Witt cops foes not friends

I heard a story today that really bothered me.  One of my friends had to attend Wittenberg's alcohol class for getting a citation earlier in the semester and was telling me the story of two Witt students that were also there and why they received citations.  Apparently, two students were called early in the morning after Wittfest by the Wittenberg police to clean up their yard because there were beer cans and garbage all over their lawn.  As they were doing what they were told to do, a Wittenberg cop drove by and gave them alcohol citations because the beer they were cleaning up was not empty.  They were given open-container citations for cleaning up.  Seriously?  How can that be fair?  They did exactly what the cops told them to do and they still got in trouble.  Do they want to create a negative relationship with students?  Because it seems like interactions like these have been happening more and more on campus lately.  Its seriously ridiculous that people get in trouble for helping other people out that are sick, for cleaning up other peoples' messes, and for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  This will only deter students from doing the right thing or from helping people when they face adverse situations.  I know that this is not their intention but it will be the consequence if it keeps occurring. It is really disappointing.

Blogging

This is probably just reiterating what everyone is saying but I think blogging would have been a lot more successful if we had more "required topics" to blog about.  I really liked when we discussed them in class, so even if there were a few that we did on our own it would have been cool to bring up something that someone was talking about and all discuss it.  Even then, we could write reactions to certain topics that would serve as additional blog topics.  I think that blogging was a creative idea but I wonder if there is a way to make it more journalism like.  Maybe even writing a short page or two long story about a certain blog after it was written and interviewing other students to get their reactions.  I don't know, I'm just thinking aloud.

Fun Websites

As I was writing my blog, I was browsing around my page and found that there was a "next blog" button that I had never clicked before.  Having no idea what it would do, I clicked it and found that it took me to a random person's blog so that I could check out what they were writing about.  It's pretty cool, I didn't know that Blogspot had this feature.  It makes me a little apprehensive though, I guess I never realized that people outside of our class could see what we were all writing, not that it makes a difference since we basically just rip on Wittenberg and write about the most random things.  But it reminded me a lot of the Stumble button featured on Stumbleupon.com which is one of my favorite websites when I have a lot of time to waste.  So I just wanted to make a list of websites that I have found intriguing and useful that other people can check out when their bored.

1. Stumbleupon.com
2. Kittehroulette.com (pretty much like stumble upon but with cat videos if your a loser like me who loves cats)
3. Pandora (I'm sure you all know what this is by now)
4. ebaumsworld.com (one of my favorites in middle school)
5. Youtube (obviously)
6. encyclopedia of life-an interactive page with every organism/species on Earth
7. Projectgutenberg.com- free online books, great for research papers!
8. ehow.com- essentially life for dummies
9. bubblesnaps.com- add captions to your digital pictures
10. polldaddy.com- free polls for blogs/websites

that's it for now

A Perspective on the Career Center

After talking to both Career Center directors, Karen and Wendy, last week, I have come to the conclusion that they are genuinely here to help students with resumes, jobs, internships and whatever else they need but need to expand their resources.  I have heard many students say that they are very helpful by sending their resume out to various employees and websites that post jobs.  However, the majority of these jobs seem to be only in Ohio and more-so, in Springfield, Columbus and only neighboring towns and cities.  That is a huge problem because although Wittenberg does have a large amount of students that are from Ohio, there are also a ton from out of state.  I don't know why they think that students are only looking for jobs in Ohio or that they would even want to stay here over the summer.  In my opinion, I wouldn't mind going back to New York for the summer or staying here, but I would much rather be home so that I could save money.  If you're from out of state or even just don't live in the same area where your potential internships are, you can spend a lot of money fast.  Even at Wittenberg, living here over the summer is not that cheap.  You still have to pay for rent, utilities, food, travel expenses, etc.  Obviously if you are at home for the summer, your parents or family pays for most of these expenses.  I think if they broadened their horizons and looked to find more employers that are looking for employees or interns out of Springfield, Columbus, or Ohio, then a lot more students would utilize their services.

Blame Wittenberg NOT Sodexo

I learned something very interesting today from students who are raising money for the Lesotho, Africa trip.  Apparently they were trying to set up a meal swap like they do every year where students can sacrifice one of their CDR meals so that the money goes towards the Africa trip.  This year, Wittenberg wouldn't let them.  You may wonder why Wittenberg since Sodexo is the one who charges us for meals?  Wrong... its mostly Wittenberg.  Sodexo only charges $1.20 for each meal while Wittenberg makes up all the rest.  This means that for every dinner that a student eats at the CDR, Wittenberg makes a $10.80 profit.  That is unreal.  So if 500 students eat dinner at the CDR in one given night (which is a very modest assumption) then Wittenberg makes $5,400.  So if you have always blamed Sodexo for their shitty and overpriced food, you should start to blame Wittenberg instead.  It is no wonder that Wittenberg continues to employ Sodexo despite the overwhelming number of complaints from students.  They make such a great profit off of Sodexo that it would probably kill their revenue flow if they were to switch to another service like Sisco.  What I want to know is where all of this money goes.  Wittenberg is supposedly stuck in this horrible financial crisis but then what are they doing with the money they are profiting from meals, and it makes me wonder what else they are overcharging us for. hmmmm.

Ridiculous Rules

I hate to air any dirty laundry, but I have so many mixed feelings about Greek life at Witt and the rules.  Don't get me wrong I love my sorority and the people in it but some of the rules are obnoxious.  In my opinion, we are in college and should be able to make our own decisions for ourselves.  I know that when you are a part of an organization, you have to follow their guidelines as well but I think you should be able to consider those guidelines and decide for yourself what is appropriate in certain situations.  For example, I left a social early a couple weekends ago because I was nervous that one of my good friends was getting a little too drunk.  Since I know very well what kind of states this individual can go into when she gets too drunk, I made the executive decision to make her leave and to take her back to campus where she wouldn't get in trouble.  While I probably should have told our social chair about the situation and have pondered other possible ways that I could help my friend without breaking the no leaving early rules, I acted out of instinct and was being a little overprotective of my friend.  Not long after we left, I got an angry call from a member asking where I was etc.  I tried to explain very clearly and rationally why I left and that I was just trying to be responsible, but continued to get screamed at.  I realize that I should have handled things differently, but I think that she could also address the situation differently.  And for that, I had to be a sober monitor at our formal.  But what defines a sober monitor?  I had a couple of drinks before hand and one beer at the formal and then got in trouble again for not being sober.  But who said I was drunk?  It is interesting also because another member was supposed to be sober throughout the entire event but she also had a couple drinks.  Though the situation is quite hypocritical, this member is also trying to make me go to relay for life for three hours during Saturday night so basically I can't go out.  Shouldn't she be doing the same then?  I just think its ridiculous, I was quite alert enough to handle myself if any adverse situation arose and shouldn't be treated like a child who cannot control themselves.  Luckily this came at a good time because I'm sick and wont be able to go out this weekend, and probably not to relay for life either... I don't want to make it worse by sitting in the cold for reasons other than actually wanting to be there to support the cause...which I will do earlier in the day :)  My thoughts are that it is college and how should anyone basically be able to tell you that you can't go out on a Saturday night? 

The Health Center Sucks

Today when I woke up, I immediately knew that I have a sinus infection.  After thinking about how much it sucks I knew that I needed to do something about it.  I didn't even think twice before I decided to go to an urgent care facility instead of the health center.  I think I've been to the health center twice this year and luckily, both times I was actually able to get a prescription which is practically unheard of.  However, the catch was that I exaggerated the severity of my symptoms and the duration of my illness...that is literally the only way they were prescribe you antibiotics right away.  I learned this because in previous years, I would go in with the same illness/symptoms (usually a sinus infection because I get them three times a year like its clockwork) but say that they just started and they would tell me to wait it out, claiming that "doctors now-a-days say to let your illness drag out and you can usually get better on your own."  Yeah....that is complete bullshit.  Since when has any credible doctor advised someone to let an infection drag on?  That would be never.  And almost all they give you in the time being is a brown paper bag with salt packets and Advil..yeah that's going to do something. Not.  In addition, its almost impossible to see the doctor during the week because she is completely booked and only she can write a prescription.  My favorite part is when they tell you to take Musinex D for every illness you come in with.  Today, when I was at Urgent Care, my doctor told me under no circumstances to take Musinex because it would dry my sinuses out and make me feel worse.  What sound advice the health center nurses have.  Anyway, I was in and out of there in less than an hour which is about the same time it would take if you already had an appointment at the doctor with the health center.  The copay was $35 but that also covered my prescription, a free refill, and some nasal spray.  Definitely worth it.  Plus, depending on your insurance, it could probably cost even less.  Needless to say, my advice for students who know that they are really sick and need antibiotics, go to an urgent care instead of the health center.  You will be helped faster, get better advice, and get everything you need rather than waste your time waiting around for someone that will not help you.