Message from the College President

Due to a layout error, the College President's welcome was inadvertently omitted from our first print issue. Our apologies to President Gliniecki. The welcome message appears below...

Welcome Students
By Acting College President Anita Gliniecki

Welcome to the Fall 2006 semester at Housatonic!

This is a particularly interesting time for all of us…both students and administration. Some of us, like some of you, are new in our positions at the College. I am the Acting President while the search is underway for the fourth president of Housatonic.

And in my former office, Professors Sheila Anderson and Peter Ulisse are sharing the duties of the Academic Dean.

On the main floor, Hernan Yepes is the Acting Dean of Students while a search is underway to fill that position.

We have been getting used to our new duties, just as you have been learning your way around Housatonic, meeting the demands of your courses and the expectations of your instructors.

We welcome those of you who are returning the Housatonic and who, like some of us, are familiar with the College but have needed to adjust to new classes and assignments.

All of us are members of the Housatonic family and work together on our primary focus: your success. Our goal, as I know yours is too, is for you to graduate. We are glad you are here, but we really want you to leave with a diploma or certificate in hand.

I want you to be aware of the many services that will help you to achieve your goals. You already know that your teachers will go the extra mile to help you and make sure you succeed in each class and are ready for the next one.

Beside your instructors, a whole range of academic support services is ready to assist you, including tutoring, if you need it, counseling, a Women's Center, and many clubs and activities to satisfy your interests and stretch your abilities.

Earlier this fall we received the final go-ahead for the renovations to the adjacent building. The plans have been completed and very soon you will be seeing a lot of activity as construction begins on the addition. New classrooms and spaces for student activities will make Housatonic an even better place to learn and begin your future.

I hope you enjoy your time at HCC. Remember, we are very pleased that you are here, but, actually, we want you to leave. However, we don't want you to leave until you have finished what you started and have successfully completed this phase of your education and your life.

We don't want you just to leave…we want you to graduate. If you need anything that will help you achieve academic success, ask your instructors, your counselors, or any of the HCC staff who will try to help you find the support and assistance you need to graduate. Then, you, and the entire Housatonic family, and will be very proud to see you leave.

Welcome to Perspective's Student-to-Student Guide to HCC

Welcome to Perspective , the online magazine written by senior staff of Housatonic Horizons, the student-run, student-written newspaper of Housatonic Community College.

For its inaugural issue, Perspective offers a student-to-student guide to Housatonic, advice from experienced students about how to handle various aspects of your college life successfully.

You can read articles by making your way down the page or jump to an article by clicking on the links to the right.

Later this fall, check for links to an extensive HCC Horizons web site with all of the content from our print edition of the newspaper and some exciting new features.

Please Note: Perspective is an independent student publication. It is not written or approved by the faculty, staff, or administration of HCC. The staff of Perspective is solely responsible for its content.

The Rest is Still Unwritten…

One student’s story of how HCC changed her life…

By Ashley Rojas
Staff Writer

It all began on a warm Sunday morning during my sophomore year in college. I was sitting in my dorm room at the University of the Pacific, awaiting my mom’s weekly phone call. One might say that the umbilical chord had never really been cut between my mother and me. We have an eerie sixth sense with one another, which is why I knew when I picked up the phone that morning that there was something in her voice that made me realize that bad news was soon to come.

“Ash, we need to talk about something… Your financial aid package came for next semester… and I need you to go to the student accounts office and talk to one of the counselors about some options you might have with student loans.”

From that moment on, the days seemed to pass like minutes before I was packing my bags to go home. While every one else was awaiting Christmas vacation, I was dreading the idea of going home. Home was now my reality- the reality that I wasn’t coming back to school.

What would have been the second semester of my sophomore year became forty-five hours a week of work at my old high school job: the local Baskin Robbins. It was in June that I decided something needed to change. The majority of students in my town who left college never went back and I refused to be one them.

It was then that I started doing my research. I didn’t want to go to just any school: I wanted to go to the best one I could find within my area. After asking around, going to websites, and visiting UCONN, Norwalk Community College, Sacred Heart, University of Bridgeport, and a dozen more I finally found HCC.

I had decided this was my chance to take a variety of classes instead of following the guidelines my previous school had insisted upon. It was because of this decision that I was actually able to find my passion.

I had enrolled in Ceramics, US History, Basic Journalism, World Geography, and Intro to Theatre. Like many students walking the halls today, I was overwhelmed during the first few weeks. I had hoped for a school that would challenge me, a school that I felt I could find myself in. I never considered the idea that my hopes could have been fulfilled in only the first few weeks.

I soon found out that the majority of professors at HCC also taught at other four-year schools. They didn’t expect any less of the students because we were at a community college. In fact, I felt more challenged than I had in high school and at Pacific. The homework was based more on significance of information than memorization, the class work was much more interactive, and the testing wasn’t based on competition between the students as it had been at my previous schools.

Housatonic Community College was proving to be a much more rigorous education than I had anticipated, and the flexible class schedules allowed me time to work outside of school so I could save money in hopes of finishing my Bachelors Degree.

I had finally been given the chance to reach out and learn about new subjects which hadn’t been available to me before and because of this I found an interest in learning again. I had always wanted to excel in school because I knew it was important, but Housatonic made me realize my true passion for learning. I became excited to go to classes and learn about things and strengthen new skills that I had never considered before. In short, I became enthused, elated, and curious about EVERYTHING. My eyes were now open to the options I had and how much there was for me to learn.

After my first semester at Housatonic, I realized that in order for me to be able to graduate with my class I was going to need to double-up on classes. So I registered fifteen units at UCONN and twelve units at Housatonic. One might say I was a little crazy for taking nine classes all at once, but I was excited to prove to myself that I could do it and I could do it well. Housatonic had taught me that learning could be fun again and that I should learn as much as I can while I had the opportunity.

I soared through the next semester, barely stopping to eat and sleep between classes. It was as if something had taken over me: I became a force to be reckoned with in the classroom. I paid attention in class, asked questions, constantly sought advice from professors, and took advantage of every penny I paid to both schools. I was determined to get as much out of my time at Housatonic and UCONN as I could.

By the end of the year, I had re-applied to Pacific in hopes of being able to go back to California and graduate with my class: praying that they would accept all the credits from home. I was delighted to learn that not only was I re-accepted, but also I had been given a large scholarship because of the essay I had written to the financial aid board concerning everything I had been through and learned while I was at Housatonic and UCONN.

I went back to Pacific as a senior in college, with memories of what I had learned, friends I had left behind, and promises I had made to myself that I would never forget the passion for learning I had found while at Housatonic.

On May 20, 2006, I walked across the stage at the University of the Pacific to receive my Bachelor of the Arts degree in English and Communication. Walking past the Pacific professors, I imagined all the teachers back in Connecticut sitting amongst them, clapping and smiling. It was because of both coasts of teachers that I had made it that far.

I got off the plane from California to Connecticut with my degree in my carry-on, a welcome letter from my new job at a publications company in my back pocket, and anticipation for the future in my heart.

My story is not meant to be an illustration of what your time here at Housatonic should be like. It is meant only to encourage students here at HCC to truly take advantage of what this school has to offer.

Every student’s situation is different. Not everyone has been given the same opportunities as others, but while you are here, it is in your best interest to get as much out of your time here as possible. In fact, I enjoyed my time here so much that I came back to take classes at night just for fun. Learning never has to stop, no matter what pieces of paper you have hanging on your wall or sitting on your mantle.

Succeeding isn’t just about what you learn in a classroom; it’s about understanding why it’s being taught. There is significance to everything, including your own life. However, you are the only person who determines your life’s own significance.

Housatonic Community College can offer you anything as long as you make the decision to take from it all that you can. So welcome students! I’ll leave you with a quote from a song which I believe sums it all up… “Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten…”

A Date With Destiny

Making the high school to college transition a little easier…one freshman at a time

By Cate Jackson
Editor-At-Large

Ah, high school! Seven 45-minute periods of familiar faces, moldy carpet and yellow chalk. And who can forget those crowded hallways? How about the sagging flesh of the lunch ladies? I personally loved the way the ceiling used to fall down during both PE and band practice. Such a joyful interruption! Who didn’t enjoy that hall where all the boys stared down the girls and rated them on their ass-jiggle, and how about that one assistant principal who dressed like he was a cast member of Grease? Every. Single. Friday.

Unfortunately, the stench of the girls’ bathroom that permeated my denim jacket has since disappeared, and my senior hat that I adored so much has done nothing but gather dust in the two years since I’ve graduated. I’ve forgotten some of the things that were so important to me for four years of my life. I was so ready to move on!

Yet coming to Housatonic wasn’t that big of a deal to me. I had actually planned on attending a four-year college in a different state, but the airhead in me prevailed, and I didn’t bother fixing the 10 billion problems on my FAFSA. That plan went nowhere quick. Housatonic was my fallback plan, and it wasn’t a bad thing at all. I wasn’t deterred. Oh no, not me!

The only thing that mattered was that I was in COLLEGE. What a pretentious teenager I was, prancing around my very messy room, refusing to clean it (much to my mother’s chagrin) because, as I so modestly put it, “I’m a college girl now, Mama!” It was going to be a whole new world, one where I was in control. In control people don’t need to vacuum under their beds.

True to form, I procrastinated and registered about 4 minutes before classes started. I remember the hustle with financial aid, the maze of hallways making me dizzy, the faces all blending together, and the artwork being my only landmarks. I hated having to ask a strange teacher I didn’t know if I could join her class. I didn’t like the freakin’ four hour gap between my classes. People didn’t bother to tell me that no one takes classes on a Friday.

We all get confused from time to time. (Image courtesy of Getty Images)

I soon began to miss the familiarity of my dark, dank high school. Yeah, Housatonic has air conditioning and you can go to the cafeteria whenever you want and there’s not only internet here, but high-speed internet on computers that were made after 1988 nonetheless. But what about my alma mater, Stratford High? I missed the scent of cigarette smoke outside of every doorway, that T-shaped hallway at the top of the steps in the English wing where there was literally a stand-still and the massive amount of graffiti in the girls’ locker-room. I had wanted to leave those red lockers and crowded staircases behind forever. But soon the realization hit that I had.

Like the old saying goes, time heals all wounds. I had a new boyfriend, I loved my psychology teacher, I had a real job and I was making friends at every corner. I was independent, I was brave, and I was invincible!

As un-collegiate as HCC may seem, we’re one of the best community colleges in Connecticut and you can’t beat the education you receive here for the price we’re paying. There’s plenty of diversity, there’s clubs galore, and the cafeteria food can make your tummy grumble like never before, just like other colleges. I’m totally used to it, and for the sake of being sappy, I love the fact that I’ve gone here for the last two years. I’m comfortable, I’m saving tons of money and all the new friends I’ve made don’t live in 22 different states.

But lest we forget, there are still those who are making their first foray into college life. There are still the same old problems that I faced (and forgot about), and a few new ones. Haydees Caraballo, a 2006 graduate of Stratford High School, at first swore that Housatonic was just like high school. She was all fresh faced and fancy free until I asked her if she had any problems with classes. She admitted to me that she had a struggle getting in to pre-calc. “There was an 8 a.m. class, and a 5 p.m. class. The 8 a.m. was full, so now I’ve got like eight hours between my two classes and it’s just boring.” Julie Moran, who took a year off after graduating Central High School in 2005, stated that she didn’t know anyone. “I didn’t schedule any of my classes with any of my friends. It’s not like high school where you see the same people year after year. I had no idea where I was going half the time.”

While we were talking, another person chimed in. He ran away almost instantly, but he was heard loud and clear. “The maps on the wall suck!” Perhaps they do. A slightly seasoned HCC student, Erica Skapley, remembers getting lost. But she also remembers making friends. “We connected just because we had the same problems, and we could laugh about it together. They didn’t make me feel so alone.” Now Erica helps out her freshman cousin, Amanda Hernandez, who has adjusted to college life here at Housatonic just beautifully.

After asking around, I seemed to find that the most common five problems are registration, adding/dropping classes, not knowing people, the parking garage situation, and things to do between classes.

Time for Cate’s Word to the Wise! There are some things I’ve found particularly helpful in my previous five semesters in HCC. The most important thing to do is to register as early as you can, in order to get the classes you not only need, but that are interesting to you. This means submitting your FAFSA on time, so you can get as much financial assistance as possible. Also so you don’t get dropped from your classes just before school starts for not paying your tuition.

Adding and dropping a class is really tough, not only the first time, but every time you have to do it. The most bothersome things I’ve heard about this particular problem is the long wait in line and getting a teacher’s signature. While I can’t do anything about the lines, I do know that you just have to bite the bullet. Putting off getting the teacher’s signature that second week of school only makes things harder. Find out the Professor’s office hours by checking on the website directory at http://www.hcc.commnet.edu/dir/index.asp and then maybe shooting them an email or giving them a call. Not only is it much quicker than waiting around till 8 PM for a professor to show up, its easier than having to ask them face to face.

Being in a new place full of new faces and new situations is just one of the difficult things we have to do in life. But you combat it by putting your best foot forward. Confidence is key! People are attracted to someone who looks like they know what they’re doing. We were always taught as children not to talk to strangers, but in this case, it’s really okay. Usually, relating to someone about things you have in common helps. Jimmy Coleman, an HCC student for the last 3 years, said he’d speak to just about anyone who looked at him. If that’s not your stick, participating in class is a great way to make friends. Professors in English 101 and 102 often have you do group work so you can get to know your classmates, but don’t socialize too much!
Everyone knows the parking lot was invented to drive students clinically insane, but you can beat this too! Just stay calm. There’s no need for road rage!

“I have an early morning class and a late afternoon class and it pisses me off that I can’t leave, come back, and still be on the same floor,” said Coleman. That’s true, but think of all the exercise you’ll be getting running up and down those uneven steps! Asthmatic? That’s okay! Take the elevator and make new friends in close quarters. Try to arrive at school at least a half hour before your class starts, especially if it’s any time after 11 and only leave the parking garage when absolutely necessary. No need to cause yourself more stress.

What about the four hour gap in between classes? Besides the obvious studying that you know you’re not going to do, there are many other options. You could always have lunch in the cafeteria or any one of the restaurants downtown. Hanging out in the library isn’t so bad, because you can always lose yourself in a good book or search for the perfect movie to watch on your portable DVD player, if you own one, that is. Sitting outside in the courtyard and painting your toenails isn’t so bad either.

Another HCC student, Marc Conte, who graduated a New York high school in 2003, said he just got up and walked around downtown during his downtime between classes. “I’m comfortable, even with all the crazies running around.” His friend, who asked he not be named, said that he was scared to walk around Bridgeport alone, so he stays in the cafeteria, usually in the game room. “There’s Ping-Pong. Everyone likes Ping-Pong.”
Yes. Everyone likes Ping-Pong.

College is a great experience. You’re just grown up enough to act high and mighty, but you’re still young enough to not have a mortgage. In order to experience these years to the fullest, never be afraid to ask for help. Some days you’ll feel like you just can’t take it. You’ll yearn for high school, for the scent of the smoke filled bathrooms, or how easy it was to skip Biology to go to Dairy Queen with 19 of your best friends. Just because 18 of them have gone on to other places doesn’t mean you can’t make Housatonic your own.

We’re at the age when we can take life by the horns. Saddle up, comrades! Shield yourself against the dreaded add/drop form! Bomb the parking garage…..okay, wait, no, I take that back. But you get my drift.

College here at Housatonic won’t be as fun as starting a riot in Saturday detention. Not at all. Because this is better. Much better.

Tips for Time Management

Most of us are somewhat unprepared for how our lives and schedules will change once we start school. It’s like you added this whole new level of craziness onto your already insane life. I’ve developed a strategy during my own insanity, which might help.

By Deb Torreso
Senior Staff Writer

Whether you are a full or part-time student, and no matter what else your day consists of, there is a common thread among us: the need for time management. For some, it becomes automatic because of years of experience at managing a home, kids, a job or career. Others may have a slightly harder time. Here are some tips that may prove worthy.

Even if you don’t feel comfortable initially, try to develop a way of keeping track. Put a calendar on the wall in your den, by your desk or work station, in your pocket, pocket book or car.

Here’s a tip from former HCC Journalism student Mike Russo.

"While I was a student at HCC working on my A.A. in Journalism, I learned very quickly how important it was to balance school, internships, work, and somehow maintain a social life. Beyond doing the basics; keeping a day planner, a notebook to keep track of my daily assignments, and a white board on the wall above my computer at home to keep track of the most important things I needed to accomplish, I have a large yearly calendar for projects so I can make time each day to meet my long term goals. Today as a full -time reporter where I have to keep track of many things happening at once, I am glad I developed good time management skills while I was a student. The real world is much less forgiving."

You may have to experiment. I have tried a day-planner on and off for years. The only thing I find that works for me is a plain white, lined pad. I write the day of the week and what I need to get done within it. You could keep one for each aspect of your life, i.e. work, school and personal. Or combine your “to do’s” on one page by the hour of the day.

For example, on Monday you might list: 8:00 meeting with counselor; 9:30 pick up dry cleaning; 10:00 -11:00 home to work on project; break for lunch; go to gym by 1:00; class by 2:00; home to work on project from 4:00-5:00; go to work at 6:00.

I know it seems a bit rigid, but I have found unless I keep a tight schedule, things will get backed up and I will get overwhelmed. Once you lose your footing, so to speak, it’s hard to get it back. Time passes too quickly and you could fall behind, and unable to catch up.

Pat Salerno, HCC alumni and reporter for the Monroe Chronicle, said “For starters, I'm big on visuals: making lists and blocking in a monthly calendar so I can see at a glance what I've scheduled myself to do-the overall picture. It keeps me from overbooking or double booking. (It works most of the time!).”

If you work out of your home, or have more than one project going on at a time, you might consider keeping what I call an “exterior filing system”. You can separate material by classes, subjects or project due dates. Or you could use one for research material and a separate one for a list of things you still need to do. You can also compile your completed work in another. You might even try a bin or file for items having to do with your household bill paying and maintenance, or automobile expenses such as: taxes, repairs, insurances.

It’s like having “3-D” icons on your desk. You can get stackable bins at Staples or Ikea and label them. There are also filing cabinets or drawers on wheels. You can find just about anything to suit your space and needs.

I also find it convenient to have a briefcase, a large pocketbook with compartments to carry different folders in. I use inexpensive portfolios with pockets and label each one. I have one for my business with related items and another for each class which includes a pen, class-notes and hand-outs.






Left to right: Large bin that holds file folders which can be divided into subjects, projects, personal, professional and academic related material; two drawer file cabinet on wheels; free standing briefcase with many pockets and at least two separate compartments to hold files.
Photo By Deb Torreso



When I am done working on something, I grab my papers from my desk; stick them in the correlating folders and go. Once per week I’ll sift through them to clear out the clutter.

Speaking of which, clearing out the clutter has become such a valuable commodity, there actually are people who have made a career out of consulting others in how to do it in every aspect of their lives. There are also seminars and meditation retreats that profess by doing so, you will feel less stressed and accomplish much more.

Don’t forget to take time for yourself. Many of us are multi-tasking at warp speed. It’s so easy to over extend yourself into a heavy stress mode. Try to be aware of your limits and please don’t look at them as failures. They are not! None of us can be totally productive or fulfilled all the time if we are running on empty. Besides, it’s really not good for your health.

Former HCC Art student, Sharon Greytak agrees with the scheduling of social time. She is now a notable, independent film maker living in New York City. “Do the easy assignments first,” she said. Explaining, “It gets your mind into the process of the work then everything else will start to flow.”

Good luck in your ventures and remember you are not alone. Most of us have “been there- done that.”

Perfecting Procrastination

The best ways you can procrastinate.
By Cody Hill

Editor in Chief

It’s zero hour. I’m sitting in front of my laptop, hot chocolate nearby, staring blankly at the screen in front of me. This article is due in just a few hours and I’m just starting it. I have procrastinated again.

That is not to say procrastination is a bad thing. When done correctly, it can help produce the highest quality work.

A study performed by Professors Angela Chu and Jin Choi found that “procrastinators direct their attention and actions toward pressing problems, offering themselves a greater chance of solving them in a satisfactory manner. Active procrastinators are extrinsically motivated and attempt to maximize their time utility, possibly leading to more successful task completion.”

However, if done incorrectly, procrastination can have the direst of consequences. Every time procrastination is used, you are betting your GPA’s future on a roll of the dice.

With a little practice and the “cojones” to stare a rapidly approaching deadline square in the eyes, or at least glance at it periodically while watching the big game, you too can become an excellent procrastinator.

The first step to mastering procrastination is juggling your deadlines. An experienced procrastinator learns to put off their assignments while simultaneously giving themselves enough time to finish the assignment. Take, for example, this article I’m writing. It’s not officially due for another twenty four hours, yet I know my schedule doesn’t allow me to finish the bulk of this article tomorrow. So I made sure to leave myself enough time to write most of the article now, but I also made sure to leave open some time tomorrow to finish the rest of the article I’m too lazy to write now. Just because you’re procrastinating doesn’t mean you should leave yourself in a hole.

Another thing to consider while playing deadline chicken is supplies. Like any good army or animal rights activist, you need to be adequately supplied while taking on procrastination. Caffeine is your best friend: if you don’t own an espresso machine, buy one. Amazon.com offers espresso machines that go from thirty to six hundred and fifty dollars, so there’s one for every budget.

Stay away from heavy foods like beef and beef burritos; they’ll make you want to take a siesta. Stick with foods that’ll burn off calories quickly and give you energy. Fruits and vegetables are good because they’re full of natural sugars to keep you buzzing and you can eat them raw, and if you’re too lazy to do your homework ahead of time you’re probably too lazy to cook. Raw food equals good food.

The most important tool in the fight against punctuality is the ticking clock. This will help keep you motivated as you race to finish each uninspired and agonizing sentence. I have an old fashioned analog clock placed on my desk next to my computer. The nonstop ticking will reminds me of how much time I’m wasting, as well as having the pleasant side effect of making time seem to go by slower and driving me insane. Time’s just ticking away until deadline: tick, tick, tick, tick, tick…

Sorry, it’s getting later and my clock is whittling away the little patience I have left. Which brings us to the third step in being a proficient procrastinator: eliminating all distractions. Expert procrastinators usually have short attention spans, so in preparing to engage in some last minute course work you need to get rid of anything that could potentially distract you. Ten minutes ago I was chatting online, watching Family Guy, eating Chinese food, and checking football scores online. Now I’m sitting at my desk with the lights off and only the sound of my clock ticking time away to keep me company. It’s dreadfully boring, but I know it’s the only way to keep my kitten-like attention span focused on the task at hand.

Most people think procrastinators do all their work last minute, but I’m here to tell you the best procrastinators do at least a little prep work. A procrastinator who spends valuable writing time doing research is a procrastinator who will fail.

“Procrastinators may be similar to nonprocrastinators in that they take charge of their time and try to maximize the efficiency of their time use,” said the procrastination study.

Make sure you’ve done enough background research on your assigned topic to at least BS into a couple pages worth of material. A procrastinator maybe able to turn crap into an A, but even the best in the trade can’t make something from nothing. If you don’t know enough offhand to manufacture an essay, then you’ll need to do at least a little research before hand.

All those tips will work out well and good for some people, but that doesn’t change the ugly truth that not everyone is capable of procrastinating. Procrastination is like pit farting; either you’re born able to do it or you aren’t. It is far too dangerous to be performed without the natural tools to accomplish it. If non adept procrastinators try to put off their work, they’ll ultimately panic and fail.

On the other hand, that does not mean adept procrastinators should take their gifts for granted. It is easy for procrastinators to lose their edge and become ineffective. A good procrastinator never finishes an assignment earlier than they have to for fear of losing their precious gifts, which is another reason I’m writing this article now when it was assigned two weeks ago.

Although many of you will inevitably find your own techniques for procrastinating, the previous tips are all very good rules of thumb that have helped me in a successful career in putting off work. Without them I may have had to, shudder, spend my free time doing homework. Thanks to procrastination I have been able to fully enjoy such hobbies as watching TV and binge drinking. Take to heart the preceding wisdom, my fellow HCC students, and if you’re ever unsure about how to proceed with school work, remember the procrastinators’ motto, “Always put off today what you can half-ass tomorrow.”

The Big Bad Parking Garage: How to Handle it Like a Pro

Here are some tips on battling the garage for new and old students alike…..

By Steph Santora
Managing Editor

Imagine the scenario: You’re driving to Housatonic and you have roughly 15 minutes before your class starts. You think, “I have plenty of time to park, I’m only 5 minutes away!” Then, to your dismay, you find yourself sitting a car line that stretches from here to China. By the time you make it in the garage, maneuver around the plethora of cars blindly backing out of spaces, and run down the narrow stairwell, you’re late for class. The garage has now become your nemesis. What do you do?

Garage congestion can occur at any time, but the most common is in rush hours. This can happen between 5 and 7, when a great number of students take classes due to the fact they work all day long. I have found that the most menacing time to try and come or go is around 6:30; you could wait in that garage for what seems like forever. Between the hours of 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. can also become another stressful time, so watch out. From personal experience, I can attest the fact that I have had some difficulties, but nothing as gruesome as the early evening.

The best advice to give for coming to school at that time is to leave ridiculously early. However, I have found that parking across the street in the Bob’s Discount Furniture/Dunkin Donuts lot can be very convenient if you are pressed for time. I am not going to advocate for this though, simply because I was informed by a f colleague than you can, in fact, be ticketed for this. So, in order to save my hide, I suggest parking there only in extreme situations for all of you risk-takers. Just don’t tell them I sent you….

Here is what I like to call the “unwritten laws” of the parking garage. They are simple, but more often than not drivers fail to obey them and it works like a catalyst for the frustration many of us experience.

First and foremost, what is the deal with people not backing into their parking spaces? It’s all fine and dandy to pull in forward during the dull hours of the day, but why must people resist doing so when they know they will be leaving during the busy hours? If this is you, soon you will realize that you can sit there all night with your white reverse lights gleaming for all to see but that nobody actually wants to let you out. Also, when and if you must back out of a parking space, please look first. I’ve lost count of how many times I have had to either slam on my brakes or lay on my horn because some mindless idiot is backing out of their spot with absolutely no discretion!

Speeding up the ramps and over the speed bumps is just not cool, got it? Why would you drive so fast in such an enclosed area? Do you want to hit someone? Is that your ultimate goal? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Save showing off your pimped-out ride for the streets.

Car horns are made for certain reasons, but they are definitely not intended for you to lay on them when your impatience strikes. Don’t you think the cars would be moving if they could? There is obviously a hold up, so have a little bit of patience. Your car horn is only going to make everyone that much more disgruntled.

I have high hopes that these words of wisdom will benefit all who patronize the HCC parking garage, whether you are a new student, or just a returning student who could use some advice. Let’s try and make the garage a safe and happy place to park our cars, without causing extreme road rage before you even hit the road.

Join a Club, Any Club!

You might learn a thing or two about getting involved throughout the school…

By Janiece Jackson
Senior Staff Writer

Are you looking for something to get into? Trying to find a productive way to spend your free time? Well look no further! There are tons of opportunities for you to show you talents, expertise, knowledge, and simply develop skills you might not have known you had; right here within the walls of Housatonic Community College!

Not sure what club is right for you? Don’t fret; you have great options. There are clubs that focus on certain programs such as; the Graphic Design club, the Early Childhood club, the Occupational Therapy club, and so on. Others focus on interests such as the Gay/Straight Alliance club, the Christian Studies club, the Game club, and more.

“Being that Housatonic is such a small school and most people leave campus as soon as class is over, I would have never expected that clubs and extracurricular activities were offered,” said Melissa Medina, a first-semester student at HCC. Like Melissa, many students are unaware of the fact that HCC offers at least a dozen clubs for students of all types to be a part of.

Clubs like A.L.A.S-Association of Latin American students, which unites people of different Latin cultures with others, hope to make students aware of the diversity within the community. The Art Club provides HCC students with the opportunity to visit exhibitions of painting, sculpture and craft in a wide variety of museums and galleries. The club also arranges student art exhibitions, which allows HCC students not only demonstrate their talents and creativity, but what they have learned as well.

The Human Services Club teaches students what it’s like to help, counsel and volunteer in the community. “You’d be surprised what you could learn about your community by looking at with productive and positive views,” said Evelyn Nesmith, an HCC student.

“I always have a little over an hour after class before I have to rush to work. How would I know what clubs meet during my free time?” asked Jackie Rivas, a fulltime HCC student. Many students share the same questions as Jackie; Where, When and How do I get involved?


Do you want to find out exactly how to get involved, when to meet and where to go, and who to speak to? Here a few suggestions; if you are a part of a particular certificate or degree program such as Early Childhood Care, Graphic Design, or Business. it would be best to speak to the head of that program, who might be able to tell you all the details of joining a particular club.


You can also look on page 140 of the HCC student handbook, which provides a list of clubs, the faculty advisors, their office numbers, and a telephone extension to reach them. “It’s a lot easier to get in touch with certain people than I thought it would be,” said Andria Martins, HCC student. “I guess I was just being lazy,” she added, laughing.

One for sure way to find accurate and up-to-date information about clubs and activities is by visiting the Student Life office located in C110. There you will not only find a detailed list of where to go and who to see, and happy people willing to help and answer questions, but it is also a great to find out what activities and events to look forward to throughout the year.

“The Student Life office is the hub for finding out everything that is going on around the school,” said Razul Branch, the HCC Student Senate President.

Now that you know a little more about the extracurricular activities that HCC has to offer, don’t hesitate any further, start your research and join the club or clubs that are best for you. You might be surprised at how that club might need what you have to offer.

Win the War Against Germs and Avoid Colds

Fighting germs takes knowledge and diligence.

By Joe Merva

Arts and Entertainment Editor

To battle and prevent sicknesses, often you must know what they are and how you can
catch them. This article will show you what the myths are, what diseases are really out there, and how you can protect yourself.

Germs are out in full force this year, especially here at school. It’s enough to make anyone cringe at the thought of sniffles and nasty germ-producing coughs. Who do you trust? What can you touch without wondering if it’s covered with germs that make you sick? Germ phobia is everywhere, and colds can lead to worse problems like the flu.

You don’t have to be susceptible to these problems. You don’t have to be the one with the runny nose and bad cough in class. You don’t have to be drinking Campbell’s soup and feeling miserable either. Take action this fall and learn what causes us to get sick and more importantly how to stay away from colds.

The hallways are filled with student bodies that invite the common cold everyday. Our school bathroom is also consumed with many of these common germs. You shouldn’t always have to open and close the door with a paper towel. Don’t be so worried about the germs, but do be worried about how to stay healthy and understanding how to protect yourself.

“I don’t want to touch anything in that bathroom.” said HCC student Michelle LaBella. “Everything is disgusting, the sinks are rusted and the toilets are unsanitary.”

Somehow, we still get sick no matter how many pieces of tissue we lay on the toilet or towels we use to open the door handle. According to www.medicinenet.com, common cold germs, like most viruses, die rapidly and may be less of a threat than you think they are.

“The school put a garbage next to the door in the girl’s bathroom because everyone was using paper towels to open the door after they washed their hands and then threw them on the floor.” said LaBella. “The other thing with the bathroom is that I never leave my pocketbook on the floor because the floor is full of bacteria.”

“Even if you come in contact with particular viruses or bacteria, you’d have to contact them in amounts large enough to make you sick,” said Judy Daly, a professor of pathology at the University of Utah.

“There’s a bacteria present on our skin that when our resistance is low that can lead to sinus infections, colds, and even bronchitis” said Twan Brown, who is a Registered Nurse at Bridgeport Health Care. “Our resistance relates to how we sleep and eat, so if you get enough rest and eat well you can prevent a lot of sickness.”

Germx.com says that once germs invade our bodies they eat up nutrients and energy, which causes common symptoms like sniffles, fevers, coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea. They are tiny organisms that can cause disease and need to be seen under a microscope.

According to Brown, things that we do everyday like putting pens in our mouth or touching surfaces crawling with germs and then touching our face are good ways to catch a cold.

Have you ever shook someone’s hand and than touched your face to scratch it? We don’t even think about these simple actions, but they affect whether we get sick or not. Brown goes on to say that some of the easiest ways to catch a cold are walking in to someone’s cough droplets and inhaling airborne germs.

It seems so easy to catch the common cold. We may not think about avoiding a certain person or not shaking their hand. How would we know if they just coughed into their hand? We don’t, and that’s the hard part about trying to avoid something that we all can’t see.

Well, we know now what ways we can catch a cold. We also learned that bathrooms are very unsanitary, especially here at Housatonic. The important thing now is to try and steer clear from getting sick a lot this year. According to www.medicinenet.com, you can prevent contracting illnesses in the restrooms by flushing the toilet with your foot instead of your hand and using a paper towel to shut off the faucet and open the door on your way out. You can also use hot air hand dryers, but don’t let your hands touch the vents.

Brown explained that always washing your hands and getting plenty of rest is very key to staying healthy every year. “People don’t realize the importance of rest and getting good meals every day. If you don’t, you leave your body vulnerable to all viruses,” she said.

Still Deciding What Courses to Take?

Attention all freshmen! Need help on what classes you should take?
By Ram Root
Staff Writer

From my own experience I can tell you there were some errors I made in deciding how and when to take the right courses. Hopefully you can learn from my experience and choose the right course to take for your first and second year of college. This way you can be set for your third year at HCC or at another school.

All freshmen should know that the catalog is a great reference on which classes to take for their major. It is also a great reference for what the courses about.

Freshmen should get in touch with their assigned advisor ,who has already majored in the same program that the student is studying. From there, their advisor will show them what courses the student needs to take in order to meet the requirements for their degree.

After being at HCC for a few years now, I found out which classes I should’ve gotten out of the way when I first attended.

One class I wish I got out of the way first was a foreign language. I would like to go for a degree in history, and foreign language is a requirement. A lot of students who are trying to transfer to a four-year college may find out a foreign language is a requirement to graduate.

That is, of course, if the student decides to major in something that is part of the liberal arts program. There are still some important courses that freshman should take.

A course I was happy about getting out of the way was math. Intermediate Algebra is tough subject if you’re not a good at math. It would be a good move on your part to sign up early in your freshman year or if you have to, your sophomore year. Get it out of the way before you get into your junior year. This way you can focus more on your major.

Depending on how students did on their placement test when they decided to attend HCC, some found out that they might have to take a Developmental Studies course for math so they can get into Intermediate Algebra 137.

Finally. the most important course of all is English 101. Mary Clark, Director of the Academic Advising Center, said this course is the “Gate Keeper Course”.

“This course is a core curriculum,” said Clark. “This course is an open door to satisfy the degree program.”

Once a freshman takes this course they can sign up for other courses.
HIS*101 (Western Civilization I), for example, requires students to have taken English 101 or to be currently enrolled in the course.

I hope my experience was helpful for you to not make mistakes when signing up for courses. If you listen to your advisor and keep track of the courses that you have taken, you will find it to be a smooth ride here at HCC.

An Alternative Method for Paying Tuition

See if HCC tuition payment plan works for you.

By Danita J. Hall
Special Correspondent

Struggling to find another way to pay for your college tuition? Housatonic has payment plan that fits most budgets.

The Installment Payment Plan Options (IPPO) offers students an alterative to the more traditional methods such as financial aid, student loans, or maybe all at once. The IPPO is available for all students provided they have not defaulted on a previous plan.

Students waiting for their financial aid to kick in are eligible. If your financial aid becomes available before the final payment you can use the aid as the payment. Just make sure you check in with the Financial Aid Office in Room A108 first.

Hoa Nguyen, Cash Accounting Clerk, said, “In order to be eligible for this plan you must register for at least six or more credits.”

There are three installments that make up this plan. The first payment is due when you register for your classes.

Before you register for your first classes and you feel this plan might be what you’re looking for, go to the library to view the IPPO film. The film gives you, in detail, the information on the payment plan. The IPPO film is about ten minutes long and will provide you an outline of the contract between you and the Housatonic. The librarian will give you a copy of the contract when you go in to view the film.

The contract is a simple document where only the basic information is required; name, address, and the amount of each of three scheduled payments.

The schedule of payments will be the second page of your contract. This payment chart breaks down the three installments and the due date in which payment is required. The chart is easy to follow it goes by the number of credits starting at six followed by each additional credit.

The first payment includes general fees, lab fees and student fees, plus 35% of your tuition for that semester. If you do choose this plan, be advised that there is a $25.00 processing fee, which is non refundable if you withdraw from any of your classes. Also be advised that if you fail to make a payment you could be automatically withdrawn from your classes. This is what they call an Administrative Withdrawal.

The Administrative Withdrawal will cause you not to become ineligible to participate in this option in the future. Students will receive a “W” for the classes and teachers will be notified of the withdrawal.

According to Acting President Anita Gliniecki, “Faculty members receive updated class rosters that show a student is withdrawn from the class.”

“Faculty are asked to send any student to the registrar whose name is not on the class roster or who is in class but has a 'W' by his/her name,” added Gliniecki.

The IPPO is a different method but has serious retribution if you fail to follow the policies and procedures. These policies and procedures are on the cover page of your contract. This is a legal contract and is taken very seriously by the school. You will get two reminders by mail before your second and final payment is due.

However, this plan is not for everyone. Since the payments are so close together, it may be hard to come up with all the funds needed in such short notice. The IPPO is a good method if you feel you can make the payments. If you register early this plan may just work for you.