Student Government Association Elections End With New Government Members
By Ariel Ransom
The campaign trail for several ambitious students on campus yielded astounding results, as the Student Government Association Elections, in progress April 14 to 17 online at MYSCCC, recently released the poll results via email and text messages to anxious candidates and inquiring undergraduates.
The Student Government Elections sign in the Babylon Student Center
According to the Western Student Press, the “Student Government Association (SGA) is the top organization of each Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) campus that oversees the needs of the students and makes sure the student body is appropriately, fairly, and accurately represented with their voices heard; even through to the top echelons of the SCCC administration,”.
The SGA’s desire to ensure proper representation of students on campus is an ideal that resounded with several of the aspiring candidates in the Spring 2014 elections, for campaigning students emphasized their need to improve the experiences of their fellow campus goers and to better the college overall.
“I chose to run for the student government this semester because I wanted to become more involved with campus life and the student experience,” Steven K. Curcio, appointed Senator to the SGA and Honors Program student, said. “I’ve had a great time at Suffolk, and I’d life to pass that on.”
Curcio’s new position as Senator to the Student Government Association is highly anticipated by his supporters and by his fellow SGA members. Curcio’s determination to become a Senator for the college is not only emphasized by his need to help his fellow peers, but to hone his skills in leading others.
“I ran for the Senatorial position as it gave me an opportunity to practice and further develop my leadership skills,” Curcio said. “Had I ran for an Executive Board position, I might not have been equipped with the skills necessary to effectively lead.”
The Student Government Association is assembled with students that have a high regard for the campus, and members admire the influence the SGA has toward the highest levels of administration in the SCCC. Noting the benevolent power of the SGA, candidates want to be part of the Association and represent the student body.
“I moved here, came to the SGA, and had no experience with the student government in high school. […] I went to a meeting [SGA Meeting] for my freshman seminar and I liked how it worked, what we were talking about, and the influence they had on campus.” Alexander Alvarado, current President of the Student Government Association, said. “So, I applied for a Senator position, then a position opened up for Treasurer. The second I got to the Executive Board, I decided next year I should go for President.”
However, the SGA Election’s voting system, which is online and accessible through student’s MYSCCC accounts, has mixed reactions. Not many campus goers would have realized that voting was an online event if posters did not promote the voting format.
“I don’t know exactly when they started online voting, but it is somewhat new. They used to have paper ballots, but since we’re trying to be Eco friendly, we do it online. I believe we have a much higher voter turn out if there were both.” Alvarado said. “Vote online, and also during that week, have a section where you [the voter] could physically turn in a vote. People are more likely on campus to go bubble in a scan-tron than log on My SCCC and click the link.”
Despite having online voting for the SGA elections, there are positive outlooks to using the internet for Student Government elections. To help students decide on which candidates they wanted, only the online voting system had brief statements about each candidate and what they wished to accomplish.
“Online voting is certainly beneficial. I see no harm in voting online, as a majority of our students would be more inclined to vote online than they would in person,” Curcio said. “The statements of candidacy were posted online so that the students could make a more informed decision, and the Student Government even set up a table so that the students who wanted to vote on campus could.”
The SGA’s elections has inducted new faces into the Association, along with invigorating new ideas to better the experiences of students and to add volume to the voice of campus attendees. Anthony Cheslock, the newly appointed President, and Kaitlyn Altamirano, the new Vice President, start their terms in office June 1 to May 31.
The Student Government Association pride’s itself on the open meetings that any student can attend and present questions to the SGA members. The next Student Government Association meeting is May 13 at 3:30 p.m. in the Mildred Green Room at the Babylon Student Center, and the SGA enjoys seeing the students they represent sitting in on meetings.
CSTEP and NSF Hold Montly Meeting
by Paul Hart
Faculty and students from CSTEP and NSF STEM held their monthly meeting and discussed events for the remaining semester and collected feedback to improve the programs impact on students lives. The upcoming events include a lecture hosted by the American Nuclear Society on April 15 at Stony Brook University(SBU) and a retreat lab and tour on the 19. The Advanced Energy Conference will be held at the Jacobs K Javits Convention Center April 30 and May 1. The annual CSTEP student conference and competition at The Saratoga in Lake George,NY will be underway April 12 to the 14. The conference competition hosts hundreds of students across New York State all competing against one another. The lecture “Visualizing the Quantum World” will be given by Seamus Davis PhD. D at the Wang Center Theater at SBU and the CSTEP/NSF S STEM recognition ceremony will commence on May, 2nd at 5:00 pm. in the Babylon Student Center.
The meeting was held by Dr. Candice J. Foley a professor of physical science at The College handled the CSTEP affairs and associate dean for continuing education Nina Leonhardt had coordinated NSF STEM’s. Foley and Leonhardt spoke to the members about how student feed back is a crucial tool for the faculty in charge of the program to better understand what the students feel are beneficial to them or not and direct the programs accordingly. “Its important to us to have a clearly robust program for students to take advantage of” said Leonhardt as students of the CSTEP program where given an anonymous survey regarding their opinion on the programs helpfulness.
CSTEP and NSF S STEM is a collaboration of the two programs there at The College that offers a wide range of benefits to students. The NSF STEM scholarship program at The College was formed to help students interested in a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Tutoring, advising, field trips, transition programs for graduates, job shadowing and internships are some of the opportunities available. Students can also gain financial assistance that typically averages $3600 per school year.
Mentoring of program participants and collaborations with Brookhaven National Laboratory, Dowling College, and Stony Brook University gives students the potential to have an inside look at prospective career paths. “CSTEP offers students exposure to places that are looking for bright young adults like Brookhaven National Laboratory ” said Arlene Jackson assistant director of CSTEP at The College. “It has given me chances to see different career paths I was not aware of” said student member David Lituma and “I get to experience first hand if a certain field of study interests me or not”. The two programs also serve graduates by offering lectures, seminars and classes to help acclimate students to a four-year institutions once their ready to leave The College.
The annual statewide competition presented by CSTEP also attracts students to the program. Every year during the conference, hundreds of students enroll in various self conducted research based competitions in natural sciences, physical sciences, technology, social sciences, and human services categories demonstrating individual research adhering to the CSTEP research program guidelines. The conference also has an arrangement of programs on leadership training, time, money and stress management as well as goal setting and achievement as well as many other beneficial tools. “The conferences give students the chance to make contacts and share information they would not normally have access to”said Jackson.
Perspective and current students need to meet certain criteria to be eligible. NFS and CSTEP both requires students to meet certain academic requirements and have to be majoring in a math, science, health or technology field with a minimum of 12 credits each semester. Students also have to be in need of financial assistance or be part of an underrepresented group. “Both CSTEP ans NSF really are a win for everyone involved” said Jackson.
CAB Hosts College Trip to NYC: Wicked on Broadway
On Thursday, November 15th the Campus Activities Board (CAB) will host a sponsored trip to The Big Apple to see the spectacular Broadway show, “Wicked”. Based on the classic story “The Wizard of OZ”, this musical adds a creative twist to the story basing it on the life and times of the movie’s supporting character, The Wicked Witch of the West.
Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased with a valid SCCC ID, $35 for full-time students and $40 for those who are part-time.
Transportation will be provided and a bus will be leaving parking lot number 7 of the Ammerman Campus in Selden at 4pm sharp.
For more information on this event, contact campus activities at 631-451-4376.
College Makes its Stride against Breast Cancer
On October 21st 2012 our college will be represented at the annual 2012 Making Strides against Breast Cancer at Jones Beach State Park. Students can register for the event at the Honors Cottage of the Grant Campus in Brentwood.
The event will consist of a noncompetitive 5 mile walk at the park in order to raise awareness and dollars to fight breast cancer. Pledges are dedicated to life-saving American Cancer Society research, education, patient support, and advocacy programs to defeat the disease that has affected millions worldwide. Last year the fundraiser was its largest ever and had the most participants in the country, raising a total of $2.9 million.
All college students are encouraged to represent their school and participate in the walk to help save lives. For more information on registering and the event, contact the Honors Cottage at 631-851-6833.
Mario Kart tournament being held at Grant
Get retro with the 64-bit styles that the Nintendo 64 has to offer. Relive those rainy nights at your parents living room with nothing illuminating yourself but the electric glow of the tube television screen. The tournament will be held in Captree 114 from 11.am-2p.m. Mario Kart 64 is a racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It is the second installment in the Mario Kart series. It was released in 1996 in Japan and in 1997 in North America and Europe. In January 2007, Mario Kart 64 was released on Nintendo’s Virtual Console service for the Wii.
Competitors are encouraged to join in this kart madness, if students have any questions please call the office of Campus Activities at 851-6702.
Eastern Campus Hosts Blood Drive to Make a Difference
By Valerie Polite
Here at Suffolk “you don’t have to have a medical degree to save a life, just a fair degree in humanity”. Every minute of every day, someone needs blood and you can make a difference. 
On Wednesday, May 2, you can be one of the many volunteer donors of Suffolk’s Riverhead campus and change someone’s life. Eastern campus Health Services will be sponsoring a blood drive in conjunction with Long Island Blood Services between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM and encourages all eligible students to give an hour of their time to save a life. The blood drive will be held in the Peconic building, room 100.
Any questions should be directed to the Health Services department at (631) 548-2510, or in person in room 115 of the Peconic Building.
“As You Like It” to be performed at the Shea Theatre
By Julianne Mosher
Shakespeare’s famed comedy, As You Like It, will be preformed at the Shea Theatre on the Ammerman Campus for 9 performances.
The play, directed by Steven Lantz-Gefroh, is a humorous creation about Rosalind and Orlando, two people who meet in a forest. Rosalind disguises as a boy and teaches her love how to win her heart yet he has no idea that it is really her. As You Like It is one of the most celebrated feminine creations that not only makes the audience laugh but acts out typical shrewd observations about human nature.
Show dates begin on April 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28 at 8 P.M. Two afternoon shows will premiere on Sunday April 22 and 29 at 2 P.M.
Suffolk students are eligible to receive one free ticket with current ID. General admission is $12 but discount rates are available to students, faculty, staff, SCCC alumni, children and senior citizens for $11.
Make sure you come to this exciting event and don’t miss out on a great performance of a Shakespearian classic! Any questions can be answered at the theatre box office at (631) 451-4163 or at http://www.sunysuffolk.edu/spotlight
College Hosts NYC Trip and Tickets for “Nice Work If You Can Get It”
By Valerie Polite
The spring 2012 semester is drawing to a close as students scramble to finish their last term papers and anticipate summer plans and festivities, but why wait until the last day of classes to take some time out of your hectic schedule to enjoy yourself.
On Thursday, April 26, the Campus Activities Board is hosting a school trip to the Imperial Theatre in New York City to see the new Broadway play, “Nice Work If You Can Get It”. The show starts at 8:00 PM and transportation is conveniently provided for all those interested in attending. The bus will leave the Grant Campus at precisely 4:00 PM but picture ID is required so please remember to bring your Student ID Card.
Tickets go on sale March 26 for students and April 7 for faculty and guests. Tickets for Full-time students are $42, Part-time students-$44, and Faculty/Staff- $46. Tickets are non-transferrable.
To buy tickets or if you have any other questions or concerns please contact the Campus Activities Office at (631)851-6702.
Calling All Poets…
By Julianne Mosher
Attention all writers, poets, and romantics! Are you looking for a way to read your poetry to an audience? Do you want to read your thoughts to a group of people? Well here is your chance! Evolution Magazine will be hosting the Evolution Poetry Reading on Thursday, March 29 at the Ammerman Campus in the Mildred Green Room, upstairs in the Babylon Student Center.
Here, aspiring writers can read their poetry to an audience of poetry lovers. Starting at 6 P.M. until 9 P.M., students can share either their original poetry or a long-time favorite to their fellow students. Like a trendy coffee-house, light refreshments will be served while the crowd listens to the person performing.
This will be a great opportunity for students to share haiku’s, free verse, and any other type of poetry he or she might enjoy. Don’t miss out!
For any questions on this exciting event, contact Campus Activities at (631) 451-4376.
Free Massages For Stressed Out Students
By Julianne Mosher
Midterms are approaching and students are beginning to feel overwhelmed, stressed-out, and overworked. Some may turn to yoga, sleeping, or eating a ton of ice cream to relax but there is another solution.
Campus Activities Board will be hosting Destress Express twice this month. Free 5 minute back massages will be given to students to relieve some of the stresses and pains of being a college student at the Ammerman campus in the Orient Point Room.
On March 8 and 21, students can come down between 10 A.M. and 1 P.M. to receive a 5 minute chair back massage and not have to pay a dime.
For any questions, students can call the Campus Activities office at (631) 451-4376
The Lighthouse News 