Most of us by now have had the phrase “communication is key in the workforce” beaten into our brains in some way, shape, or form. According to FSU’s general education requirement, each student must have at least 12 credit hours of English and communication courses in order to graduate. The exact courses vary by major, but everybody has to fulfill the “communication competence” requirement of the general education section of their degree.

It is quite interesting that Ferris bestows upon us this hurdle known as communication that they portray as one of the biggest problems of the world today. Yes, I will agree with the administration on that. Communication is a very important aspect of everybody’s life, both personal and professional. Yes, many educated and noneducated adults have a difficult time effectively communicating with one another.

I have always been taught that leading by example is the best way to teach somebody. Over the past couple of months, Ferris has been doing a very poor job of that. There have been several different situations that involve various departments where policies that directly effect students were changed without prior notice to the student body.

The most recent incident that exemplifies a lack of communication is one that has impacted every student that lives in a dorm on campus (I refuse to call them by their proper name of “residential halls”, but that is another column). When we returned to campus from winter break, there was no more free printing to the front desk of each dorm. Some of the halls made it very clear to students that the Housing Department had expended a full year’s of budgeted funds in just one semester. Other halls, like the one I live in, did not bother to inform the students that they could no longer print to the front desk. They just decided to keep it on the down low, and let students figure it out themselves.

As an accounting major, I know how important a budget is to business, or in this case, a university. According the web page, “The Effects of Residence Hall Printing” (ferris.edu/htmls/ tatfsu/support/sts/rhprinters.htm), which was published by Student Technology Services (STS), the funds allocated for the 2008-2009 school year were exhausted before the end of the Fall 2008 semester. In the accounting profession, we are taught to strictly follow and enforce a budget.

According to the very satirical and negative STS web page, the printing costs “were in excess of $10,500, which was our projected budget for printing for the 2008- 2009 school year.” This indicates that FSU overspent on that line item of their budget. Thanks to technology, it is very easy to track spending, and compare actual costs versus planned/budgeted costs. Why did STS or Housing wait until the end of the semester to inform us that they went over their budgeted amount for printing? I can only wonder the reasons. And now to “solve” the problem they’ve cut us off without any prior notice before arriving back on campus in January.

Okay, so there is no more printing to the front desk of each dorm. Housing and STS went over budget for the second year in a row. I suppose it is not the end of the world. But when you have several thousands of students that rely on the free printing service that they have always been able to count on and it is taken away without any notice, how else do you expect students to react? Fortunately, I was personally able to afford a printer of my own. But I know several of my friends cannot. This whole situation is the result of a complete failure of Housing and STS to properly communicate with each other and with the student body.

In a different arena apart from academia, this whole situation would be completely unacceptable. Here at Ferris State Corporation, it is just another day of normal business. The corporate hierarchy that claims to run the university can get away with this because they know full well that the student body will not do anything about it. Hopefully this column will serve as a message to CEO (President) Eisler, that that is about to change.

Last year, my senior project group and I pulled an all-nighter the day before final presentations. This year while working on my second degree my group is, in many aspects, weeks ahead of schedule.

The very first meeting this semester that my group and I had, we planned out a fairly rigid schedule. We all exchanged emails and phone numbers and planned two times per week that we could meet.

After doing this, we have seen that the rest of the project is falling into place almost without effort. We can work for almost two solid hours on two separate days, and these meetings have been very productive.

Each member of the group has had to bend his or her schedules to make the meeting times, and we all contribute equally. One member has even been commuting from Grand Rapids on her day off.

During the meetings, we look at our schedule of due dates and each of us takes a task. Since we are all present we can discuss and run ideas by each other. We are working mainly in a computer lab so we all have workstations.

What this adds up to is that we are getting a lot of work done in a short period of time. Although we all have different skills, we can work with each other to divide work so that everyone can contribute.

When I was working with my group last year a lot of work was taken home from the meetings and many times a member would come back without his or her share done, setting us back farther each time.

This year, when we go to meet with the teacher on Tuesdays, our work has been done since Friday. I am very proud of the project that we ended up with last year, but it could have been so much better. This is not one that I would ever take to a potential employer to show off. My project this year, I would gladly show to anyone at any point.

With some simple organization, planning, and each member giving effort, I feel that my group is going to have the best project of my senior class.

Dining Services takes Advantage of Students On-Campus
Dining Services offers three meal plans for student to choose from (12, 15, and 19) all with varying prices. At the Rock Café and Westview, the two largest dining facilities on campus, pricing is established for the buffet style meals. Breakfast costs $5.05, Lunch costs $6.65, and Dinner costs $8.50 for those without meal plans.

Here is the interesting part; students traditionally pay $1,954 a semester for a traditional 15 meal plan including 150 in dining dollars. Well, in adding the numbers individuals who pay for 15 meals a week (5 breakfast, 5 lunch, 5 dinner) at the separate pricings only pay $1,665 a semester. That’s a difference of $289 a semester!

Why do students living on campus have to pay more for the same service as individuals who pay for each meal individually? The sad thing is dining services has been taking advantage of students for years! In 2006 students with meal plans paid an additional $234.75. In 2007 they paid an additional $268.50.

Everyone is excited about the new Rock Café and the new unlimited meals plans coming next fall. However, how big of an advantage will Dining Services be taking of students living on campus?

Eric Simon
Freshman

Most people on campus are probably already aware of the fact that The Rock will be closing down during Spring Break so that the renovations can begin. With Spring Break only a little more than a month away, students will find that they only have a limited amount of time left to eat a meal in the old version of The Rock.

Now, because The Rock is closing down before the end of the school year, this means that students that reside on the south end of campus will be one dining hall short for the remainder of the semester.

With only Center Ice remaining open on the south end of campus, this means that a great majority of the students that live on that side of campus will now be making the long walk across campus to Westview if they don’t want to eat at Center Ice for every meal.

Freshman Jonna Heykoop, a resident of Merrill Hall, is looking forward to next year with the renovations to the Rock, but also says that it is going to be kind of annoying the rest of the year without the rock. “I will probably just end up at eating at Center Ice more often when [The Rock] is gone, but it might not be too bad to just walk further to Westview if I really want that kind of food.”

For all of us on campus that find it convenient just to make the relatively short walk to eat at Westview, we’re going to have to expect an increase in the number of students that will be eating there. This means longer lines waiting to get in, longer lines to get food and difficultly finding tables to eat as well.

Already this semester I have noticed a significant increase in the number of students eating at Westview during the lunch hours and a couple of times I’ve even had to wait 5-10 minutes before getting a table. Last semester, I could just walk in, get my food, and sit down without having to worry about knocking into someone with my tray while waiting to sit down.

Not to mention the fact that now, it is ridiculous to try to get a large group of people together because we’re forced to squeeze four or five people around the smaller tables, when all the larger tables are in use. Now with the closing of The Rock after spring break, eating is going to become more of a chore than it has ever been before.

To me, it doesn’t make sense that the school would close down one of the main dining facilities during the middle of the school year when there are thousands of students on campus that eat three meals a day in the dining halls. It would make more sense to close down The Rock during the summer semester to make the renovations because there will be significantly fewer people on campus that will be affected.

Most likely I am now going to have to allot myself at least 15-20 extra minutes to eat before I go to class and we may all have to expect that we may have to battle it out with our fellow students just to get a table.

All things considered, I am looking forward to next year when I have the chance to see the renovations that are going to be done, but it seems that the university made a poor judgment when they decided to close The Rock during the middle of the spring semester and not during the summer.

With the recent election of our first Black president many are speculating on what that means for race relations in a country that received some of its biggest wounds because of minority differences.

Barack Obama shocked the world when he made his name known at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. He gave one of the most magnificent speeches he’s ever written, celebrating the nomination of John Kerry. Though Kerry’s loss may not be what he wanted at the time, it certainly opened the door for a great change in a nation so desperately needing it.

Over the past eight years our country has been loosing ground in popularity with peoples among the rest of the world. We have been perceived by many as forceful in pushing our democratic and Christian beliefs on the rest of the world. Yes democracy and Christianity are two things that this country was established upon; and they brought success. But it wasn’t that our forefathers pushed these values on the people, it was their insistence that freedom to express these values in a way that gave one a pursuit of their own personal happiness brought our country to greatness.

Barack Obama is the embodiment of a return to those values. Already, albeit slowly, the world is changing its view of whom the people of the United States are as a nation. From within, he has inspired millions of young people and minorities to participate in the democratic process. He has called out the trend of young black men abandoning their responsibilities, and pointed out the capability of young black men to achieve on every level as their white counterpart.

This evolution is apparent even on the Ferris State campus. Justin Kufuor, an African- American student at Ferris State University believes that the relationship between minorities has improved immensely.

“It is much better today than it probably ever was before,” Kufuor said. “Even in my lifetime, I’ve seen a clear difference from the way I was treated in elementary school and how I’ve been treated in recent years and now.”

Kufuor appreciates that our country was able to get past some of the racial barriers in accepting minorities as capable leaders, but doesn’t see Obama’s election as any more significant than past presidents. I think he is right in pointing out that the color of our skin should not be an attribute to our significance. While it is historically significant, it is yet to be seen whether his achievements in recovering our nation will be significant.

“I think, that as a country, we’re just becoming more accepting of other peoples, and Obama being elected, I think, proves that.” Kufuor said. “Because he was elected it will help maybe bring other issues to the table and maybe get some other ‘diverse’ faces out there.”

Wherever Obama takes us, we still have a long ways to go in evolving our society into the one that our forefathers had in mind. As the renowned abolitionist William Wilberforce fought for the equality of all God’s children, so should we. Martin Luther King Jr. made great strides in the civil rights movement as we recently celebrated. But his celebration shouldn’t simply be a remembrance of why he had to do what he did, but a continuance of his mission.

“As a country we still aren’t void of racism, but I think we’ve improved.” Kufuor said. “However, I don’t think MLK Jr.’s dream has been completely fulfilled. Religion is probably the most controversial topic in our country and we’re far from being accepting of other peoples ‘beliefs’.”

As students prepare to tout their best qualities at the Spring Job Fair on Thursday they’ll need more than just a winning attitude.

Resumes and cover letters are important to gain employment, but your introduction is what separates you from the masses and your name, your tie, or how knowledgeable on the career path come after the all important handshake.

This first representation of you should not only demonstrate your understanding of the professional business situation you are asking to become a part of but also who you are as a person. Few things turn off employers, co-workers, or just about anyone else than a limp, sloppy, uncaring handsake. It’s not reserved for just certain demographics who would seem to have less than acceptable handshakes. The guy who does a fair bit of maintenance on my car has hands that could crush walnuts, but I feel like I’m putting my grip on a water balloon when I thank him for a job well done.

My 85 year old great aunt, however, with hands that look like they couldn’t hold a lace doily in a summer breeze, will grasp your hand and let you know that she’s there and she means business. She knows what my mechanic doesn’t. People judge you based on the intensity of your handshake, the focus in your eye contact, and the confidence with which you execute those acts.

When it comes time to shake what you’ve got, go in for it directly, without staring at the recipient’s hand, but rather their eyes. Excessive squeezing isn’t necessary. Let them know you are there but don’t leave them mangled in the act.

Going palm-to-palm and making sure your shake is confident is important also, says career - builder. com, also don’t try to be dainty when shaking the hand of a member of the opposite sex. If you’re shaking a woman’s hand, don’t shy away, but rather hold firm and let her know that you respect the business opportunity.

At the end of the day, sanitizing, moisturizing and analyzing all result from the proper execution of a handshake. That, and maybe a job.

Oh, the “joys” of planning a wedding. I had no idea that when my fiancé agreed to be married at a Catholic church we would be in for this!

I am still trying to get images out of my head and I am pretty sure there is no cure for what we went through during the course of the 40 minutes that I am going to describe for you.

It is customary in the Catholic Church to meet with a marriage prep person and fill out countless amounts of paperwork. Then, after meeting with said person (this one by the name of Pat,) we were sent home to take a “questionnaire.” We were promised that it was not a test.

We arrived back at the church last Friday to go over our responses to the questionnaire, still not a test, and what was the first thing Pat tells us when we walked into her office?

“You two scored very well.”

You told us it wasn’t a test! Well, it’s not the first time the Catholic Church has lied to me.

We proceeded to go over our answers, and it was going well for a while, my fiancé and I were on the same page when it came to important matters.

Then came up the question of birth control. Oh, boy.

“Have you discussed the use of birth control?”

My fiancé nodded, I picked spot on floor and also nodded. This woman has about 13 children.

“You know the church has a strict view on the matter?”

Awkward! But, I nodded.

“You need to talk about birth control, because she may become pregnant.”

I sit thinking, “over my dead body she may.”

“The honeymoon is a lot of fun, but there is a possibility that she will become pregnant, and then the honeymoon is over.”

Again, this conversation has become so very uncomfortable

We scored in the 100s on the next three sections, and were out of there rather quickly. Both of us, laughing and mocking the questions and the process. And yes, I am fully aware that I owe him for putting him through all of this.

Saturday rolled around and it was time to find a reception hall. Apparently, once you grab the date at the church you must immediately find a hall to put everyone in to feed them.

So my mom and I were off on a hunt. I decided and Chris agreed, that I could do the searching, and when I found a hall I liked I could bring him to it.

So my mom and I drove all over southeastern Michigan in search of the right hall. The one we ended up finding smelled reminiscently of smoke and Febreeze, but it was better than nothing.

My fiancé and I will be visiting on Friday to check out the room again, and the pricing. It was suggested I go to a wedding expo to find everything at one time.

I know that compromise is an important component in any marriage, but I refuse to go to a wedding expo.

I know I probably broke a major rule for brides everywhere. I do. But being shoved into a room with a million stressed out women and their overly hyperactive mothers is not my idea of a good time. I enjoy Starbucks as much as the next person, but I refuse to be with that group as they carry around their white cups of quadruple shot espresso drinks. I am perfectly content to find and search online. I enjoy my sanity to much not too.

When all is said and done, the perils of wedding planning have been far greater than I could have ever imagined. There’s no instruction manual, no panic button and no set of Cliff Notes for this particular life adventure. If or when you get married, just keep in mind the ultimate goal and do things your own way. After all, it’s your and your spouse’s day of joy. The road leading up to it should be as painless as possible.