Facebook Fads: Are We Becoming More Engaged or Brainwashed?
by Kayla Moore, Chicago Student
Lately, Facebook has shown us the power behind social media. Social media allows information to travel faster than any other source of media. Even though it is always great to get word out on a cause, is Facebook really helping towards change, or just proving how brainwashed people really are?
It seems that people are easily falling into trends such as Kony 2012 and the Trayvon Martin killing. People rant and rave about trying to make a change and causing awareness, but are too soon to just jump on the next bandwagon and leave the previous one forgotten. Why is this? It is because we are not critical thinkers. We are given a problem and whether or not we care depends on if it’s the interesting thing everyone is Tweeting or Facebooking about, without research or producing actual options on a subject. Without Facebook or Twitter would these people really care? On one end, at least people are becoming more aware and engaged but is this truly effective? No!
Also another question to ask is why are we focusing on these things? There are so many more important things that actually affect our everyday lives and economy. Maybe this is the government’s way of distracting us. Keeping us focused on the less important things. Americans need to stop falling for these trends and being gullible to the news we are being feed with. As Americans we need to learn to think for ourselves.
Are the Chicago Bulls a Legit Threat Without Derrick Rose?
by Jordan Smith, Chicago Student
The Chicago Bulls are on top of the Eastern Conference and currently hold the best record in the NBA at 41-11 and a comfortable lead over the Miami Heat. Although they have been doing this without their All-Star and MVP Derrick Rose. He is their go-to guy and can keep them in any game on any night.
Can they be a legitimate threat without their star? The answer is yes, and they have been proving this throughout the whole entire season, playing without Rose who has been suffering from many injuries that keep reoccurring. They are able to play without him because of the Bulls have the best and deepest bench in the league. Many of their bench players could be starters for many other teams in the league, and the arrival of bench player John Lucas have allowed then to still compete against and beat the best teams in the League.
They are better than most teams without Rose. With him healthy, they are nearly unstoppable. The depth of this team has gained their bench the nickname of the “Bench Mob” as it is almost like a whole new group of starters coming into the game to play against most teams backups.
The depth allows Rose to rest his body completely and not try to fight the injuries, or speed up the process to try and comeback early. He has the ability to rest so that he may come back 100% healthy and in time for the playoffs to begin, and prepare to make a run and the NBA World Championship. The Chicago Bulls are still an elite team without Derrick Rose.
Local Sports: Sox and Blackhawks News
Danks to Get the Nod for Opening Day
by Marcel Terrell, Chicago Student
With Spring Training nearing an end, the Chicago White Sox still did not have an opening day starter. However after pitcher John Danks went seven strong innings against the L. A. Dodgers on Monday in a 4-3 loss (Danks got a no decision) at Camelback Ranch manager Robin Ventura announced that Danks would get the nod on April 6 against the Texas Rangers in Arlington.
It’s not unusual to see a lefty take the mound for opening day considering how Mark Buehrle now a Miami Marlin started the opening game every season from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2011 for the Sox.
As for Danks reaction to getting the opening day nod he said, “It’s an honor. It’s something everyone dreams about, throwing on opening day,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch five of them. You can’t help but think, `Man, what if that were me out there?”
For more on Danks getting the opening day nod you could visit the following links:
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/white-sox/post/_/id/9019/ventura-names-danks-to-start-opener
Undermanned Blackhawks
by Jordan Smith, Chicago Student
Approaching the playoffs, many teams have a lot of momentum and steam built up to help them try to run through the playoffs. The Chicago Blackhawks are not in this boat. Yes they have won 5 out 6, but they have key losses that are holding them back currently. The team is currently playing without their captain Jonathan Toews. In addition they are also playing without their top defender, Duncan Keith, who has been suspended by the NHL for 5 games. Will the Blackhawks be able to get all of their players back and also healthy in time for playoffs is a mystery.
Gas Prices Up to $4.67 in Chicago
by Diana De La Cruz, Chicago Student
Gas prices just went up to an average of $4.67 per gallon in Chicago, which is the highest in the continental U.S. but it is being said that the prices should be short term. The reason for the increase, Phil Flynn of the brokerage PFGBest says, is because of a pipeline disruption and problems at refineries, including a reputed glitch at BP’s operations in Whiting, Ind.
The Warmest Spring Ever
March is the beginning of Spring and for most of us its begins the anticipation of a break from the cold. This year, however, March feels more like the beginning of Summer and left most of us wondering is this weather going to stick around. March 6 we reached 60 degrees which is unseasonably warm. Since then, it has gotten progressively warmer and has made me wonder just how warm has this March been in comparison to March 2011.
March 2011 March 2012
3/10 Low 31 High 36 Low 28 High 60
3/15 Low 33 High 34 Low 51 High 81
3/20 Low 34 High 41 Low 62 High 82
UNA-USA Human Trafficking Seminar
Do you have a strong sense of justice and a desire to stand up for the rights of others? If so, the RMU chapter of UNA-USA has an opportunity for you! The club will be giving a presentation about the horrors of human trafficking, featuring a chilling documentary called Call and Response. The practice of selling men, women, and children as worker, soldier, and sex slaves is a global problem of massive proportions. While we may assume this is an issue only for impoverished countries, it actually affects thousands of people here in the United States.
To learn more about this atrocity and what you can do to get involved, the UNA-USA club cordially invites you to the presentation, which will be held in the student center, on March 27 at 1:30 PM.
Updated: RMU Enrichment Courses Being Offered During Summer 1 Quarter
Here are the Enrichment Courses that are being offered during the Summer 1 2012 quarter. Speak with your advisor if you’re interested in signing up for a class. Contact the instructor if you have specific questions about the course.
ENRICHMENT COURSES SUMMER 1 2012
CIS 180 Introduction to Website Design
Tuesday/Thursday 2-3:50PM
Students will learn to create web pages using HTML, XHTML, and CSS technologies. Course will cover basic elements and how to create hyperlinks, adding images to web page, using tables
and forms, and how to structure web page most effectively. Students will learn to use Cascading
Style Sheets (CSS) to control the look and placement of HTML elements. Additionally, course
will introduce students to HTML5 the latest generation of HTML.
Instructor: Naresh Nohria nnohria@robertmorris.edu
EXR 102: Pilates
Monday 2:30-3:30pm
Wednesday 2:30-3:30pm
Participants will learn how to strengthen their cores, increase their flexibility, improve posture and breathing patterns, and focus on stabilization and strength.
The ability to modify Pilates exercises makes this an excellent class for a variety of populations and exercise levels.
HUM 282- The Sopranos: Literary and Philosophical Renderings
Fridays 9:00AM-12:00PM
The Sopranos re-invents the American gangster for 21st Century audiences through its depiction of politics, violence, gender, family, leadership, and justice within the structure of organized crime culture. Literary and philosophical references and allusions from Aristotle and Sophocles to Sun Tzu and Machiavelli will be explored through an in-depth look at characterization and theme with an emphasis on narrative structure and cultural analysis.
Instructor: Joseph Barda jbarda@robertmorris.edu
HUM 220 AA PUBLIC METAPHOR
Thursdays 1:00-4:00PM
In this course, students will investigate the way in which metaphor operates in contemporary discourse. Metaphors provide a symbolic language that creates an understanding of larger culture (society). Within different contexts, certain metaphors (symbols) gain traction in our public conversations—for example, monster figures represent particular social anxieties and heroes represent the antidote to social problems. These symbols then allow for an understanding of the world around us through the application of a familiar and shared narrative. This course will focus on a specific metaphor used in contemporary narrative, inquire into what this symbol represents and how it allows us to understand particular problems and social anxieties.
This course will explore the subject of Zombies and their representation in contemporary pop culture. Using literature, film and television, students will investigate what zombies symbolize in today’s society, as well as their evolution throughout American history.
Instructor Mick .McMahon mmcmahon@robertmorris.edu
MGT328 – Servant Leadership Enrichment Development
Monday/Wednesdays 2-3:50PM
Servant Leadership Enrichment Development (SLED) is a ten week experience dedicated to immersing the student in theory and application of Servant Leadership, as described by Robert K. Greenleaf and the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. This approach to leadership is about serving the needs of your followers, being a servant first. This is radically different from other leadership theories that are currently studied in management courses and emerged in writings as early as 1964. In SLED, this type of leadership fit will be analyzed and evaluated for use in both for-profit and non-profit settings.
Instructor: Jennifer Kaminski – Jkaminski@robertmorris.edu
MGT333 – Strategic Decision Consulting
Tuesday/Thursday 2-3:50PM
Students will learn a set of conceptual frameworks, practical tools, and processes that will assist decision-makers to achieve high-quality measurable decisions. This course provides a detailed exposure to state-of-the-art decision-making methodology which is applicable to any content — personal or business. The classroom approach combines presentations and discussions utilizing case studies.
Instructor: Jay Jiwani – Jjiwani@robertmorris.edu
SSC 207- Movies, Sports, and The American Dream
Monday/Wednesday 2:00-3:50PM
The term “American Dream” captures a key aspect of what is means to be an American. Movies and sports have long been associated with the charm and excitement that constitute part of what has made the American Dream so compelling to so many generations of Americans. In this course, we’ll explore the American Dream by watching and discussing a series of movies about the world of sports. The movies we examine may differ in a variety of ways, but they all have in common the wish to explore not only the sports world, but also what is meant by the American Dream.
Instructor: Dr. Peter Stern pstern@robertmorris.edu
Healthy Food a Hit During Student Center Event
On March 13, RMU student Ashley DiBella held an event in the Chicago Student Center to provide samples of food products by Wisma. Ashley’s goal is to bring the healthier, organic Wisma options to RMU for sale in the Eagle’s Landing Cafe.
Some of the packaged food from Wisma on display during the March 13 event in Chicago.
There were long lines to try the healthy food by Wisma at the March 13 event.
In exchange for the samples, Ashley asked everyone to fill out a short survey to collect data on what everyone thought of the food in order to support her cause to bring the food for sale to RMU. After compiling the data, Ashley said the survey results “are overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic.” View the Wisma U Survey Results.
RMU Student and Event Organizer Ashley DiBella (center) handing some samples of the Wisma products to Dr. Jackie Callery and Professor Genevieve Lucas.
For more information about Wisma U., visit: http://stopfreshman15.blogspot.com/
Spring Career Fair: April 11
Spring Career Fair 2012
The Career Fair is an excellent opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni to network with employers regarding internships, full and part-time job opportunities.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Hilton Chicago, Williford 3rd Floor
720 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Students & Alumni - Please contact your Career Advisor to register.
For more info visit https://www.robertmorris.edu/careerfair/
5th Annual RMU Culinary Symposium: Friday, April 13
Robert Morris University would like to invite you to experience
“The Five Taste Senses”
at the Institute of Culinary Arts’ 5th Annual Culinary Symposium
Friday, April 13, 8:00am – 2:00pm
401 S. State Street
Chicago, IL
Register for the Symposium!
This year’s symposium will focus on interesting culinary trends and techniques incorporating the five major taste sensations: Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Salty and Umami.
This day-long event begins at 8:30 AM with keynote speaker Chef Cleetus Friedman owner of City Provisions Catering and Delicatessen. Chef Friedman is a lifelong chef, entertainer and event planner who is revolutionizing food in Chicago. City Provisions strives to educate their guests on what it means to be sustainable, local, and healthy. After the keynote address, you will have multiple exciting sessions to choose from throughout the day along with two all day interactive sessions hosted by Polyscience and Gourmet Spice Company.
Sessions will be divided into three tracks: See Full Symposium Schedule
Lunch will be provided by the Robert Morris University, Bachelor in Advanced Culinary Arts students, between the morning and afternoon sessions.
Most of the sessions will include demonstrations and tastings. Throughout the day, attendees can also visit the Culinary Expo and Association Fair featuring representatives from all areas of the food industry and associations that support networking. Finally, the closing reception will include a drawing in the 8th floor auditorium. Students in the culinary field, chefs and chef instructors and Robert Morris alumnae are invited to attend this annual symposium. Registration is free for students/alumnae/RMU employees, $15 for educators and industry professionals. Every guest must register to attend this event. Register now, seats are limited.
