DIVERSIFYING PREDOMINANTLY WHITE INSTITUTIONS: “Students of color at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) are often disenchanted with their university experience and often disassociate themselves from the campus community, preferring to find quasi-security with their like ‘kind,’” says Brian Johnson, director of Susquehanna University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. According to Johnson, these students often feel the challenges of diversity are too insurmountable and that they are powerless to exact significant advances in the multicultural cause on campus. “They often feel that they must be representatives of the race or are burdened by having to educate the masses about their identity,” Johnson says. One of the ways Susquehanna tries to curb those feelings among its students of color is through the Multicultural Student Leadership Development Institute (MSLDI), established in January 2002 as a means of developing personal and organizational leadership skills for the multicultural student community. “By encouraging students of color to become ‘culturally centered,’ the MSLDI seeks to empower students to strategically advance the multicultural cause in the student community,” Johnson says. This year MSLDI is focusing on how to transform negative feelings about being a representative of a particular race at PWIs into positive ones. “Students have heard me say how great it is to be given an opportunity to share the truth about ‘who I am’ to those who may have an understanding about my group that was formed by media representation or their home community,” Johnson says. For more information on this subject, you may contact Brian Johnson at 570-372-4302 or johnsonb@susqu.edu. Jan-Feb, 2004
LOOKING FOR A HAUNTING GOOD TIME THIS HALLOWEEN?: Kevin Tersavige, director of the Central Pennsylvania Paranormal Research Association and instructor of Ghost Studies and Investigation, a Spectrum course taught at Susquehanna University, knows all the ghostly hot spots. A frightfully good time can be had on Halloween – or just about any other time of the year – at the Empire Hotel in Freeburg, Pa., Penns Tavern, along Route 147 approximately five miles south of Sunbury, Pa., American Legion Post #44 just north of Northumberland, Pa., and Iola Hotel, located approximately three miles north of Millville, Pa.
Tersavige says the Iola Hotel has a very well-known entity called Sarah. “She has been witnessed by many of the employees, and her invisible antics have kept the patrons of the restaurant and bar spooked for decades,” Tersavige says. In addition, Tersavige says, a second entity has been witnessed by employees who describe him as a “bearded old man.”
The Empire Hotel has no name for its ghost, but its invisible antics, which include footsteps, and flickering lights, have been witnessed by many employees of the eating establishment, Tersavige said. “Years ago, while sleeping in one of the upstairs rooms, a resident of Freeburg, then a child, awoke to find a hooded figure standing over the bed,” he said.
The employees of Penns Tavern have witnessed the figure of a woman floating down the staircase, and the American Legion Post #44 has a ghostly presence, dubbed “Capt. Jack” by the employees, Tersavige says. “He has kept patrons and workers alike entertained with various antics, such as footsteps, boot prints in lanes of the closed bowling alleys, and setting off burglar alarms. In one of his most colorful tricks, he was sitting next to a patron, got up and walked thru a wall,” Tersavige says. This building is considered so “active” that Tersavige uses it as a field investigation for his Spectrum students. This year the class will visit the American Legion post on Thursday, Oct. 30. Tersavige will present an advanced class, Ghost Studies and Investigations II, from April 8 – 29 through Susquehanna’s Office of Continuing Education.
For more information, contact Kevin Tersavige at 570-275-9435 or kevters@hotmail.com. 10/03
PRESIDENT BUSH IS THE GUEST OF HONOR AT THIS BASH, BUT IT'S NO PARTY: The debates among Democratic presidential hopefuls have been described as "Bush bashing." How does this affect the president's prospects for re-election? And conversely, what does it do for - or against - the bids of the Democratic candidates?
J. Patrick McGrail, assistant professor of communications at Susquehanna University, says Democrats are in a dilemma. "Bush has recent popularity ratings of 59 percent, which have fallen, but not unexpectedly so, given the economy. While Bush is not unassailable, none of the Democrats are so appealing that there is a mandate to remove the incumbent," he said.
The Democrats also fear that if they become too harsh in their criticism of the president, it will backfire on them, said McGrail, a former campaign office manager and political speech consultant whose academic research includes the cultural narratives of political and cultural actors in major ongoing broadcast news stories, the effect media polls have on public opinion, and third-party politics in a two-party system.
According to McGrail, close analysis of polls from the past four years indicate a volatile electorate. "I believe we live in an era that defies historically neat analysis," he said. In this race, campaign fund-raising reform, the economy and Iraq are uncertainties that could either make or break the president and his opponents. In order to succeed, the Democratic contenders need to provide voters with "clear and convincing arguments that advance a position that is at odds with the Bush administration's solid conservatism," McGrail said. "Yet they must do so with statements against the shortcomings in Bush's policies that are generally accepted, such as the cost of the war in personal lives and money, and the failure, so far, of the Bush administration to provide convincing proof of WMDs that justified the war in the first place," McGrail added.
For more information on this topic, contact J. Patrick McGrail at 570-372-4358 or mcgrail@susqu.edu. 9/03
SHARING THE BURDEN IN IRAQ: An additional $87 billion may be needed for the reconstruction of Iraq, but one political science scholar says funding is only part of the solution. Time and cooperation are also essential to disentangling the country from the infighting and dictatorial control that has plagued it for decades, according to Andrea Lopez, assistant professor of political science, who researches civil wars around the globe and superpower involvement in those conflicts.
Currently, the biggest concern, according to Lopez, is protecting the Iraqi citizens and infrastructure, coalition forces and international agencies functioning in the country. "The fact that much of the country is relatively stable is largely moot," Lopez said. "Security is the first necessity in any nation-building or counterinsurgency effort. Without security, the population loses trust in the governing body - in particular the United States and its allies in Iraq - and becomes more vulnerable to pressure from opposition forces. It becomes safer to cooperate with the guerrillas and terrorists than to cooperate with the U.S. coalition forces," she said. "Only when that immediate security is provided can significant attention be paid to democratizing the country, focusing on improving the relations between Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis, and undertaking other steps necessary for long-term stability," she said.
To successfully rebuild Iraq, Lopez believes the U.S. must gain the assistance of the United Nations. "It provides cover for states to commit troops, thus bolstering the number of protective forces in the country. Inclusion of a greater number of states, particularly those with large Muslim populations, will (also) make the occupation seem less U.S.-dominated and, hopefully, improve Iraqi support for the rebuilding effort," Lopez said.
However, major disagreements within the U.N. Security Council must be overcome. "(But) once a consensus is reached, conducting operations on the ground will not be smooth sailing," she said. "The various countries deploying forces, particularly those whose personnel are high in the chain of command, must share a unified vision for Iraq's future. It will be of no benefit if France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia each seek to create a different Iraq."
For more information, contact Andrea Lopez at 570-372-4179 or lopez@susqu.edu. 09/03
HIGH SCHOOL DO'S AND DON'TS: For high school students considering a four-year college or university, what they do today will affect where they end up tomorrow. In an effort to help high school students find and get accepted to their college of choice, Susquehanna University's Office of Admissions has developed a list of do's and don'ts for students in grades 9-12. Along with enrolling in the college preparatory track, ninth graders should begin or continue volunteer work and get involved in school activities. Outside the classroom, they should read at least one unassigned book each month. "Avid readers do well in high school and tend to get into better colleges," according to admissions officials. They also tell ninth graders not to expect skills in computer games to convince colleges they understand computers and not to assume Teen People or ESPN The Magazine is among the "classics" colleges talk about.
Taking the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT), assuming a leadership position in extracurricular or volunteer activities, and visiting area campuses to get a sense of the different sizes and atmospheres are among the suggestions SU admissions officers have for tenth graders. They should not assume, however, that English grammar will have no practical use if they become scientists or accountants, and they shouldn't assume their talents in sports, the band or yearbook sales will compensate for lackluster grades.
Officials say juniors interested in attending a four-year college should take scholastic assessment tests such as SATs and/or the ACT, talk to teachers, counselors or employers about different colleges, attend college fairs or college night programs, and visit all the colleges to which they plan to apply. Juniors should not avoid Advanced Placement (AP) courses because of fear they will lower class ranking or grade point average. "Colleges realize that AP courses are more difficult and indicate that you seek to challenge yourself," officials said.
Seniors should write application essays that describe themselves, not what they think admissions officers want to hear. "Selective colleges seek diverse and interesting people. Sounding like everyone else won't help you," officials say. Neither will padding your application by joining every club and organization available. "Colleges look for a continued and genuine interest in activities and evidence of leadership," officials say. Seniors are also urged not to miss deadlines. Many selective colleges will not accept late applications. Lastly, seniors are encouraged to enjoy the admissions process. "Think of it as a chance to make a major decision on your own and an opportunity to learn about yourself," officials say. For more information on this topic, contact Chris Markle, director of admissions, at 570-372-4425 or marklec@susqu.edu, or Wendy Mull, associate director of admissions, at 570-372-4044 or mullw@susqu.edu. 8/03
TIPS FOR COLLEGE FINANCING: Helen Nunn, director of financial aid, has compiled a list of guidelines to help high school students fund college. First, Nunn says, students should identify which colleges best meet their academic, extracurricular and geographic criteria. "It may make sense to investigate schools which represent a range of costs. Do not let a higher cost keep you from seeking admission," Nunn says. Along with that, Nunn tells students not to rule out a private school because they may seem more expensive. "Many state-supported schools have less financial aid than private colleges do. The chance your financial aid will be met is actually greater at a private college or university," Nunn says. "Consider the final cost to you rather than the listed price of the school," she adds.
During their college search, Nunn says students should find out what types of aid are available at the schools they like best, apply for the types of aid they wish to be considered for, then compare the aid packages (the combination of scholarships, grants, loans and work-study awards) they receive from different schools. "Be sure that in each case you understand your family's bottom line cost for the year, the amount that you are being asked to borrow, and the amount that you are being asked to provide through student employment," Nunn says. In the end, "students should select the college that offers them the best long-term value for the price and where their educational needs will best be met," Nunn says. For more information on this topic, contact Helen Nunn, director of financial aid, at 570-372-4453 or nunn@susqu.edu. 8/03
RELIEF AT LAST? THE U.S. ECONOMY POISED FOR REBOUND -There is light at the end of the tunnel for the U.S. economy, says Associate Professor of Economics Antonin Rusek. "Current problems of the U.S. economy are on the aggregate demand side, especially on the side of the private sector. But things appear different when we look forward. Increased private spending due to tax cuts and increased government spending will be coming in the second half of the year, and monetary policy will remain loose, with interest rates at a 50-year minimum," Rusek says. The shocks to private sector demand are wearing down as well. "With inventories very low and the capital replacement cycle overdue, capital and inventory investments should start increasing. Increased productivity will begin to be reflected in rising earnings, which in turn will prop up stock values creating positive wealth effects," he says.
Rusek says anxiety and unease associated with the War in Iraq partly caused the recent slowdown, but as those concerns recede, consumer and investor confidence will pick up. However, he warns that continued confusion and indecisiveness in Iraq could negatively affect domestic sentiments, as could over-involvement in North Korea or Africa. "The government should realize that business confidence today is fragile and unpredictable, but crucially important. And today, more than ever, it is affected by non-economic policies," he says.
Rusek is a frequent international presenter at academic economic conferences and has written several papers, one of which was used as a chapter in the book, EMU, Financial Markets and the World Economy. He also was a consultant for his homeland, the former Czechoslovakia, during its transition from a Communist to a market economy, and has performed economic consulting services to Turkey. Rusek can be reached at 570-372-4182 or rusek@susqu.edu. 7/03
CELEBRITY POLITICIANS: HOLLYWOOD IS SELLING AND VOTERS ARE BUYING - From Arnold Schwarzenegger to Jerry Springer, celebrities everywhere seem to be toying with political aspirations. And according to Assistant Professor of Communications J. Patrick McGrail, they may have the upper hand in many races. "Stars are at an advantage due to the huge contemporary importance of name recognition. The very first thing a candidate has to do is get that name out there, and get that name associated in voters' minds with good things," says McGrail, a former campaign office manager and political speech consultant. His academic research includes the cultural narratives of political and cultural actors in major ongoing broadcast news stories, the effect media polls have on public opinion, and third-party politics in a two-party system.
"Generally, those actors who do well in politics have been associated with good or benign roles," McGrail says. Likewise, those actors who have led fairly sturdy personal lives stand a better chance in the political arena. "Middle America, despite the 50 percent divorce rate, still does not want to elect a flake, or someone who isn't solid and reliable. This is why the actors who do the best tend to be conservative or Republican, such as Fred Grandy, who played Gopher on the 'Love Boat,' Ronald Reagan and Sony Bono. They have likeability, solidity and continuity, the three things America wants in its politicians," McGrail says.
And despite thoughts to the contrary, McGrail says actors are more prepared for political life than one would think. "Despite the sniggering of doubters about the qualifications of Hollywood actors to be good legislators, the skills actors learn - staying on message, remembering their lines, playing a part, being positive, and being persuasive and articulate - tend to stand them in good stead in the current media-centric political milieu," he says. For more information on this topic, contact J. Patrick McGrail at 570-372-4358 or mcgrail@susqu.edu. 7/03
NEWCOMERS TO THE JOB MARKET FACE STIFF COMPETITION AND LIMITED CHOICES: Recent college graduates may find jobs harder to come by than expected. "The market is tighter than usual. This is caused by many uncertainties facing business - war, SARS, terrorism, the current economic situation, etc. Hiring is slower due to these uncertainties and a 'wait and see' attitude has been taken on the part of business," says William Ward, Warehime professor of business administration, who worked in a business administrative capacity for both the Nixon and Ford presidential administrations, served as deputy administrator of the Rural Development Service for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and worked with both the departments of agriculture and commerce on a regular basis. "In the late 1990s and 2000," Ward says, "the bottom third (of graduates) got jobs fairly easily since there was a strong set of needs in business to employ folks. The bottom third of a graduating class is now looking hard and having to take reduced salaries - and reduced expectations - if they can find employment at all. So the moral is, grades and performance count now more than ever."
In addition, Michael Rheiner, director of Susquehanna's Center for Career Services, says, "Humility, confidence and persistence can go a long way in helping a recent graduate be successful in their job search. But the minute they assume they won't have a real problem finding work is the minute they will begin to set themselves up to struggle." Rheiner, a former university relations and training specialist for Volvo Commercial Finance who also worked in the career services departments at the University of Albany and Virginia Tech, says graduates shouldn't assume they are more talented than the next person. "You may have been in the top 10 percent in your class, but when you hit the open market, your competition has also been in the top 10 percent," he says.
For more information on this subject, contact William Ward, at 570-372-4463 or wardw@susqu.edu, or Michael Rheiner at 570-372-4403 or rheiner@susqu.edu. 6/03
TAX CUTS WILL HELP SOFTEN THE BLOW OF THE TURBULENT ECONOMY: Richard Davis, associate professor of accounting, says business and individuals alike will reap the benefits of tax cuts. "Overall, everyone benefits from a reduction in tax rates," says Davis, who served two different terms as the assistant branch chief of the Internal Revenue Service's Office of Assistant Chief Counsel in Washington, D.C. "The big winners will be those who have a large portfolio of dividend-paying stocks. This is because the tax rate for dividends will now be only 15 percent. The capital gain rate also drops to 15 percent. This gives stock ownership a big advantage over bond ownership. In fact, companies are being given a big incentive to increase or start paying dividends. And this may provide a boost to the economy," Davis says. "Other big winners are families with children under 17 because the child tax credit will be raised from $600 to $1,000. Married couples also benefit because of a reduction in the marriage penalty," he adds. For more information on this subject, contact Richard Davis, at 570-372-4460 or rdavis@susqu.edu. 6/03
