seven rounds, that's a concern too."

Before long, mentions of the Second Amendment spurred people from their seats to get on line to ask questions.

NCC resident Ray, a competitive shooter, saw issues with the rifle registry, pasing down weapons to his son, and the apparent necessity to get rid of a lot of magazines despite the fact that they're not hurting anyone.  The issue was personal on both sides, but momentarily brought Schimel to silence.

"What do you recommend I tell my kids when I can't leave them my rifles that I've shot competitively for twenty years?" he asked.

After Kurland cut their debate short so others could step up, NCC student Julius Schultz raised a comparison point between the weapons used in crimes.  While Schimel did not have the statistics, it came down to a question of lethality.

"Ironically, the same day the Newtown shooting happened . .  in China there was a man who . . . stood at the door and was stabbing people," she said.  "Horrible, horrible.  But by the same token, everyone survived those stabbings."

NCC resident Steve came up with statistics and felt that the SAFE Act was targeting law-abiding citizens, thus meaning that the laws would not do anything to curb crime.  Schimel and his conversation quickly dissolved into interruptions against one another.

"Criminals and madmen don't have to follow the law . . . by definition that's what makes them madmen," he said.  "They will do nothing to stop the next mass murder."

"So we shouldn't have laws?" she said rhetorically in the exchange.

While most of those stepping up were critical of the gun control propositions, NCC Professor Marcia McNair wondered why nobody was raising their voices in favor of stricter measures, particularly at this debate.

"Why do you think it's so difficult to galvanize the silent majority who is for gun control?" McNair asked.

Schimel asked the audience if this was the first time people actively participated politically on this issue.  She also stated that this is a single issue for some, so more time could be dedicated by those particularly passionate.  The gun lobby has the ability to rally their base.

"Most of the constituencies have other things they think about," she said.

Schimel acknowledged and praised the right to peaceful assembly, however, and claimed to have "walked among them." She felt that "the opportunity for discourse" was valuable.  She said that people should never feel "scared of anyone."

After the formal session, Schimel spoke with some of those in attendance.  When asked about the debates that ensued, Schimel said that she welcomed the competition.

"It would be boring if there wasn't opposition," she said.

                                                                                                                              --Janelle Clausen
                                                                                     Vignette, April 26, 2013                             

NCC's Creative Spirits

Just ask any artist:  Finding inspiration is never easy.  And even after one has found it--in an idea, a thought, a line, an image, a lyric, a word, a story fragment--it takes time, energy, thought, patience, determination, and sweat to turn that "moment" into a work of art. 

It also takes guts to put one's work out there for others to experience and evaluate.  Who knows what the response will be?  Not everyone wants to take that risk.    

Yet this spring almost fifty NCC students did just that.  As participants in NCC 101's Creativity Competition, they submitted poetry, short stories, essays, paintings, sculpture, photographs, performances, and other creative works, each reflecting the artist's perspective on the competition's "Journeys" theme.

Their submissions were inspiring.  Each had much to recommend it.  And together, they gave judges, all NCC faculty, a most difficult task: deciding winners.

But after much deliberation, here are judges' decisions:


Writing - Andrew Ojeda (first place); Rob Casaburi (second place); D. Zhu (third place).

Visual Art - Blaine Garde (first place); James Blotiau (second place); Carolina Congdon (third place).

Performance - Chris Sanchez (first place); Eren Polat (second place); Ana Maria Rico (third place)


Many of the Creativity Competition's entries can be seen in the first-floor cases in the College Center.  Visual Art winners be seen below.  Other winning entries can be viewed at ncc.edu/studentlife/first_year_experience/creative_competition.shtml. 

To all who entered, thanks for sharing your talents with the campus.  In my book you're all winners--and an inspiration to everyone. 

Visual Art
                                                      First Place - Blaine Garde

                                          

Second Place - James Blotiau

                
                                                      Third Place - Carolina Congdon

And the Correct Answer is . . .

Taken a multiple choice test lately?  Find the experience stressful?  Frustrating?

For what it's worth, you've plenty of company.

Multiple choice exams are big in college, especially in the sciences (bio, chem, etc.), the social sciences (psych, soc, econ), business, criminal justice, nursing, and other fields that tend to be theoretical and quantitative.  

As you've probably already discovered, MC tests aren't easy.  Many contain tricky questions.  Some questions appear to have several possible answers--all listed as choices.  And the exams themselves can seem endless: fifty or more questions. 

But multiple choice tests aren't impossible.  True, you won't do well if you haven't reviewed your notes and kept up with assigned readings (no substitute for preparation).  And you definitely have to read test questions carefully, for some are subtle.  

But you can help yourself (and save time) on MC exams by practicing some simple strategies:

1.  Try to answer questions before reviewing the choices.  If you think you know the answer to a question, look for it.

2.  If you're not sure of an answer, eliminate choices that can't possibly be right.  Then try to see which one of the remaining answers is most likely correct.
         
3.  Be careful about answers containing the words "only," "always," or "never" or phrases such as "None of the Above."  These aren't always wrong, but they often are.

4.  If you see two or more answers that are clearly correct, look for "All of the Above"  as a choice.  There's a good chance that's the right answer.

5.  If a question asks you to find the answer that is "most correct," look for the best possible fit (keeping in mind that you may be choosing from several good answers).     

6.  Answer every question, even if in the end you have to guess.  P.S.  If you run out of time and have no choice but to guess, fill in the remaining blanks (hopefully not too many) with a single letter--B, for example.  It's a shot in the dark, but your random guesswork may net you a few right answers. 

These strategies won't make MC tests a snap (remember that you still have to keep on top of the material), but they will definitely help.  Next time you have a multiple choice exam, try them out. 

Some Sobering Thoughts

Unless you have just parachuted to earth from another planet, you've probably heard plenty of lectures by now (from family members, teachers, counselors, coaches, and others) about the bad things that can result from drinking too much alcohol. 

Chances are you've also heard a lot about binge drinking: how if you're a guy who downs five or more drinks quickly--four or more if you're a woman--you're on the road to nowhere good.

You've probably also heard that heavy drinking increases your chances of having accidents, getting into fights, being sexually assaulted (or assaulting someone else), getting an STD, screwing up in school, having unhealthy children, damaging your own health, and even shortening your life.

But what you probably haven't heard that much about--or if you have, it hasn't really registered--is something more immediate: how people LOOK when they're wasted. 

Think about people you know who have partied too hard.   Even if they didn't do anything disastrous, (like falling down stairs or trying to drive), I'll bet they looked pretty awful, especially as the night went on.  Slurred speech, boozy breath, stained or torn clothes, that disoriented zombie look--could anything be more unattractive?

If you're wondering why I'm going on about this, look at the calendar.  It's April--Alcohol Awareness Month--a moment to ponder the power of alcohol to alter lives.  And with summer parties (where alcohol often flows freely) coming on, it's also a time for people to think before they drink.  

But if you're still skeptical about what too much beer or too many shots can do to a person, check out these short clips, which offer a different take on drinking.  You may never look at a beer the same way again. 

 

Here's to Learning

Congratulations to all those NCC students who have received (or will receive) awards this spring: Who's Who, SUNY Chancellor's awards, scholarships, honors, prizes in tournaments and competitions, and so on.  Take a bow for having done such good work! 

Being able to recognize students' achievements has always been one of the best parts of being a college professor.  But it's especially satisying now, when higher ed is taking heat--in the media and elsewhere--for a host of alleged shortcomings (too expensive, too time-consuming, etc.) and when some critics are even questioning the overall value of college.  It would have been easy for you to have bought into this negative rhetoric and become indifferent or cynical.

But you didn't.  Instead, you took your education seriously and excelled.  And the fact that others have noticed--well, that only adds to the luster of your accomplishments. 

So pat yourself on the back for doing well . . . and for giving a thumbs up to the power and value of learning. 

It's Summer!

Well, not quite yet--though we're definitely getting there (a huge relief after a long cold winter!). 

But while we won't be "officially" in summer for a few months, NCC is already gearing up for summer classes (https://www.ncc.edu/admissions/registrar/summer.shtml).   In fact, registration for summer sessions starts this week.

If you're just out of high school, you may associate summer classes with prison sentences of sorts-- courses that had to be repeated because of failing grades, bad attendance, and the rest of it. 

Not so in college. While some students do use the summer to re-take courses and improve their grades, most see summer study as a chance to tackle tough courses (best taken by themselves), lighten their course loads for the year ahead, and/or just get closer to graduation.  Taking a summer course isn't something to be ashamed of or feel sheepish about.  It's a smart move.

What's more, the summer schedule doesn't require you to be in class all summer long (unless you choose to).  Take a class in the first summer session and you finish by late June.  Take a course in Summer Session II and you have August free.  You can take classes in the morning, as early as 8 a.m., or if you have work or other things going on during the day, as late as 8:35 p.m.  There are also weekend and online classes.

But a word of caution: Summer classes move quickly and they cover the same amount of material  as during the regular semester.  Most summer classes meet four times a week for two hours a session.  Summer Sessions I and II are five weeks each.  Then there's Summer Session III, which is lightning fast--roughly 2 1/2 weeks, five days a week, three hours of classtime per day. 

So no matter what session(s) you opt for, you have to work hard and keep up.  There's no getting behind.

But remember the benefits: credits earned, prerequisites finished, a little lighter fall and spring schedule.

Go summer!  

Summer Session I: May 28-June 27
Summer Session II: July 1-August 1
Summer Session III: August 5-21
Summer Distance Ed (Online): May 28-August 1
Summer Weekend College: June 1-August 11