Given the number of people (an estimated 5,000 at Lincroft alone) who got caught when the lights went out on Tues., Dec. 9, we feel pretty fortunate that there weren't any major problems (at least that I know of).

Even so, a lot of students and staff faced a pretty scary situation. I'm curious to hear from anyone with comments about what went on around Lincroft or any of the higher ed centers.

If you're a student at Brookdale who likes to enjoy a cigarette before, during, or after class, I'm sure you understand the pain of have to walk through the cold to get to one of the gazebos seemingly located in wind-tunnels or out in the open where there is nothing to defend you against the elements.

This isn't just about Brookdale: It's any ATM anywhere. But the Brookdale stuff, I know about. Here's how it goes:
You're at an ATM, you get your cash, grab your card and fly. No problem, right?
Wrong!
There's some slug off in the corner that's been watching you. He saw the way you moved your fingers to key in your PIN. As soon as you leave, he swoops in to see what's on the ATM screen.
There's a message that says something like, "Do you want to continue?"
The slug hits "Yes."
There's a prompt for the PIN. He's a pro. He imitates the way you punched in the numbers with your fingers.
He's into your bank account.
He checks on the account balances and in a few seconds wipes you out.
That's just one way our students and employees can get ripped off.

Any thoughts on this?

Some tips for students who don't know about the student IDs or testing center.

This is a dilemma that a lot of us face about cell phones.

Some professors tell students to turn their cell phones off during class. Others say that leaving your phone on "vibrate" is OK.

From a College standpoint, we think it's OK for students to keep their cell phones on--set to vibrate--in case of an emergency. In fact, if you check out the bottom of the Brookdale home page, there's an icon for getting students and staff to register their cell phones for emergency text-messaging. There's currently about 2,000 people on the list. The idea is that if we need to send an emergency text message, we're hoping that enough of our students have their cell phones on to receive the message, even if they're in class.

What's your opinion on this? If you're a student, are you encountering any resistance from your profs?
If you're a prof, are you insisting that your students turn off their phones? That having the phone set to vibrate isn't good enough?

Hmmm.

One of our students came up with what I think is a great idea. Here's what she wrote:

Being a Brookdale Student, attending for two years now leaves me with a concern about the books. In 2007, the amount i spent for my text books was half the amount of what i paid this year, 2008. I have found a solution to this issue. By giving the students an option to buy the textbooks or having them loaned for the semester would help many students out with the cost of school. By loaning the books, the students will have to sign a consent form stating the student is responsible for any damage done to the textbooks at the end of each semester. If there is any damage done, the student will have to pay the full amount of the textbook. Many students pay for college on their own. If Brookdale had an option for students about textbooks, I feel it would be very beneficial for everyone!

Thank you for your time,
A.F.

That's this student's opinion. What do you think?

Curious.

Brookdale's Police Department is offering the following message for students and staff. They'd like the information title to be "Parking Lot #1- Your Default Lot." But since this is a blog, we don't go for fancy titles.

The Police also offer this teaser line: "Parking Lots Closed, No Parking Spaces, Long Lines of Cars?"

According to the Police, they offer the following solution to parking problems at Lincroft:

GO TO PARKING LOT #1. It’s a short ride down Museum Drive past Larrison Hall (LAH). We all know that parking is at a premium during the first weeks of school. This changes as the semester passes but there are still several peak time periods all year (after 10:00AM and then after 1:00PM). If certain parking lots are closed by the Police Department, it means that lot is full. The Police Officers are there directing traffic to help you find a lot with available parking spaces.

Don’t ride in circles around the other parking lots looking for a space to open up. Go immediately to Lot #1. Drive to the back of Lot #1 and turn left. The Trammell Trail starts there. The Trammell Trail is a short walkway that leads from Lot #1 right into the center of the Campus. The first branch to the left takes you right behind the Library. The Trail continues on to the Back Campus Road. The MAN, the MAC, and the MAS buildings are right there in front of you. The Student Life Center (SLC) is just to your right.

VOILA !!! You made it.

Make your life easier-------TRY LOT #1


Anyway, that's what the Brookdale Police suggest. What do you say to that?

Last year, through the College's "Governance" process (which involves students as well as employees from every department), Brookdale created a College-wide Action Team on Sustainability, a.k.a., the Green Team. The Green Team is supposed to be looking at everything Brookdale does--from styrofoam coffee cups to storm drains that go into the Swimming River reservoir--and come up with ways of making the College more environmentally friendly.

One result of the group's work are new recycling containers that separate paper from cans and general trash.

But what else should we be doing?

Your blogging is welcome and will be taken to heart by the College.

Brookdale's Dining Services staff takes pride in the work they do providing high-quality meals for students and staff. The staff welcomes feedback from anyone who's recently put on the feedbag in the Jersey Blues Dining Room.

So whaddaya think?