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vol. 1 Feb ‘09 Hello my fellow Phi Theta Kappans! Maria Conneran, Chapter President This is an exciting time for Iota Xi. Now that our hallmarks have been completed, we can focus on setting new goals for our chapter. Our calendar for spring is densely packed with events, and many opportunities for current and new member involvement. I encourage you to take the initiative in distinguishing yourself this semester. We greatly appreciate all of your help! Make sure you visit our members website at PTKIotaXi.org and get up to date on Iota Xi chapter events, happenings, and fundraisers. Interact with other members, sign up for Iota Xi text alerts, add your email address to the chapter mailing list, and subscribe to Chapter Chatter, Iota Xi’s newsletter. Iota Xi will also soon be sending members to the 2009 Regional and International Conventions. I’m really looking forward to the 2009 International this editor convenApril. Fareed tion in Texas Newsweek through this process right now and it is slightly maddening. When I did my FAFSA this weekend, it took me hours to wade through a quagmire of and W-2s tax A word from our chapter president supplemental returns. A number Zakaria will be delivering the keynote address. I expect that Professor Stokes, Megan, and I will come back with some good stories from the Lone Star State. Also, if you are planning to transfer soon, I’d like to offer a friendly reminder to get a jump-start on your transfer scholarship search. I’m going of colleges require not only the FAFSA, but materials as well, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time. Member Induction A major part of my duties is membership, which begins at the beginning of… What is PTK to me? Phi Theta Kappa is more than just an honor society. It is an opportunity… Feed the Mind “Knowledge Nurtures Hope” Living eight years in the United States… 4 PTKIotaXi.org The chapter blog is the place for you to interact with fellow PTKers… Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Phi Theta Kappa Iota Xi’s Chapter Newsletter CHAPTER CHATTER Spring 2009 Membership Drive March 6th at 7:PM New member Induction At the Cranford Campus Commons. What is Phi Theta Kappa for me? Phi Theta Kappa is more than just an honor society. It is an opportunity to meet great and interesting people who very quickly become your friends. What has Phi Theta Kappa done for me? Phi Theta Kappa has helped me develop my leadership and public speaking skills, and I have learned more about team work and how to interact in a more productive way with others. Phi Theta Kappa changed my life! Before I joined Phi Theta Kappa, I didn’t know half of what I know now about different cultures, how to approach people with social problems, and most importantly how to appreciate what I have. I have also noticed that after joining the chapter my self esteem has improved a great deal. The benefits I get from Phi Theta Kappa are many! Besides learning so much from other Iota Xi members and from members of different chapters that come to our meetings and workshops, I also have the opportunity of receiving scholarships when I transfer to a four-year school. So far I have been to two admission interviews and one of the first questions I’ve been asked is “Are you a Phi Theta Kappa member?” So, if you are looking for new experiences and a chance to earn a scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa is for you! BY MEGAN ANDRADE, VP OF FELLOWSHIP A major part of my duties is membership, which begins at the beginning of each semester. So, you can just imagine how hectic the start of this semester is already! At the beginning of the semester, we send out letters to eligible potential members, that is, students with a 3.6 cumulative GPA, twelve UCC credits, and are enrolled fulltime. This semester, we mailed out 340 letters to students who met Iota Xi’s membership requirements. Spring 2009 new member orientation sessions will be held on Thursday February 12th, and Saturday February 14th. Forty-five potential inductees have responded so far! After orientation, prospective members have a one-on-one interview with Faculty Advisor, Professor Stokes-Dupass, and then new members are in- ducted during an elaborate Induction Ceremony. This semester, the Induction will be on March 6th in the Cranford Campus Commons. We always have a good turn out and it always looks nice thanks to the help of my fellow officers. For this Induction, we have the pleasure of having an Iota Xi Alu mni president (for me r to be and Consequences. We have the honor of having Dr. Jeff Shalan, the coordinator of Union County College’s Honors Studies Program, speaking at Honors Luncheon this semester, which I am very excited to hear. Officers of Iota Xi dedicate their time and culinary skills in order to make this an enjoyable experience for everyone. We also invite members from other chapters to join us. So, as you can see, I’ve Feb 12 & 14 Spring 2009 New Member Orientations exact), Philip Martin, joining us and making a short speech. It’s tradition after our Induction Ceremony to have an Honors Luncheon the following afternoon. This is a sort of welcome for new members and a time for new and old members to mingle. Also, we usually have a speaker or presentation on our Honors Topic, which is The Paradox of Affluence; Choices, Challenges, been busy, and I will continue to be busy until after the Luncheon. However, I enjoy the planning, and the outcome always makes it worthwhile! See you at the Induction and the Luncheon. Valentine’s Day Chris Mauro, VP of Fundraising February 12th is the start of the fundraising season for this semester. We are always looking for volunteers. This semester, we will have a bake sale, book sale, and an e-cycling drive, which is new. The Valentine’s Bake sale is an excellent opportunity to help Phi Theta Kappa, work with other members, and meet students who stop at the table. I look forward to seeing everyone there. The book sale, our main fundraiser, will be set up February 22nd starting at 7:00 a.m. but will officially begin February 23rd and will last for one week. We will begin a sign up sheet on February 12th. Finally, we have the e-cycling event coming up. We will be collecting old and/or unused cell phones and giving them to a company that has a “No Dump” policy, which is a concern for all recyclers. This will begin in the near future and if you would like the opportunity to help promote and market the event, please contact me at fundraising@PTKIotaXi.org. Thank you! Ivan Morocho, Leader Committee Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program! Over thirty $1000 scholarships DIANA GONZALEZ, VP OF HONORS Feed The Mind “Knowledge Nurtures Hope” Ana Maria Lopez, VP of Service Living eight years in the United States and learning the value of the opportunities that were offered to me, inspired me to begin a non-profit organization. I am proud to share with you that I registered “Feed-the-Mind” in Union County to help underprivileged children receive an education. But none of this could have been possible without the undying support of the members of Phi Theta Kappa. While stressed and overwhelmed by many obstacles that came my way, Phi Theta Kappa became my source of strength and most reliable support. I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for adopting “Feed-the-Mind” as a service project for the chapter, and for helping me accomplish this project I am passionate about. With the aid of Joseph Eulo, Sheila Casey, and Diana Gonzalez I will be putting together a documentary to share with you. In it there will be footage of my trip to Colombia in which “Feed-the-Mind” sponsored a school for an entire year. You will see the impact of your kindness and generosity and the smiles you helped to place on the faces of thirty-two children in Colombia. Thank you for your help in providing hope to these children. To become a member of Phi Theta Kappa is a priceless experi‐ ence. I remember my first day of class feeling insecure and lost in a river of students. I knew that I wanted to make a difference and get involved in school activities, but I did not know where to be‐ gin. Thankfully, the letter of invi‐ tation to become part of Iota Xi marked the starting point for me to begin answering to these ques‐ tions. By attending meetings, volun‐ teering for the biannual bake sales and book sales, and partici‐ pating in the campus and commu‐ nity cleanup events, I began to see a purpose in my college ex‐ perience. I finally felt that I be‐ longed. The ways in which Phi Theta Kappa has benefited my life are infinite, but that is not where it ends. Today, we have many scholarship opportunities avail‐ able exclusively for members. In particular, I would like to mention the Leaders of Promise Scholar‐ ship Program. This program was designed for new Phi Theta Kappa members. Its purpose is to help defray edu‐ cational expenses while enrolled in a two‐year college in order to develop Society. Leaders of Promise is the Soci‐ ety’s first scholarship program available to members to be used during the time they are enrolled in their community colleges. Up to 30 scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded based on applica‐ tions submitted by members. leadership potential through participation in the To be eligible to apply, a stu‐ dent must be a member of Phi Theta Kappa in good standing and currently enrolled in an associate degree program, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on all college‐level coursework. If you who have completed no more than 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours) of coursework as of January 31, 2009, YOU ARE eligible to apply. However, stu‐ dents with previous degrees are NOT eligible. All completed applications must be received (not post‐ marked) by May 1, 2009. Applica‐ tions are available at http://www.ptk.org/schol/ leadpromise/welcome.htm I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO APPLY!! RELAY FOR LIFE : MAY 29TH STARTING AT 6 PM Phi Theta Kappa is participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The Relay for Life raises money to support cancer research, aware‐ ness, and prevention. Soon, more information about fundraising for the event will be available, including information about luminaries that can be purchased to honor the life of someone you know who has or is fighting cancer. The event will take place at Memorial Field in Cranford on May 29th starting at 6 PM The event will run until 8 AM the next morning. If you are interested in participating at the Relay or in help‐ ing with fundraising, please contact Rachel at rprib@stnicholasnj.net Iota Xi’s Chapter Members Blog is Here! Joseph Eulo, VP of Public Relations It’s here! The Phi Theta Kappa Iota Xi Chapter Blog is here and it is ready for you to log on. Visit our new members website at http://www.PTKIotaXi.org and get up to date on Iota Xi chapter events, happenings, and fundraisers. Read the officer and member meeting minutes, Interact with other Iota Xi members, sign up for Iota Xi text alerts, and subscribe to the Online Version of Chapter Chatter, Iota Xi’s bi ‐monthly newsletter. The chapter blog is the place for you to interact with fellow Phi Theta Kappa Iota Xi members. It was created as a place for chapter members to meet and join in fellowship with one another. Exclusively for Iota Xi chapter members! See what’s going on, sign up for chapter events and submit articles and comments about your college and Phi Theta Kappa experience. So what are you waiting for? Log on to http://www.PTKIotaXi.org and get started. The Official Phi Theta Kappa Iota Xi Chapter T‐shirts are here, avail‐ able for $20 per shirt from Small to 4XL. To order your Phi Theta Kappa Iota Member T‐Shirt fill out the form below and submit it with payment to Phi Theta Kappa Iota Xi ‘s Fac‐ ulty Advisor Prof. Stokes‐Dupass , Office N7. Across the hall from the Alumni Conference room in the Nomahegan hallway Name: _____________________ Email:__________________ Phone: ___________________ I am interested in the following Iota Xi T‐shirt Sizes: Small______ Medium ______ Large ______ XL______ 2XL______ 3XL______ 4XL_____ Total quantity: ______________ X $20 = Total Amount Submitted: ____________________ (Price per shirt) (Cash or Money Order total) Submit order form with Cash or Money Order (payable to Phi Theta Kappa Iota Xi UCC) to Prof. Stokes‐Dupass, Phi Theta Kappa Advisor Office N7, (Across the hall from the Alumni Conference room in the Nomahegan hallway)

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vol. 1 Issue 2 | March 2009 | Special Middle States Regional Awards Edition Hello My Fellow Phi Theta Kappans! Maria Conneran, Chapter President We recently returned from our trip to regional convention in Baltimore, Maryland. Imagine this: Diana, Joe, Chris, Ana, Professor Stokes and me on stage in front of 300 people, while dancing to our version of Salt-NPepa’s 1987 hit “Push it.” It’s hard to believe, I know. We flaunted our matching black Iota Xi tees, while Chris rapped our chapter chant into the microphone. This is one of my many priceless memories of regional convention in Baltimore. The opportunity to network with other chapter officers was a major benefit. Joe, as our vice president of publicity, took advantage of this with great enthusiasm. He was often seen campaigning for Feedthe-Mind, and with impressive results. I am excited to see Feed the Mind growing to meet its true potential. I am so proud of our chapter for its success! Our chapter garnered plenty of recognition this year; we snagged quite a few awards! Let us all congratulate Professor Nicole for Stokes-DuPass grateful for her dedication to making our chapter a success. We were fortunate to hear speeches from Pastor and former NFL player Joe Ehrmann, Lt. Colonel Dennis Devery of the NJ National Guard, and scientist Kenneth Fink. Mr. Ehrmann delivered an emotionally charged speech that touched on the value of prioritizing human relationships, while recounting a particularly painful memory of his own brother’s tragic passing. Lt. Colonel Devery presented a speech focused own bility on leadership when skills, as he conveyed his anxieties of faced with the responsidispatching helicopters on 9/11. One of the highlights for me was a presentation by Kenneth Fink, whose enthusiasm was contagious. He is president of a science-education outfit called Wondergy that uses exciting demonstrations to get people interested in science. Our show included one very loud attend a presentation of one chapter’s revitalization project in New Orleans, in addition to a “Relay for Life” workshop. I was able to pick up some useful ideas for our own fundraising efforts as the date of our relay event approaches. Other memories: surviving Baltimore’s rush hour drivers, freezing in the gale-force winds, practicing our 80’s dance moves in the hotel room mirror, staying up past 3:AM (and being ready by 7!), being silly all weekend, taking a 15 minute dip in the hotel pool, and eating way too much catered food. Good times! 22nd Middle States Region Awards Banquet Gala  Iota Xi Union County College Nicole Stokes-Dupass, Paragon Chapter Advisor Chapter Awards 5-Star Chapter Four Leaf Clover Chapter Four Leaf Clover Fellowship Diamond Chapter Service Hallmark Hall of Honor Maria Conneran, President Diana Gonzalez, Officer Joseph Eulo, Distinguished Member her top-notch service as advisor to Iota Xi. She was recognized with the Paragon Award for new advisors at the awards ceremony, and we are all explosion that must have woken everyone in the hotel. We were given the opportunity to take part in educational workshops, which focused on a number of timely issues and service project ideas. I chose to Phi Theta Kappa Iota Xi’s Chapter Newsletter CHAPTER CHATTER Next Year, It’s Yours! 5 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT E-CYCLING Recyclers recover more than 100 million pounds of materials from electronics each year. Cell phones were recycled at a rate of approximately 10 percent. – Electronics TakeBack Coalition Recycling electronics helps reduce pollution that would be generated while manufacturing a new product and the need to extract valuable and limited virgin resources. – Electronics TakeBack Coalition In 2005, approximately 61 percent (about 107,500 tons) of CRT monitors and TVs collected for recycling were exported for remanufacture or refurbishment. – Electronics TakeBack Coalition One metric ton of electronic scrap from personal computers (PC’s) contains more gold than that recovered from 17 tons of gold ore. – Electronics TakeBack Coalition Donating used (but still operating) electronics for reuse extends the lives of valuable products and keeps them out of the waste stream for a longer period of time. – Electronics TakeBack Coalition http://www.goodcleantech.com/ 1 2 3 4 5 Take Advantage of the Phi Theta Kappa Experience and Unleash Your Potential. “You can do it!” BY JOSEPH EULO, VP OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Joining Phi Theta Kappa has been the best decision I have ever made, second only to deciding to attend college, the experience has profoundly changed me. My participation in Iota Xi has transformed me from an asocial lost soul into a confident and goal oriented person. The relationships that I have forge will last a lifetime, the experiences that I have shared with other Phi Theta Kappans will live on in my memory forever, and the contributions that I have made to my chapter and my community will have impacted many. I have internalized Phi Theta Kappa’s hallmarks and made them my own. Scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship are more than just words to me, and my hope is they will be more than just words for you. They serve as my compass and guide me through my choices. I am privileged to be among you all, and honored to share the Phi Theta Kappa experience with you. The trip to the Middle States Regional convention in Baltimore, Maryland last month was an event that I will never forget. I was happy to meet other Phi Theta Kappans from chapters around the region, and fortunate enough to share those moments with my Iota Xi family. Just being there was enough for me. So when my name was called during the awards gala as one of ten chapter member Hall of Honors Award recipients I was shocked. As I stood there with the other recipients, I reflected on my academic achievements and participation in Phi Theta Kappa. At that moment, I realized this was the first time in my life that I won an award. The experience reached a fever pitch when I was called a second time and presented with the 2009 Distinguished Chapter Member Award. I carry the medallion around in my pocket, as a reminder of my achievement. I use it as an instrument to encourage others. The potential that I see in myself, I also see in you. I implore you to take advantage of the Phi Theta Kappa experience. Become active in Iota Xi and unleash your potential. Next year, the award is yours! “ the first time in my life that I won an award…, the experience has changed me!” E-Cycling Chris Mauro, VP of Fundraising The e-cycling event will begin Monday March 23rd, 2009 and last until friday. The top 3 devices to be recycled are cell-phones, PDA, and handheld organizers. Those who are interested in donating these devices should put place them in the Cranford or Elizabeth Library donation box. Or you can be proactive as a Iota Xi member and collect them in the “operation green” bag we will be selling for $5. Proceeds of the e-cycling event will go towards Relay for Life. Members are needed to speak to their classes to raise awareness and promote this event. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or any other Iota Xi officer. We will be collecting these devices and will be giving them to a company that has a “No Dump” policy, which is important clers. help to all recyIf you would like to please contact me at and fundraising@PTKIotaXi.org. don’t forget Saturday March 28th is Earth Hour, celebrate it by Voting Earth, Thank you!

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The Paradox of Affluence… or the Logic of (Unbridled) Capitalism? Some Striking Global Statistics • • Of 4.4 billion people in developing countries, 3/5 lack basic sanitation; 1/3 have no safe drinking water; 1/5 are undernourished; 1/5 have no access to modern health services $40 Billion: Additional cost to achieve and maintain universal access to basic education, healthcare, food, water, sanitation (slightly more than the combined sum of $36 Billion that Americans spend on cosmetics and pet food and Europeans on ice cream) $40 Billion = 4% of the combined wealth of the 225 richest people in the world $1 Trillion = Combined wealth of world’s 225 richest people $1 Trillion = Annual income of the poorest 47% of Earth’s population, or 2.5 billion people GDP of 48 least developed countries = assets of world’s three richest people One child born in London, Paris, or New York will consume, waste, pollute more in a lifetime than 50 children born in a developing country In 1960, the gap between the world’s richest and poorest 20% was 30 to 1; in 1991, it was 61 to 1; in 1994, it was 74 to 1. • • • • • • (Figures from 1998 United Nations Human Development Report) Some Striking National Statistics • • • • • • • • Top 1/10 of 1% of US income earners (300,000) earn the equivalent of the bottom 50% (150 million); greatest disparity since Great Depression Top 1% owns more wealth than bottom 90% Top 1% garnered 80% of income gains in recent years. (Hence, increases in GDP or per capita income are not accurate barometers of broader economic wellbeing) Top 10% account for all income gains in 2005 2006 Bush Tax Cuts: Bottom 20% of income earners received $23; middle 20% received $448; top 1% received $39,000; top 1/10 of 1% received $200,523 Between 1979 and 2005, income of top 5% increased from 11x as much to 22x as much as bottom 20%, whose real income declined by 1% In 1970s, CEOs earned 30-40x more than average worker; in 1990, they earned 100x more; in 2005, they earned 400x more U.S. Personal Savings Rate declined from 11.2% in 1982 to -1.1% in 2006 (a debtor nation) (Figures from www.inequality.org, citing U.S. Census Bureau, EPI, and scholarly studies) A Brief History of a Global “Paradox” • • • Bretton Woods (1944): UN Monetary and Financial Conference to rebuild post-war global economy Three institutions established: World Bank, IMF, and GATT (the last was replaced by WTO in 1995) 1948-1971: Period of unprecedented global economic growth which, despite unequal distribution, greatly benefited the developing world (coincides with period of global decolonization: reassertion of national sovereignty) 1973-1974: At summit of non-aligned countries and in UN General Assembly, Group of 77 (organization of less-developed countries) campaigns for a new international economic order designed to achieve a fairer redistribution of wealth, income, and technology 1970s-1980s: Heritage Foundation opposes Group of 77 with call for new economic order based on ascendant neoliberal ideology. Its views are adopted by US Treasury and IMF and packaged into Structural Adjustment Programs for developing economies, with emphasis on export-led growth as condition for IMF and World Bank loans (comes to be known as “Washington Consensus”) • • Neoliberalism in a Nutshell (aka “The Washington Consensus” or “Free Market Fundamentalism”) Principal Features  Deregulation: removal of state control, oversight, intervention in the belief that markets are self-regulating and function most effectively when left alone by government and its regulatory agencies Privatization: transfer of ownership and management of public enterprises to private companies in the belief that private business and industry can more efficiently and effectively produce and deliver goods and services Free Trade: removal of barriers to trade (e.g. taxes, tariffs, subsidies) and controls on foreign investment in the belief that the free flow of goods, services, and capital across national borders is the best means of economic growth (“A rising tide lifts all boats”)   Some Logical Effects of an Ideology Decline of unions, stagnant wages, shifting tax burden, corporate-led globalization, downsizing, loss of good-paying, secure union jobs with benefits in manufacturing replaced by low-wage jobs in service sector often without benefits, all contributing to upward redistribution and concentration of wealth WTO policies and free trade agreements (e.g. NAFTA) empower transnational corporations at the expense of workers, peasants, indigenous peoples, the environment, and the sovereignty of elected governments; produce domestic and global wealth gap: a “rising tide [may] lift all boats,” but many are pushed overboard IMF SAPs: debtor nations restructure economies to attract foreign investment and to service debt at expense of social investment and economic development Justifies shrinking government and defunding government agencies and social programs, which in turn legitimizes argument for tax cuts; hence, obstacle towards public investment in what enjoys broad popular consensus: good schools, universal healthcare, infrastructure renewal, alternative, clean, renewable energy sources. Deregulating banking and credit industries (e.g. repeal of usury laws and Glass-Steagall Act) makes it easier to borrow at a time when borrowing becomes increasingly necessary to stay afloat, leading to increasing debt for ordinary people (those at the top lend to those below) The focus on quarterly returns on investments in a hyperactive marketplace translates into a short-sighted focus with little regard for long-term investments that might not produce immediate profits or that produce benefits that might not so easily translate into dollars The increasing commodification of all areas of life—everything becomes subject to markets, citizens become consumers in a hyper-individualized marketplace that discourages critical thought and undermines democratic society Prospects: Whither an Ideology? “When the gap between ideal and real becomes too wide, the system breaks down.” (Barbara Tuchman)  The death-knell of the neoliberal order? “Society waits unformed and is for a while between things ended and things begun.” (Walt Whitman)  What will economic “recovery” mean?