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

Why it's Better to Live On!

Click image for larger view

National statistics show that students who live on campus do better academically than those who do not.

And did you know that students living on campus…Are more likely to return to college the following year

· Are more likely to persist at college until they graduate

· Have a higher degree of satisfaction with their college experience

· Participate in more extracurricular activities on campus

· Have more interpersonal, informal interaction with faculty and peers

IT'S TRUE ! When you live on Campus:

• You have art studios and TV and study lounges downstairs
• You have a choice of five Special Interest Communities
• You have a security officer at your door 24/7 for safety
• You have laundry facilities right downstairs
• You have a better sense of connection to your community
• You have one convenient bill for everything
• You have staff available 24/7 to support you
• You get a new roommate if yours moves out
• You have an easier time making friends
• You are close to your classes
• You have leadership opportunities right in your hall
• You have free high-speed internet and cable
• You have free events and program in your hall…most of which provide free food!

Consider how all of these positively impact your experience and what it would be like if you didn't have these things!

So... go to MyNewSchool and apply for Housing Today!

Applications are Due April 1st.