Pass the Peace Please!

Have a special way of spreading Peace across the world?
Well, here's another way to show you care. If you have a way of your own...try submitting a video and send a copy of your story to us at the blog and we'll put you up! Submit your stories

This Week's Events

Here are some of the things going on around campus this week.

9/16/2008 Tuesday

¨ UUP Film Series/American Dream 4 PM Hunt Union Red Dragon Theater

¨ ACEI 4 PM Susquehanna Room

¨ SA meeting 6:30 PM The Waterfront

¨ Team Trivia 9 PM Union Square


9/17/2008 Wednesday

¨ Red Dragon Open 8 AM The Waterfront

¨ Constitution Day Video: Mandate The President and the People 3 PM Butternut Valley

¨ GPA program 3 PM Ballroom

¨ Art &Scope Magazine 3 PM Catskill Room

¨ Constitution Day Video 3 PM Butternut Valley

¨ Constitution Day Video: Key Constitutional Concepts 3:45 PM Butternut Valley Room Marketing Club/ General Meeting 4 PM IRC 6

¨ Yoga 4 PM Lee Hall

¨ RSO meeting 4 PM Red Dragon Theater

¨ Meteorology Club Picnic / Bonfire 5:30 PM College Camp

¨ Democracy Matters 7 PM Susquehanna Room

¨ HOLA 7:30 PM Lee Hall

¨ Voices of Serenity 8 PM Lee Hall

¨ Big O Poetry Slam/Poet: Versiz 8 PM The Waterfront

¨ Ice Hockey Meeting 8:30 PM Union Square


9/18/2008 Thursday

¨ Political Science Picnic 11 AM College Camp

¨ IGC Meeting 3:15 PM Leatherstocking Room

¨ Greek Scholarship Reception 4 PM Ballroom

¨ Student Fashion Society 5:30 PM IRC 2

¨ Communication Arts Society Meetings 5:30 PM IRC 4

¨ Chi Upsilon Sigma meeting 6:30 PM Morris: Bacon Activity Room

¨ Philosophy Club 7:30 PM Leatherstocking Room


9/19/2008 Friday

¨ Muslim Student Association 1 PM Lee Hall

¨ Alpha Phi Omega 2 PM Leatherstocking Room

¨ CUAC General Meeting 4 PM Butternut Valley

¨ Meet the Educator Series - Principals 4 PM Morris: Craven Lounge

¨ International Coffee Hour 4 PM Lee Hall

¨ IGC New Member Meeting 4 PM The Waterfront

¨ Gamer's Guild 6 PM Leatherstocking Room

¨ CUAC Movie: Don't Mess with the Zohan 6:30 PM Red Dragon Theater

¨ SOSUBU General Interest Meeting 6:30 PM IRC 6

¨ CUAC Movie: Don’t Mess with the Zohan 9 PM Red Dragon Theater

¨ Late Night Coffeehouse 9 PM Bluefields


9/20/2008 Saturday

¨ Mountain Hike 8 AM Catskill Mountain Ramble to the Wittenberg

¨ Voices of Serenity 12 PM Lee Hall

¨ CUAC Movie: Don't Mess with the Zohan 6:30 PM Red Dragon Theater

¨ CUAC Movie: Don't Mess with the Zohan 9 PM Red Dragon Theater

¨ Late Night: The Trance Lady 9 PM The Waterfront


9/21/2008 Sunday

¨ Phi Kappa Psi 12:15 PM Leatherstocking Room

¨ Sanford Society Volleyball Tournament 1 PM

¨ Chi Phi 2 PM Butternut Valley

¨ Meet The Greeks 2 PM Ballroom

¨ The Oneonta Knit Wits 3:30 PM Susquehanna Room

¨ Students of Color Coalition 4 PM Lee Hall

¨ Sigma Gamma Phi 6:30 PM Morris: Bacon Activity Room

¨ CUAC Movie: Don't Mess with the Zohan 6:30 PM Red Dragon Theater

¨ CUAC Movie: Don't Mess with the Zohan 9 PM Red Dragon Theater

Please Make Safe Choices

From The Stylus, the student newspaper at SUNY Brockport

Brockport student in critical condition after fall

By Amanda Seef
EXECUTIVE EDITOR


Brockport police are investigating an accident that seriously injured an 18 year old freshman, which occurred Friday, Sept. 5 at 2:12 a.m. Bryan C. Parslow fell from a second story window at 172 Main St., commonly known as The Roxbury. Parslow sustained serious neck and back injuries and possible paralysis.

Police were called to the rooming house, which is currently occupied by The Sammies, an off-campus group modeled after Sigma Alpha Mu, a national fraternity. Parslow fell from a second-story bathroom double-hung, single pane window, approximately 20-feet high. Witnesses say Parslow was vomiting out the window.

When police arrived, Parslow was on the ground outside The Roxbury. According to witnesses, Parslow was conscious after the fall, and received first-aid at the scene before help arrived.

“Unfortunately, this individual sustained serious injuries to the neck and back,” Brockport Police Chief Daniel Varrenti said. Parslow was transported to Strong Hospital via Monroe Ambulance. The victim is in serious condition and has been placed in a medical coma, which he awoke from Monday, Sept. 8.

“He’s not in good shape,” Varrenti said.

Though the events of the night remain unclear to police and investigators, it appears as if there was a large party with upwards of 70 people in attendance.

“There was a considerable amount of alcohol being consumed and served,” Varrenti said.

No charges have been filed though it is expected that the supplier of the alcohol will be charged for serving a minor.


Read More by visiting The Stylus online.

How to Request an Absentee Ballot

(Note: you only need to request an absentee ballot if you registered to vote at your permanent address outside of Oneonta. If you registered at your Onteonta address, you can vote downtown on November 4)

Applications for Absentee Ballots are available at your county board of elections. You may also download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form. ( 55KB)

Upon completion, applications must be mailed to your county board no later than the seventh day before the election or delivered in person no later than the day before the election.

You may also request an Absentee Ballot by sending a letter to your county board of elections. The letter must be received by your county board no earlier than 30 days and no later than seven days before the election. The letter must contain the following information:

*the address where you are registered
*an address where the ballot is to be sent
*the reason for the request, and
*the signature of the voter
An application form will be mailed with your ballot. The application form must be completed and returned with your ballot.

If you cannot pick up your ballot, or will not be able to receive it through the mail, you have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you. Only that person designated on your application may pick up and deliver your ballot.

If you are permanently ill or disabled, you have the right to receive an Absentee Ballot for each subsequent election without further application. Simply file an application with your board of elections containing a statement which describes the particulars of your illness or disability. The Board will review the facts stated, and if satisfied, will mark your registration record. You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is canceled.

Tips for Talking to Your Partner About Sex, Safer Sex, and Choosing Not to Have Sex

Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been together for years, talking with your partner about sex can seem hard. We are afraid to be assertive and to admit our concerns or fears. We’re worried that we might offend someone we care about, or that by bring up safer sex they’ll think we don’t trust them and get angry. Or, we may just be uncomfortable talking about sex at all, especially since in many cultures it’s the most taboo of subjects.

But communication is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect ourselves. Being open and honest about your and your partner's sexual history shows that you do trust each other – and that you care about one another's health and well-being.

Talk about whether you want to have sex. If you do want to, talk about what you’re comfortable doing and what you’re not. Discuss safer sex. Ask about your partner’s sexual history. Be willing to tell someone when you got tested, and ask the same question of him or her.

Negotiating safer sex is a conversation that every couple needs to have, and here’s how to go about doing it. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

*Choose a convenient time when you will both be free of distractions. It’s easier to have an open and honest conversation when you are both free to focus on the discussion – not when you’re caught up in the heat of the moment.

*Choose a relaxing environment in a neutral location, like a coffee bar or a park, where neither of you will feel pressured.

*Use "I" statements when talking. For example, I feel that choosing not to have sex is right for me at this time. Or, I would feel more comfortable if we used a condom.

*Be assertive! Do not let fear of how your partner might react stop you from talking with him/her.

*Be a good listener. Let your partner know that you hear, understand, and care about what she/he is saying and feeling.

*Be "ask-able"—let your partner know you are open to questions and that you won't jump on him/her or be offended by questions.

*Be patient with your partner, and remain firm in your decision that talking is important.

*Recognize your limits. You can't communicate alone or protect you both alone, and you don't have to know all the answers.

*Understand that success in talking does not mean one person getting the other person to do something. It means that you both have said what you think and feel respectfully and honestly and that you have both listened respectfully to the other.

*Get information to help you each make informed decisions.

*Avoid making assumptions. Ask open-ended questions to discuss your expectations for the relationship, past and present sexual relationships, contraceptive use, and testing for STIs, including HIV, among other issues. For example, What do you think about our agreeing to avoid sex until after we graduate? Or, What do you think about our using hormonal contraception as well as condoms? Not, Did you get the condoms? Or, When will you have sex with me?

*It’s okay if you don’t understand something right away. Try asking more questions, or asking the same question in a few different ways. Ask questions to clarify what you believe you heard. For example, I think you said that you want us to use both condoms and birth control pills? Is that right? Or, I think you want us both to wait until we graduate to have sex? Is that right?

*Avoid judging, labeling, blaming, threatening or bribing your partner. Don't let your partner judge, label, blame, threaten, or bribe you.

*Do not wait until you become sexually intimate to discuss safer sex with your partner. In the heat of the moment, you and your partner may be unable to talk effectively.

*Stick by your decision. Don't be swayed by lines like, If you loved me, you would have sex with me. Or, If you loved me, you would trust me and not use a condom.

Here's something else to keep in mind:

Bill of Dating Rights

I have the right to:

*trust myself above all others.
*receive decent treatment by anyone I date.
*refuse to date anyone.
*be safe on a date.
*pay my own way on a date.
*be assertive on a date.
*use protection during sex.
*agree to have sex.
*refuse to have sex.
*be respected as a person.
*disagree with my date.
*say NO.
*get angry.
*fulfill myself with or without a partner in my life.
*know who I am.
*know who I am dating.
*determine who I will date.
*use my own transportation on a date.
*leave any dating situation my instincts tell me to.
*prosecute for battery and sexual assault.
*receive emotional support and understanding.
*have a healthy dating relationship.
*control my own destiny.
*be loved.
*be cared about.
*experience intimacy.
*maintain high self-esteem.
*trust myself above all others.

For more information about communicating with your partner about sexual health issues or for more information on sexual health in general, please visit Amplify. Be safe!

Register to Vote!

A bulletin board will be going up in the first floor lounge in the next week that will help you determine your favored candidate. There will also be instructions on how to fill out your electronic ballot and where to pick up a stamped, addressed envelope to mail in your registration.

You should plan to have your registration postmarked by October 1 to make sure it gets to the NYS Board of Elections on time. Please see RD Kirsten if you have questions about this whole thing. She doesn't care who you vote for, just as long as you participate in the policital process. Remember: if you don't vote, you can't bitch about the result. Them's the rulez.

Are you a musician, poet, or comedian? Want to be featured on the Littell Hall Compilation CD?
Hopefully we'll be able to put this into motion. Let RA Tiny know if you have previously recorded material to submit. It's okay if you don't have anything recorded, we're going to work on recording sessions in Littell. I'm sure we'll see at least one male group doing Backstreet Boys covers. The goal of this is to have loads of fun so get creative! Stop by the cage and sign-up if you're interested in getting involved.

Think you're a smarty?

Then take the Mensa Workout!

Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill, a barrister, and Dr. Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer. They had the idea of forming a society for bright people, the only qualification for membership of which was a high IQ. The original aims were, as they are today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions. The society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other's company and participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities.

Mensa has three stated purposes: to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity, to encourage research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence, and to promote stimulating intellectual and social opportunities for its members.

Today there are some 100,000 Mensans in 100 countries throughout the world. There are active Mensa organizations in over 40 countries on every continent except Antarctica.

How do you stack up?

Campus Office Spotlight: GSRC

The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, located at 119 Hunt Union, works to provide a safe space on our campus for everyone. In addition to providing resources for women, gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals, the GSRC strives to be a space where other marginalized people can find support as well. Beyond all this, the GSRC welcomes and tries to serve the entire community and is open to everyone. Its basic goal is to educate the campus community about gender and sexual equality and create a better understanding of gender and sexuality among college students.

The GSRC supports several programs, including Dialogue Sessions on current topics every Thursday from 7 to 9 pm, Student Groups such as Open Minded Unity (the gay- straight alliance that meets every Wednesday at 8:30pm in the Leatherstocking room), Men Against Violence, Womyn’s Alliance, Guys 4 Unity, and an Identity Discussion group, Pride Week, Safe Space Training, and Action Hero Day.

The GSRC is open Monday through Friday 11am to 10pm. The staff would love students to think of the GSRC when they need a space to feel safe, hang out, find resources, play games, and where they could do things they wouldn’t feel comfortable doing around their roommates, such as watching the newest episode of the L word or reading the newest publication of Out.

Stop by and meet Robin Nussbaum, Coordinator of the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center. Tell her you're from Littell Hall and make us all look cool.

Get smarter and feed people with a few clicks!

Go here to make a difference in a whole bunch of worlds. Play the different games on freerice.com to boost your own intellect. For each answer you get right, the site donates 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program.

Aside from feeding hungry people, which just feels good, here are some of the benefits you'll get from participating:

*Formulate your ideas better
*Write better papers, emails and business letters
*Speak more precisely and persuasively
*Comprehend more of what you read
*Read faster because you comprehend better
*Get better grades in high school, college and graduate school
*Score higher on tests like the SAT, GRE, LSAT and GMAT
*Perform better at job interviews and conferences
*Sell yourself, your services, and your products better
*Be more effective and successful at your job

The site used to just test vocabulary, but it has recently added math, chemical symbols, art identification, grammar, foreign languages, and world capitals. So check it out if you want to feed your brain and some hungry people at the same time.
Every click helps.

Why not reuse the items you already own?

For some reason today I woke up on an environmental friendly kick and thought this might be something cool and simple for you all to make. Have you ever gone through your desk drawers looking for a business card that you just can't find? Well, this neat project might be for you.
Instructions:
All you need is a phone book (or any softcover book) and something to hold it's shape. Simply roll up the phone book very tightly and secure it. I used paper clips on the bottom of mine for stabilizers it wouldn't roll. If using a phonebook, a toilet paper roll is the easiest find for securing the shape and everyone knows there are plenty of them in this residence hall. Place your newly made card/photo holder on your desk and VOILA! Instant "thing holder"!!! If you'd like more information on this project or others please visit Core77

Register to Vote

Go here to register to vote.

Clebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

From infoplease:

Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.

The term Hispanic, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Spanish-speaking people in the United States of any race. On the 2000 Census form, people of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or "other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino." More than 35 million people identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino on the 2000 Census.

Take the Latin Geography Quiz to see how much you know about that aspect of Hispanic heritage.

Freshman Success Series

The Office of First Year Programs has put together a series of programs to help you make the transition to college life. It's called the Freshman Success Series, and you'll see all the events marked on the blog calendar with an FSS designation. Click on the events on the calendar to get more details. Please attend as many as you're interested in - even (and especially) the ones in the other FYE buildings. It's a great way to meet other freshmen and to put your face in front of some important people on campus (the presenters).

Here are all the programs on the agenda so far. There will be flyers for all of these programs posted throughout the building as the dates of the programs draw nearer.

Monday, September 8 - Elaine Pasqua, 8pm, Hunt Union Ballroom

Wednesday, September 10 - It's All Greek To Me, 7pm, Golding Hall

Wednesday, September 17 - Who's In Your Heart?, 7pm, Golding Hall

Thursday, September 18 - Make Your Mark at O-State!, 7pm, Littell Hall

Tuesday, September 23 - LEAD!, 7pm, Littell Hall

Wednesday, September 24 - Catchin' a Buzz Without Pukin', 7pm, Wilber Hall

Monday, September 29 - Jeopardy Game Show, 7:30pm, Wilber Hall

Wednesday, October 1 - Eats Cold Cheese Pizza and Leaves, 7:30pm, Littell Hall

Monday, October 6 - Self-Defense, 6:30pm, Littell Hall

Wednesday, October 15 - Eat This, Not That!, 7:30pm, Littell Hall

Please ask your RA or RD Kirsten if you have any questions about the Freshman Success Series or any of the associated programs. See you there!

Stressed out?

Today seems like a good day to start the blog off for Fall 2008.
Since many of you are just getting acclimated to the many things going on with college survival I felt stress would be a great topic to discuss.
Give a few of these a try and post a comment if you've had any success:

1. Sit back and take a deep breath - This simple technique can be the difference between the 0-60mph explosion you're about to have or the smile that can result from just bringing some oxygen back into your body.

2. Communicate - Try to talk about your stresses, even if it's with the plant you have in your room. As an alternative, you could try to keep a journal of thoughts just to take some pressure off your mind.

3. Personal time - Set aside a half hour or so for yourself. Put on your headphones, lay in bed for a little while, and just let the stress melt off with every pound of the bass drum. If that's not your thing, try taking a walk around campus, you may be surprised at what you see/hear/meet.

4. Exercise - Getting healthier may help you feel less stressed, it probably won't hurt your overall health either. Try going to the campus gyms or even taking a walk for a little dose of good old fashioned fitness.

5. Organize!! - Organization will help you feel less overwhelmed about tasks that you have on your plate. Try a planner, post-it notes, or a calendar. These simple things don't cost too much and can really put a perspective on your daily habits and commitments.

If you're still feeling stressed or these aren't your kind of stress relievers stop on by the 1st Floor Lounge in Littell Tonight at 8pm for Stress Relief tips from RA Steve and RA Amy. Don't forget....Wear Your Pajamas!!!!!

Photo Courtesy of Wilfrid Laurier University (http://www.wlu.ca/)

Welcome, Littellians!

Greetings, Class of 2012! We're so excited you chose to come to Oneonta and that you got assigned to Littell Hall! It's going to be a great year here in Littell and on the SUCO campus, and we can't wait to see all the skills and talents you brought with you!

Please stop by the RD office and meet RD Kirsten if you haven't done so already. And don't be afraid to stop by the cage to say hello to the RA staff. They're all eager to learn your names and provide whatever help you need. Also make it a point to meet ATM Megan and ask her whatever questions you have about your academic issues. We're all here to make sure your transition to college is smooth, so be sure to ask whatever questions you have!

Welcome to Littell! Have a great first year at SUNY Oneonta!

Wanna help with the blog?

Want to get involved with the Littell Ledger blog? We're looking for residents who have an interest in contributing to the online newsletter. Whether you like to draw cartoons, review movies or music, write poetry, or anything in between, we want YOU!

If you're interested in lending your talents to the blog, consider becoming part of our blog committee! See RA Tiny (1st East) or RD Kirsten and let them know you're interested in contributing. Whatever it is you like to do, there's a place for you here!

FYE Book Club

Do you love to read? Like to talk about good books with friends? Consider becoming part of the FYE Book Club! Have a say in what books we read, and join us for lively discussions about good reads.

Last year we read "The Devil Wears Prada," "The Notebook," and "Wicked" (although we never got around to discussing that one...). What we read this year is up to you!

Let your RA or RD Kirsten know if you're interested in being a part of the book club, and recommend anything great you've read lately!

Wanna go green?

Anyone interested in becoming part of the Littell Green Task Force? If you care about the environment and the impact our very own residence hall can have on it, consider getting involved in this new initiative.

We'd like to see a group of students who care about green issues come together to help educate residents about what they can do in their everyday lives to help the environment and lessen their environmental "footprint." This can be through programs, speakers, competitions...pretty much anything you think will help Littell go green!

So if this is your passion, please see your RA or RD Kirsten and let them know you'd like to be involved. This is a new group, so it really can take any shape you want!

Go Green!

May Day!

Happy May Day! It's finally the first day of May and summer is only officially about 2 months away.
Which also means finals are coming very soon. Just for fun...or just disgust:
As if things couldn't get any weirder in the news; someone has sold dinosaur dung for almost $1,000 in auction.
Check it out on Yahoo