The Campus Magazine | CCNY

The Little House on Campus

CCNY Campus Editor — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:59:40 +0000

What you may have wondered about the history of the yellow house behind Shepard Hall by Christina Pagan

“Who lives in that house? Is it even apart of the campus? What is it doing there?” These are some of the questions heard from CCNY students about a little yellow house behind Shepard hall. The little yellow house that is next to the Grove School of Engineering is called the Hamilton Grange National Memorial.

The house was home to founding father Alexander Hamilton, from 1802 to his death in 1804. It was first moved from it’s original location in 1889, then moved again in 2008 to it’s current location in St. Nicholas Park. The house now belongs to the National Park Service and reopened to visitors in September of 2010.

Many students still don’t know Alexander Hamilton lived in the house or even who he was. Most students just wonder why the house is on campus grounds. “I thought that someone donated money to CCNY, so they decided to make a building on campus to commemorate that person, like they do with all the other the buildings on campus grounds,“ said Joel Messina, an MCA student at CCNY.

Other students didn’t know about its historical background until they personally did research. “I did not know that it was the Hamilton Grange until I researched it. I found out that there was a lot of debate because they wanted to destroy it. Then the church acquired it for a period of time until it was designated a National Historic Landmark,” said Hendry Blanco, US History Major at CCNY.

The house Alexander Hamilton once called home, the Hamilton Grange, is now open to tourists. There are two options offered to visitors who would like to tour the house. One option is where a ranger guides the tour, and the other is a self-guided tour. There is an exhibit gallery, theater, and bookstore/ gift shop. For more information on the Hamilton Grange, and how to tour the Grange, visit nps.gov/hagr.

Got the Fever

CCNY Campus Editor — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:18:25 +0000

Christal Somar took this photo during CCNY’s Lavender Week celebration.

As the weather warms up, CCNY students report bouts of spring fever. by Cathryn Keneally

Spring fever is kicking in as the semester comes to a close. Shorts, dresses, and sandals of all kinds are breaking loose and classes are appearing emptier than ever. Even though exams and papers are approaching that are normally worth 30% of the final grade, students are getting the fever.

What is Spring Fever? Lorena Jackson describes it this way: “Spring fever is what I am feeling right now,” she says. “I am over classes and I call it the semester of ‘wingin’ it.’”

Jackson isn’t the only one in love with the spring as students desperately use their accumulated saved absences. “I pay for these absences and I shall use them,” CCNY student Rebecca Sterling, says, defending her skipped classes.

Maybe it’s the warm sun peering through the classroom windows causing everyone to get up and go–professors and staff, too. Admits one anonymous professor, “The weather has been so nice lately. I was sitting outside the other day thinking of what ailment I can come up with just to not go to work myself.”

Some students savor the spring semester, because they think it’s easier than the fall. “In fall, the teachers are more strict and have the time to grade papers and stuff,” says Jamal White. “But in the Spring they are thinking of their next vacation as much as we are. Ever thought why all their ‘conferences’ happen now and they come back all tan?”

Have you caught spring fever yet?

Too Much Caffeine? Eat a Banana

CCNY Campus Editor — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:58:47 +0000

Students are trying this new cure for over-caffeination. by Joan Infanta

Finals are here and students are studying to the max, pulling all nighters and drinking sodas, energy drinks and, of course, coffee to stay awake.

But what if you are drinking too much caffeine, which is causing you to feel jittery, nervous, shaky and leading to insomnia when you want to fall asleep. The cure? Eat a banana!

According to the health blog LiveStrong, electrolytes contained in the banana help replenish the body from the negative effects of too much caffeine. More and more coffee shops have heard the news and have begun offering bananas at the register.

They work this way: Caffeine is a nervous system stimulant that keeps drowsiness at bay and restores alertness. After a certain point though, you will begin to crash and caffeine induced headaches will begin. Eating a banana reduces this side effect.

Some CCNY students swear by bananas. “I tried it out once to see if it worked. It did!” Jonathan Albert, 21, an electrical engineering major says. He first heard about the banana remedy in a fitness magazine.

Carla Peña, 19, mechanical engineering major, heard about the banana trend and did some research, “Caffeine dries out potassium and calcium thus causing headaches and stuff like that,” she explains. “If you eat a banana, it counteracts it.”

Still, along with bananas, Albert has an even better way to avoid the effects of too much caffeine. “What do I do to avoid it?” he asks. “Try not to drink so much in the first place”

Cigarette Wars Continue

CCNY Campus Editor — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:51:28 +0000

What now? A new proposal to raise taxes and age minimums by Helene Werckmeister

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been fighting tobacco for years now. In 2002, he created a successful campaign to ban smoking in bars and bar areas of restaurants, and the law went into effect in March 2003. Since May 2011, smoking has been prohibited in almost all public spaces, and a new proposal would force stores to keep cigarettes out of sight from customers until customers request them.

Now Bloomberg has a new scheme to get people to quit smoking: raising the taxes on packs of cigarettes and increasing the minimum age for tobacco purchases from 18 to 21 years.

City Council speaker Christine Quinn has taken up the mayor’s cause. “With this legislation, we’ll be targeting the age group at which the overwhelming majority of smokers start,” Quinn, a candidate for mayor, said in a public announcement.

Raising the price of a packet of cigarettes and the legal age angers retailers who sell tobacco. “This mayor must be the great Houdini, because in 2001, when he took office, we were selling 42 million cartons of cigarettes in the City of New York,” says David Schwartz, a representative of the New York Association of Grocery Stores, at a public conference. “The great Houdini waved his magic wand and all of a sudden, in 2013 we’re selling 7 million cartons of cigarettes. This mayor and this council have created the largest black market we have ever seen,” adds Schwartz.

Student smokers, already coping with many expenses, don’t like the idea either. “ I’m a smoker. Not that much… well ok sometimes I can smoke like a pack per day. If they keep raising the price, it’s gonna be so expensive,” says Johan E., a CCNY student. “And I don’t want to quit! Everything is so expensive”

Kaitlin Hernandez, another smoker, is also annoyed by the law. “I don’t know if it’s the best options to make people stop smoking” says the senior. “I won’t stop because I’m really not a big smoker. But come on… we already can’t drink before 21, please let us keep the cigarettes!”

Will rise the age of smoking and increased taxes on tobacco reduce smoking? Researchers think so. Most of the states with the highest state taxes count the lowest number of teen smokers. For instance, New York already has the highest state tax in the nation ($4.35) and only 12.5 % of teens smoke, far below the national average of 18%. On the other hand, Kentucky has one of the lowest state tax rates (60 cents); however, its teen smoking rate is three times the rate in New York.

Some students agree that raising the price would reduce the number of smokers. “I think it’s good, and it will probably help me stop smoking,” says Djordje Janicijevic.. Or maybe, he adds, “I’ll buy sometimes in some other states, where it’s cheaper.”

Bikers, New Harlem Preschool And More For Tuesday

CCNY Campus Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:00:46 +0000

City Never Sleeps

By Hannington Dia

Bikers Rally For Safety

They roar over Harlem sidewalks and generally disregard traffic laws. Now, the city’s dirt bikers are petitioning for a park allowing them to pop wheelies safely and legally.

“We’ve been running from the cops forever,” Harlem biker “Al Capone” told DNAinfo. “Our common sense tells us we need a solution.”

If Capone and other road bike enthusiasts get their way, that solution would be their very own space. Benjamin “Benmore” Charles put it succinctly.

“We need a park ASAP,” Charles remarked. He has gained popularity throughout the biker community for his Spider-Man-themed set of wheels, recently confiscated by the NYPD.

Charles has teamed up with activist Iesha Sekou to create Bikelife, a group dedicated to making a NYC road bike park a reality.

The Weekender 5-10-13

Alex Aleman — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:38:23 +0000

“City Never Sleeps” by Alex Aleman

The semester is coming to a close, but it’s not over yet. Take a break from the stress of term papers and exit projects, and check out some of these events happening around the city.

May is National Bike Month! Go celebrate at the 5th annual Spring Brooklyn Bike Jumble, a flea market for all things bikes. Find new and used bikes, cycling parts and accessories. A portion of the proceeds go to non-profits organizations around the city, so buy something cool and show your support.

The Frieze Art Fair showcases today’s most forward-thinking artists from around the globe, bringing an international focus to the dynamic contemporary art scene in New York. In addition to being able to see and buy art by over 1,000 of the world’s leading artists, visitors can experience Frieze Projects, the fair’s program of artists’ specially commissioned projects and Frieze Talks, a program of debates, panel discussions and keynote lectures.

New York’s festival of ideas, IDEAS CITY, explores the future of cities around the globe with the belief that arts and culture are essential to the vitality of urban communities. Founded by the New Museum in 2011, IDEAS CITY is a major collaborative initiative between hundreds of arts, education, and community organizations. This year’s theme is Untapped Capital, with participants focused on resources that are under-recognized or underutilized in our cities.

Fears Grow in Wake of Boston Bombing

CCNY Campus Editor — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:05:19 +0000

Many believe that Muslims are unfairly targeted by Christina Pagan

The words of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnav have created a stir across the nation and especially in New York City. People are concerned that he and his brother, Islamic extremists, intended to bomb Times Square. Many CCNY students feel like this situation has put heat on those in Islam community and scared the people of New York City.

On April 15th two bombs exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev were later identified as suspects. Tamerlan was killed by police, but Dzhokhar escaped with injuries. When police captured and investigated Dzhokhar, he said that his brother planned the Boston Marathon bombing, and had considered coming to Times Square next. He also said that the attacks were prompted by Islamist beliefs but were not connected to any terrorist groups.

“They stopped the 1 train for 15 minutes because of a ‘mysterious box.’ It made me late because they didn’t let us back on the train and we had to take the next one,” said Elina Vargas, 21, an MCA major at CCNY.

Others aren’t worried and have moved on. “I don’t believe that there will be another attack,” says student Sonji Duncan. They caught the guy, so I don’t think we should be worried.”

Some students feel like people who follow the Islamic faith are constantly being targeted when crisis occurs. “This country loves to play the blame game,” says Sanah Jamal, an Arab-American Muslim and English major. “Muslims are being accused more and more as years progress.”

Lunch with Leaders–a Recap

CCNY Campus Editor — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:37:53 +0000

Wenda Harris Millard and Kirk McDonald

Two media professionals talked about the future and offered advice by Laura Bordas

On April 23, Wenda Harris Millard, president and COO of Medialink, and Kirk McDonald, president of PubMatic, visited CCNY to talk to students about the evolution of media and technology. Their lecture was part of MCA’s Lunch with Leaders series. Titled “Why the BIG Money on MAD Ave. is Going to BIG Data, their talk also touched on advice for students who would like to break into Ad/PR fields.

Harris Millard noted that companies look for drive and talent rather than specific degrees. “Liberal arts is looked at because it indicates a wide array of knowledge,” she said.

Instead of being a math genius, she added, professionals would rather know they have a candidate who can handle various tasks. “Marry the academic and pragmatic,” she advised. “Don’t separate them.”

In our fast-changing society, staying relevant is also key. “Don’t be intimated by technology,” said McDonald, a CCNY grad.

The speakers advised students to pay attention to mobile marketing, apps and ads in videos. ”Netflix will get into the advertising business, look out,” Harris Millard noted.

To get a foot in the door, Harris Millard and McDonald offered some interview tips. The advised beng bold: Don’t discuss what you learned from school. Instead, emphasize what you can do well. Most importantly, let them know you are curious and highly self motivated. These two qualities lead to success.

Finally, McDonald revealed a secret: “I have to say, I never graduated from CCNY,” he admitted. “I spent too much time in the pool halls. I still owe City like 9 credits.”

SHINE BRIGHT WITH CCNY LIBRARIES

CCNY Campus Editor — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:38:07 +0000

Join the EnlighTEN Communications team for their client, the CCNY Library’s event.

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 from 12 – 2 p.m. in the Hoffman Lounge in the NAC Building (towards your right when you enter into the NAC from the main entrance).

You don’t want to miss out on this! Highlighting their client, the CCNY Library, you’ll discover a side of the library you didn’t even know existed. Did you know that a portion of your tuition is going towards the libraries on campus and all of their services? This event will let you know how you can take advantage of that money.

There will be FREE hot food, FREE gift bags and the chance to WIN a brand new KINDLE through a raffle.

Hope to see you there!

A Prisoner On The Loose, The Harlem Shake Sign And More For Tuesday

CCNY Campus Editor — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:26:05 +0000

City Never Sleeps

By Hannington Dia

Prisoner Around Campus

If you were held up on the ABCD trains or saw those helicopters:

A Harlem teenager arrested for an alleged string of chain thefts escaped custody Tuesday. Authorities were taking Vincens Vuktilaj from his Hamilton Heights home in the morning when he suddenly broke free and fled into the 145th Street Station, apparently hiding in the tunnels.

Service on the A, B, C and D trains was suspended between 59th and 145th St as police searched for Vuktilaj. The 17-year-old reentered the surface world from the 135th St Station around 3:30 p.m., hiding under a car. Authorities soon rearrested him.

“He ran under a car, and [cops] dragged him out,” a 14-year-old girl told DNAinfo. The Central Park West lines slowly resumed service around 1:00 p.m., during the search.

Vuktilaj has been charged with assault and escape, in addition to charges stemming from another arrest May 3rd. That arrest was for two chain snatch thefts in The Bronx. Overall, he is suspected of having approached five women in April, either grabbing or attempting to grab their neck chains before fleeing.