KAYLA HASTRUP
Editor-in-Chief

FDU’s Green Day, in mid-April, is not the only time the College at Florham is thinking about sustainability through recycling. RecycleMania, a benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs, started Jan. 17 and will continue through March 27.
The year 2010 will mark FDU’s fourth year being involved in RecycleMania, which has been running since 2001, according to Joel Harmon, professor of management and executive director of Silberman College’s Institute for Sustainable Enterprise. Harmon has been helping to fund and coordinate RecycleMania since day one.
“It began with FDU’s Institute for Sustainable Enterprise (ISE), and one of its associated faculty, Christine Farias, helping to launch the Green Club, with Christine as its first faculty advisor,” Harmon said. The Green Club, he said, has been the catalyst for the first participation in RecycleMania.
Amber Charlebois, a chemistry professor, has been the lead RecycleMania coordinator since 2009.
“Ultimately, we hope that the RecycleMania experience on campus will increase the awareness of what can be recycled and to have everyone on campus just stop and think when you are about to throw something away, ‘Can this be recycled?’” said Charlebois.
It is easy for students, faculty or staff to participate in RecyleMania, they simply need to recycle. The friendly competition happens over a 10-week period where schools report recycling and trash data, which are then ranked according to who collects the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, or have the highest recycling rate.
With each week’s reports and rankings, the schools watch how their results fluctuate against other schools and use this to rally their campus communities to reduce and recycle more.
According to Charlebois, in 2001, there were only two schools competing. This year, there are over 600 schools participating, including 12 from New Jersey.
There are three different ways to win the RecycleMania competition. Overall, FDU competes against other colleges for an overall highest number of pounds of recyclables per person.
Within the College at Florham residence halls, the dorm with the highest value of pound of recyclables per person while at the same time having the lowest value of pounds of garbage per person will be awarded a pizza party. Additional prizes, she added, will be awarded to students and staff on campus that are “caught green handed,” or going above and beyond typical recycling efforts.
Last year, there was a rumor that the company that removes the trash and the recyclables from the campus were putting everything into the same trash container. This rumor, Charlebois said, was partially true. This year, however, FDU changed contracts with the waste removal company to include a more complete separation of the trash and recyclables.
Other efforts FDU has made include the purchasing of hundreds of new recycling bins, which have been placed all around the College at Florham campus. If students or faculty see a place that still needs a bin, they can call Facilities to request bins.
Another effort that senior Brianna Logan has successfully championed is the donations of aluminum cans that are recycled by the Florham Park Fire Department. “On all floors in Park Ave. and Rutherford, there are large cardboard bins around the recycling areas. These bins are designated for aluminum cans only,” Logan said. All proceeds from the cans are given directly to the burned children’s unit of St. Barnabas in Livingston. Last year, FDU donated approximately 5,000 cans.
To get in the spirit of RecyleMania and become more aware about sustainability, the Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC), headed up by Provost Kenneth Greene, developed recycling quizzes. The quizzes were developed to make learning about the rules of recycling a fun and competitive process, said Charlebois. The quizzes can be found in the Student Center information desk and in the Mansion. There will be two winners, one student and one faculty/staff, chosen from entries that correctly answer all ten questions by Feb. 17 deadline. The prize, a $75 gift certificate for the bookstore or $75 added to your Fairleigh 1 account, will be announced the following week.
Overall, FDU hopes the program will teach students, while being able to keep the campus green. “We not only hope to greatly increase the percent of waste that we recycle but also to expand recycling and many other ecologically responsible practices all year round throughout our campus operations and courses,” said Harmon.

KAYLA HASTRUP
Editor-in-Chief

It is here, officially. My last semester of my last year as an undergraduate. The other day, my dad asked me what did I get out of college now that I’m soon to graduate. Sure, I learned a lot about communication studies and journalism – that is, after all, what I went to school for. But I must admit, most of my learning and what I will take away with me when I graduate, did not come from the classroom.
While I love school and love to be involved on campus, my greatest learning achievement took place outside of the university bubble.
Over the break, I was forutnate enough to participate in SGA’s Alternative Winter Break to Costa Rica. The winter prior, a group of students and I studied for two weeks in Costa Rica, including a week in Manzanillo. Through that course, I gained such a strong connection with the locals and the community that when the opportunity to go back arose, I was eager and excited to jump at the chance.
When I studied down there in January of 2009, the group did a day of community service where we helped clean the local school. That day of service work was so inspirational that I knew I wanted to do more to make a difference in the village.
Being able to spend a week of my life helping a community, especially one that has grown so close to my heart, was an unbelievable opportunity that I will remember and cherish forever. Living in such a close-knit community where the people take nothing for granted and have such a positive attitude about life, has truly changed me.
The people of Manzanillo are hard to describe because the village is not like anywhere else. They live off the land and are grateful for everything life has to offer. They live by the motto “pura vida,” meaning “pure life,” which I strive to live by even while being back in the States. This simple motto shows their connection with the land and the community, while still being economically stable, healthy and happy.
Staying in a small village like Manzanillo really helps you appreciate what you have in your own life. It taught me not to take anything for granted and that you don’t need a lot to be happy. I think in the States people become overwhelmed and over-absorbed by the idea of wealth and success. To be able to see and be immersed in a culture so different from my own was somewhat of a self-revelation.
Many of my peers who are also soon to graduate seem to be most concerned about finding a job that will make a lot money and allow them to buy fancy things. While I  agree that it is important and necessary to be economically stable, I do not want it to be the driving force of my life. Being able to take a step back and learn to have an open-mind about a different lifestyle has changed my perspectives and helped me prioritize what is truly important in life.
Any service project will change a person only for the better. It is a great feeling to be able to give people something you have that they do not. To be able to actually go, give our creativity, supply the finances, and do the hard labor had a greater impact on the community and on the students than handing over money could have.
I know that the trip has changed my values and lifestyle, but I also hope our efforts motivate the children to go to school and continue their education. Being able to participate in such service projects have inspired me to put forth a greater effort in helping others, regardless of what career I end up going forward with. I find it amazing how much an individual can learn about him or herself by learning about the lives of others.
As I prepare to graduate, I feel that I know more about myself and what truly matters in life, not through what I have done for myself, but because of the effort I have put in to help others.

KAYLA HASTRUP
Editor-In-Chief

As I woke up at 8 a.m. to sign up for classes on Monday, it occurred to me this would be my last time ever registering for undergraduate classes.

Four years ago, I remember being nervous and anxious about college and what the future held for me, and now as I enter my last semester, I am even more nervous and anxious about what’s next.
For me, it is the inevitable question: graduate school or straight to the workforce?

I recently attended the New York Women in Communications career conference, which encourages women to pursue their dreams to enter the media communications field.

As I sat in an audience filled with young adults, all striving for the same glamorous future, I listened to some of the most powerful women in the field as they gave tips on making it in this field.
As this industry struggles, along with all industries, I learned there is a push for creativity and new, young innovative ideas. As we enter the workforce, we can not let the recession stand in our way.

Time will move forward, whether you want it to or not, and if you are stuck focusing on unemployment or competition, you will never be able to advance. Instead, I learned you need to practice new ways of seeing. Be prepared for crazy accidents, and take advantage of the unexpected. Although crises are inevitable, I find that with crisis comes opportunity. One way is to take the struggling industries as an opportunity to form new, innovative models.

I also learned that it truly doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing. While the 2010 class prepares for graduation, some will have jobs right out of college and some will not. If you are focused on what everyone else is doing, you will miss your own opportunities. Everyone takes a different path. You need to look forward and push for the future, or look behind and learn from your past. If you look sideways at what everyone else is doing, you are going to miss what you need most: your own creative ideas.

At the NYWICI conference, and most other conferences, there is a push for networking.
Far too often I have heard that it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. I think that while networking is great, when your work is truly the best, it will speak for itself. If you are the best at what you do, it won’t matter who you know or who you don’t. That said, clearly it is still helpful to get your foot in the door. When interning or when you are just starting in the work field, you need to be pleasent and be someone people want to work with. Creating a good rapport with the industry’s leaders combined with excellent work will inevitably lead to success.

As the conference came to an end, the panelists were asked to give some final words of advice. One, in particular, stuck with me. She said the key is to “decide what you want to be known for.”
I thought that was a perfect way to describe how your future should lay out. That is the hard part. If you can imagine what you want the next generation of young, innovative people to remember you by, the rest is simple strategic planning.

Take every point of engagement seriously and use every experience as an opportunity to learn. I do not think success is measured by profit, rather by experience and personal satisfaction. For me, the second I stop learning is when I am no longer successful.

So, as I prepare to graduate and enter a pivotal point in my career, I realize I need to take in every opportunity and make the most of it.

It does not matter what your friends do, what you wanted to do as a child or what your parents do. What matters is what you want to be known for and what you can make of every situation.

KAYLA HASTRUP
Editor-In-Chief

The beautiful landscape and architecture that so many love at the College at Florham has presented problems in terms of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, leading to necessary construction throughout the campus.

Projects that have been designed to improve handicap accessibility include the wheelchair lift in the Mansion courtyard and the ramp near the Mansion portico, according to campus Provost Kenneth Greene.

Most recently, as many students have noticed, the construction to put an elevator in Dreyfuss building has begun. The project’s cost is approximately $3.5 million.

“The Dreyfuss renovation is designed to make the building handicapped accessible. According to the ADA, handicapped students must be able to reach the computer rooms and the ITV room and other academic and staff offices,” said Greene. “At this time, students in wheelchairs cannot reach these areas. The solution is to put an elevator in Dreyfuss.”

As previously reported in The Metro, periodically, the Office of Civil Rights checks various colleges to see if their ADA regulations are up to date. A few years ago, the Office of Civil Rights came to FDU to do a complete assessment and found that many of the campus’ buildings were not complying with ADA regulations, said Greene.

“A lot has already been done,” said Greene, referring to simple problems, such as lowering the paper towel dispensers to meet ADA regulation height.

On the other hand, some of the major renovations need more time.

The Office of Civil Rights had given FDU seven years to meet all accommodations, according to Greene. All new buildings, such as the New Academic Building, Park Ave., and Rutherford, had to be built handicap accessible.

The ADA requires other small changes as well. For example, the ADA says that a door must not require more than five pounds of pressure to open.

Because the College at Florham was not designed to be a college campus, it can be very difficult for physically-handicapped students to get around, according to Greene.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 “prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation,” according to its Web site.

The construction in Dreyfuss, which was supposed to start at the beginning of October, but was delayed for two weeks because of the late arrival of trailers to temporarily house the Information Technology offices, has been a hassle for some students.

“I am incredibly annoyed with the construction,” said senior Cindy Fernandez, who frequents the building to use the theater for play rehearsal. “Dreyfuss is like home-base for a bunch of us. There are times when I have to run to Dreyfuss real quick to pick something up or use a computer real quick between classes and I end up 10 to 15 minutes late to my classes that are outside of Dreyfuss because I have to walk around the entire building to go through the Rec. Center.”

Greene pointed out that no one will be able to use the front entrance of Dreyfuss until construction is completed, hopefully by early April.

“Until then, we must use the entrance to Dreyfuss that faces the athletic field,” Greene said. “This is an inconvenience, but the main renovation will involve removing the current front of the building and putting up a new one.”

Senior Elise Kaplan wishes construction had taken place when students were not on campus. “They are putting an elevator in, but the entire front and side of the building is closed off and you can’t even walk through in between Dreyfuss and the Rec. Center,” she said.

According to Greene, the construction is especially difficult because of the number of levels in the building. “The architect the University hired to design the renovation determined that the most appropriate place for the elevator was where the Information Technology offices are currently located,” he said.

When the elevator is installed, the building will lose a classroom on the lower level and most of the Information Technology offices. Consequently, the front of the building will be expanded by bumping it out toward the area that faces the plaza.

Greene hopes that the new front of Dreyfuss will blend more easily into the architecture of the Rec. Center and the NAB.

In the future, the University is scheduled to put an elevator in the Science Building in order to satisfy the ADA requirements and allow all students to utilize this building.

KAYLA HASTRUP
Editor-In-Chief

“Obama comes to FDU.” No wait, “Obama rallies for Corzine at FDU.” Or should it be, “FDU holds Democratic rally”?

As I spent the weekend determining the appropriate headline for the Obama article, I questioned what would be the most creative, yet informative, non-sensationalized sentence for the front page.
It seemed too easy to grab people’s attention with, “FDU hosts Obama.” That is true, but it was not a FDU-sponsored event. What would students read?

Hundreds of students, from both the Metropolitan campus and College at Florham, flooded the crowded Rothman Center for the Corzine rally. Most, I imagine, went because they wanted to see President Obama but knew hardly anything about the gubernatorial race.

I’m thinking, students will read the Obama article for sure. They have to. He is probably the most influential speaker FDU has ever had.

Back to the headline. Do I mention the politics behind the event? It is doubtful the majority of students will want to read about, let alone know, what I’m talking about.

Before the rally, I asked students if they planned on voting. The majority had no opinions or did not know enough about the gubernatorial race to have an opinion.

I don’t think every student should closely follow the race, but I do think it is important for the future of New Jersey to have a valid opinion. If students know nothing about the race but what was said at the Corzine rally and what the president said, what sort of educated decision can be made?

I doubt many students will turn to credible sources to find their information if there are boring, informative headlines.

One reason I believe no students read a thing about politics is that, in some articles I have edited, Barack Obama’s name has been spelled wrong.

Too often have I heard that students only pick up The Metro if they are in it or their picture is in it. I question what is the point of spending all weekend laying out the paper with hard news if the audience doesn’t care?

So, as unfortunate as I think it is, I leave out the politics. Instead, I fill space with students’ pictures because that is what the students want.

KAYLA HASTRUP
Editor-In-Chief

On Oct. 21, President Barack Obama visited FDU’s Metropolitan campus to headline a rally for Gov. Jon Corzine, who is running for re-election.

The sold-out event, which took place in FDU’s Rothman Center, proved to be an exciting opportunity for both FDU and the students who were able to attend.

“This was my first campaign/political event and it was so inspiring,” said senior Melinda Pinto, College at Florham’s Student Government Association president. “I have never experienced an event like this, and it was inspiring how everyone comes together for such a great event.”

The political rally, which was not an FDU-sponsored event, was broadcast on a live newsfeed, and had over 700 viewers at 6 p.m., when Corzine began to speak.

While FDU received only a limited number of tickets, a select few student leaders were allowed to attend. The gymnasium was flooded with Corzine supporters patiently waiting to see the president.
“There were hundreds of people attending the rally,” said senior Phonishia Borsellino, president of Marketing Mix. “The gymnasium floor was filled with people standing shoulder to shoulder, and the bleacher seats on both sides were occupied.”

In addition to the crowded Rothman Center, security was tough, according to Pinto. “There were many people waiting to get in,” she said.

Senior Kristin Fulton said her least favorite part about the rally was all the standing. “Luckily, I wore flat shoes,” she said. “But, if I had on heels I don’t know what I would have done.”

According to senior John Suk, students had to wait in line for over five hours, and then were on their feet the whole time.

Borsellino said it was a long wait, but well worth it.

Much like most political rallies, Corzine took the opportunity to promote his campaign and attack his opponent, Chris Christie.

“Chris Christie is wrong when it matters most” was repeated throughout the rally, which mainly focused on health care and education issues.

The rally started with FDU President J. Michael Adams welcoming a parade of local and national political figures to FDU and the Metropolitan campus.

Corzine’s running mate, Loretta Weinberg, then came out around 5:45 p.m. to start the rally. “We are deeply honored to have [Obama] here with us tonight,” she said.

After attempting to pump the crowd with support for Corzine, Weinberg welcomed Caroline Kennedy.
“We want what is best in New Jersey,” Kennedy said. “That’s why I’m here to support Gov. Jon Corzine.”

Around 6 p.m., Kennedy then welcomed Corzine to take the stage. He continued a strong linking with Obama and attempted to pump up the crowd by repeating mottos such as “Yes, we can.”
Soon after, the president took the stage. He shook hands with many women, including FDU students, who were standing behind the podium.

“My favorite part about the rally was being on stage behind Obama and actually getting to shake his hand,” said Fulton, who holds leadership positions on SGA and the Student Volunteer Association. “It made my week and it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

Obama’s speech, which concluded around 6:45 p.m., ended with a story that fired up the crowd. He reiterated that “one voice can change a room,” and that “your voice can elect Jon Corzine governor once again of New Jersey.”

According to the FDU Web site, this is the second time a sitting U.S. president has visited the University. In 1996, former President Bill Clinton spoke at the Rothman Center.

While Obama’s visit was a historic event, Adams assured the public that the University has not taken a position in the Nov. 3 election.

“I can assure you that this event did not indicate a partisan measure of support,” Adams said in an Oct. 22 president’s update. “We were contacted by the governor’s campaign office and a request was made to rent our facility and pay for particular services. We approved that use and from then on we sought to ensure that our students could benefit from the occasion.”

Borsellino said being able to attend was a highlight of her academic career.

“I knew it was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the president speak live,” she said. “I was also very proud of our University for hosting such a phenomenal event, and I felt honored to represent the FDU student body.”

Borsellino said she thought the rally was persuasive, adding, “I couldn’t imagine having a more powerful endorsement than one from President Obama.”

KAYLA HASTRUP
Editor-In-Chief

For the month of October, the little gated community we all know and love as the College at Florham will have over 50 events open to students.

And after hours, days, sometimes weeks of planning events, the people in charge are ready to execute their hard work! The problem? No one comes. Or even better, a few people show up, but they leave feeling as though they wasted their time. (I have felt some of my own programs turned out this way in the past.)

I recently attended a leadership lecture titled “The Apathy Myth,” where Vice President and CEO of CAMPUSPEAK, T.J. Sullivan, attempted to break the myth that students aren’t apathetic, they just aren’t motivated.

Sullivan offered five ways to tap into things that motivate your peers. It’s simple – lure kids in with the five essentials to college fun: money, food, fun, sex and alcohol.

I can only imagine what a good turnout a program that offered all five would have. But I think if you offer enough of one thing, students will show. Case in point – I wonder how many people attended the Pep Rally last week just for the free sweatshirts.

Needless to say, I thought Sullivan had a good point. The entire college experience is truly what you make of it.

Next time people are complaining of being bored or not having anything to do, look out for the events you want, and go to them. Offer your opinion! I have found that sometimes the hardest part of picking events is simply choosing what to do. Give event planners ideas.

What is the use of complaining if you can’t offer solutions? Come up with your own solutions to your boring weekend and recruit people with common interests.

If you ask any of my friends, they can tell you I am the queen of flaking out. I’ve come up with a resolution. From now on, I am going to attempt to do everything I say I will. I invite everyone to join and to attend events. Who knows? You may have fun or learn something during your college experience. It sure beats going home to bug your parents – at least save that for when you move back home after graduation.