Senior Year

School has been in session for several weeks now and it is really starting to hit home. This is my last year, not only is this my last chance to get some 4.0 semesters but I also have to start preparing for my life post graduation. This will be even more work outside the classroom in addition to my internship and campus responsibilities. There are many things a senior has to do that everyone else does not have to worry about. Not only will the classes probably be the hardest this year but there is so much more to do. Some things I have planned to do in the upcoming weeks are to research some schools, start filling out graduate school applications, apply for graduate school scholarships, begin studying for the Graduate Record Examination more commonly known as the GRE’s, begin studying for the LSAT, research some companies I would like to work for and possibly begin preparing for relocation. Whew! Let me catch my breath. That is an enormous amount of work to do considering I am also going to be a full time student. This can all be managed with some Time Management, a skill which I have developed over the years.

Maybe I will do some heavy studying for my GRE’s this semester and do some heavy studying for the LSAT’s next semester. Maybe I will study each section of a book in quarters over the next four months (Random Thoughts). There I am not exactly sure how I will go about that yet but I will be putting a plan of action together very soon.

As you can imagine this process can be a very stressful one and everyone partaking in this journey with me should use adequate resources, plan everything out with spare time, and use mentors to help with the process. The compass has information on when the practice GRE’s and practice LSAT’s are so Ill begin this journey by consulting with them.

Community Comfort

SUNY Oswego Black Students Union and the Sigma Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha present Community Comfort an afternoon of Scholarship, Soul Food and Bonding.
The Goal of this Program is to aid students with the transition into college life and more specifically life here at SUNY Oswego. We are providing you guys successful strategies, tips, hints to get you started off on the right foot. Have you even been sitting in your room and had one of these questions pop into your head?

How do I calculate my GPA?

How do I pick what classes I need to take for next semester? Who should I take them with? How many should I take?

What should I do if I am not getting along with my teachers?
Where Can I get additional help with my class work?
What happens if I get an E or a D? Can I repeat that course? Will my financial aid be affected?

Having trouble adjusting to SUNY Oswego this semester?

All these questions and more can be answered by attending Community Comfort this Saturday at 3pm in the Campus Center Room 201. The Black Student Union and Alpha Phi Alpha will be having Soul Food and speaking about academic policies and student involvement. There are many different ways you can learn how to survive in college but what better way than to learn from your peers. Upper Classmen have a wealth of knowledge and experience that you can use for your benefit. We are encouraging all upper classmen to come out as well and assist in cultivating the youth of SUNY Oswego!

Please come eat and enjoy : )

Mid-ALANA

The ALANA Student Leadership Conference has begun once again this year. A time of the year which many upper classmen look forward to and incoming freshman and transfer students learn to love. Let’s all hold hands and sing Cumbaya under the ALANA Umbrella. There are many informational, educational, and social programs done during this week. Let’s review what has taken place and some of the events we can look forward to in the upcoming days.

This past Sunday on September 19th ALANA had its first ever Unity and Peace Walk. The walk began at 10:00 am and was designed to bring together students from diverse backgrounds in the Oswego community with the hope of building lasting relationships amongst ourselves and with Oswego residents. The Peace Walk was done in celebration of the March on Washington which was held on August 28th, 1963.

Monday September 20th : Faculty-Staff-Students- Alana Staff/ Presenters Reception. The presenters were Howard Gordon, the President’s Office & ALANA Staff. The event was from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Point and its purpose was to welcome new and returning students as well as wish everyone good luck on a successful academic year.

Tuesday September 21st: “Day of Expression” was hosted by Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. and the Caribbean Student Association from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Campus Center. Students, Faculty and Staff were welcomed to present any poetry, readings, music, and or dance they desired.

Thursday September 23rd: Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam presented by the Black Student Union and Muslim Student Association. Located in 133 Campus Center from 2:20 to 3:40 p.m.
B.S.U. will collaborate with M.S.A. in the efforts to enlighten and clarify the history of the Nation of Islam and the influence it had on Civil Rights leaders, in particular, Malcolm X. The presenters will address the beliefs of the Nation of Islam, its influence in civil rights, and the ways in which other Islamic groups are influenced by these beliefs.

Friday September 24th: “Celebrating the Roots of Latin Rhythms”
The Presenter is Pan-Latin Music Ensemble Sol y Canto, Rosi and Brian Amador. Time 12:40 to 1:35 p.m. and will be located in Waterman Theatre, Tyler Hall.
This workshop invites the audience to explore the roots of Latin American music by combining performance, engaging lecture, and ample audience participation. We’ll explore how indigenous, African, and European cultures influenced Latin American music. The members of Sol y Canto will also teach basic Latin dance rhythms including the Dominican merengue, the Caribbean salsa, and the Colombian Cumbia.

Workshop: African American Women & HIV/AIDS: “What’s the scoop?”
Presenter: Dr. Bonita Hampton, Department of Curriculum & Instruction. The time will be12:40 to 1:35 p.m. in room 133 Campus Center.
Dr. Bonita Hampton will address the HIV/ AIDS epidemic among African-American women.

“ALANA FASHION SHOW” will be hosted and presented by all ALANA Organizations and Sponsored by the Student Association Programming Board. This event will be from 7 to 11 p.m. in Waterman Theatre, Tyler Hall.
A celebration of cultural fashion. Students, faculty, staff and their families will model in traditional cultural fashion trends. A scene paying tribute to Haiti, Chile, and Indonesia will be incorporated. Come enjoy amazing performances and a great tribute to these wonderful countries. I assure you that you don’t want to miss this event!

Saturday, September 25th: Workshop: Pros and Cons of Globalization
Presenters: International Student Association 11 a.m. to noon in 133 Campus Center. This will be an informative presentation about the pros and cons of globalization and a discussion about potential solutions.

ALANA Dessert Reception (ticketed event)
Presenters: Monico Soto, Patricia Clark & ALANA Organizations in Waterman Lobby, Tyler Hall.
ALANA Concert Presenters: Sol y Canto & Sweet Plantain String Quartet. Located in Waterman Theatre, Tyler Hall
Ticket prices for Dinner-Dessert-Concert are as follows:
ALANA COMBO* (dinner, dessert reception & concert)
• Students: $13
• Seniors, Faculty, Staff: $25
• General Public: $30
CONCERT ONLY*
• Students: $7
• Seniors, Faculty, Staff: $12
• General Public: $15
• Tickets are available at Campus Center Box Office, 315-312-3073
• Tickets are available at Tyler Box Office, 315-312-2141

Welcome

Hello Everyone,

It has been a wonderful start to my senior year and I am very excited about everything thus far. Classes are going great, there are many extra-curricular activities to get involved in, and there is also a new addition to residential life which we call the Village. The classes which interest me the most this semester are Compensation Management and Employment Law. The information I have learned in these classes are very beneficial in and outside of the classroom. I am also looking into possible law schools and trying to decide what area of law I would be most interested in pursuing. Employment Law has been on my mind of late and only time will tell if that is the path I want to take.

As far as extra-curricular activities go there are many meetings and programs conducted throughout the week by ALANA organizations. In just the short time we have been back to school there has been several successful programs on topics ranging from The History Of Labor Day, The History of The Young Lord’s, and social events such as the Triple A Block Party, and the ALANA soccer tournament. The brothers of the Sigma Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and I also have some very informative and educational programs which we plan on having in the near future.

I am very excited to share my thoughts with you all, my reflections, information about campus events, and pretty much anything that crosses my mind. Hopefully this experience will be as great for you as it is for me. Feel free to say hello If you see me walking by in the campus center, in the residence hall, or If you happen to see me lifting my usual 950 pounds in the gym (yea right). Once again welcome to my domain, thank you for your time, and feel free to leave any comments.