It's Holiday Time in the Residence Halls!

Happy Holidays! The students and staff in Student Housing and Residence Life have been hard at work to ensure that everyone in our community is able to enjoy the holidays. The holiday season kicked off with a Thanksgiving meal hosted by the staff at the 13th Street Residence Hall on Thursday, November 25th. Since many of our students cannot be with their families or may have never celebrated Thanksgiving, the goal was to provide an opportunity for residential and international students to experience a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. In collaboration with Chartwells, the 13th Street Dining hall staff served dinner to 42 students, double the number in attendance last year. Between 12 and 15 off-campus International students attended the event, which was co-sponsored by International Student Services. Students came individually and in groups to dine together on Thanksgiving Day.

In addition to many holiday gatherings and celebrations within the residence halls, the students and staff at the William Street Residence Hall collaborated with the local organization, Women In Need (WIN), to sponsor a children's holiday party in their East Harlem Center. Women In Need is an organization that provides New York City’s homeless women and their families with safe, clean housing and support and skills to become self-reliant.

William Street residents connected with over 15 children at W.I.N participating in holiday cookie decorating and arts & crafts including making reindeer, angels and snowmen to celebrate the holidays. As part of the "Help the Homeless" initiative at William Street, residents chose W.I.N. as one of the receiving organizations of the efforts of the initiative and hope to continue to volunteer their time throughout the year to support and work with the women and children involved in this organization.

The William Street Community is Making a Difference

In the heart of the financial district, a New School community is reaching out to those in need. The residents of the William Street residence hall have set a goal to raise one dollar, one can of food and one volunteer hour per student resident in aid of the homeless. As part of this initiative, Residential Advisors Iskander Ahmed and Charlie Leibel held a black tie auction on November 21, 2010, to provide residents with the opportunity to volunteer at organizations that provide help to the homeless. A festive atmosphere and fun prizes - often with a practical component, such as lessons in photoshop use - encouraged students to commit to volunteering their time. The event raised $122 in cash contributions and a further 24 volunteer hours. This brought the community very close to its monetary target of raising $400, and as the program continues, the possibility that the community might even exceed its target has been raised.

In addition to rallying material aid, the ‘Help for the Homeless’ program has had the intangible, but perhaps even more enduring effect of increasing awareness amongst the William St community about the situation of some of New York’s most vulnerable residents. The New School is an institution which takes pride in its long tradition of thinking about and promoting social justice, and at William St, students have shown themselves to be worthy inheritors of that social justice tradition.

Submitted by Simone Gubler- Major in Philosophy at The New School for Social Research

Your Personal Brand

One of the newest terms used in the job search business is “personal brand.” If you could design your own personal brand…what would it be?

Employers are looking for high-quality talent who know how to “sell” themselves in a positive and productive manner. The winter break is a great time for you to start thinking about what your current leadership brand is? What skills have you developed in your past and current leadership positions? How can you market them now and in the future?

Not sure where to begin? There are many ways to create your personal brand. Here are a few tips:

• Know your passion. What makes you get out of bed every morning? What makes you smile in your school and work environment?
• Develop your goals and dreams. You have to know where you want to go even if you don’t know how you will get there yet. Dream Big!
• Be honest with yourself. Assess your strengths and areas for opportunities.
• Discover what is unique about you. Determine what you stand for and what makes you different.
• Be visible. Go above and beyond simply because you love what you are doing.
• Attitude is everything...make sure yours is a positive one.
• Ask others for feedback. Ask your peers, mentors, supervisors, family, friends, professors, etc.
• Get a wide range of feedback so you know what areas you need to focus on for personal and professional development.

Now that you have some ideas, create a 30-second introduction of who you are and what you’re all about. Think, “Me, in a Nutshell.”

If you only had a brief moment to make an impact on someone who could

have an impact on your future...

* What would you say?

* What impression would you want to leave?

* What story would you want to tell?

For more information on Personal Branding keep an eye on The New School Events Calendar for workshops and guests speakers who are presenting on the topic.

This information gathered from www.paper-clip.com.

October Program of the Month: Ask-A-Shrink

On Wednesday, October 6th, 13th Street RAs Zach Fried and Malia Okusi hosted their "Ask-a-Shrink" program in the 13th Street Lounge. In an effort to raise awareness around National Mental Illness Week, Dr. Jerry Finkelstein, Director of Counseling Services at The New School, came to the residence hall to answer questions and discuss issues pertaining to mental health, depression, and the college transition. More than a dozen residents had the opportunity to discuss these issues, as well as ask specific questions anonymously, with Dr. Finkelstein. Residents also learned about different methods of measuring depression and self evaluation methods, and everyone enjoyed the dark chocolate that was on hand to help stimulate serotonin levels.

Transferable skills.... Grads - listen up!

You probably have heard the term “transferable skills” many times throughout your college and/or professional career. But do you know what that term really means, and more importantly, what your own transferable skills are? Transferable skills are those skills you have honed in one experience that can be adapted to a different experience. Leadership experiences are full of opportunities for transferable skill development. And, in today’s job market, identifying your transferable skills can be very valuable.

As you prepare to apply for fall leadership positions, internships, summer jobs or your first "real" job...don't dismiss your transferable skills! So, how do you go about determining what your current transferable skills are? Consider these steps:

1. Dissect past experiences: Review past job descriptions and responsibilities. And, don’t forget any hobbies, service or involvement opportunities you have had.

2. Take notes: Identify and write down key skills that you gained from past experiences. Create an extensive list, don’t keep it small.

3. Identify desired positions/experiences: Whether you are looking for a job or seeking a new leadership position on campus, you need to determine what your ultimate goals are, and how and where you want to contribute your skills and time.

4. Change language: Once you have identified your skills and your desired “next step” you can create your list of transferable skills that successfully market you for the role you are seeking (i.e. fundraising experience = sales experience OR hall programming = event planning).

5. Visit your Career Services Office: You have a valuable resource on campus that can assist you in translating your transferable skills on to a resume, cover letter and an interview. In addition, many Career Services Offices can help you match your transferable skills with potential career options. Take advantage of these services!

When was the last time you reviewed and revised your resume? Reflect on your past experiences and see if you can come up with some new ways to showcase your transferable skills. And, while you are at it, keep these “basics” in mind…

• Avoid slang – don’t make potential employers guess what you are talking about.

• Consolidate your experiences - you aren’t writing a memoir, you are compiling a resume. Try to limit your resume to one to two pages with the highlights of your experiences.

• Go beyond the paid positions - include any volunteer experiences or hobbies that provided you with specific marketable skills.

• Second set of eyes - ask a mentor, supervisor or friend to review your resume for clarification, typos and to ensure you didn’t forget to include anything.

20th Street Coastal CleanUp

On September 19^th, Hall Council members at the 20^th Street Residence organized a Coastal Cleanup along the Hudson River. Coastal Cleanup is a grassroots program organized by the Ocean Conservancy and supported by hundreds of thousands of people in over 100 countries. Over the past twenty years, millions of pounds of garbage have been removed from beaches all over the world, and, thanks to the efforts of the 20^th Street Hall Council, RAs, and residents, Hudson River Park is now 260 pounds lighter!

Among countless other items, including toys, plastic bags and cups, and food wrappers, the Cleanup team also discovered furniture, a bicycle, and even a surge protector. By far the most common item found along the shore were small (less than 2-liter) plastic bottles – the volunteers found over 300 of these alone!

Our oceans are becoming increasingly polluted each year, and, while Cleanup efforts are invaluable to reversing the problem, they are unfortunately not enough. Prevention is key! Always make sure that your garbage ends up in a trash can (or, even better, a recycling bin!), and if you see your friends littering, encourage them to consider the immense environmental impact that one small action can make. We all love our city, so let’s do our part to keep its beaches clean!

For more information on Coastal Cleanup, or to get involved, contact the Ocean Conservancy at:

Ocean Conservancy 1300 19th Street, NW 8th Floor Washington, DC 200361300 19^th St., NW

Toll-free: 800-519-1541
Main: 202-429-5609

Or visit them online at:

www.oceanconservancy.org.

Written by:

Spike Schwab

Literature Studies

Eugene Lang College

Campus Sustainability Week... You should go!

Have you signed The New School Sustainability Pledge yet? Go ahead, the commitment is easy and you'll be just one of hundreds of other New School students who have done the same!

This year, The New School will be celebrating its first annual Campus Sustainability Week, with events running from October 25-29. These events aim to bring The New School community together in its common commitment to sustainability within the University and on a larger scale. The schedule of events is as follows:

Tuesday, October 26
ReNew School's Free Market
Time: 1:30-4 pm
Location: Wollman Hall, 65 West 11th St., 5th Fl.
ReNew School's community swap. Bring your gently used clothes, books and trinkets to exchange for new treasures.

Wednesday, October 27
New School Alumni Panel on Sustainability
Time: 5:30-7 pm
Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th St.
Graduates from Milano and Parsons discuss their work in sustainability.

Thursday, October 28, 2010
Green Fund 2010 Awardees Presentations
Time: 6-8:30 pm
Location: Kellen Auditorium, 66 5th Avenue
Recipients of Green Fund 2010 awards will present their projects.

Friday, October 29, 2010
Sustainability Town Hall Meeting
Time: 12-1 pm
Location: Kellen Auditorium, 66 5th Avenue
This brownbag lunch presentation will introduce the work of the Office for Sustainability and the Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Parsons Solar Decathlon 2010 Team Presentation
Time: 4-5 pm
Location: Kellen Auditorium, 66 5th Avenue
New School students present their entry in the Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon 2011 competition.

For more information, contact:

GWEN KILVERT THE NEW SCHOOL
Assistant Director for Sustainability & Energy Management Facilities
71 5th Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10003
kilvertg@newschool.edu

**Don’t forget that being green isn’t just a one-week event – it’s something that you can do every day of the year! Try following some of these tips to lower your impact and make your carbon footprint a little smaller:

Remember: less is more. Did you know that it’s possible to have more money, work less, and save the Earth by doing absolutely nothing? I know it sounds too good to be true, but cutting back on the amount of things that you are purchasing each month can make a major impact on your bank account and the environment. Think about all of that unnecessary packaging, and the pollution caused by producing and transporting goods – when you buy less (or buy used), these problems disappear, and the Earth is a cleaner place because of it.

This is an obvious one, but it seems like one can never be reminded too many times to TURN OFF THE LIGHTS when leaving a room empty. Unless you’re living in a haunted house, there are no invisible people hanging around your room, so when you leave, don’t forgot to turn the lights off.

Finally, be lazy. Do you hate doing your laundry every week? Me too. The solution: do it less often. Don’t make a trip to the laundry room unless you have a full load of laundry – running a regular wash cycle for just a few items is a waste of water and a waste of your money!

For more ideas on staying green, visit National Geographic’s “Green Guide” at http://www.thegreenguide.com/.

It's Green week... Commit!

Have you signed The New School Sustainability Pledge yet? Go ahead, the commitment is easy and you'll be just one of hundreds of other New School students who have done the same!

This year, The New School will be celebrating its first annual Campus Sustainability Week, with events running from October 25-29. These events aim to bring The New School community together in its common commitment to sustainability within the University and on a larger scale. The schedule of events is as follows:

Tuesday, October 26
ReNew School's Free Market
Time: 1:30-4 pm
Location: Wollman Hall, 65 West 11th St., 5th Fl.
ReNew School's community swap. Bring your gently used clothes, books and trinkets to exchange for new treasures.

Wednesday, October 27
New School Alumni Panel on Sustainability
Time: 5:30-7 pm
Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th St.
Graduates from Milano and Parsons discuss their work in sustainability.

Thursday, October 28, 2010
Green Fund 2010 Awardees Presentations
Time: 6-8:30 pm
Location: Kellen Auditorium, 66 5th Avenue
Recipients of Green Fund 2010 awards will present their projects.

Friday, October 29, 2010
Sustainability Town Hall Meeting
Time: 12-1 pm
Location: Kellen Auditorium, 66 5th Avenue
This brownbag lunch presentation will introduce the work of the Office for Sustainability and the Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Parsons Solar Decathlon 2010 Team Presentation
Time: 4-5 pm
Location: Kellen Auditorium, 66 5th Avenue
New School students present their entry in the Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon 2011 competition.

For more information, contact:

GWEN KILVERT THE NEW SCHOOL
Assistant Director for Sustainability & Energy Management Facilities
71 5th Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10003
kilvertg@newschool.edu

**Don’t forget that being green isn’t just a one-week event – it’s something that you can do every day of the year! Try following some of these tips to lower your impact and make your carbon footprint a little smaller:

Remember: less is more. Did you know that it’s possible to have more money, work less, and save the Earth by doing absolutely nothing? I know it sounds too good to be true, but cutting back on the amount of things that you are purchasing each month can make a major impact on your bank account and the environment. Think about all of that unnecessary packaging, and the pollution caused by producing and transporting goods – when you buy less (or buy used), these problems disappear, and the Earth is a cleaner place because of it.

This is an obvious one, but it seems like one can never be reminded too many times to TURN OFF THE LIGHTS when leaving a room empty. Unless you’re living in a haunted house, there are no invisible people hanging around your room, so when you leave, don’t forgot to turn the lights off.

Finally, be lazy. Do you hate doing your laundry every week? Me too. The solution: do it less often. Don’t make a trip to the laundry room unless you have a full load of laundry – running a regular wash cycle for just a few items is a waste of water and a waste of your money!

For more ideas on staying green, visit National Geographic’s “Green Guide” at http://www.thegreenguide.com/.

Day of Wellness THIS Sunday!

Looking for a way to release some of your

pent-up stress/energy/boredom? Come to the Day of Wellness! We will be holding free workshops all day featuring techniques to easily make you feel more relaxed and centered. Workshops include yoga, tai chi, art therapy, gyrokinesis, and meditation. There will also be henna tattoos, massages, running form assessments, make-your-own trail mix, and much more!

Wear something comfortable and easy to move in. Come early for warm-ups and stretching (so important!), and to sign up for free massages (first come, first served). Healthy snacks and drinks will be provided.

Write this down and get excited!:

Day of Wellness

October 24th

55 w13th St, 2nd floor

12pm-5pm

Co-sponsored by the New You Peer Health Advocates, Health Education, and the Office of Recreation & Intramural Sports

DON'T FORGET!

A guided group meditation is health on during Fall, 2010 on Wednesdays from 5-6 pm in the Loeb basement lounge. All New School students are welcome to drop in. The meditation may include breath 7 body awareness, relaxation techniques and/or metta (loving kindness) practices, and includes time for reflection. The group is appropriate for absolute beginners as well as more advanced practitioners.

Safe Zone at The New School

The New School is beginning a new Safe Zone program!

The Safe Zone program seeks to increase the visible presence of student, staff and faculty allies who help create a university culture that is accepting of all people including their sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other difference. To accomplish this culture of safety and acceptance, training is offered to members of The New School community on how to create these spaces that are highly visible and easily identifiable to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) persons.

Safe Zone training begins soon- this Friday, October 15th. Those who undergo the training will proudly display the Safe Zone logo outside their room or office. SAFE ZONE training is designed to raise awareness and greater understanding of students, faculty, and staff who identify as LGBTQI. People displaying the SAFE ZONE sign have taken the SAFE ZONE workshop and have pledged to be positive, supportive and LGBTQI-affirming.

If you are interested in taking the Safe Zone workshop and showing your support as LGBTQI or as a Gay-Ally … then you're a good person! and the opportunity will be available to you. Contact safezone@newschool.edu or keep your eyes peeled for information as we make it available to you on The New School Website or on your floor's info boards.

And the Winner is.....

Each Residence Hall at The New School has its own Hall Council. Hall Council is a programming body and a place to advocate for making changes in your building, in Residential Life across all of the buildings, and throughout campus. Hall Council is comprised of four elected officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Additionally, each floor (or in some cases every other floor) has a Floor Rep. And, every resident in the building is invited to attend weekly or bi-weekly meetings. Anyone can present an idea for a program or advocate for change. Everyone in the building can vote and influence the decisions made by Hall Council. For information on when and where these meetings are, look for fliers, bulletin boards, or speak to your Resident Advisor. We’re always looking for more people interested in getting involved and making an impact on their community.

Many of you recently voted in Hall Council elections. I’m sure information was posted in your building. Please join me in congratulating the newly elected executive board members:

13th Street

President – Safiye Senturk

Vice President – Jacob Hernandez

Treasurer – Joe Hirsch

Secretary – Nicki Lardieri

20^th Street
President – Alison Schuettinger
Vice President – Kristin Molloy
Treasurer – Joel Arken
Secretary – Taranjit Cheema

Loeb Hall

President – Carmen Ortiz

Vice President – Stephanie Hong

Treasurer – Scott Percelay

Secretary – Lana Nguyen

Stuyvesant Park

President – Krista Sison

Vice President – Jassiel McBride

Treasurer – Boyun Yang

Secretary – Vanessa Rivera

William Street
President – Sunny Bertsch
Vice President – Casey Corrigan
Treasurer – Karyn Hsu
Secretary – Nellie Gillus

Thanks to all of you who voted and we hope to see you getting involved with us!

Are you registered?

With Election Day approaching on November 2, 2010, The New School is participating in a non-partisan effort to engage students, faculty and staff in voter registration, education, and participation. In order to vote you must be a U.S. citizen and 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you apply and meet the specific residency requirements before an election. If you are not yet registered to vote, please consider the information below to learn how you can get involved in the electoral process this year.

· In order to vote in New York State, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you apply, and live at your present address at least 30 days before an election.

· You must complete a voter registration application that can be hand-delivered or mailed to the Board of Elections.

· Hand-delivered voter registration forms must be received by the Board of Elections no later than October 13, 2010.

· Mailed voter registration forms must be postmarked by October 8, 2010 and received by the Board of Elections no later than October 13, 2010.

Midterm elections often do not have the same excitement as Presidential elections but the implications and importance are just as great. The 2010 elections will shape the next two years of the Obama presidency and will also set the tone for the next two years in Washington! As you know, every vote counts so please do your part and register in your hall now!

Beginning the week of September 20, voter registration efforts will be underway in the residence halls for all resident students. If you are registered to vote back home and wish to do so by absentee ballot, that is great! If you wish to vote here in New York, voter registration forms will be available in all residence hall offices. Stop by your hall office starting on Monday 9/20 to pick-up your voter registration form! If you have any questions, just ask a residence life staff member.

Let the Games Begin!

Join us at the 2^nd annual New School Olympics on Sunday, September 26 at Chelsea Piers! The events will run from 1:30-5:30p.m., and will include 3-on-3 Basketball, Wacky Relay, Volleyball, Rock Climbing, Dodgeball, and much, much more!

If you live in one of The New School residence halls, contact your RA for more info and to sign up.

If you live off-campus,

you can join our Commuter Team by contacting the Office of Intramural and Recreational Sports at Recreation@newschool.edu.

You can also check out our event page on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=109845889071940

Two Monologues Don't Make a Dialogue

Halfway through September, one begins to notice the subtle changes at the onset of a new season: the slight chill in the air, the disappearance of shorts and summer dresses, the green of the leaves slowly fading into hues of red, gold, and brown. Or maybe, like most students balancing work, school, and a million other things, the only thing you’ve noticed is that suddenly, there’s no time to stop and notice much of anything. For all of the wonderful things which fall brings along with it, so does it usher in the renewed stress of beginning yet another year of work and classes; however, the coming of a new year shouldn’t also mean the coming of a nervous breakdown. Focusing on a few key factors can help make your semester as smooth and productive as possible:

Stay connected – keeping in touch with your parents back home not only means that you’ll have an extra support system behind you, but it can also help you adjust to living in a new city.

Stay informed – building relationships with professors keeps you ahead of the curve on class discussions, exams, and future assignments.

Stay away from conflict – creating a safe, relaxing environment at home will help reduce stress and increase productivity.

Communicating with Parents: Ok, so you’ve left the nest, and now you’re living it up in the big city. But no matter how grown up you may feel stomping the pavement of Manhattan, in Mom’s eyes you’re always going to be that little kid on the first day of school, and Dad still wants to know that you’re tucked in safe every night before he goes to sleep. While the life your parents imagine for you may not match the one your living, keep in mind that although being independent means not calling Mom and Dad every time a problem arises, it doesn’t mean that you should stop calling them altogether. Check in to say hi, to talk about your classes or what you did this afternoon; it may not sound all that exciting to you, but your parents will be glad to hear from you and relieved to know your surviving the “mean” streets of New York. Plus, when you make that inevitable phone call asking for money, your parents will be happy to know that’s not the only thing you call them for.

Communicating with Professors: Don’t be afraid to talk to your professors! Meeting with professors shows them that you take your work seriously, not to mention the fact that building a professional relationship with your professor can help you to become more comfortable in class, and ultimately get more out of it. Try talking to your professor before or after class – just because class has ended doesn’t mean the conversation has to. Chat with your professor during office hours (that’s what they are there for!) or schedule a time to meet if the issue you want to discuss is more urgent. If your professor doesn’t have an office on campus, try meeting in a common space (i.e. Lang Café, an empty classroom, or even a local coffee shop).

Remember to be polite, professional, and punctual. Your professors are available to help you, and generally very happy to do so, but you must remember that they are taking time out of their schedules to meet with you. Always show them the same courtesy by arriving on-time to your appointments and coming prepared with specific questions, concerns, etc.

For more info, contact your school’s advising office – there, you can get all of your academic questions answered, as well as receive more information on how to contact faculty members. (Contact info for all schools available at www.NewSchool.edu).

Roommates: Alright, so you called your mom, met with your professors, and now you’re ready to go home and relax. But what happens when rowdy roommates turn your haven into what seems like a living hell? Roommate conflicts, while not uncommon, can be rather tricky to deal with. If roommate issues should arise, remember these tips in order to avoid further agitation and to achieve a quick resolution.

First, talk to your roommate. Before taking the problem to anyone else, confront your roommate directly – if you’ve never brought it to his/her attention, there’s a good chance your roommate has no idea that a problem even exists. Remember to be polite and to approach your roommate as if you are initiating a conversation, not instigating an argument. Explain what’s been bothering you (be as specific as possible), and try to work out a solution. If this approach doesn’t work, or if your roommate acquiesces only to slip back into old habits a week later, contact your RA for possible mediation; sometimes just having an outside, objective voice can help you and your roommate to see things more clearly and to arrive at a solution that satisfies both of you. Keep in mind that the most important thing to remember when dealing with roommates is compromise – if you are not willing to bend a little, it isn’t fair to expect your roommate to, either.

For additional information, you may contact the following offices:

Student Housing and Residence Life

79 Fifth Ave, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10003
212.229.5459

Student Rights and Responsibilities:

Gene Puno-De Leon, Director
79 Fifth Avenue, 5th floor
New York, NY 10003
212.229.5349 x3653
punog@newschool.edu

Ombuds
212.229.8996
DavenpoK@newschool.edu

Or check out last month’s post on roommate conflicts here at AtHome@TheNewSchool.

Written by: Spike Schwab

I love my Roomie BUT....

So your roommate's a bit messier than you.... and maybe he or she is up all night making noise while you're trying to sleep. Welcome to college and living the dorm life! It's typical that some conflict will occur during the year and guess what? It's normal and to be expected. Coming from different backgrounds and being put in a situation where you've got to compromise isn't always easy, but it doesn't have to be hard either! Not to worry, thousands of college students move in every year with the same thoughts and make it through just fine. Before you get upset and decide it's time to move out, think about these things and see how they might work for you.

You shouldn't have to fight for your rights.... Every Resident has the right to:

• Read, study, and sleep in their room with as little intereference as possible. Unreasonable noise inhibit the excercise of this right.


• Enter the room whenever she/he would like
  
• Be free of physical or emotional harassment, intimidation and harm


• Speak openly


• Be treated with respect

Communication is key!
If you're not talking about problems, how will anyone ever know they exist? The first step to working out and solving your problems with roommates is good, healthy communication. Try this:

Step # 1: Speak to your roommate(s) directly and state your issues neautrally. Using "I statements" such as, "I feel like....," or "It is difficult for me when" are helpful in ensuring that others don't feel that thet they must defend themseleves or their actions. Be prepared to listen to their feelings as well and remain objective and open-minded. Remember, this is likely just as difficult for them as it is for you.

Step #2: Revisit each problem and offer and encourage resolutions. Be prepared to hear all possible ideas and understand that each party must play a role in compromising on some level. .

Step #3: Each roommate should list two or three ways in which they can give and take on each point raised. One good way to do this is to ask the question, "What will I do to make this situation a better one." having each person answer this same question and write down their answers is helpful in making sure that everyone is involved in making changes.

Step #4: Write out and sign a "contract" for how you will resolve the concern in a simple format. Talk to your RA and have them take a look and help in getting everything on paper.

Step #5: Agree on a date when you will set aside time to discuss how things are going in relation to the item(s) of concern. Again, have your RA help you with this.... it's great to have a third party invovled to help eeryone stay on track on think from a new perspective.

So maybe this isn't foolproof.... but it's a great start! You have a lot of support in your residence hall so don't be afraid to ask! Need more ideas? Try this website for more helpful hints Suite101.com and when all you want is for your roommate to be "just like you" read this short article from The New york Times.

Oh- and you don't have to go it alone, talk to your RA or another staff member in your building to help you work it out!

Get Ready for Hall Council

Welcome Students!!

As the summer is coming to an end, and the school year is quickly approaching, the Housing and Residence Life staff would like to welcome you to one of our Residence Halls. We are eagerly awaiting your arrival and can't wait to kick off the year with a bang!

We know this is an exciting time for you, and are thrilled that you are either joining our community for the first time or returning for another year with us in Student Housing. There are many great ways to get involved in your community, meet new people, and learn about your new home. If this sounds like something you’re looking to do, consider joining Hall Council!

Like planning parties? Want to get involved with the community? Interested in gaining leadership experience? If you answered yes to any of these questions (and even if you didn't), you should check out your residence hall's Hall Council. HC is a student-led organization that is run by students, for students. It is an excellent way to get involved and build community, as well as have your voice be heard. With positions such as President, Secretary, and Floor Liaison (to name a few), there is something for everyone!

For more information, see the attached flyer and don't forget to ask Housing staff for more information upon your arrival.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Summer Isn't Over!

Summer isn't over yet and while the recent heat wave may have left some of us a little frazzled (not to mention exhausted and extremely sweaty), summer provides us the perfect opportunity to get out of the apartment and into the open air. Take advantage of the warm weather while you can - before you know it, winter will be in full swing, and as you gaze out of your window at the snow piling up on the empty streets, you'll start to miss that summer sun.

So, where do you begin? The park, of course! New York City has some of the best urban parks in the country, and they're a great place, weather permitting, to enjoy those long summer days and precious cool nights.

• Looking to lay out with shirt off and shades on? Try Central Park’s famous Great Lawn (running mid-park from 79th to 85th st). At over 55 acres, the Lawn is the ideal place to settle in for a picnic or just lie back and soak up the sun. Can't find a spot? Head down to the Sheep Meadow (West side, 66th to 69th st), or up to the North Meadow (mid-park at 97th st).
  
  
• Searching for a place to soak up the sounds of NYC? Hit up Washington Square Park in the West Villlage. With construction in its second phase, the fountain and famous arch are open to the public (5th ave, past w 8th st), and constantly surrounded with students, musicians, and performance artists of all sorts.
  
  
• On a quest for someplace quiet? Pay a visit to the Conservatory Garden, a meticulously manicured pocket of Central Park (entrance at 5th ave and 95th st) that features traditional English, Italian, and French gardens. So what's the appeal? First of all, this hidden gem is not as well known as other areas of the Park, so you can count on fewer people, less noise, and a much higher probability of finding an open bench. Second, the Conservatory Garden is one of NYC's precious few quiet zones - no screaming children, no suits shouting on their cell phones - creating a true haven to get away from the city noise. Open from dawn till dusk, the Garden is an ideal spot to spend the long summer days, and, as a lesser-known point of interest, a perfect way to evade NYC's heavy tourist congestion.
  
  
• Yearning for a younger crowd? No park is more trendy or unique than Chelsea’s High Line Park. The park is located 30 feet above the ground on an out-of-use elevated rail track. Built in the early 1930s as a means of transporting heavy freight across the city, service on the rail was suspended in 1980; thirty years later, the track has been reinvented as a modern, urban oasis. Stage one of the park’s development (which runs from Gansevoort street to 20^th street) is now open to the public everyday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with entrances at Gansevoort, 14^th, 16^th, 18^th, and 20^th.
  
  

The best thing about New York’s parks (aside from being beautiful and completely free) is that they are extremely plentiful – the list above does not even crack the surface of all that New York has to offer. So go explore, and find your own personal haven. Just don’t forget the two cardinal rules of parks in the summer: stay hydrated, and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Written By: Spike Schwab

Experience Pays Off

Although the idea of spending your summer sitting in the sun, reading anything that isn’t a textbook and just relaxing sounds good…consider fitting in a little career development during the break too.

Think outside the box about the value in a summer internship or job. Make the experience more than just money in the pocket for fast food and next fall’s tuition.

• Learn more about yourself – what do you like and what do you dislike – what are your strengths and what do you need to improve upon?

• Take in each new work environment and how it does or doesn’t fit your

personality and preferences.

• Reflect on the various roles you have in your job and what roles you

most enjoy.

• Network, network, network!

• Remember you have the choice to leave a good impression or a bad impression by every action and inaction you make.

• Ask for feedback. Many of those you are working with have been professionals for years. They can tell you what is valuable in today’s market place.

• Watch others at work. What do you think makes them successful or inefficient?

• Make note of all the skills you gain in your summer job experience. Be

sure to communicate them as transferrable skills on your resume.

As published by PaperClip Communications

Stuy Park hosts the 2nd Annual Recycle Runway

Congratulations to our April Program of the Month, “Recycled Runway!” The event was sponsored by Stuyvesant Park RA Hannah Olpp and Loeb RA Eloise Lennen-Rodriguez, who collaborated with the Stuyvesant Square Community Alliance. The girls worked hard at gathering an entirely student-organized team: from models and designers to photographers,

all participants were members of The New School community, eager to showcase their sustainable art!

Just in time to celebrate Earth Day, Hannah discussed the importance of being environmentally conscientious throughout all aspects of one’s life. “Hopefully through this show we can educate people a little bit about being green, even through their clothing,” she said.

The runway show participants prepped for the big event over at Stuyvesant Park Residence, and then headed out into the park where they strutted their stuff along a fully sustainable Astroturf runway, crafted from recycled bottles.

Surefire Ways to Stay Stressed!

Yep, you read that right. For most students, this time of year can feel like a mixture of excitement, anticipation, anxiety, depression and panic, to name just a few. Combined these feelings can lead to a little stress.

You have more than likely heard of all the ways to combat and manage stress. So, let’s take a different approach today. Want to stay stressed? Just do this:

• Eat anything you want, at any time of day.
• Never, under any circumstances, exercise.
• Pull all-nighters on a regular basis.
• Personalize all criticism and constructive feedback received.
• Avoid all of these strange “new age” relaxation strategies.
• Break off friendships as soon as something doesn’t go your way.
• Study, study, and study some more…there is no time for fun.
• Make more promises than you can keep.
• Forget your sense of humor.
• Never ask for help.
• Become a workaholic.
• Procrastinate.
• Worry about things you can’t control.
• Go to bed really late.
• Forget the “good” and remember only the “bad”.
• Compare yourself to others.
• Avoid fresh air.
• Never take a break.

One Minute Stress Buster
Everyone feels a little stress at times. Consider having this exercise
in your "back pocket" when you need to relax and refocus.
• Find a quiet spot.
• Remain standing.
• Close your eyes.
• Take 10 deep breaths.
• Breathe in through your nose to a count of 10, and then out through your mouth to a count of eight.
• Listen to yourself breathe in, and breathe out.
• Try to visualize the color white.
• Take 10 more deep inhalations and exhalations, again listening to your
own breathing.
• Roll your head all the way around very slowly, first to the right three times, then to the left three times.

• Take three more deep breaths, and then slowly open your eyes.

_____

From PaperClip Communications (www.paper-clip.com)

Sisters on the Runway at Loeb Hall

Loeb Hall RA, Liz Irwin is making a giant impact in our community! Through her involvement in Sisters on the Runway student organization, Liz has created opportunities for the Loeb residents to participate in community service, fashion, art, gender studies, media/public relations, event planning or whatever interests them, Sisters On The Runway offers the opportunity to put their skills towards a great cause.

1 in 4 women are affected by domestic violence. This frightening statistic inspired the creation of “Sisters on the Runway”. “Sisters on the Runway” was founded in 2005 by three Montclair High School students Elizabeth Eddy (Parsons), Gabriela Graham (Barnard College), and Juliana Colangelo (Barnard College). The three envisioned an organization that promoted student involvement in community service while spreading awareness and raising funds for a domestic violence shelter. Domestic violence is a problem that affects all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic levels yet it is often ignored in society. “Sisters on the Runway” has founds a home in many schools on the east coast including Penn State, Umass, and New School University. Sisters on the Runway has since raised over $50,000 for domestic violence shelters.

This years event: Parsons New School for Design, New York City, New York; October 22, 2010- Elizabeth Eddy, Parsons Junior, along with the organization she cofounded “Sisters on the Runway”, held a benefit fashion show fundraiser for Safe Horizon. Safe Horizon is a New York City based Domestic violence shelter (www.safehorizon.org). The event showcased 10 Parsons designers as well as New York City based designers and alumni, such as Vena Cava. The event sold out within ten minutes of the doors opening. A silent auction and raffle raised a large amount of funds with sponsors such as Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Ruinart, Yumi Kim, NBC Universal, and more. The event also included a guest speaker Sil Lai Abrams, a relationship expert for men’s fitness and anti-domestic violence activist. Food and drinks were also served. The total funds raised was just under $7,000.

Sisters on the Runway was recently featured on Fox 5 “Good Morning Street Talk” for domestic violence awareness month. http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/about_us/street_talk/street-talk-oct-23-2010

Celebrating Earth Day at 20th Street

Since the beginning of the year, the 20th Street Hall Council has been eager to promote “green living” in the residence halls. This past semester, they worked together with 4^th Floor RA Krissy Koelle, who has been studying sustainability in her thesis class at Parsons, and orchestrated a “Green Theme” month, which happened to coincide perfectly with Earth Month. Although the month is only halfway through, we have been off to a tremendous start!

To begin the program, Hall Council held a water tasting challenge in the lobby of 20^th Street to inform students about the benefits of using tap water and to remind them that New York City has some of the best tap water in the world. We offered students two glasses of water, one with tap water and one with bottled water, to see which one they preferred. On a whole, students preferred tap water to bottled water. Hall Council member Ali Schuettinger spoke to other New School organizations and got them to donate canteens so that we could offer free canteens to everyone who participated in the program. We only anticipated having 15-20 students attend so we only planned on getting 16 canteens but at the last minute we got the donation doubled and ended up with 32 canteens and we gave all of them away!!! We followed that up with a small excursion to Chelsea Market with Hall Council President Joel Arken and RA Krissy.

This past week, we not only created a garden, but also held an event on our patio to encourage students to eat healthier and buy locally by offering them fresh, homemade juice. Elena, from ReNew School, brought her juicer and we bought produce and offered residents free juice and a handout about green-living in the residence halls. Elena stressed the importance of shopping from local farmers and we made sure to save the pulp and fruit remnants for next week’s program on composting. We had about 25-30 students come and it a great opportunity to promote healthy living, and it also gave students a great chance to mingle and chat.

That same day, Hall Council member Alec Opperman and a group of residents from 20^th Street went to Home Depot to purchase the supplies to start a garden. We purchased several different herbs, including basil, thyme, cilantro and parsley, and a raspberry bush. Already several different students have taken the initiative to help set up the planters and water the plants. Though the garden is starting small, we are hoping to watch it grow exponentially in the coming years!

We have a great deal to look forward to this month – next week Ali and Joel are leading a program about the importance of composting and then Ali is leading an excursion to the ever-popular Union Square Farmers Market. We are going to conclude the Green Month by starting a push for our clothing and food donation. We have already been amazed by the excellent turn out, especially from a smaller residence hall, and we look forward to the rest of our activities.

Rules to Lead By

From classrooms to homes, business offices to the nation’s capital, lack of civility seems to be of constant discussion and debate.

What is “right”? What is “appropriate”? What is “fair and just”? These are questions that student leaders face every day in meetings, discussions, conflicts and relationships.

George Washington, at the young age of 16, compiled a list of 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. Although maybe a bit outdated in language, the foundation of each of the “rules” is relevant today and could be considered and applied by student leaders in their own work on campus.

What exactly do George Washington’s Rules advise today’s student leaders to do and be? Here are just 12 to ponder:

Rule 1: Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.

Rule 6: Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.

Rule 22: Show not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.

Rule 24: Do not laugh too loud or too much at any Public Spectacle.

Rule 44: When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well blame not him that did it.

Rule 50: Be not hasty to believe flying Reports to the Disparagement of any.

Rule 56: Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'is better to be alone than in bad Company.

Rule 73: Think before you Speak pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your Words too hastily but orderly & distinctly.

Rule 76: While you are talking, Point not with your Finger at him of Whom you Discourse nor Approach too near him to whom you talk especially to his face.

Rule 83: When you deliver a matter do it without Passion & with Discretion, however mean the Person be you do it too.

Rule 89: Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust.

Rule 110: Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of

celestial fire called conscience.

Adapted by PaperClip Communications from: Foundations Magazine,

http://www.foundationsmag.com/civility.html

portName=73EE223B09514487A3D7147CC77DB7AC---2010-03-23-2-32-37-PM.xml&Em

ailURL=http://www.foundationsmag.com/civility.html>

Hip Hop Rules as February Program of the Month

February was Black History Month, and 13th Street RAs Grace Sanford, Mark Josephson, Avalon McKenzie and Malia Okuzi wanted to teach history in a very active way. In collaboration with The New School Hip Hop Club, the team set out to celebrate hip hop and the culture it was born from. Hip hop began in the late 1970's right here in NYC so the RA team recognized the importance of connecting our experiences while celebrating it during Black History Month!

In addition to the celebration, Grace shared that many students had a desire to learn, but they may not always have the extra time or cash to take a class uptown. In an attempt to remind students of all of the services we have right here on our campus, it only made sense to connect with the Hop Hop club to get things started. With the club's support, RAs and residents gathered in the Loeb hall lounge.

After introductions, they jumped right into a quick hip hop combination
utilizing techniques of popping and locking, and waving. It was a great workout and
a lot of fun. To conclude the program, a representative of The New School Hip Hop Club was on-hand to discuss how great of an impact a weekly hip hop class could have on our lives as students and New Yorkers.

Yawwwn...Feeling Sleepy?

Did you know that college students are among the most sleep-deprived people in our country. And, it would not be surprising if student leaders were at the top of the list of those students who need more sleep, given their crazy schedules and growing "to do" lists. But don't fret...there are some things you can do today to work on getting more and better sleep.

• Get on a schedule. Falling asleep (and staying asleep) can sometimes be difficult, particularly in a residence hall setting. It is helpful to get to bed around the same time each night so your body gets used to a regular sleeping schedule. Added benefit...research shows that 7-8 solid hours of sleep a night can help with weight loss too!

• Don’t make your bed a key study space. It comes highly recommended that activities like studying, reading, and any other type of work or stress-related activity NOT be done while in bed. This presents a problem for students who have only their beds and desk chairs in which to sit and complete their schoolwork. Try studying in common areas or the library instead of your room, so your bed remains a place to get a quality night’s sleep.

• Realize that a nightcap won’t help the situation. A common misconception among students and non-students alike is that alcohol will help you sleep. Though drinking before bed may help some people fall asleep, it does not guarantee a quality night of sleep. Often, it causes the drinker to wake up several times during the night, which can be just as detrimental as only getting a few hours in the first place.

• No clock watching allowed! Consider turning your clock around after you set your alarm, or putting it in a bedside drawer where you can hear your alarm in the morning but not see the time at night.

• Establish a relaxing routine. Like taking a bath or listening to music... do it about a half hour before bed.

• Consider using “white noise” to help you fall asleep (like a fan).

• Try to make your bed as comfortable as possible. Use pillows, blankets, warm colors, etc.

• Finish eating about two hours before bed.

• Avoid exercise right before bed – a workout in late afternoon is ideal, because it gives your body adequate time to cool down (and a dropping body temperature is what the brain associates with sleep).

• Keep a pad of paper by your bed – are you a thinker at bedtime? Keep a pad of paper near your bed for those "middle of the night" thoughts that you are afraid of forgetting. Quickly jot down what you need to remember in the morning and then go back to sleep!

Now, hit the sack and treat your body right!

From PaperClip Communications

Sources: The Centers for Disease Control; www.sleepfoundation.org

portName=A8B8A95328CD4A3BB5B6F7E6D4790472---2010-03-09-2-48-59-PM.xml&Em

ailURL=http://www.sleepfoundation.org> ; www.sleep-deprivation.com