The Mother Load

Like any other student in Introduction to Computers, Eastern Michigan University’s Falon Johnson is expected to meet the requirements her instructor has set. However, this may not apply to Elijah Hansle, Johnson’s 17-month-old son, who waits patiently beside his mother as she finishes her exam. The rest of the class members’ attention is temporarily diverted from their exams to Elijah and his mother. The students slowly-mouth the words, “he is so cute,” as a look of affection is then shared from one classmate to another.

“My classmates and teacher were distracted because they were drawn to him. They thought he was so cute,” said Johnson. The 21-year old senior is among many students who are continuing their education and professional careers, all while fulfilling the responsibilities and duties that accompany motherhood.

According to Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support, a 2007 report released by the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately 13.7 million single parents in the United States today, and those parents are responsible for raising 21.8 million children (approximately 26 percent of children under 21 in the U.S. today).

“When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter Jordyn, I was 16-years old. During my pregnancy I heard it all,” “your going to be on welfare, your going to drop out of school, you’re never going to make any more then what minimum wage has to offer, and after hearing those words I just felt obligated to silence the people who doubted me,” says Shenoby Metcalf, who has now graduated from college with a degree in physical therapy.

“To some its motivation, if they weren’t serious about life before the baby, a child makes you want to succeed so that your child can have what you didn’t,” said Johnson.

For many of today’s single parents who happen to be enrolled as a full-time or part-time college students that want and need to succeed for them and for their children is often unattainable. Public universities such as EMU, where Johnson is a full-time student, often lack the resources to assist the attempts of students like her to complete their education at their expected graduation date.

“It’s tough for single moms, because, for instance, at Washtenaw Community College, their Women’s Resource Center is set up totally different, where they can get bus tokens and they can give more money for scholarships. Whereas we aren’t necessarily financially sound enough to do that, we don’t have that type of budget,” says Jessica Klein, the Women’s Resource Center Program Coordinator at EMU.

The Women’s Resource Center, which offers a variety of educational, fun, thought-provoking and social-justice minded programs, is one of the few programs accessible for students with children.

“What we really do well is provide resources for women, and if we don’t have them directly on campus there are places in the community that would have some of these resources,” said Klein.

In conjunction with the Women’s Resource Center, the EMU’s Children Institute offers high quality early childhood education programming to families of EMU students and surrounding communities. The Institute offers full- and half-day programs designed to meet the needs of students and working families.

“I do use the Children’s Institute in the summer, because it’s on campus and (my daughter) can do daycare there while I’m in school,” says EMU graduate student LaShay Dandridge. Dandridge, who obtained her undergraduate degree in April 2009, is now a 2nd year student within the graduate counseling program. Her daughter is now 6-years old.

“The Children’s Institute is a great resource, because it’s an on campus daycare, so for people who do not have a car or who can’t get off campus that’s a great resource. One of the biggest things (for students) is having daycare, you have to have some type of child care when you’re in school in order to get through it,” says Dandridge.

Dandridge’s experience shows that campus resources are available for students who are single parents and are aware of the resources. However, Johnson says her experience has not been as fortunate.

“Actually I wasn’t aware that Eastern offered those programs. I am currently enrolled as a normal student. No help from Eastern,” said Johnson.

Johnson believes that because she is a commuter student from outside the Ypsilanti area, she lacks the knowledge that residential students, such as Dandridge, already have regarding on-campus resources.

Research conducted by http://education.stateuniversity.com, says that commuter students encounter many challenges that residential students do not. Commuter students, particularly first-year students, often have a difficult time "fitting in" to the campus community. Commuters often find the task of meeting students challenging because their only point of contact with other students is in the classroom, a small part of the total college experience. Residential students live, eat, study, and socialize together in residence halls, thus having greater opportunities to make friends and to become socially integrated into the campus community.

Commuting is one of the factors which can slow the academic progress for students like Johnson.

“Statistics show that only 1.8 percent of the student populations who happen to be single-parents earn their Bachelors degree before the age of 30,” says Elise Buggs, the Director of the Keys to Degrees Program at EMU.

Although the program itself has yet to be considered an available resource to the student body, the Keys to Degrees Program is designed for academically qualified single men and women, ages 18 to 24, at the time of their enrollment, who are the parents of young children. The Program serves as an umbrella which coordinates specific services such as academic assistance, child care, and financial assistance for all students with children. Choosing from among EMU’s programs of study, these young parents enjoy the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree in an environment that supports their special needs and the needs of their children. Program benefits include campus housing and the full array of support services offered by the university.

“I was a single-parent myself so I understand the dynamics of being a full-time college student, while having other responsibilities outside of the classroom,” Buggs went on to say.

The success of Buggs Keys to Degrees Program is based on whether or not the program is able to reach all students, such as Dandridge and Johnson. If Johnson chooses to participate in the program she may no longer have to worry about bringing little Elijah to class. This change may not just avoid the awkward glances exchanged from her classmates. The program could expedite her attempt to graduate.

(VIDEO: Single Parent Basics (Single Parenting)

NewsTrust Essay

In today’s society, there is a common misconception that as long as the internet continues to flourish, as can be seen with the recent Wiki leaks controversy, the role and need for newspapers, as well as its journalists, will one day cease to exist. However, in utilizing websites such as NewsTrust.net, this notion may change for those who aren’t as open to the idea as others.
NewsTrust.net, which serves as a social networking site and an educational tool to train readers to recognize quality journalism, offers to help readers “Think Like A Journalist,” a formidable task as millions of news-related posts, blogs and sites are created each day. Nonetheless, the website has continued to serve as a textbook example for aspiring and current journalists who are actively reporting in the field.
The website raises several questions in initiating the thought process of a journalist which allows him or her to effectively perform his or her responsibilities. What is the difference between skepticism and pessimism? Does the public have a right to know the news that affects or afflicts them? When I see a “hole” in a story missing viewpoints or sources how can I fill it with facts using online resources? And lastly what are the rights in the Bill of Rights (http://newstrust.net/guides)?
The four D’s of thinking like a journalist exemplify the qualities of good journalism. They are: doubt, detect, discern and demand. (http://newstrust.net/guides). These qualities can be applied when conducting a review for any of the selected articles NewsTrust has to offer, as can be seen with one of my many previously reviewed articles. Doubt is a healthy skepticism that questions everything. Detect is defined as a “nose for news” and relentless pursuit of the truth. Discern is a priority for fairness, balance and objectivity in reporting, and demand is considered a focus on free access to information and freedom of speech (http://newstrust.net/guides).
For example the article entitled, “Justice Department says’ don’t ask, don’t tell ruling will harm troops,” discusses how the Justice Department requested a federal judge to set aside her decision stopping the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for gays and lesbians in the military until it can appeal the ruling, saying the decision would “irreparably” harm our military and the national security of the United States. In evaluating an article such as this, I would decipher whether the articles possessed all of the qualities required for a professional journalist. Was the article factual? Was it fair? Was it well-sourced? Did it show context? Was the story in-depth? Enterprising? Relevant? And well-written? All of these questions serve as a guideline for journalists to consider when writing a quality news story.
The next step is the reviews of the review sort of speak. By reviewing the news at NewsTrust, you’ll begin to think like a journalist. You’ll distinguish news from opinion, become familiar with journalism principles and ethics, as well as sharpen your critical judgment. In doing such, your comments will also be reviewed by members who are affiliated with the website. However, depending on the content of the article, the reviewers may or may not always agree with your point of view.
As tedious and redundant as the evaluation process may have been, my overall experience with Newstrust was very enlightening. The process works for aspiring journalists like me, who are skeptical about a diminishing profession such as journalism. Nonetheless, the website has continued to serve as a helpful resource for aspiring and current journalists who are learning to actively report.


http://www.newstrust.net/members/justin-curry

The Bargain Hunters Hunt

As the holiday season steadily approaches, all stores alike are making the final preparations for their anxiously awaiting shoppers. In a society were capitalism is not only commercialized, but accepted, Black Friday should come as no exception then that of any other sale throughout the year, or does it?
“I feel like the sales are just hyped up to be bigger than what they are, but there will be another one just like it at some point during the year,” says Eastern Michigan University Senior Mechelle Parham.
According to a report from ABC news, an estimated 140 million shoppers are expected to rush stores this holiday season. Retailers are said to be expecting 4 million more shoppers than last year, which accumulates to 138 million shoppers setting a new record for Black Friday. This seasons sales are projected to be 2.3 percent higher than that of last year; the strongest showing since 2006.
“Its usually extremely busy. The focus is servicing. Whatever they want, right when they want it,” says Lakeside Mall employee, Fernando Due.
Which brings us to the question of when are the so-called “Door-buster Sales” available for customers?
“They only apply that sale to items that were going on sale anyways. There will never be a door buster sale on a PS3 (Play station) or 4g I-pod. Just some aftermarket blue-ray player,” said Due. The 20-year old leverage associate who has worked with Guess over 1-year went on to say that the sales offered within most retail stores are on different on Black Friday, than that of any other sales on any other given day.
“I definitely just went out for the hype,” says Parham,
“There is a visceral excitement to going to stores on Black Friday; its almost like a sporting event,” said online Dan De Giandpre, editor in chief of online shopping and discount guide dealnews.com.
The website tries to bring customers the best deals available on the hottest items on the internet. It scores over 2,000 online retailers and tens of thousands of deals to deliver the best 100 plus deals each and every day, the kind of deals normally seen on Black Friday.
Retailers count on the excitement of Black Friday to ignite holiday shopping so the use big, attention-grabbing discounts to lure shoppers. The most notable deals are usually on big-ticket purchases like televisions, computers and other electronics, de Grandpre said.
Some retailers caution that with much less-inventory this year, they may no longer have everything you want closer to Christmas, and you may see fewer end-of season deals.
It’s safe to say that the glow from a record-setting Black Friday weekend has most industry watchers feeling pretty good. But retailers have been down this path before. Typically, shoppers retreat for the most part until the weekend before Christmas. That makes retailers nervous, especially this year because Christmas falls on a Saturday, leaving one less weekend to generate sales. Since the recession officially ended in June 2009, merchants have been trying to discern how shopping behavior has changed. One shift is clear: Deals drive traffic.

Are the 'Black Friday' Deals Worth It?

Black Friday Could Be Grey This Year

As many prepare for the chaos of which Black Friday entails, others will be unable to participate in this years post Thanksgiving tradition, due to the economic recession we are still currently facing. The following news clip will explain in depth as to why sales may not be as high for retail stores as many would like. Polls are also included to support this video clip.

poll by twiigs.com

Breaking Barriers

BREAKING BARRIERS
Conversations of A Classroom

For many students at Eastern Michigan University, African-American Literature serves as one less general education requirement to be completed. While for others, this course is taken out of a genuine interest, or curiosity, about life from a black perspective.
Whatever the students reasons maybe, one thing remains certain, Professor Heather Neff is the teacher they want to instruct the course.
“She embodies what a college professor should be,” says EMU Senior, Orlando Bailey.
The teacher, the novelist, and the poet are only a few of the titles Neff associates herself with since her arrival at EMU in 1993. The proud recipient of numerous teaching awards such as the Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, the university’s highest instructional honor.
“I truly believe that I was born to teach. I love interacting with students and sharing the material that has deeply influenced my life. I believe that everything I teach has the capacity to improve my students’ lives, as well,” says Neff.
The course itself introduces students to the study of African American literature, thought and cultural practices through an examination of the oral traditional, texts, music and visual arts of African Americans and other peoples of the African diaspora. Readings include oral narratives, fiction, poetry, drama, autobiography, political treatises and essays from 1619 to the present.
“My role is to serve as a literature teacher, a historian, a sociologist and, sometimes, a psychologist. I try very hard to read as much about American culture as possible and to pay contining attention to the news. African-American literature is a fascinating evolving and highly inspiring genre of American writing. I try to impart my deep pleasure in my field to my students,” says Neff.
“When I first took the class a year ago I was a little intimidated by her but in a good way. I saw how strong of a woman she was and how intelligent she was and that made me want to get to know her better. When I started going to her office hours, she made me feel like I could anything I wanted and got me involved with Honors College and the McNair program so that I could reach my full potential at EMU,” says junior, Courtney Williams.
Williams who is now a supplemental instructor for Neff’s course hosts two study sessions a week for current students taking the professors class.
“What most impresses me is that she is very tough in (her) lecture(s) because she knows that the only (way) to reach certain students is to break down all other preconceived notions that they have. She goes through the course giving students background information so that they understand the history behind the literature they are supposed to read,” Williams went on to say.
“ I now have a more deeper appreciation for African-American Literature as a genre now because of Neff’s couse, in retrospect her class really put things in perspective for me,” said Bailey.

Life With Social Media

LIFE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA


If college students of today are considered to be tomorrow’s leaders, then social media is the nucleus of future communication, as can be shown within the film, “The Social Network.”
The movie depicts the story of how the social networking website, Facebook, was created and developed, as it profiles the creator, Mark Zuckerberg during his days spent as a socially awkward computer prodigy at Harvard University. Much like the film, the site has drawn critical acclaim over the course of its release, thus, giving birth to a whole new regime in regards to social networking.
“Social networks have become part of the fabric in today’s society, where the majority of Gen X and Gen Y say check the Facebook before they get out of bed in the morning. With the amount of time spent on social networks, the logical follow is that companies, politicians and others will follow,” says Social Media Director, Tonja Deegan for Airfoil Public Relations.
According to two Pew Internet Project surveys of teens and adults reveal a decline in blogging among teens and young adults and a modest rise among 30 and older. In 2006, 28 percent of teens ages 12-17 and young adults ages 18-29 were bloggers, but by 2009 the numbers had dropped to 14 percent of teens and 15 percent of young adults. During the same period, the percentage of online adults over thirty who were bloggers rose from 7 percent blogging in 2006 to 11 percent in 2009.
“Social networking has allowed me to connect and meet people that I wouldn’t have in real life. It really becomes a global village and helps change your world view,” Deegan went on to say.
New survey results also show that among adults 18 and older, Facebook has taken over as the social network of choice, 73 percent of adult profile owners use Facebook, 48 percent have a profile on Myspace and 14 percent use LinkedIn.
Secretary of the NAACP organization, Porschia Harris, of Eastern Michigan University commented on the matter by saying that, “Facebook enables the people who want to attend an event that are organization is currently offering, a permanent place to view such information, a recent event was the “Battle of the Classes” basketball game. The event was held last Thursday in the REC/IM building on Eastern Michigan’s campus.
“Social media has altered the way we find, share and digest news and information. Social media is just a communications tool, and its use will be monitored and subject to criticism just as mobile phones and the amount of TV watched are debated,” said Deegan.

The Gateway to Membership

THE GATEWAY TO MEMBERSHIP

You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies, or so it would seem as depicted in the film, “The Social Network.” The movie conveys the tale of how Facebook was conceived and developed, as it chronicles the creator, Mark Zuckerberg during his days at Harvard, portraying him as a socially awkward computer prodigy. Through a recipe of 1 part idea-borrowing and 200 parts genius, he launches a service available only to his classmates. As the movie progresses, so does the site along with its members and its value, henceforth, creating a whole new regime in regards to social networking; opening doors online for millions.

Among these millions consists of thousands of student organizations who utilize Facebook to selectively share information with a targeted audience. The NAACP and Public Relations Student Society of America, or P.R.S.S.A of Eastern Michigan University is among those student orgs.

“Utilizing social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Skype is vital to the longevity and success of any student organization, not just ours in particular, and for those who choose not to utilize such websites, probably won’t be around for too long,” says EMU junior Deondra Powers.

There are over 275 student organizations registered at Eastern Michigan, with an estimated 23,503 students in attendance.

“Students will never know of the opportunities that campus organizations can give them if we don’t use the technology accessible to us,” says Brittany Maeir, the senior President of the PRSSA organization.

Hunting One Language, Stumbling Upon the Another

Writing Effective News Leads

The style of writing found in newspapers makes it easy for the viewer to read and understand leads but difficult for reporters to write them. Good leads contain interesting details and are so specific that readers can visualize the events they describe. A single word, a descriptive verb, can transform a routine lead into a dramatic one. Strong verbs capture the drama and emotion of a news event and help the reader understand the impact of the story.

If a story is important, reporters emphasize its magnitude in the lead. Leads that are considered exceptional emphasize the impact stories have on people. Leads also emphasize the unusual. News pertains to deviations from the social norm.

Reporters localize and update their leads whenever possible by emphasizing their communities' involvement in stories. Readers are most interested in stories affecting their own lives and the lives of people they are most familiar with. Reporters also try to localize stories from other parts of the world. However, in doing this, reporters are expected to be objective; while gathering and conveying information to their readers when they insert their opinions in stories.

Assignment #1 (Identifying a Feature Article)

The audio that I have attached within this post is an interview that I have conducted with the Eastern Michigan's Men and Women's Basketball sports announcer, Brian Nemerovski. This audio can be recognized as an explainatory feature story; because it touches on how a sports-broadcaster such as himself can stay enthusiastic for a collegiate team with a history of losing seasons.

Final Report

State Of The Union Address Review

Although it has been 4 days since President Obama delivered the annual State of the Union address, my feelings toward this matter are still as they were when he first presented the 71 minute speech; Ecstatic. Especially when you take the time to consider how much flack President Obama was receiving by not only the nation, but his fellow Democrats as well; on issues such as health care reform and various methods for improving the economy. Rest assured, he would silence all doubters as he touched on solutions such as the Recovery Act (stimulus bill for businesses), Exporting goods and my personal favorite, The "Debt Forgiveness" for student loans.
To make college more affordable, this bill will finally end the unwarranted taxpayer subsidies that go to banks for student loans. Instead, Presdient Obama plans to take that money and give families a $10,000 tax credit for four years of college and increase Pell Grants. But thats not even the best part, when students graduate from college will be required to pay only 10 percent of their income on student loans, and all their debt will be forgiven in 20 years. And forgiven after 10 years if they choose a career in public service.
If this comes to past then President Obama will keep millions of people out of debt, lets keep our fingers cross shall we.