Winter Worries, Speed Dating and Fundraisers

Here is a look at some of the news and upcoming events from the campus of this week. 

Snow and Ice - Not Nice:

Like much of Long Island, students have had their fair share of problems related to the increased snow we have received this winter.  Particularly annoying to some was the lack of snow removal by campus maintenance after last Wednesday's storm.  The campus was barely passable on foot last Thursday, Jan. 27.  Paths leading to many of the main buildings on campus were buried with over a foot of snow, leaving students with no choice but to travel through the snow.  Many students questioned the wisdom of opening a campus that was not ready.  Others voiced displeasure over the lack of snow removal, one in particular saying “the person who oversees snow removal should be fired.”

Last Minute Cancellations:

Tuesday, Feb. 1 brought another winter storm to the area, and again caused classes and activities to be canceled. But this time around, the Farmingdale administration seemed to waited longer make the decision to cancel classes.  On Tuesday, evening classes after 6 p.m. were cancelled and the announcement was made at 5:35 p.m.  Students, some who travel more than an hour to campus, were angry with the prospect of arriving to campus only to have to return home again.  Early Wednesday, President Keen sent an email to all students apologizing, saying “We do our best to make timely decisions,” commending the maintenance department on a job well done and advising students to wear shoes that are suitable to the weather.

Basketball Fundraiser:

The basketball teams of and will be playing each other in support of the Dominic A. Murray 21 Memorial Foundation next .  Both teams from both schools will square off, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. respectively.  The foundation works to increase the knowledge of a medical condition known as Sudden Cardiac Arrest.  More information about the group can be found at domheart21.org.  Admission to the event is $1 for students and $2 for the general public.

Donate Blood on Campus:

A blood drive will be held on Thursday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Roosevelt Hall Mulit-Purpose Room.  Contact Russell C. Patterson at 631-420-2103 to schedule an appointment.  According to the New York Blood Center, there is currently a “blood emergency” having as a result of the many snowstorms that we have had in recent weeks that have cancelled blood donation events across the region.

Homeless Candlelight Vigil:

Also on Feb. 10, a vigil for Long Island’s homeless will be held at Farmingdale State College in the Roosevelt Hall Multi-Purpose Room and Plaza in support of homeless aid organizations across Long Island.  The event will last from 6 to 10 p.m..  Donations of baby goods, non-perishable food items and cleaning supplies will be accepted at the event.  For more information, visit addressthehomeless.org.

Writing Center Open:

Farmingdale State students looking to improve their writing skills are encouraged to visit the writing center this semester, which has reopened for the Spring.  For the week of Jan. 31, the Center will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  For the rest of the semester, the Center will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.

Speed Dating Comes to Farmingdale:

Students looking to “meet someone” will have the opportunity to do so at a speed dating event on Wednesday, Feb. 9  in the Loft Lounge of Roosevelt Hall.  The event will start at 8 p.m..  Speed dating is an activity where single men and women interact with other for short periods of time to try to assess compatibility.  Single men rotate between single women, usually only spending roughly five minutes with a potential mate (hence the term “speed dating”).

Come back next Friday for more news “From the Campus.”